Library and Archive Reading Rooms
View by appointment- Created by
- John Banting 1902–1971
- Recipient
- John Humphrey Spender 1910–2005
- Title
- Letter from John Banting to Humphrey Spender
- Date
- [c.1938–9]
- Medium
- Ink on paper
- Dimensions
- 187 × 253 mm
- Format
- Artwork - on paper, unique
- Collection
- Tate Archive
- Acquisition
- This collection was presented to the Tate Archive by Humphrey Spender in 1997.
- Reference
- TGA 9717/1/15
Description
This letter has writing and drawing in pink and blue ink, including a skeleton wearing a tilted hat. The letter begins, 'Hi Humph help!' as Banting asks Spencer if he can bring some paintings he is working on to 'Lad Gad' [23 Ladbroke Gardens, Humphrey Spencer's then home]. He also refers to a portrait he has been painting [possibly of 'Lolly', Margaret Low, Spender's first wife] which he had hoped to surprise Spender with but instead says he will have to offer it as a belated wedding present.