Pen and ink with watercolour drawing given as a humerous Valentine by Frank Rede Fowke to Polly Goodwin, Housekeeper at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 1885.

Drawing depicting a gesturing man stood in front of a woman who looks upon him severly with her arms folded, holding a key. Signed, dated, and inscribed with caption.

Given by Mr and Mrs Fowke Mangeot

Inscribed on the back of the mount:

'In 1885, the Chairman of the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851, rendered himself very officious with regard to details. Amongst other matters he busied himself to ascertain whether all the members of staff had ever been vaccinated and Miss Polly Goodwin, the Housekeeper of the Royal Albert Hall, was one of those interviewed. Her father had kept an oyster shop on the Strand, the resort of Dickens, Thackeray, Douglas Jerrold etc. and from the age of five, Polly had stood on a barrel to reach the counter and open their oysters. With the kindest of hearts, she had a caustic tongue and was quick at repartee. On hearing that she had been attacked, I sent her this picture as a Valentine. She was greatly pleased with it, had it framed, and it always occupied a conspicuous place on the wall of her sitting room. When she died it was, by her direction, sent back to me with a silver fish slice and fork. Frank Rede Fowke.'

E.944-1976