Details
BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY, OF ALAMEIN (1887-1976)
A collection of 10 a.l.s. and t.l.s. to and from the Belfast Museum relating to a painting of Montgomery by James Gunn, donated to the Museum by Montgomery's mother, including a 3pp. a.l.s. by Montgomery himself, dated -- on War Office headed paper -- 7 Westinster Gardens, Marsham Street, London S.W.1., 23rd August 1947, stating: "James Gunn came to Normandy at my request ... and it was painted during the battle... She told me that she would pass it on to me whenever I could receive it ... My Mother now tells me that she gave the picture to the Belfast Museum some time ago. I now want to ask you if you will let me have the picure. You will I am sure realise that my Mother is an old lady who does not fully appreciate what she is doing." It emerges from the correspondence that, as she was short of money, Lady Montgomery in fact sold the picture to an unknown buyer, who then donated it to the museum. A 1p. a.l.s. from Lady Montgomery, dated New Park, Moville, August 26th [1947], to Mr. Curragh, states: "I have got into great trouble with the Field Marshall over his picture...[he] wants it to hang in his new house in Westminster. Could I buy it back from the Museum?"
A collection of 10 a.l.s. and t.l.s. to and from the Belfast Museum relating to a painting of Montgomery by James Gunn, donated to the Museum by Montgomery's mother, including a 3pp. a.l.s. by Montgomery himself, dated -- on War Office headed paper -- 7 Westinster Gardens, Marsham Street, London S.W.1., 23rd August 1947, stating: "James Gunn came to Normandy at my request ... and it was painted during the battle... She told me that she would pass it on to me whenever I could receive it ... My Mother now tells me that she gave the picture to the Belfast Museum some time ago. I now want to ask you if you will let me have the picure. You will I am sure realise that my Mother is an old lady who does not fully appreciate what she is doing." It emerges from the correspondence that, as she was short of money, Lady Montgomery in fact sold the picture to an unknown buyer, who then donated it to the museum. A 1p. a.l.s. from Lady Montgomery, dated New Park, Moville, August 26th [1947], to Mr. Curragh, states: "I have got into great trouble with the Field Marshall over his picture...[he] wants it to hang in his new house in Westminster. Could I buy it back from the Museum?"