RAYMOND, Charles Andrewes, Reverend. Sketchbook Album.

Pigtail Portraiture

RAYMOND, Charles Andrewes, Reverend. Sketchbook Album. Berkshire. c. 1889.

Oblong 16mo. Contemporary maroon roan, upper board lettered in gilt within gilt cartouche; ff. [38], pastel coloured leaves sporadically throughout; on watermarked Whatman paper dated [18]33; with drawings throughout in pencil and watercolour depicting members of the Raymond household, landscapes, and studies of buildings; hinges cracked but still holding, old tape repairs to 6 ff. at inner margin, 5 ff. neatly excised at an early date; a remarkable example of a sketchbook detailing family members; one portrait signed ‘Charles A. Raymond’ in pencil, 1889 ownership inscription of ‘The Rev. C. A. Raymond, Bray Vicarage, Barks’ to front pastedown in black ink.

A charming sketchbook depicting members of the Raymond family of Berkshire, produced by the Reverend Charles A. Raymond (1833?–1920).

A particular highlight is the portrait of the young Anne Rycroft-Raymond, who appears somewhat gloomily to be sitting for the eager artist. One side of her hair has come loose, while the other remains neatly set in a curled pigtail, and one of her eyes wanders off to the side. Charles Raymond appears to have taken an interest in capturing dynamic subjects; his portrait of ‘Dash’ the dog is particularly accomplished. Another portrait depicts Oliver E. Raymond seated at the table, with his violin and bow in front of him. Musical instruments appear later in the sketchbook, in the sketch of ‘Rev. W. H. Walker’ and ‘Rev. Hugh Pearson’ playing their cellos. Raymond’s artwork, however, was not only limited to the people in his family: he also paints landscapes and buildings such as ‘Old Stable | Middleton Rectory | Essex’.

Provenance: The sketchbook was once owned by the Reverend Charles A. Raymond, Vicar of St Michael’s Church, Bray, Berkshire, from 1887 to 1915. His contribution to the church is commemorated by an inspiration on its sixth bell: ‘This bell was recast 1914. Rev. Chas. A Raymond’. The Bell News (Vol. 33, Saturday, 20 March 1915) speaks approvingly of these bells, noting that ‘the whole of the work in connection with the restoration of the bells and belfry had been most satisfactorily carried out’.

SKU: 2124572