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To Sir William Reid Dick

April 22nd, 1948

Selhurst School, Near Petworth, Sussex

Dear Sir William Reid Dick,

As you may perhaps be aware, Selhurst is this year to celebrate the third centenary of its foundation. A committee has been formed, and it has been decided that a statue should be erected in the forecourt. I have been asked to enquire if you would undertake the work, for it is the opinion of the Committee that none but the best will do for Selhurst. The details of size and material could be settled at a later date. Unfortunately no authentic portrait exists of our founder, the Puritan leader Ebenezer Okeshot, although I understand that there was one by Vandyck that was believed to be of him. I have been unable to trace it and have been told, indeed, that it was in Rotterdam and destroyed at the time of the ‘blitz’. Unless a portrait appears in time, the Committee has decided that a figure in Puritan dress should be erected. I am flattered to say that they wish the face and figure to be modelled from my own. I do not know whether this would be possible, but you could arrange that with the Committee, should you accept the commission.

I shall be staying for a few days with my sister Mrs Harvey-Kelly at Castle Brae, Chesterton, Cambridge and it would save time and trouble if you would reply there.

Yours sincerely,

H. Rochester Sneath

Headmaster

April 24th, 1948

Sixteen Maida Vale, W9

Dear Mr Rochester Sneath,

I am interested in the proposed statue for Selhurst School and I would like, if possible, to have some details of the founder, Ebenezer Okeshot. I should also like to see the site so as to determine the scale of the statue.

Yours sincerely,

W. Reid Dick