| Description | Regarding Stevens search for a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, belonging to Rev T Davis Lamb in July 1865, and previously presented by Dr Franklin to his provate secretary Dr Edward Bancroft, grandfather of Davis Lamb, and offered to the National Portrait Gallery. Stevens notes if the painting in The Royal Society's possession was presented by Mr Caleb Whitefoord since 1865, there is a probabilty they are the same painting. Stevens requests Rix to consult the archives of the Society to check when the painting was presented, and if possible to remove it from its frame to check the back for an inscrption.
Enclosed is a typescript letter from B F Stevens to Herbert Rix, dated 2 November 1891, regarding the painting of Bejamin Franklin. Includes a typescript letter from B F Stevens to George Scharf, dated 2 November 1891, requests more information regarding the portrait of Benjamin Franklin, and discusses a similar painting presented by Whitfoord to the Royal Society. |