EPSTEIN, Sir Jacob (1880-1959). Americ-born Sculptor. ()

Ten Autograph Letters Signed ("Jacob Epstein") to [David] Hardman, [Secretary of the Sir Stafford Cripps Memorial Trust] discusing his work on the bronze bust of Cripps, destined for St. Paul's Cathedral.17 1/2 pages 8vo in all, 18 Hyde Park Gate, 28 October 1953 - 10 June 1954.Together with two large glossy press photographs of the unveliling of the bust at St. Paul's, one showing Clement Attlee standing beside it.

An interesting series of letters, in which Epstein disccusses his anxieties about what turned out to be a very successful commission. Sir Stafford Cripps, the post-war Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer and apostle of austerity, had died in 1952. A sincere Christian and a man of the highest moral character, but of a rather prickly disposition, Cripps once drove Churchill to say of him "He has all the virtues I dislke and none of the vices I admire."". . . I would like your opinion on the lines on which I am conceiving the work . . Now I am a little uncertain about showing it yet to Lady Cripps who of course will have a not unnatural anxiety about it . . . " (28 October 1953)". . . Tomorrow I am showing the bust to Lady Cripps, not without trepidation! I think I have interpreted Sir Stafford in the right spirit. I have worked on it since you have viewed it. It is now in plaster & the bust seems to say, 'I hold fast to my conviction' " (3 November 1953)"I think the 2nd inscriptiion "If man neglects the things of the spirit" etc the better of the two . . . I have been today to the foundry & the more I think of it the less I like the idea of glasses on the bust. Aftrer all God made Sir Stafford without spectacles." (3 March 1954)."I have really finished the bust, & all that will be needed now is the pedestal which I have just put in hand, & the inscription which when I get it in its final form I will have inscribed on the base by my letterer who will be quite competent I can assure you . . . (11 March 1954)". . . The reception at the foundry was somewhat curious, I thought. The ecclesiastic talked as if we were attempting a crime, when I asked about the site of the bust & Mr Attlee was like a frozen turnip. A somewhat chilling affair." (27 March 1954)". . . I would like to see the bronze on its pedestal in place before the unveiling of course to judge it in place. I am a little uncertain of the exact date of the unveiling . . ." (10 May 1954)"Thanks for photographs of great event when we were shoved out after half an hour. Did you see Tom Driberg's accouhnt in Reynolds? . . ." (10 June 1954)Generally in excellent condition. One letter worn along fold, and another with a slight tear not touching the text. Three have annotations in Hardman's hand at the head.

Stock Code: AU6208