ALLINGHAM (WILLIAM, 1824-1889, Irish poet, author of 'Up the airy mountain', husband of the artist Helen Allingham) FINE PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM ALLINGHAM READING, DRAWN BY HELEN ALLINGHAM ON THEIR HONEYMOON, in pencil, half-length, three quarters facing right looking down reading, inscribed by the artist 'WA. Nov. 1874. (H.A.)', double window mount, framed and glazed, size of aperture c. 6½ x 4¾ inches, overall size c. 13½ x 11½ inches, November 1874

A sensitive honeymoon portrait by a distinguished artist. It is reproduced as the frontispiece of The Letters of William Allingham, edited by Helen Allingham, 1911 (a presentation copy of which is included), and is probably the basis for the finished water-colour portrait, dated 1876, now in the National Portrait Gallery, having been presented by the artist in 1921. The Allinghams married on 22 August 1874.

£3,000