Freud, Lucian (1922-2011)
Autograph letter signed, 4 Delamere Terrace, [London], c,1960
£819
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 28 September 2022 from 10:00 BST
Description
addressed to 'Dear Benno', signed 'yours sincerely, Lucian', in black ink on one side of a single sheet of paper (20.3 x 15.8cm), old creases and folds, ink smudged in places, faint circular stain, verso annotated in red crayon (with a five times table, possibly by Freud)
Footnote
Note:
Freud apologises for his recent absence from the 'office' owing to a 'temporary lack of ammunition', and arranges to discuss 'the matter of Lady Lambton's account', possibly a reference to Belinda ('Bindy'), Lady Lambton, (1921-2003), whose portrait Freud painted in 1960-1; it was given the title Head on a Green Sofa and sold with much publicity in 2014. The recipient was Ben 'Benno' Miller (1922/3-2015), a bookmaker on Bond Street, London.
Provenance: By direct descent from the recipient.