JAMES CLARKE HOOK (BRITISH, 1819-1907) The Ship Boy`s Letter signed with initials, hook symbol and dated `JC 1863` (lower left) oil on canvas 82 x 62cm Provenance Thomas Agnew & Sons, Old Bond Street, London; Morgan & Brown Fine Art Dealers, Collingwood St. Newcastle upon Tyne; Private collection, UK Although painted six years after the previous lot, it is possible to speculate the present work is closely related.  In particular is the matching heading `Off Cape...` written in a strikingly similar hand. There is something touching about the situation, with the ship boy stealing a moment to write to his family, kneeling on deck with his ink well hanging, while a much older crew member observes sails on the horizon.