Webster to Stolpe_1898-02-13

EM-Ö1-006

1900.01

brev ; letter

Letter from W.D. Webster to H. Stolpe describing the nature of his trade with "Benin specimens", their high value and great interest from museums to buy. "Last week I purchased two specimens for £60. Every time they come into the market, the [sic] go up in price, but I buy it all, as I have many museums wanting to buy." Webster also refers to an earlier, previously unknown, sending of Benin objects to Stockholm and he asks Stolpe to make a decision on taking up the option of purchase before the end of the year. References to General Pitt Rivers buying a lot of Benin objects (£1,300 worth) and the museum in Berlin competing with Pitt Rivers for the largest collection after the British Museum. Finally, Webster advises Stolpe to persuade business man Åke Sjögren to acquire "one of the large tusks. They cost from £50 to £100 each. I have sold three at £80 each, it will be impossible to get one at [any?] price soon.

Webster, William Downing (1868-05-11 - 1913-02-14), konsthandlare, samlare

Benin City

Webster+to+Stolpe_1898-02-13_01.jpg

https://collections.smvk.se/carlotta-em/web/object/25899167

1898-02-13

Stolpe, Hjalmar (1841 - 1905), arkeolog, etnograf, intendent