The letters, dating from the 1940s when Betjeman first met Holmes, detail their friendship and the poet’s admiration for the jeweller’s creations, which he repeatedly commissioned for his loved ones.
Holmes (1876-1972), a multi-skilled artist, not only made jewellery, but also painted, worked in leather and produced metal ware.
While the letters themselves will not go on show, a selection relating to specific exchanges between the two friends will be reproduced in the exhibition catalogue.
The exhibition will act as a prequel to a sale of Holmes jewellery at Bonhams Knowle next May.
There will be 70 exhibits in total, including 36 pieces of jewellery, Holmes’ own silver gilt ring and a 15-carat gold opal necklace.
The exhibition will run at Knowle from November 3-6, then from November 10-12, before moving to their Bath offices from December 7-12.
Betjeman at Bonhams
PREVIOUSLY unpublished letters from the poet John Betjeman are to form part of the setting for a travelling display of early 20th century jewellery designer Helen Holmes at Bonhams.
