THE DAILY HERALD

London, England

1 August 1930

(page 7)

AUTHOR'S PORTRAIT

JOHN DRAWING THAT WAS KEPT TO LONG

A pencil portrait by Mr. Augustus John, R.A., valued at £100, was the subject of an action at Westminster County Court yesterday.

Mr. Alistair [sic] Crowley, of Park-mansions, Knightsbridge, S.W., sued Mr. J. W. Maycock, a photographer, of Maiden-lane, for the value of the portrait or its return, and damages for its detention.

Mr. C. Gallop [Constantine Gallop], for Mr. Crowley, said the plaintiff was an author, and a portrait of himself in pencil was to be used in connection with an exhibition.

The picture has been returned, and it was a question of costs and whether there was wrongful detention.

Mr. J. R., O. Jones, for the defence, said there was no question of illegal detention. The portrait, with other pictures, had been removed to Mr. Maycock’s studio at Mr. Crowley’s request to be copied.

Judge Sir Alfred Tobin found that there was undue delay in returning the portrait and entered judgment for Mr. Crowley for costs.