Letter from Harold Hartley, Wallingford, to Erleigh Budgett, 1916 October 30: autograph manuscript signed.

Acknowledging receipt of a letter from her, observing that her efforts to prove the authenticity of a Rossetti drawing "must be somewhat disappointing", adding "still it is a beautiful thing & quite worthy of him.", although "There is something about it that is not quite convincing.", and expressing his hope that Fairfax Murrey will be able to see it, as he has handled so many of Rossetti's drawings and his opinion would be the best she could obtain; mentioning (H.C.) Marillier and his work on Rossetti; remarking on her recent visit to the owners of (Frederick) Sandys drawing for "Cleopatra", adding that he was "instrumental in the V & A Museum getting some very beautiful studies for 'Amor Mundi'", that he has a complete set of Sandys' proofs, and noting that they were intimate friends; mentioning that he went to see an exhibition that is being prepared of works by Arthur Hughes, and remarking that he is afraid "that it will not be at all representative"; stating that he is not familiar with the work of "Clem." (i.e. Clemence) Housman, although he has always admired the illustrations of Laurence Housman and has some of his originals for "The goblin market"; mentioning that his most recent acquisition was a drawing by Bernard Partridge for the cartoon "The two Forces" for "Punch", which he intends to send to Queen Marie of Romania as a gift; writing that his son is home on leave and staying with them with his family and expressing his hope that she will be able to meet him some day as he is very interested in illustration "& has many beautiful examples in his home at Oxford."