COLLECTORS

THE HUSKINSON (KNOWN AS HUSKISSON) FAMILY

Henry Huskinson (the father of Robert and Leonard)

Robert () Huskisson

Leonard Huskisson

Redford refers to 'Huskinson' (with an 'n')
Butlin and Joll No. 10 as 'L Huskisson of Frith St. (with as 's)
Graves (Contributors to the Exhibitions) as 'L Huskisson'

HENRY (probably died 1844 aged around 50)

Before 1819 he married Maria.

1819 - In Langar ? (Christies & Christopher Wood) at birth of Robert but registered Nottingham it seems.

1821 - In Nottingham or Langar - birth of his second son Leonard or Leonardo.

1832 - In Castlegate (Whites Nottingham Directory page 218)
1832 - Exhibited portrait 'Mr Gee' at RA (Graves 'Contributors' vol 4, page 206)
If he visited London at this time then this could be a time when he purchased paintings from Mrs MacKenzie's sale (Landseer, 'Repose')but 1832 is too early for possible purchases from George Nixon.

1840 - In Castlegate (Orange's Directory page 118 as 'Huskisson')

The next directory list found was 1858 and our Henry was not in it; several later directories were searched and there was no trace of him. So he died before 1858. Possible deaths from FreeBMD, in 1844 registered Nottingham, in 1849 registered Bingham, a third in 1853 was registered Mansfield. A fourth Henry was registered in Walsall in 1857 but that seems to be too far away.

ROBERT (1819-1861)

1819 - Born, registered Nottingham it seems but Christies, in a lot essay for London 19th February 2003 Lot 2, say Langar (which would be registered at Bingham)

1838 - London, Hammersmith. (from the catalogue of the 1838 RA Exhibition)

1842 - London, 39 Penton Place (from the catalogue of the 1842 RA Exhibition)

1844 - If Leonard and Robert inherited paintings from their father it was probably around this time.

1849 - London, 39 Penton Place, Pentonville (thus London WC) (from a letter of 25th February 1849 at RA 236/13/7 in Thomas Miller Papers). Dicks 'London Street Guide' lists two Penton Places the other in SE near Elephant and Castle but from the 25th February letter it can be certain that Robert's address was WC, near Kings Cross/St Pancras.

1849 - Another letter for which we see from his handwriting that he was not the 'common, uneducated man' described by Frith (Wood page 245). Around this time there were many letters (many held by the RA). [www.historicalautographs.co.uk; no. 16666]

1852 - Listed in London Post Office Directory at 39 Penton Place, Pentonville.

1854 - His last exhibits at the RA, his address was not recorded

1861 he died. (from FreeBMD registered at St. Pancras, as Robert Huskisson)

LEONARD (1821-1870)

1821 - born, possibly christened 'Leonardo' - Langar or Nottingham (as his brother)

1839 - exhibit at the RA

1841 - exhibit at the RA

1843 - London, 39 Penton Place (from the catalogue of the 1843 RA Exhibition, Graves, Contributors, page 206, as L. Huskisson, and we can see that the brothers were living at the same address.)
1843 - Exhibit at RA

1844 - exhibit at the RA
If Leonard and Robert inherited paintings from their father it was probably around this time.

1845 - exhibit at the RA

1846 - London, 39 Penton Place (from the catalogue of the 1846 RA Exhibition)
1846 - Exhibit at the RA

1850 - He exhibited at RA but his address was not recorded (this year or after)

1851 - exhibit at the RA

1852 - Listed in London Post Office Directory at 39 Penton Place, Pentonville.

1853 - exhibits at the RA

1856 - exhibit at the RA

1859 - His last exhibit at the RA; his address is still listed at 39, Penton Place, Pentonville.

1860's The various addresses need to be reconciled:

39, Penton Place, Pentonville (street later re-named Penton Rise)

Frith Street; possibly a business address for his picture dealing

31 Francis Street, Tottenham Court Road - former address named in probate

19 Alfred Place, Bedford Square - when he died

1861 - His brother died - it is possible that Leonard moved to Frith Street at this time.

1864 - London, Frith Street, Soho (From Butlin & Joll No.10, Battle of the Nile, where he is named as 'L. Huskisson'; C F Bell page 26 No. 6; pages 31&32 No.30; page 73 No. 89, where he is called 'Huskisson'; and Redford page 120, clearly marked 'Huskinson')
1864 - Leonard auctioned his small collection at Christies 27th April 1864.

1870 - He died, Registered St.Giles as 'Huskinson', age 49 in the register, which correctly corresponds with the date of birth (above).
Frith St., Alfred Place, and Francis Street are in St. Giles and as this is the only L Huskinson or Huskisson death in the appropriate period (1846-1934) it is almost certain that Leonard is the 'Huskisson' mentioned by B&J,. Leonard Huskinson's probate shows him as a picture dealer and gives a former address at 31 Francis St, Tottenham Court Rd. and address at date of death 19 Alfred Place Bedford Square.