RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: artlover123 on Tuesday 04 June 24 15:14 BST (UK)
-
Hello,
I wondered if anyone could help me decipher two labels on the back of a painting please? The portrait is of the Old Pretender. One label appears to say 'Earl of Oxford,' though I cannot read the former part nor ascertain the significance (provenance?); the other label reads 'GREG...' cuts off at tear and gives a phone number? Could be a gallery or a framer?
Please, any help much appreciated.
With best wishes,
Joshua
-
Please find images attached. J
-
Image 2
-
One label appears to say 'Earl of Oxford,' though I cannot read the former part nor ascertain the significance (provenance?); the other label reads 'GREG...' cuts off at tear and gives a phone number? Could be a gallery or a framer?
I'm pretty sure that the top of the first one is "Rt Honble" (Right Honourable), and then I'm leaning towards Earl of Orford rather than Oxford, partly based on the writing, and partly because Earl of Oxford has been a dormant title since 1707. See here for Earls of Orford (the Walpole family) and their dates:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Orford
I had a bit of luck with the second one. The name, I thought, would be either Gregory or Gregson, and the numbers ("212, 214 & 216") looked like part of an address. So I searched for those numbers and a prestigious street in London (Regent Street) and it happened to be the right one. An 1892 trade directory gives exactly that address for Charles Gregory (or Gregory & Co), furniture maker and antiques dealer. More information at:
https://bifmo.furniturehistorysociety.org/entry/gregory-charles-gregory-co-1859-1940
-
This is extremely helpful, thank you! I'll see if I can find any archives of their old stock.
With best wishes,
Joshua