[Gore-Booth, Colum Robert] / [Lady Eva Selina Laura Gore-Booth] / [Constance Georgine Markievicz née Gore-Booth] / [Lissadell House County Sligo].

Two Manuscript Sketch-Books [12” x 10”] bearing the Bookplate “Lady Gore Booth – Lissadell, Sligo [No.43]”. Both Folio-Size Sketch Books titled ‘The “Wood” Sketch Book’, both issued by ‘St. John’s Wood Art School’: 29, Elm Tree Road, London, NW 8. [Founded 1878]. Each Sketch-Book has 50 pages and most pages have manuscript sketches with a few loose sketches tipped in. The very accomplished drawings all appear to be in pencil and show landscapes, trees, horses, portraits, male and female figures, skulls. They all appear to be in the same hand. Also, tipped in is a b/w photo, 6” x 4” mounted on a card. It is signed in pencil by Roberts of Paris. Stamped on the back is “Roberts” 11, Rue du Havre. In pencil, it states “Elizabeth aged 11, May 1922”. From our research it is certain, that Colum Robert Gore-Booth (1913-1959) attended St.John’s Wood Art School and these appear to be his Sketch-Pads, the only other member of the Gore-Booth family who went to London in order to become an artist was Colum’s aunt, Constanze Markiewicz, who attended Slade School of Art at the turn of the century but the drawings do not fit her style.

Two Volumes. London, St.John’s Wood Art Schools / Lissadell House County Sligo, c.1920 – 1930. Folio. Volume I: 118 pages (59 perforated sheets), with 87 studies, often with sketching on both sides of the sheets / Volume II: 100 pages (50 perforated sheets), with 46 studies inside the sketch-book plus two portrait-sketches loosely inserted, plus the photograph of one “Elizabeth”, dated May 1922 and signed by photographer “Roberts” 11, Rue du Havre, Paris. Publisher’s illustrated Hardcover. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear.

Provenance: These two stunning Sketch-Books originate from the Property of TV Producer John Williams, Kerry [produced The Late Late Show for a number of years in Dublin].

According to the auction-house Whyte’s in Dublin: “Colum was the son of Mordaunt Gore-Booth and was at one time a trustee of the family estate at Lissadell, Co. Sligo” (Source: Whyte’s Website).

This is especially of interest since it could explain the labelling of the Sketch-Books as No.43 of an Estate Sale at Lissadell and the bookplate “Lady Gore-Booth” in that case would be misleading.
We therefore assume the sketch-books being definitely those of the only proven attendee at St.John’s Wood Art School: “Colum Robert Gore-Booth”.

A wonderful find !

• Keywords: Art · Art – Rare · Catalogue Four – International Art · Colum Robert Gore-Booth (1913-1959) · Gore-Booth Circle · Irish Art – Rare · Lissadell House (County Sligo) · Manuscript / Autograph – Rare · Manuscript Art Rare · Manuscript Drawings
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 31895AB

EUR 6.800,--