Thomas Phillips, R.A.

both half length, seated, he wearing a black coat and holding a book, she wearing a cream dress and cloak 

Sir Edward Mountain, 1st Bt.; 
thence by descent to the present owner 

STRUCTURE Both canvases have been lined. PAINT SURFACE AND ULTRA VIOLET Portrait of Mr Miller: There are no apparent tears or damages, and the work would appear to be in very good condition. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals a thick varnish which obscures a clear reading. Portrait of Mrs Miller: The canvas has been lined. There are no apparent tears or damages and the work would appear to be in very good condition. Examination under ultraviolet light reveals some very minor flecks of retouching to the background and to the sitter's hat. FRAME Both held in carved wood frames.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Described as being 'symbolic of the finest type of English gentleman' and 'the embodiment of all that is best in his breed', William Richard Beckford Miller was the pre-eminent publisher in London between 1790 and 1812, and the official bookseller to the Duke of Clarence until 1805. Born on 25^th March 1769 he was the son of Thomas Miller (1731-1804), bookseller, and his wife Sarah (1741-1773), daughter of William Kingsbury, maltster. When a boy he is said to have demonstrated a considerable talent for drawing and at the age of seventeen was sent to London to attend the Royal Academy after a relative had sent examples of his work to Sir Joshua Reynolds. Artistic greatness was not to be his however and, under the influence of his father, William was soon apprenticed to Hookham's Publishing House in Bond Street, where he remained for three years. In 1790 he established his own premises at Number 5 Old Bond Street, later relocating to larger premises in 1804 at 50 Albemarle Street.

With a particular gift for gauging public taste Miller was the sole publisher of Sir Walter Scott's eighteen volume edition of Dryden in 1808 and paid a record £4,500 for the copyright to Charles James Fox's History of the Early Part of the Reign of James II. He also published the Rev. Edward Foster's edition of Arabian Nights Entertainments, among many other successful works.

Presented here with the companion portrait of his second wife, Susanna Chapman, eldest daughter of Rev. Richard Chapman of Bakewell in Derbyshire, Phillips's sitters book records an appointment on 1^st November 1810 for 'Mr W. Miller Bookseller/ nearly finished last year. No. 314. size K.C.'. William and Susanna were married in December 1798 and had five children, including the Rev. Stanley Miller, with whom they lived for the last years of their life at Dennington in Suffolk.