Six autograph letters signed ("E. Burne Jones" and "E.B.J."), to Francis (Franz) Hueffer, discussing drawings ("...that unfinished drawing – unless I bring it, unfinished as it is you may never have it for it never will be finished -- & we shall depart into space, both of us, unsatisfied about it – so I shall bring it & you must forget its roughness & sketchiness if you can..."), pianos ( "...The long piano is Miss Faulkners design as well as workmanship – I had nothing to do with it... if by any means – supposing you follow with a second article – the praise could be given to he, it would be nice – for every bit of it is her unhelped – and I have the greatest admiration for her and felt a pang at having her ewe lamb dished up at my banquet of repletion..."), reviews ("...never will I read one of them – nor have I for years – they are meant for the public (whom they don't much affect) and not the artist who is often much affected by them – with double discouragement & treason to himself – good bad or indifferent ..."); with four autograph envelopes, 14 pages, some dust-staining, 8vo, Rottingdean and the Grange, postmarked 1871-79 BURNE JONES TO FRANCIS HUEFFER, music critic, son-in-law of his friend and fellow painter Ford Madox Brown, and father of the novelist, Ford Madox Brown (Hueffer). A letter by Georgiana Burne Jones to his wife Cathy is included in the lot. Bonhams 2013
My dear Hüffer / What a monster of suspiciousness you would / make me out - I think you rather like[?] my work and / I know you are so friendly that you wouldn't say all the / bad you could of them - but I hadn't heard of the said criticism / like you told me of it - for never will I read one of them - nor have / I for years - they are meant for the public (whom they don't much / affect) and not for the artist who is often much affected by them / - with doubt, discouragement & ? to himself - good bad or / indifferent I never look at them or think of them & never will / - two years ago the Pall Mall praised - now it seems it doesn't - / two years to come perhaps it will, another two years and it / won't - and what does it matter good Lord! Since we are not / to have a future life time is very precious and not to be / so lightly wasted: so so now let us even say the word "Times" / "Pall Mall on Daily News" again but come some evening with / your wife and let us enjoy a few reasonable hours - and we / should like to go to the opera some evng. much. - will they / have a ? this time ? / N. B. I wouldn't let "mutual friends" ever help me to an opinion / what a friend. from the very first I have had a perfectly / reliable & comfortable friendship with you - am always glad / when you come - feel your sympathy through your talk everywhere / ...