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ARTHUR TWIDLE (BRITISH, 1865-1935)
Britannia Needs No Bulwarks
Oil on canvas
Signed and dated 'Arthur Twidle 1912' (lower right) and inscribed with artist's titles and provenance to 1913 RA exhibition
21 x 29in. (53.5 x 74cm.) Contained in original frame
Provenance: Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, 1913, item number 323; David Cross Gallery, Clifton c.1975 to Private Collector.
Painted just two years before the outbreak of the Great War, the artist seems to be anticipating the struggles ahead with a seated Nelson contemplating tactics, presumably before the Battle of Trafalgar, and whose greatness of character embodies the finest virtues of England's most brilliant heroes throughout history: in the foreground King Arthur representing a strong and united nation; Sir Francis Drake who, against the odds beat the mighty Spanish Armada; and Cromwell whose famed organisational ability and rule of law was closely reflected by Nelson. In short, with so many virtues crowded into one man, Britain was invincible at sea in 1805 and remained so over a century later - a notion that was still very much reflected by - and throughout - the Royal Navy of 1912 which until recently had considered itself beyond the challenge of any two naval powers combined.
£2000-3000
52. - 54. No Lots
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NAVAL LISTS: A LIST OF THE FLAG-OFFICERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEET [A LIST OF THE FLAG OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEET]
3 vols. for years 1809; 1819 and 1824, vol. I printed mainly on the versos, contemporary straight - grain red morocco not uniform, vol. I re-backed, gilt edges, vol. I with presentation inscription on title 'Admiral Patton to Capt. [Edward James] Foote', 8vo, 1809
(3)
£500-800
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NAVAL LIST, A LIST OF THE FLAG OFFICERS AND OTHER COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF HER MAJESTY'S FLEET
two leaves at the beginning detached, contemporary half-calf by Harmsworth, bookplate of the Royal Victorian Club, London, Clowes, 1838
£200-300
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BRENTON, EDWARD PELHAM: THE NAVAL HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN FROM THE YEAR [1783-1836]
2 vols., engraved portraits and plates, folding engraved plans, occasional foxing and offsetting, contemporary half-roan, spine of vol. I detached but preserved, 8vo, London, Colburn 1837; and a modern printing of the list of the Naval General Service Medal, Recipients, 1808-27
(3)
£150-180
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NAVAL AND MARTIAL BIOGRAPHY; OR MEMOIRS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED ILLUSTRIOUS BRITISH NAVAL AND MILITARY CHARACTERS,
engraved frontispiece and a few plates, some browning. Half roan, rubbed, spine defective, Ormskirk, J. Fowler, 1806; and 14 others (all modern).
Sold not subject to return
£100-150
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CHARNOCK, JOHN: 'HISTORY OF MARINE ARCHITECTURE'
additional engraved title in vol I and 98 engraved plates (of 99). Some aquatint, a little foxing, original buckram. 4to London, various publishers, 1800-1801; together with two tubes of assorted modern yacht plans
(5)
£400-600
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The Death of Sir Cloudesly Shovel
"On Sunday last, two Expresses brought the melancholy News, That Sir Cloudesly Shovel, returning home with the great ships from the Mediterranean, the Association, in which he was, struck on a Rock, off of Scilly, and was unfortunately lost, with all Men on board."; A group of newspapers all relating to the life, death, and funeral of Rear Admiral Sir Shovel, which has given rise to various legends. The first, bringing news of his death, launches into an excellent and lengthy obituary, the highlights of his achievements being recorded; a short article from the Captain of the St George, a ship that was also dashed on the same rocks off the Scilly Isles; together with two London Gazettes are included, both giving a report of his state funeral at Westminster Abbey, after lying in state at the Queen's expense - 20½in. of column space, in genuine and complete issues of The Post Boy, dated October 28th, 1707, and The London Gazette, dated 22nd December, and 29th December, 1707
(3)
£100-150
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MANUSCRIPT OF A PRIZE MONEY COMPLAINT TO BARON ERSKINE OF RESTORMEL CASTLE, ENGLISH CIRCA 1815
from the descendants of the owners of four privateers who captured in the years 1745-47 a treasure of bullion. The bullion, later made into bars, was sold at a value of £200,000 and was confiscated and deposited in the Bank of England, 15 leaves, 23-29 lines, top left-hand corners pierced and secured with a silk tie, last leaf defective, folio - 13.5 x 8.5in. (34.5 x 21.5cm.)
£200-400
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NAVAL SIGNAL BOOK (HARBOUR SIGNALS, SEA SIGNALS, NIGHT SIGNALS AND FOG SIGNALS)
2 vol, manuscript on vellum, 35 and 25 leaves (including 19 blank), exquisite hand-coloured manuscript frontispiece of a trophy of flags and geographical instruments, folding leaf containing two watercolour drawings of compass diagrams, some of the tables with flags painted in watercolour. Both in contemporary calf, blindstamped decoration round the sides, small 4to, - 6¼ x 4¾in. (15.5 x 12cm.), contained in their original red straight-grained morocco wallet binding with flap, on the flap a small oval silver plaque inscribed: Honble Captn P. Bertie
Captain Peregrine Francis Bertie (1741-1790) was the third son of the Earl of Abingdon and commissioned a lieutenant in 1759, being made post captain in 1762 when he commanded the first-rate ship Repulse. He entered Parliament as MP for Oxford in 1774 and later went to sea again in the 1780s, commanding H.M.S. Fortitude and H.M.S. Carnatic. His son-in-law was Sir Thomas Bertie (1758-1825), a friend and contemporary of Nelson who would rise to the rank of Admiral
£1000-1500
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SIGNALS TO BE OBSERVED BY THE SQUADRON UNDER THE COMMAND OF REAR ADML. LEVESON GOWER, ENGLISH, CIRCA 1788
36 leaves, (including two final blanks), 75 exquisitely drawn and hand-coloured manuscript signals including the full-page of 'Compass Signals' with 32 hand-coloured flags, contemporary (?original) printed wrappers, stitched as issued, 8vo (15 x 10cm.)
John Leveson Gower (1740-1792), naval officer and politician entered the navy and was commissioned lieutenant in 1758. His naval career prospered until 1779 but he was unemployed for three years. In January 1783 he was appointed a junior Lord of the Admiralty. He returned to the navy in 1785 and in 1787 was promoted to rear-admiral of the Blue. Demanding of his subordinates, loyal to his friends and harsh to his enemies, Admiral John Leveson Gower showed himself to be a resourceful and thoroughly competent officer in every command he held, ODNB. This little book contains about 216 signals.
£1000-1500
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NORIE, J.W., TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE PLATES DESCRIPTIVE OF THE MARITIME FLAGS OF ALL NATIONS, 1842
London, C.W. Wilson, 20 hand-coloured engraved plated, modern half-calf, 8vo
A charming publication and one of the best and most comprehensive early nineteenth century illustrated guides to maritime flags. Many later editions followed, one of which (1840) was sold in these rooms, 12th May 2015, lot 180 (£250)
£200-300
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A DISPLAY OF THE NAVAL FLAGS OF ALL NATIONS, 1838
hand-coloured frontispiece and 15 hand-coloured plates of flags, fore-margin of frontispiece and following 2 leaves reinforced, occasional light soiling, modern half-cloth, London, H. Fisher and P. Jackson. A collection of 240 flags including those of Arabia, Batavia, Mahrattas, Mecca and Morocco
Despite being one of the first popular flag guides available at relatively low cost, copies of this title are surprisingly scarce
£250-350
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"FLAGGEN ALLER SEEFAHRENDEN POTENZEN UND NATIONEN IN DER GANTZEN WELDT" ["FLAGS OF ALL THE SEAFARING POWERS AND NATIONS OF THE WORLD"], NURENBERG, CIRCA 1710-15(?)
a rare and visually impressive chart, on laid paper, "Presented by" Johann Baptist Homan, Nurenberg, circa 1710-15, featuring 140 engraved flags with contemporary hand-colouring, slight marginal fraying but no significant loss, backed and mounted for display, - 26 x 22in (67 x 57cm.)
Johann Baptist Homan (1664-1724) was one of the greatest German geographers and cartographers and the founder of a publishing house (in 1702) which rapidly became so successful that it was widely credited with the international revival of German printing after almost two centuries of Dutch domination. Appointed Imperial Geographer to the Austrian Emperor Charles VI in 1715, largely as a result of the publication of his magnificent folio atlas in 1710, it has been suggested that this excessively rare flag chart may have been produced as an accompaniment to that atlas. By the time he died in 1724, Homan had issued over 200 maps of superb quality and guaranteed the reputation of his publishing house, which thrived under the name of Homann Heirs for the next hundred years
£400-600
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NAVAL SIGNAL TABLE: 'Distinguishing Signals (with single and double Pendants)', 1807
original printed and manuscript table inscribed as per title, neatly completed in ink with the names of 82 ships, the pennants painted in watercolour, given Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1748-1817), Vice Admiral of the White, on board H.M.S. Ville de Paris, Cawsand Bay [Cornwall], 26th July 1807, autographed by Admiral Alan Gardner, Commander of the Channel Fleet, and his secretary John? Day, sheet size - 24.3 x 38.5cm. (9½ x 15in.) framed and glazed
£200-400
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NAVAL SIGNAL TABLE: 'Distinguishing Vanes for the Ships and Vessels of the Channel Fleet', 1809
original printed and manuscript table inscribed as per title, neatly completed in ink with the names of 53 ships, the pennants painted in watercolour, given to Vice Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1748-1817) on board H.M.S. Caledonia, 21st July 1809, autographed by Admiral James Gambier (1756-1833), Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Fleet, and by James Wilkinson, Admiral Gambier's secretary, sheet size - 13.4 x 43cm. (5¼ x 17in.) framed and glazed
£200-400
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SIGNALS. MANUSCRIPT ON PAPER, 3 LEAVES, WRITTEN IN AN ATTRACTIVE MID-18TH-CENTURY HAND. LOOSE IN A LATER 18TH-CENTURY MARBLED PAPER FOLDER, INSCRIBED ON FRONT COVER 'ORDER BOOK OF THE CENTAUR AND ROBUST'
an important manuscript containing new signals superseding the older ones and making Fleet Signals well nigh impossible for any enemy to decipher. They were produced by Captain (later Admiral) Phillips Cosby who saw extensive service during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War. It would appear that Cosby was still using them during the latter war. Together with a certificate to set ashore from H.M.S. Hind Corporal Cromey suffering from rheumatism, dated 7 August 1762 and signed Captain Phillips Cosby (see above), folio 12½ x 8¼in. (32 x 21cm.)
£400-600
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JOURNAL OF H.M.S. WINCHESTER, MOST LIKELY BY THE SHIP'S SURGEON, PROBABLY PORT ROYAL, NOV. 5 1840 - JAN. 12, 1841
manuscript on paper, 8 leaves mostly written on both sides, 10 large or full-page pencilled drawings, one full-page watercolour drawing, contemporary half-roan, foot of spine defective, otherwise rubbed, 4to, - 10¾ x 8¾in. (27.5 x 22.5cm.)
An interesting journal lasting two months in which the Winchester landed first in Santa Marta in Colombia and later in Cartagena. The writer's main preoccupation is the health (or lack thereof) of the crew and the temperature and humidity. At Riollach he meets old friends, the American Consul and the surgeon Smith, formally of the Bolivian Army. A brief mention of the flogging of the Captain's boy, a serious quarrel with Spanish sailors on the shore, a shooting expedition at San Pedro, local methods of finding gold in the Rio Irlach and the Captain offered a local girl in marriage (declined). 19th-century signature on an endpaper of Henry K. Turnbull
£300-500
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CLARKE, JAMES STANIER AND JOHN MACARTHUR, THE LIFE OF ADMIRAL LORD NELSON, 1809
2 vol., engraved from frontispiece and 11 plates after Westall, Abbot, Pococke and others, 4 engraved plans, one folding, 4 engraved vignettes, several facsimiles, list of subscribers, plates foxed, apart from the foxing a good copy with wide margins, modern sprinkled calf gilt, black labels on spines, large 4to, London, for T. Cadell and W. Davies
£500-700
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AFTER DANIEL ORME (1766-1832): 'A Tribute to the Memory of Horatio Nelson', CIRCA 1806
oval stipple engraved portrait by Daniel Orme, over lines of verse celebrating Nelson's life by poet William Thomas Fitzgerald, with black funereal border, printed by J. Nichols for Edward Orme, approximately - 17½ x 12½in. (45 x 32cm.) framed and glazed
£80-120
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AN INTERESTING NEAR CONTEMPORARY MANUSCRIPT AND WATERCOLOUR CHART OF THE BATTLE OF THE NILE
unsigned, on laid paper watermarked for 1795, with shaded coastline and tinted fleet positions neatly annotated with a 10 point reference key on left and entitled in lower Admiral Horatio Nelson's Victory, - 8 x 11½in. (20.5 x 28cm.)
£150-250
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A VERY RARE 'BROADSIDE' COMMEMORATING NELSON'S VICTORY AT THE BATTLE OF THE NILE
engraved and published by Thomas Tomkins, 18th January 1799 and featuring a transcript of Nelson's despatch describing the action, including lines-of-battle, lists of the opposing Admirals, Captains, ships and their fates, and a top edge cartouche containing a vignette of the figure of Victory inscribing an oval shield with details, - 27 x 20in (69 x 51cm.), attractively framed within an oak surround for display
Another example but with vacant top cartouche was sold in these rooms on 17th July 2008, lot 22 (£380)
Although the 'broadsides' issued after Trafalgar have attracted enormous prices at auction in recent years, those for the Nile - or indeed for any of Nelson's other victories - are equally rare, with only handfuls of examples known to have survived
£600-800
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A VERRE ÉGLOMISÉ LOCKET OF EMMA HAMILTON WITH PROBABLE LOCK OF NELSON'S HAIR BEHIND, CIRCA 1805-6
depicting Emma, looking to sea and releasing a dove whilst clutching an open cage resting on a pediment inscribed NELSON / Obt21Octr / 1805 glazed with verre églomisé border, the reverse with curl of fine grey-blonde hair set on a maroon silk backing, gilt brass frame and suspension loop - 2in. (5cm.) high
The hair sample included in this lot closely matches verified examples seen and sold. As is well recorded, Emma was given all of Nelson's hair and was, initially at least, generous in presenting clips to well wishers. This locket may have been commissioned by Emma to give to important well wishers, or possibly a sympathetic admirer, both of whom thought it beyond reason to state its provenance.
£400-600
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A TURNED TREEN SNUFF BOX MADE FROM SAN JOSEF TIMBER, 19TH-CENTURY
the lid with manuscript paper label reading A Piece Of The Wing Transom Of H.M. Ship, San Josef. Captured By Nelson In The Battle Of Cape St Vincent, February 14th 1797. - 3¼in. (9.5cm.) diam
The 112-gun San Josef was the vessel captured as a result of Nelson's celebrated "patent bridge" - using the captured 80-gun San Nicolas which was entangled with San Josef. San Josef was broken up at Devonport in 1849 with surprisingly little treen seen on the market
£400-600
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A COMMEMORATIVE TRAFALGAR/WATERLOO PRESSED WOOD SNUFF BOX
the lid depicting two veterans smoking in a tavern inscribed around edge VICTORY TRAFALGAR WATERLOO / 21 OCTOBER 1805 / 18 JUNE 1815, - 2 7/8in. (7.2cm.) diam.; together with a small treen barrel made from Iron Duke; and a Victory copper medallion issued by the British Foreign Sailors Society in 1805, boxed
(3)
£100-150
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A COMMEMORATIVE PORTRAIT BROOCH OF NELSON BY WILLIAM TASSIE, 1805
the right facing profile in Tassie's compound and signed and dated on the shoulder Tassie F. 1805, mounted on bloodstone and set within a yellow metal mount with hinged pin behind - 1in. (2.5cm.) high
£600-800
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AFTER LEMUEL ABBOTT, EARLY 19TH-CENTURY
Horatio, Viscount Nelson
Oil on copper
Oval, mounted in contemporary ebonised frame
Image size 5¼ x 4in. (13.5 x 10cm.)
£400-600
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Ø AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY COMMEMORATIVE NELSON/TRAFALGAR LOCKET
painted on ivory and depicting two first rates in action inscribed around the border Nelson, Tho' Dead, Yet Speaketh England Expects Every Man To Do His Duty with gilt brass frame and empty hair compartment behind, - 2½in. (6.5cm.) high; together with two silver rowing oars prizes from H.M.S. Sussex, 1931; and naval crown menu holder retained by Gieves Ltd 1933/4
(4)
£300-400
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AN 'EDITION DE LUXE' TRAFALGAR CENTENARY PORCELAIN TYG BY SPODE COPELAND, 1905
numbered 78 of a limited edition of 100 - 6 x 5¾in. (15.3 x 14.6cm.)
This is the rare larger sized version of this decorative celebration tyg.
£400-600
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THREE NELSON'S VICTORY SOUVENIRS, 1905
comprising a Schools' Award shield bearing a copper bas-relief of Victory under sail, with extensive inscription below relating to the British & Foreign Sailors' Society (for whose benefit these items were produced and sold), mounted on a shield-shaped backboard of Victory oak (Hardy 123); together with another similar shield for presentation to Canadian Schools in 1907, apparently unrecorded and presumed very rare thus; a Victory copper biscuit barrel, the ribbed sides with affixed copper medallion showing Victory under full sail at Trafalgar, date 1765 below, 5½in. high (14cm.); and a vesta case made from copper recovered from Nelson's Foudroyant wrecked in 1897, all good condition
(4)
£200-300
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ENGLISH SCHOOL EARLY 19TH-CENTURY
A Naval officer in dress uniform
Watercolour
Oval in contemporary ebonised frame
3 x 2¼in. (7.5 x 5.5cm.)
£200-300
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ENGLISH SCHOOL, EARLY 19TH-CENTURY
A fleet engagement
Inscribed Duncan & Victory
Oil on vellum
Oval 1½ x 2¼in. (2.5 x 6.5cm.)
£150-250
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AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY PAPIER-MÂCHÉ TRAY PAINTED WITH AN ANGLO-AMERICAN FRIGATE ACTION, PROBABLY THE CHESAPEAKE AND SHANNON
with re-gilded rim - 15 x 20½in. (38 x 52cm.)
£150-250
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AN 1827-PATTERN ROYAL NAVY SWORD HILT WITH CHINESE REPLACEMENT BLADE
the 29in. curved blade inscribed with Chinese characters near the hilt, regulation hilt with thumbpiece engraved N. B. Bedingfeld [sic] (lacking scabbard, old wear) - 34¼in. (87cm.) overall
Vice-Admiral Norman Bernard Bedingfield, FRGS, was born 1824 and joined the Royal Navy as a cadet in 1842, being successively promoted Sub-Lieut. 1842, Lieut. 1851, Commander 1856 and Captain 1862. Retired and was made Rear-Admiral in 1877 and then Vice-Admiral in 1884. Was Midshipman of the Clio during the operations in China in 1842 and present at the forcing of the boom at Obligado in 1846. Repeatedly commended during five years' service suppressing the slave trade off the coast of West Africa. Wrecked in the Forerunner and "was instrumental in saving many lives." Lieut. of the royal yacht Victoria & Albert, 1854-56, and made FRGS in 1855. Accompanied Dr. Livingstone's expedition to the Zambezi in the capacity of Government Surveyor and Nautical Commander sailing from Liverpool in March 1858, returning to England in January 1859 after dramatically falling out with Livingstone. Received a "good service" pension in 1876, retired 1877 and died 26th February 1894
£250-350
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PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM, CIRCA 1865 AND LATER
a collection of 83 photographs mounted, mostly of identifiable Victorians, but also with several ships and ships' crews depicted, from H.M.Ships Emerald, Phoebe and Revenue, contemporary hard-grain Morocco, very rubbed, most of spine missing, oblong 4to
£200-300
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AN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY MINIATURE TORTOISESHELL AND HORN profile MODEL OF A JAPANESE DESTROYER, CIRCA 1910
an exquisite miniature model of an Imperial Japanese destroyer, in tortoiseshell and horn, featuring 3 funnels, 2 sparred masts, aft torpedo tubes, wire rigging, WT aerials and national flags on bow and stern, the vessel set within a clear oval in the centre of a rectangular tortoiseshell plaque - length of craft 3.25in. (8.5cm.), the plaque - 6.75in. x 5.5in. (17 x 13.5cm.), the reverse mounted with two small (later) hooks for hanging
The scale of this model makes a positive identification of the vessel difficult, a problem magnified by the dearth of photographs for many of the earliest Japanese classes of both destroyers and torpedo boats. In terms of design, however, the model resembles the two "Sakura" class destroyers, Sakura and Tachibana (both laid down in 1911 and completed in 1912), not least because they were originally intended to be large ocean-going vessels but were altered at a late stage to medium coastal types (second class)
The precise purpose of the model is equally enigmatic and it is presumed to have been a presentation item to an individual such as an Admiralty official or perhaps the vessel's first commanding officer. Whatever the truth, only one other comparable plaque is known to the cataloguer, that being of the Russian armoured cruiser Gromoboi [Thunderer] launched in 1899 and completed in 1900, which merely adds to the mystery of these plaques' country of origin
£400-600
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A PAIR OF MIDSHIPMAN'S LOG BOOKS, 1906-1909
kept by H.S. Hornby aboard H.M.Ships Drake 15 September 1906-30 April 1907; Formidable 1 June 1907-17 August 1908; and Bulwark 18 August 1908-15 November 1909, written in a clear hand with good daily descriptions of activities undertaken by author and crew and copious pasted technical watercolours and charts, occasional officer signature, bound with blue leather boards with gilt titles and full page photographs of Formidable pasted on fly leafs - 12½ x 8¼in. (31.5 x 21cm.)
(2, a pair)
Drake was a second class cruiser of 1901, torpedoed 1917; Formidable was a battleship of 1898 torpedoed 1915; and Bulwark was a battleship of 1899, which unaccountably blew up at the quayside in 1914. Hugh Stanton Hornby (1890-1916) was a fine all-round athlete and sportsman. Having completed his training, he became a submariner and was serving aboard H.M.Submarine C.26 when he suffered a freak accident diving into the water from a wet platform on H.M.S. Arrogant and died of internal injuries three days later. His funeral was attended by several senior officers, including a representative of Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Bacon, founder of the submarine corps.
£500-800
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ADMIRALTY DEPARTMENT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON DESIGNS [FOR THE BATTLESHIP DREADNOUGHT AND ARMORED CRUISER INVINCIBLE], 1905
19 folding plates at the end, 12 being specifications for a battleship and a cruiser and 2 plates at the beginning depicting H.M.S. Dreadnought and H.M.S. Invincible, original half-calf with Confidential Report on the Committee on Designs 1905 in gilt on upper cover, rebacked with original spine preserved, slipcase, folio, London, Eyre and Spottiswoode
A rare and extremely important volume, especially for the plate and description of the specifications of H.M.S. Dreadnought, built in the following year and indubitably the most important ship in the British Navy, rendering for a time all other ships in the world obsolete. Her launch helped spark a naval arms race as navies around the world, particularly the German, rushed to match her in the build-up to WWI. Library stamps on title and preliminaries of Dartmouth Naval College
£600-900
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AN INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHIC ARCHIVE PERTAINING TO THE CAREER OF CAPTAIN BASIL M. PECK, M.B.E. ROYAL NAVY
spanning his career from 1906 to 1947 and including many unusual and interesting views taken aboard various ships including H.M.S. Powerful; Royal Sovereign; Renown; Courageous and others, and comprising approx. 150 photographs together with numerous topographical views taken on tour and including several views of Captain Scott's Terra Nova departing Melbourne on 17th October 1910; interesting close-up views of a torpedo being launched; a fine series of scenes about H.M.S. Powerful circa 1909 and of H.M.S. Challenger in heavy seas, May 1910 and a further long series of images from the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Courageous showing several aerial accidents and views; a series of photographs from the 1935 Jubilee Review; views of the Italian liner Ausonia burning in Alexandria harbour and a good series of late personal photographs in and around the Mediterranean; together with a third album comprising a set of professional photographs of his various vessels and approx. 50 annotated photo postcards of naval interest; together with a bound folio of personal paperwork comprising commissions etc.; a dissertation/lecture on Admiral Byng; and a silver cigarette case engraved with owner's initials and dates and names of all vessels served between 1906 and 1947
(A lot)
£400-600
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"ENEMY SUBMARINES IN QUESTION AND ANSWER", A SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL PAMPHLET (BR 145/40)
a rare copy of the Admiralty's official pamphlet published by the Naval Staff, Anti-Submarine Warfare Division, July 1940, illustrated with 8 black & white plates and various silhouettes, original blue paper covers; with Ships of the Royal Navy, publ. by Sampson, Low, Marston, issues for 1938, 1940 & 1941, and an earlier edition for 1926, all small oblong format, generally good condition, the first item especially so
(5)
£60-100
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A PAIR OF 7 X 50 KRIEGSMARINE U-BOAT BINOCULARS BY CARL ZEISS, JENA, CIRCA 1943, RECOVERED FROM U-236, 1945
the tubes with original light green finish, rubber covered back plates, stamped with maker's code blc and numbered 52934, the eyepieces with Bakelite cover inscribed Benutzer / Okulare / Testgestellt / Nicht / Verdrehen on elasticated Benz - 8in. (20cm.) high; together with a contemporary media photograph showing U-236 approaching to surrender
(2)
Provenance: Lt. T. Naughton, 1945, and thence by descent; Private collection
U-236 surrendered to the Royal Navy at Eriboll on 11th May, 1945. These binoculars were liberated by Lt T. Naughton who is marked with an 'X' on the accompanying photograph, and who is aboard the previously-surrendered U-826, now flying the White Ensign. Naughton's father served in the RN in World War I and liberated the binoculars forming lot 98.
Literature: Seeger, Dr. H.T.: Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und Marine, Druck und Verarbeitung, Hamburg 1995, pp373-9
£1000-1500
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A PAIR OF 7 X 50 FIXED FOCUS SERVICE BINOCULARS BY ERNST LEITZ WETZLAR, CIRC 1940
the back-plates stamped with maker's code BEH and number '448814', covered in rubber with separate rubber eyepiece covers and leather neck strap - 9in. (23cm.) high
£700-900
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A WORLD WAR II GERMAN NAVY LIEUTENANT'S PEAKED HAT
constructed in blue wool cloth, braided insignia, leather chin strap, lined interior; together with an overseas cap for the same period
(2)
£200-400
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A FINE PAIR OF 7 x 50 FIXED FOCUS KrIEgsmarine U-BOAT OFFICER'S BINOCULARS by Ernst Leitz, Wetzer, CIRCA 1940
stamped on the back plate with Kreigsmarine and maker's code beh and numbered '26482', compete with Bakelite eyepiece cover, leather strap and original embossed leather case of issue with filter pockets inside lid containing filters - cased size 12in. (30.5cm.) high
Provenance: Major H.A. Green, Indian Army attached to the 14th Army, WWII, believed taken from a captured U-Boat around South-East Asia and thence by descent
£1500-2000
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A PAIR OF 7 X 50 FIXED FOCUS KRIEGSMARINE BINOCULARS BY CARL ZEISS, JENA, CIRCA 1943
stamped on the backplate with Kriegsmarine emblem, maker's mark numbered '2060321', and issue number 'N / Nr.14026', leather eye piece guard on elastic cord, leather neck strap, contained in original black leather counter-marked case embossed with with leather strap and sprung catch - 8in. (20.5cm.) high
Provenance: Recovered by vendor's father-in-law from a battlefield near Monte Cassino, 1944.
£1000-1500
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A PAIR OF 10 X 50 KAISERMARINE BRIDGE BINOCULARS BY ZEISS, 1916 removed from S.M.S. Baden, ScapA flow, 1919
heavily constructed in aluminum with splash cuffs, elevation screw, stamped on the backplate with maker's marks, Kaisermarine mark, dated 14.7.16, and separately focusing eyepieces - overall 13in. (33cm.) long; together with associated tripod stand by Zeiss
(2)
Provenance: Sub Lt. James Naughton, 1919, and thence by descent; Private collection
The last German battleship to be completed before the War ended, she was completed after Jutland and saw no action in her single cruise of April 1918. Interned with the rest of the High Seas Fleet at Scapa Flow, the Royal Navy managed to board and beach her during the mass scuttling of June 1919. Re-floated, she was sunk as a target two years later. It is presumed that Sub Lt. Naughton was one of the boarding party - his son served in World War II and captured the binoculars in lot 93
£1500-2500
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A PAIR OF 25 X 105 SECOND WORLD WAR FORTRESS BINOCULARS BY SCHNEIDER, CIRCA 1943
unsigned, complete with mounting brackets, top handle, filters and rubberised eyepiece - 22in. (56cm.) long
Literature: Seeger, Dr. H.T.: Militärische Ferngläser und Fernrohre in Heer, Luftwaffe und Marine, Druck und Verarbeitung, Hamburg 1995, pp258, which describes how these binoculars were in service along the Normandy coast during the war
£1000-1500
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A PAIR OF 10 X 70 BINOCULAR GUN SIGHTS BY ROSS, LONDON CIRCA 1940
contained with regulation crackle finished case, signed as per title with government issue mark, the eyepieces with independent filters, mounted in a bracket with location handle (later) - 14in. (35.5cm.) high overall; together with an associated tripod
(2)
£300-500
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A PAIR OF 30 X 75 BRIDGE BINOCULARS BY SWAROVSKI UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE BEEN USED ABOARD THE CANBERRA DURING THE FALKLANDS CAMPAIGN, 1982
with rubberised lens caps, maker's plate to top marked as per title with scratched serial number I/II , top mounted handle and location scope rubber shade/splash cup over eyepiece, mounted on deck rail bracket - overall 11½ x 15in. (29 x 38cm.)
It is believed the Canberra was fitted with six pairs of Swarovski 30 x 75 binoculars. This pair has been marked in ink CAN no. 2 of 6
£400-600
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AN EXCEPTIONAL NINE-CHARACTER POLYCHROME BONE SPINNING JENNY MADE BY FRENCH NAPOLEONIC PRISONERS-OF-WAR, CIRCA 1800
the lower tier with two soldiers jigging with two ladies in turbans flanking elaborately carved and pierced crank mechanism, the top tier with spinning wheel, a harlequin waltzing with a lady, another lady dancing in the manner of Mademoiselle de Camargo and a redcoat soldier seated next to the "Jenny", both tiers with coloured strawwork bases and supported by fluted corner posts - 7¼ x 4¼in. (18.5 x 11cm.) contained in later glass dome and base
£4000-6000
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AN EARLY 19TH-CENTURY NAPOLEONIC PRISONER-OF-WAR CARVED BONE CALVARY SCENE
constructed from a section of shin bone, with lattice cut glazed door opening to reveal polychrome Calvary scene on a platform painted with flowers to the front and mounted on three feet, the reverse ornately carved overall, - 5in. (12.5cm.) high
£700-900
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