A 19th Century reverse-glass silhouette picture of HMS Victory, set at anchor with standing and running rigging, in the company of other shipping, estimated at between £150 and £250 (MA13/217).
The forthcoming specialist Maritime Auction being held at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's Honiton salerooms on 12th June 2013 has a number of pieces of historic interest.
Amongst the many nautical ceramics, maritime metalware, ships fittings and navigational instruments on offer are several pieces relating to Admiral Nelson and the Golden Age of sail.
An Admiralty order signed by Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson (as 'Nelson Bronte') has already attracted international interest with its pre-sale estimate of between £4,000 and £6,000 (MA13/274).
As one of the nation's most iconic and significant heroes, any items relating to Lord Nelson are extremely popular. Buyers will no doubt be eager to obtain an original signature of Lord Nelson and have a rare opportunity of obtaining it on an Admiralty order relating to the maintenance of ships in the fleet (MA13/274). Signed Nelson Bronte, in reference to his title as The Duke of Bronte, the distinctive handwriting will attract international interest with a pre-sale estimate of between £4,000 and £6,000.
A preserved piece of decorative timber from HMS Victory, which has been in the same family since it was acquired during World War I, is expected to realise between £200 and £300 (MA13/127).
Though HMS Victory is preserved today, she was in need of restoration at the turn of the century. The task of restoring her to Trafalgar state was given to the maritime artist and archaeologist Harold Wyllie (1880-1973), son of the Victorian maritime artist William Wyllie (1851-1931).
Sections of timber were taken from HMS Victory and two such pieces that have lead different lives over the years now come together in the same sale.
During the First World War, a young police officer seconded to Plymouth Dockyard fire brigade, acquired a small section of decorative timber from HMS Victory (MA13/127) that has been kept within the family ever since. Retaining some faint traces of original gesso and decoration, it still invokes the history and importance that HMS Victory played.
A good early 20th Century waterline model of HMS Victory in her first commission of 1780, constructed from ships timbers by the artist Harold Wyllie (1880-1973), is expected to realise between £5,000 and £7,000 (MA13/325).
Another section of timbers taken from the ship were presented to Harold Wyllie to produce a commemorative model of HMS Victory (MA13/325) in her 1780 commission. This model was displayed in the Royal Academy in 1912 and sold to the present owner's family during an estate sale in 1936. Together with two letters of provenance from Harold Wyllie himself, the model set with silver sales has a fantastic history and will be sought after by maritime collectors.
The spirit of sail and exploration survives within the English psyche today. It was there in the period of Nelson and 100 years later during Shackleton's Polar expeditions.
A dockyard sign for British Antarctic Expedition 'The Quest' (1921-22), which is being offered in our Maritime Sale starting on 12th June 2013 at our salerooms in Honiton and on the Internet through live online bidding (MA13/201).
An autographed dockyard sign for The Quest, used on the ships return to Plymouth, has attracted international interest (MA13/201) as have a group of Victorian Polar magic lantern slides (MA13/200).
A Georgian mahogany maritime themed tea table, which carries a pre-sale estimate of £2,500-£,3000 (MA13/149).
Ships fixtures and fitting have always had a strong following and already several items have generated pre-sale interest. The Georgian mahogany maritime themed tea table (MA13/149) is an interesting piece of period furniture. Only high ranking officers would have been allowed to re-create some home comforts aboard ship, despite the harsh conditions experienced by crew on Royal Naval ships in the late 18th century.
A desirable bronze signal cannon will attract interest from maritime enthusiasts with its estimate of £800-£1,200 (MA13/147).
Perhaps one of the most desirable pieces for maritime enthusiasts is one of the several cannons consigned to the sale. Even a small maritime signal cannon (MA13/147) will tempt bidders with an estimate of £800-£1,000 and for the more serious collector, a late 18th century bow chaser cannon, with an estimate of between £4,000 and £6,000.
The late 18th/early 19th century, 37 inch bronze bow chaser cannon will attract serious maritime collectors, which is being offered with an estimate of between £4,000 and £6,000 (MA13/150).
The sale has a strong section of ship models and marine pictures, to cater for all nautical tastes.
As one of the only auctioneers in the country to hold dedicated specialist maritime auctions, Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood provide another opportunity to meet the specialist requirements of vendors and buyer alike.
For further information about this and other maritime sales, please contact
Brian Goodison-Blanks.
- Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood
- Maritime Auctions
- Horatio Lord Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
- HMS Victory
- William Wyllie (1851-1931)
- Harold Wyllie (1880-1973)
