WCP6004

[1]

Broadstone, Wimborne

June 8th. 1904

T. H. Thomas

Dear Mr. Thomas

I forgot to ask you yesterday whether you ever heard of an artist names Ince¹, who I think lived at Hereford, and printed in Wales a good deal. He was a friend of my brothers, and we had two of his water-colour sketches, small, but very effective and artistic. Unfortunately they were in an album which was stolen during a house moving in London more than 30 years ago. I remember my brother [2] choosing them from a portfolio, and Mr. Ince saying — "you have got two good things — all solid colour". One was a day view with water trees & distance houses, the other a town a village or a river bank at sunset, striking contrast in tone & colours, and both were executed with bold or delicate washes of colour — hardly any second touches — yet wonderfully effective. I think he did a little before my brother — about 1845. If you never heard of him, perhaps you [3] may have some artistic book of reference, at home, & could obtain some few particulars about him. He published 6 large lithographs of views in Radnorshire, including one ^of Water-break-its Neck/

As he was certainly a vey clever artist I do not think he can be quite forgotten.

Yours very truly | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]