Item 7 - Report of Building Fund

Two copies of a report on the progression of building works of the new gallery. Completion of the gallery had been delayed due to a problem raising the necessary funds, as explained by a section in the report dated 1 January 1891: 'Unfortunately the intending donor was unable to do more than pay £500, and the expense of completing the Gallery has fallen on the Council, while £1,500 is still owing by the intending donor to the builders. The Council require £5,000 to pay for the site, the completion of the building, and the furnishing and fitting, etc, etc, and £600 yearly for current expenses.' The report also includes: an open letter asking for financial support for the building project, signed Frederic Leighton, James Linton, Wyke Bayliss, G.F. Watts, Edward Burne-Jones and Walter Crane (all of whom were members of the gallery's council); a list of contributions to date; and an article called 'Sunday Evening at a South London Picture Gallery', reprinted from the Pall Mall Gazette, 14 October 1889.