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15th July 1944
Dear Sir,
My late wife left me in possession
of several MSS and other literary material concerning Lawrence
of Arabia, who was an intimate friend of ours. These I have given
to the British Museum. Among them were some portraits of Lawrence
in pencil by Augustus John, and one in crayon by another hand
initialled something like J.V, though I should have guessed Orpen
or perhaps Kennington. If they are eligible for the Gallery they
are at your disposal.
I have a crayon drawing by
Sargent of Harley Granville-Barker which I should like to place
in a public collection; but though Sargent is dead G-B is still
alive in his sixties. What is your rule on this point? It is
dangerous to establish a public memorial of a living person who
may still be hanged; but do you ever keep portraits in store,
in case - !?
And do you admit photographs?
Faithfully,
G. Bernard Shaw
The Director
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place
Charing Cross
London, W.C.2.
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