Three initials trimmed to edges: (i) very large initial 'P' in red, with a long foliate tail, enclosing bright blue geometric patterns within the body of the initial, and red foliage with a blue fleur-de-lys in the bowl of the initial, remains of 15 lines of text in an angular bookhand on reverse, 260 by 60mm.; (ii) large initial 'S' in red bands enclosing geometric patterns in blank vellum designs, the bowls of the initial enclosing swirls of thin red foliage terminating in black trilobed leaves, 55 by 40 mm.; (iii) large initial 'G' in red bands enclosing geometric patterns in blank vellum designs, the arms of the initial terminating in foliate sprays, 57 by 40mm.; all three with folds to thinner extremities leading to small paint flaking in places, and once laid down together on card (some text loss from reverse from being removed from that as well as small pieces of paper adhering), overall good condition
Provenance:
1. From the collection of Professor Vladimir G. Simkhovitch (1874-1959) of New York, an economics and history professor at Columbia University; these initials sold together in his posthumous sale in Sotheby's, 11 July 1960, lot 60 (clipping from that catalogue included), to the 'Arcade Gallery' for £6.
2. Paul Wengraf (1894-1978), founder and chief agent of the Arcade Gallery, in the Royal Arcade in Old Bond Street, London. The gallery closed in 1973
