Harry Wallis (1871-1949)
The French Gallery
Messrs Wallis and Son, The French Gallery, full page advert in The Years Art 1910
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Harry Wallis was born 13th June 1871, son of Thomas Wallis (1837-1916), a picture dealer, and Margaret Ann Wallis, nee Solly, (1846-1928). His grand father, William Henry Wallis (1805-1890), was also a picture dealer, William Henry, known as Henry, succeeded Ernest Gambart (1) at The French Gallery, 120 Pall Mall, (2). Henry had trained as an engraver, as did his older brother, Robert William Wallis (1794-1878), they were both trained by their father. Robert William is entered in the Dictionary of National Biography, as a line engraver, having engraved many J.M.W. Turner paintings, as well as many other renowned artists of his time.
On 16th April, 1898, Harry married Nina Howard Colls (1876-1942) at the All Saints church, St Marylebone, London
On the 1901 census, Harry and Nina are living at Portman Mansions, St Marylebone, and they have a son, Thomas Howard Wallis, (1899-1974). Harry’s occupation given as, ‘Picture Dealer, own account’.
In 1911 they now live at Cornwall Terrace, Regents park, London, and have another son, Fabian Harry (1905-). Harry’s occupation:- Fine Art dealer
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Thomas Wallis retired from business in 1910, leaving Harry to run the French Gallery, with David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), an art dealer, artist, critic, and author, who had worked with the Goupil Gallery, and Thomas Agnews and Sons. Croal Thomson was also the president of the Fine Arts Provident Institution from 1911-1916, he was with the French Gallery from 1909-1918. William Lawson Peacock (1851-1931), a Scot from Edinburgh, was another partner in the French gallery, they also had premises in Edinburgh, Montreal, New York, Toronto, and Ottawa.
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On March 23rd and 24th 1916, there was a sale at Christie’s of part of the stock of Messrs Wallis and Son of the French Gallery, 120 Pall Mall, S.W. Sold owing to the retirement of Mr W. Lawson Peacock. 303 lots were sold, of which, W.W.Sampson bought 92, one being lot 89, ‘A Cool Retreat’ by J.W.Godward for £99. 15 shillings. (3)
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Thomas Wallis died 25th April 1916, leaving £72,405. 3shillings.1pence, to his widow, Margaret Ann, and his sons, Harry, fine art dealer, and Harold, M.A, a teacher. In Thomas Wallis’ obituary, it states, ‘Mr “Tom” Wallis (as he was always called), was brought up as an engineer, and spent some years in Australia, whence he returned in 1862 and joined his father, who had succeeded Gambart at the French Gallery in Pall Mall. The firm continued the traditions of the house, and not only made a special feature of the works of modern French artists of the Barbizon school, but also introduced modern Dutch and other continental painters to the English collectors. The brothers Maris, Mauve, and Josef Israels owe much to the advocacy of the late Mr Wallis’. (4)
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In June and July 1918, Wallis, Thomson, and Peacock were at the Old bailey, charged with, ‘conspiring to defraud the Inland Revenue of income tax’. (5). The case ran from 13 June -30 July, 1918, with the defendants changing their plea to not guilty and incurring a £2000 fine each, plus costs handed down of £10,000 between the three of them. Mr Justice Lawrence presiding.
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Harry Wallis died on the 23rd Feb 1949, leaving £3466. 4shillings. 1pence, to Thomas Howard Wallis, Antique dealer
(1) Ernest Gambart (1814-1908) Founder of the French Gallery, art patron, publisher, print seller, dealer, and expert.
(2) From 1861 William Henry worked as Ernest Gambart’s manager at the French Gallery, 120 Pall Mall, London, taking over the lease from Gambart in 1867
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(3) Art Prices Current Fine Art Journal 1915-16
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(4) The Times newspaper, Thursday April 27, 1916
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(5) Daily Mirror newspaper, Wednesday 31st July 1918 edition.
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