Acquisition file

Correspondence between Rider, Heaton, Meredith & Mills [solicitors] and the National Gallery concerning the will of Cornelia, Countess of Craven, who bequeathed five pictures to the National Gallery, with discussion of the possibility that Craven had actually intended to bequeath the pictures to the National Portrait Gallery. Confusion over the original intention of the bequest delayed proceedings. Letters to the Earl of Craven regarding the pictures and their removal from Hamstead Marshall for inspection by the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. Correspondence with Kingsley Adams (director, NPG) regarding the views of the NPG Trustees on the five bequeathed pictures. Correspondence with the Tate Gallery relating to the suggestion that two of the bequeathed pictures should be given to the Tate (the Lely and Cotes, the Tate initially decides to accept only the Lely). Eventually it is decided that the wording of the will can not be disregarded despite the possibility that it was a mistake. Papers from the Finance department recording purchase.