| Description | Transcription completed by Cust in Sep 1904 when the original volume containing Beechey's accounts for the period 1789-1791 and 1807-1813 was loaned to the Gallery by the then owner, Sydney Chancellor Esq. The volume was documented as in Chancellor's possession by William Roberts when writing his study of Beechey in 1907, in which the volume features. Roberts stated that this was by descent from the artist as Chancellor's wife was a granddaughter of the artist's son, Henry William Beechey. The original volume was purchased by the Gallery in 2003 [see WB1/1] and correspondence deposited with the archive in 2003 relating to Chancellor indicates that the volume was on temporary deposit at the Gallery in 1904, when Cust made a copy of the entries.
The order of entries in the original volume is not strictly chronologocal and during the transcription process Cust reordered the contents to create a chronological set of entries running 1794-1785; 1789-1791; 1795-1798; 1807-1813.
The contents of the original volume have been described in greater detail: see WB1/1.
Entries in the transcribed volume have been structured as follows:
-'Common occurrences' 1784-1785 noted down by Beechey when resident in Norwich (pp.2-4v)
-Monies received 1789-1791 (pp.5-8)
-Miniatures painted by Lady Beechey, 1795-1798 (9-11)
-Frames paid for in 1807 (p.11)
-Pictures painted and monies received, 1807 (pp.12-14)
-Frames paid for in 1808 (p.14v)
-Pictures painted and monies received, 1808-1813 (pp.15-31)
-memoranda regarding frames lent, address and delivery information, and 'packing cases' 1807-1808 (pp32-33).
In nearly every instance Cust has simply transcribed the entries as they appear in the original volume, without making extra notations regarding the text. There are two notable exceptions:
-p.13v Cust notes that in 1807 Beechey's prices for works were:
For a three quarter length 40 guineas/£42
For a kitcat 60 guineas/£63
For a half length 80 guineas/£84
For a Bishop's half length 90 guineas/£94, 10 shillings
For a whole length 100 guineas/£105
-p.23v Cust notes that at the end of 1810 Beechey's prices for works were:
For a three quarter length 50 guineas/£52, 10 shillings
For a half length 100 guineas/£105
For a whole length 200 guineas/£210
Elsewhere Cust has occasionally made a notation next to a particular entry to indicate that a portrait was exhibited at the Royal Academy, including the year of display.
On select occasions Cust has made notations regarding alternative spellings for names given in the original volume or changes to Beechey's system of charging for works.
Related material: WB1/1 'Diary and Account Book of Sir William Beechey'. |