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    TREASURE TROVE OF IMAGES WITH MAGIC LANTERN

    Thursday, June 16th, 2011

    A late 19th century Irish street scene.

    Ogham Stone at Kilmalkedar Kerry.

    Early Irish group tourists at the Sphinx in Egypt.

    A treasure trove of around 300 early slide  images complete with a magic lantern come under the hammer at Hegarty’s sale in Bandon on June 19 at 4 p.m.  It is from The Old Manse in Dunmanway, home since 1873 to the Methodist clergyman.  Hundreds of slides depict Irish 19th century scenes as well as the pyramids in Egypt and the Holy Land.  There are streetscapes, landscapes and pictures of people, many barefoot. One set of slides llustrate the life and works of John Wesley, founder of the Methodists.  The magic lantern was made by Riley Bros. of Bradford. Hegarty’s estimate the lot at 1,500-2,500.  The sale has over 430 lots including furniture, art, collectibles and jewellery.

    UPDATE:  The magic lantern and slides sold for 4,000. This was the joint top lot in a sale where 80 per cent of lots found buyers.  A three stone diamond ring also made 4,000.

    The magic lantern with some of the boxed images. UPDATE: THE LANTERN AND SLIDES MADE 4,000

    A longcase clock by Sanderson, Dublin at Hegarty's. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD.

    An Oriental cabinet and stand at Hegarty's. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,250

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    SILVER FROM BANK OF IRELAND VAULTS AT BONHAMS

    Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

    George II sauceboats and other silver at Bonhams. (click to enlarge)

    Irish silver locked away in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland for the past 50 years comes up for sale at  Bonhams in London on June 22.  It is from the collection of Dr F S Bourke who lived in Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin and practised at Dr. Steeven’s Hospital.

    Bonhams silver sale on June 22. (click on image to enlarge)

    It was put together with the help of his close friend, the celebrated silver authority, Dudley Westropp.

    On his death in 1961 the collection was stored in the vaults of the Bank of Ireland. Some items retain original shops labels or have notes written by Dr. Bourke or Mr. Westropp.  It is expected to bring in between £36,000-46,000.
    Highlights include a pair of George II Irish silver sauce boats (£4,000-5,000) a rare 18th century Irish silver saffron teapot and an 18th century Irish Provincial silver cream jug.
    The collection is being sold by Dr. Bourke’s grandson.
    UPDATE:  The pair of Irish silver sauce boats did not sell.

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    MASTERPIECES FROM CHRISTIE’S SUMMER SEASON IN LONDON

    Monday, June 13th, 2011

    Gimcrack by Stubbs. (click on image to enlarge)

    A curated exhibition showcasing highlights from one of Christie’s most exciting auction seasons is on display at King St. in London from June 13 to June 15. Museum quality works by artists including Michelangelo, Gainsborough, Goya, Stubbs, Monet, Picasso and Renoir, exceptional furniture and medieval manuscripts are included in a disiplay of over 100 works entitled Masterpieces. Most will be offered at auction during the next four weeks in a season expected to realise more than £250 million.

    Jussi Pylkkänen, President & Chairman of Christie’s, Europe, Middle East, Russia & India said: “This year we have curated an exhibition for the public of extraordinary quality. The Masterpieces show will include Michelangelo’s beautiful study for the “The Battle of Cascina”, which has been seen in public only once since it was executed, Pablo Picasso’s voluptuous portrait of Marie-Therèse, which was last exhibited in 1941, Thomas Gainsborough’s mesmerising portrait of Miss Read, unseen in public since 1936 and last but not least an astonishing 17th Century sculpture by Adriaen de Vreis which has never been exhibited in public and is one of the great Christie’s discoveries of this generation.”
    Gimcrack on Newmarket Heath, with a Trainer, a Stable- Lad, and a Jockey by George Stubbs (1724-1806) is one of the most valuable Old Master paintings offered at auction. From the Woolavington Collection it is expected to realise in excess of £20 million on July 5.
    A further highlight is The Duke of Portland’s copy of the original edition of John James Audubon’s masterpiece, The Birds of America.  This will be offered in New York on January 20, 2012 and is estimated at $7-10 million.

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    A CORK CUP, A COVER AND A COUP FOR THE SILVER TRADE

    Saturday, June 11th, 2011

    The Cork cup and cover by William Clarke. (click on image to enlarge)

    AN unrecognised and rare piece of Cork silver which changed hands for 3,500 dollars at auction in the United States last May 22 is now on the market for 150,000 euro. Catalogued as an early Continental ice bucket this silver cup and cover turned out to be a previously unrecorded piece by the Cork maker William Clarke.

    The makers mark and the rare turret mark which told the true story. (Click on image to enlarge)

    Made around 1710 the main problem with attribution was the rarity of the hallmark.  The double turret mark, based on the arms of the City of Cork, was used for a brief period 300 years ago.  The only known piece of silver by William Clarke with this mark is a Queen Anne wavy end hash spoon with large rat tail bowl c1710 from the Westropp Collection. This changed hands for £20,315 at Bonhams in 2003.
    Less than two dozen pieces of Cork silver with these turret marks are known.  The other pieces with this mark are usually made by Robert Goble Senior and Samuel Pantaine.
    The Dublin silver dealer William Crofton of L and W Duvallier describes this as the most important piece of Cork silver which he has ever known or held.  It was bought at the Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine on Sunday, May 22 by the London silver trade.  Mr. Crofton is now offering the 12 3/4″ high cup which weighs 49.665 oz. for 150,000. It is under active offer by an international silver collector.

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    A DIAMOND TIARA FROM THE 1920’S

    Friday, June 10th, 2011

    A diamond tiara from the 1920's at Sotheby's. (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: THIS MADE £277,250

    A diamond tiara from the 1920’s highlights Sotheby’s sale of fine jewels in London on July 13. Estimates in this 288 lot sale range from £3,000-55,000.  The tiara has an estimate of £35,000-55,000.

    There are contemporary and period jewels, spanning three centuries of workmanship and design with signed pieces by designers like Repossi, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany and Boucheron.  The entire sale is expected to raise more than £1.7 million.

    An opal and diamond corsage. (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: THIS MADE £25,000

    An opal and diamond corsage from the mid-19th century highlights the 19th century jewel section.  It was formerly in the collection of Doña Maria Cristina of Bourbon, Princess of the Two Sicilies (Widow of King Ferdinand VII of Spain) Queen Regent of Spain.
    Designed as a series of ribbons and leaves and a central cabochon opal within a floral border, and set with cushion-shaped, circular-cut and rose diamonds, suspending a series of four tassels similarly set, it is estimated at £20,000-30,000.

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    SPECTACULAR DUBLIN INTERIOR TO BE AUCTIONED OFF BY ADAMS

    Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

    PAIR OF LOUIS XVI GILTWOOD FRAMED MARQUISE ARMCHAIRS, by JEAN BAPTISTE III LELARGE (1743-1802) AT ADAMS. UPDATE: THESE WERE UNSOLD.

    Precious objects from a spectacular interior at one of the most graceful squares in Ireland come under the hammer at Adams on June 21.  The contents of 24 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin will be on view in situ over the preceding three days.

    Kevin and Rose Kelly, synonymous with glossy publications such as World of Interiors and Image, are downsizing.  They are disposing of contents amassed over 40 years of collecting.  The catalogue for the 590 lot sale is on-line.
    The collection draws together paintings from the Irish, English and Dutch Schools, Fine English and French furniture, fine silver, china, objets d’art and a wide variety of decorative pieces. There is a small couture section including Dior and Chanel designer-wear.

    A LOUIS XV GILTWOOD CANAPÉ, BY E.T. NAUROY AT ADAMS. (CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE) UPDATE: THIS MADE 7,500.

    Furniture highlights include a magnificent pair of sumptuously upholstered Louis XV giltwood Marquise armchairs made by Jean Baptiste Lelarge (1743-1802). They are estimated at 40,000 plus. The Kellys purchased these chairs from Bond Street dealers, Partridge. A Louis XV ormolu mounted kingwood and tulipwood bureau plat is signed by Nicolas Petit. Purchased from Monaco dealers Sapjo it is estimated at €30,000/50,000. A Louis XV giltwood framed canapé by ebeniste E.T.Nauroy, also from Partridge, is estimated at €8,000/12,000.
    There are English, Irish and French side-tables, bookcases, a dining table and chairs, mirrors, couches, soft furnishings, garden furniture and beds complete with Lyon silk and silk damask bedspreads and canopies.
    There are 17th and 18th Century portraits include two by Dutch artist Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661) both dated c.1640 and estimated at €20,000+ each. A massive portrait by Godfrey Kneller of a young lady, believed to be the artist’s daughter, Agnes, is estimated at €25,000 +.  There is a family group believed to be of Gerrit Jacob Witszoon, Burgomaster of Delft with his wife and daughter probably painted by Michiel van Mierevelt in the early years of the 17th Century. Irish art includes watercolour sketches by Maurice MacGonigal, two oils by Grace Henry and still lifes by Nicolo Caracciolo RHA and Martin Mooney.

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    TITANIC LAUNCHED IN BELFAST 100 YEARS AGO TODAY

    Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
    TITANIC was launched in Belfast on May 31, 1911 – 100 years ago today.  To mark the centenary artefacts recovered from the wreck went on display for the first time in Northern Ireland. Seven of the items – which will be displayed as part of TITANICa: The Exhibition at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum – are on show for the first time anywhere in the world.

    This is one of several first-class glass serving dishes. Reminiscent of a ribbed shell, this candy or condiment dish has a modern appeal. The White Star Line logo is etched into the glass at the apex of the dish. ©1987-2004 RMS Titanic, Inc. (click to enlarge)

    This demitasse cup decorated with one of Spode’s famous cobalt blue designs is thought to have been used in the exclusive Café Parisien, adjacent to the à la carte Restaurant. The gold Greek key pattern within a cobalt field at the rim provides a striking pattern. ©1987-2004 RMS Titanic, Inc.

    This is one of several hand mirrors produced by “Royale Ivoire France.” The handle and backing are made of an early form of plastic created as a faux ivory which allowed for mass production. ©1987-2004 RMS Titanic, Inc.

    THE exhibition features 35 items from the wreck including a part of the hull structure, a porthole, silverware, glassware and personal belongings. They are part of a loan from US-based RMS Titanic, Inc a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions, Inc. and the Salvor in Possession of the wreck site.   Premier Exhibitions has conducted seven research expeditions to Titanic recovering more than 5,500 artefacts. In summer 2010 the company completed its eighth dive to collect scientific data and visuals on Titanic’s condition.
    These artefacts will join some 500 objects from the Folk & Transport Museum’s own collections. A magnificent 20ft long plan capturing last minute design changes to Titanic will be going on show for the first time. The plan has a significance which could never have been foreseen by the draughtsmen working at the Harland & Wolff shipyard a century ago. Meticulously drawn and annotated, it offers a unique opportunity to glimpse something of the world in which Titanic was built and the people who built and sailed on her.
    Part of the exhibition at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum enables the visitor to step back in time to uncover life in Belfast 100 years ago. Daily routines and  activities from the shipyard worker’s home, to the carpenters workshop, to Kelly’s Coal Yard at Belfast Lough are re-created.  The exhibition runs until August.
    The plan of the Titanic used in the inquiry into the sinking of the ship in 1912 sold for £220,000 at Devizes-based Henry Aldridge & Son in England last week. Commissioned by the British Board of Trade it had been estimated at £100,000-150,000.  The auctioneer said the sale aroused interest from around the world.

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    U.S. BEATLEMANIA RE-DISCOVERED

    Thursday, May 26th, 2011
    Unpublished and never-before-seen photographs of the Beatles’ first visits to America in 1964 are to be sold at Christie’s in New York next July 20.  The Beatles Illuminated: The Discovered Works of Mike Mitchell comprises 50 lots of black and white shots.  They were taken by photographer Mike Mitchell when he was just 18 years old.  Filed away for almost 50 years the complete rediscovered collection is expected to realize in the region of $100,000.
    On February 11, 1964, just two days after their American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles performed their first US concert at the Washington Coliseum. The DC native shot dozens of intimate photographs. Mitchell had exceptional access to the events including their arrival at Union Station, the press conference preceding the performance and unrestricted, stage-front access for  historic Coliseum concert. He took more photographs when they performed their first US concert tour at the Baltimore Civic Center on September 13, 1964.
    The collection will be exhibited at Christie’s, South Kensington, London on June 11-12, at Grosvenor House Hotel in London from June 17-22 and at Christie’s in New York from July 11-20.  (Images courtesy of CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2010 – click on any image to enlarge)
    UPDATE:   THE collection sold for over $360,000 in an auction that had been expected to bring in around $100,000.  Prices ranged from $813 to $68,500.  All lots were sold.

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    DIARY OF IRISH VICTORIAN SOCIETY FIGURE AT BONHAMS

    Tuesday, May 24th, 2011
    The hand written diary of Irish Victorian society figure Augusta FitzPatrick, later Lady Castletown, will be offered at Bonhams Printed Books and Manuscripts sale in London on June 7.

    The title page of the diary of Augusta, Lady Castletown. UPDATE: IT MADE £1,320

    A clergyman’s daughter she married John Fitzpatrick, the illegitimate son of the 2nd Earl of Upper Ossory.  He was to become 1st Baron Castletown of Upper Ossory and was Liberal MP for Queen’s County (now County Laois).

    At the time the diary opens in 1858 she was at the centre of a scandal about her alleged affair with the well-known preacher F. W. Robertson.

    She had a long affair with the composer Angelo Mariani whose outpourings she translated and copied into her diary. A typical specimen of Mariani’s devotion reads, “”My brain was on fire & people stopped me in the Corso to ask what was the matter, for the first time in my life I broke down at the Opera the other night”.

    She was a friend of the American novelist Washington Irving and marks his death in November 1859 in her diary with sorrow.  There is a portrait of Augusta, Lady Castletown by G F Watts at the Tate Gallery London.  Her diary is estimated at £600-800.

    UPDATE: This was sold for £1,320.

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    HISTORIC AUTOGRAPH MANUSCRIPT BY JANE AUSTEN AT SOTHEBY’S

    Monday, May 23rd, 2011

    JANE AUSTEN'S MANUSCRIPT OF ‘THE WATSONS’ (estimate £200,000-300,000). (click on image to enlarge) UPDATE: IT MADE £993,250, triple the pre-sale estimate.

    The historic autograph manuscript of Jane Austen’s unpublished novel ‘The Watsons’ – the only major Austen manuscript remaining in private hands – is due up at Sotheby’s sale of English Literature and History in London on July 14.

    The heavily corrected draft, the most important Jane Austen item to come to the market in over 20 years, was probably written in 1804. It is the earliest surviving manuscript for a novel by Jane Austen. The work remains incomplete.  None of the manuscripts of her completed novels survive, with the exception of two draft chapters of ‘Persuasion’ (at the British Library), Austen’s juvenile work ‘Lady Susan’ (at the Pierpont Morgan Library, New York) and the fragment ‘Sanditon’ (at King’s College, Cambridge), the only other autograph novel manuscript of comparable length.
    ‘The Watsons’ centres on a family of four sisters – the daughters of a widowed clergyman. Its heroine is Emma, the youngest, who has been brought up by a wealthy aunt. When her aunt contracts a foolish second marriage, Emma is obliged to return to her father’s house and endure the crude husband-hunting of her two twenty-something sisters. She has, however, a close relationship with her eldest and most responsible sister Elizabeth. ‘The Watsons’ contains many of Austen’s perennial themes and her genius for shrewd social observation:
    Emma Watson to Lord Osborne: “Your Lordship thinks we always have our own way. That is a point on which ladies and gentlemen have long disagreed. But without pretending to decide it, I may say that there are some circumstances which even women cannot control. Female economy will do a great deal my Lord, but it cannot turn a small income into a large one.”
    The novel is considered to be around a quarter completed. The manuscript, comprising 68 hand-trimmed pages, is estimated at £200,000-300.000. Well known to scholars, it was her  only literary composition between the completion of ‘Northanger Abbey’ in 1799 and the commencement of ‘Mansfield Park’ in 1811.

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