Reference code
RAA/SEC/1/86
Title
Letter from Olivia Serres to Sally
Date
c. 1800
Level
Item
Extent & medium
1 piece, 2pp.
Previous reference codes
SB 72
Historical Background
Olivia Serres, wife of
John Thomas Serres (they separated in 1804) was an excellent painter of landscapes in her own right and was appointed Landscape Painter to
the Prince of Wales in 1806. However, she later claimed to be the daughter of
Henry Frederick, Duke of Cumberland and styled herself Princess Olive of Cumberland. His wife's social pretensions and extravagance are said to have been responsible for Serres's loss of favour at court, attempted suicide in 1808, bankruptcy and ultimate death in a debtor's prison in London in 1825. It is suggested in the 1975 finding aid that the Sally to whom this letter is addressed is her sister-in-law, Sarah Serres, who exhibited at the RA in 1800.
Content Description
She expresses her sincerest thanks for Sally's kindness. She hopes that something will turn out to assist them in the shop, as, without ready money, all their tradesmen are refusing to serve them. She will sell the dress to Lucy, as the ready money will go toward their support, but they do not wish Lucy to know that the dress is in pawn. A cutting of an advertisement for a memoir of John Thomas Serres, containing references to his wife, has been pasted to the top right hand corner of the letter.
Acquisition Details
Secretary's note alongside the item states that the letter was presented by Dr G. C. Williamson, June 1927.
Associated Material
The next item in this series is a newspaper cutting of 1914 relating to a descendant of Olivia Serres, who had renewed the Cumberland claim.