吳大澂 (1835-1902) 篆書九言聯

款識：
凡秀才，當以天下為任；求忠臣，必于孝子之門。
慰庭仁弟念母情切，乞假歸省，朝鮮士民方攀留之，不暇。余不忍重違其意，偕之內渡。然時事多艱，需才正亟，尤願慰庭以遠大自期，移孝作忠，共圖榦濟，因撰是聯贈之。
乙酉春正月。愙齋吳大澂。

鈐印：「吳大澂印」、「繡衣執灋使者」。

-Signs of restoration can be found, where there appears to be paper cracks previously. Creases and paper cracks can be found on the couplet, which can be improved by restoration. Otherwise, generally in fair to good condition.
"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."

袁世凱家族收藏書畫（編號1308－1314）

本輯書畫作品七幀，皆出自袁世凱十一子克安所藏。袁克安（1906-1967），字雪侯，河南項城人，袁世凱五夫人楊氏所出。袁氏逝世後，隨母及兄長遷津門，復赴美留學，畢業於科爾蓋特大學。返國後，任職開灤礦務局。四九年赴港，轉投陳納德成立之美國民航空運公司，五一年遷台，於該公司擔任高職。六一年退休，移居香港，六七年逝世。

他幼承庭訓，雖受西方教育，國學基礎仍佳，嗜文藝，好書法、崑曲。觀其收藏，皆尺幅小巧，精緻可愛，如未及盈尺之徐悲鴻〈雙鴨〉（編號1308）、董作賓〈甲骨文十四言聯〉（編號1313）小對，均點綴書房之物，足堪把玩，亦見其品味之高。另家傳珍藏吳大澂贈袁世凱〈篆書九言聯〉（編號1314），証二人之交誼外，極具歷史價值，從未公開示人，彌足珍貴！

上款：「慰庭」即袁世凱（1859-1916）
本聯寫於一八八五年二月，時袁世凱服役於駐朝鮮之部隊，辦理軍務，剛敉平「甲申政變」，因中日角力，政局複雜，未獲計功，反遭排擠，故以省母疾乞假回歸，並與奉詔赴朝鮮辦理善後之吳大澂，一道回國。吳氏甚賞其才，遂書此聯贈之，並以「忠臣」、「孝子」相期。後並結姻親之誼，以六女本嫻許袁氏長子克定。

顧廷龍於一九三四年編撰〈吳愙齋先生年譜〉時，亦記錄此聯，可知一直珍存於袁家，後傳予十一子克安。

參考資料：
〈吳愙齋先生年譜〉，顧廷龍編，現據台北文海出版社，一九六五年重印本， 頁119