TRAVEL
1494 The Other Side of the Sea
2017 SOLD for $ 750K including premium
The legendary wealth of Cathay and Cipango is much tempting and the ambitions of Cristoforo Colombo are oversized despite his modest origins. When crossing the sea from east to west he would bypass the dangerous commercial roads through Asia, no one would contest him to take possession of the visited territories and he would be rich, noble and powerful.
Having become Cristobal Colon, he seeks protectors in Portugal and Spain without giving up his extravagant demands. In 1492 the treasurer of the house of Castile cleverly observes that the expected gain is much greater than the investment and Queen Isabella accepts the project.
The successful trip and return of two of the three ships of Columbus's fleet across the Atlantic Ocean, from August 3, 1492 to March 4, 1493, was an unprecedented feat in which the officers had to calm the sailors, panic-stricken after losing sight of the land. Six inhabited lands had been discovered and Columbus correctly recognized that all of them were islands.
Columbus writes a letter which is not at all an account of the many adventures of the trip but a resolutely appealing report intended to encourage the financing of a second and even more ambitious expedition. The natives from then named Indians are shy and easy to satisfy although it is recommended to be wary against some cannibals. There will be no obstacle to the exploitation of gold and spices.
Probably prepared in Spanish by Columbus himself, the letter was published in Barcelona in March or April 1493. Translated into Latin, it was published in Rome around May of the same year. The first illustrated edition, not located and undated, is named the first Basel edition because it anticipates the more ambitious edition realized in that city with the same woodcuts in 1494.
The Basel editions confirm the political purpose of the letter. Four naive images illustrate the life on the islands and sketch their map beside a glorious portrait of King Ferdinand and the coat of arms of Spain, reinforcing the information of Columbus's allegiance to the Reyes Catolicos against the claims of recuperation by Portugal.
Bound in the 19th century in the follow of another text to the glory of King Ferdinand, a highly rare complete copy of the second edition of Basel is estimated $ 700K for sale by Bonhams in New York on September 26, lot 2. This book had passed at Nate D. Sanders Auctions on January 26, 2017.
Nearly ten years later Amerigo Vespucci will finally have the intuition that the islands and coasts discovered on the other side of the Atlantic were not the Indies but a New World.
Having become Cristobal Colon, he seeks protectors in Portugal and Spain without giving up his extravagant demands. In 1492 the treasurer of the house of Castile cleverly observes that the expected gain is much greater than the investment and Queen Isabella accepts the project.
The successful trip and return of two of the three ships of Columbus's fleet across the Atlantic Ocean, from August 3, 1492 to March 4, 1493, was an unprecedented feat in which the officers had to calm the sailors, panic-stricken after losing sight of the land. Six inhabited lands had been discovered and Columbus correctly recognized that all of them were islands.
Columbus writes a letter which is not at all an account of the many adventures of the trip but a resolutely appealing report intended to encourage the financing of a second and even more ambitious expedition. The natives from then named Indians are shy and easy to satisfy although it is recommended to be wary against some cannibals. There will be no obstacle to the exploitation of gold and spices.
Probably prepared in Spanish by Columbus himself, the letter was published in Barcelona in March or April 1493. Translated into Latin, it was published in Rome around May of the same year. The first illustrated edition, not located and undated, is named the first Basel edition because it anticipates the more ambitious edition realized in that city with the same woodcuts in 1494.
The Basel editions confirm the political purpose of the letter. Four naive images illustrate the life on the islands and sketch their map beside a glorious portrait of King Ferdinand and the coat of arms of Spain, reinforcing the information of Columbus's allegiance to the Reyes Catolicos against the claims of recuperation by Portugal.
Bound in the 19th century in the follow of another text to the glory of King Ferdinand, a highly rare complete copy of the second edition of Basel is estimated $ 700K for sale by Bonhams in New York on September 26, lot 2. This book had passed at Nate D. Sanders Auctions on January 26, 2017.
Nearly ten years later Amerigo Vespucci will finally have the intuition that the islands and coasts discovered on the other side of the Atlantic were not the Indies but a New World.
The #Columbus Letter on the discovery of #America, Menzies copy - Fine #Books & Manuscripts, Sept. 26 in #NY https://t.co/Y1KiN7IR6D pic.twitter.com/EbGP4voO9K
— BONHAMS (@bonhams1793) August 24, 2017
1598-1600 Navigations, Traffiques and Discoveries
2014 SOLD for £ 460K including premium
From 1583 to 1588, Richard Hakluyt was secretary and chaplain to the English ambassador at the French court. That was his only trip abroad. Yet he had a key role in the early days of English colonial policy.
In France, he had heard the stories told by the explorers of Florida. He attracted the attention of Queen Elizabeth on the need for England to catch up on France and Spain, and campaigned for an immediate settlement of Virginia.
His first major compilation, published in London in 1589, is titled The Principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English Nation, made by sea and over land. It is a big folio size book with more than 800 pages 28 x 18 cm. A copy is estimated £ 40K, for sale by Sotheby's in London on September 30, lot 578. It retained its rare map designed from the Ortelius model.
Ten years later, needs and knowledge have dramatically increased and Hakluyt had meticulously continued his work. The second edition was published in three volumes from 1598 to 1600, totaling nearly 1,900 pages. In the same sale as above, a copy bound in two books is estimated £ 180K, lot 579.
The title was amended to add the word Traffiques confirming the willingness of the author to encourage settlers and traveling merchants, but this is not the most important. This copy has retained its very rare world map in two joined sheets using the most recent projection system of Edward Wright.
The Dutch scientist Mercator had resolved in 1569 the challenge to offer to navigators plane maps in which angles are exact whatever the latitude. However, his geometrical theory contained some errors whose corrections were published by Wright in 1599. The graphs of Wright greatly increased the accuracy of the compass navigation.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
First issue : SOLD for £ 146K.
Second edition of 1598-1600 SOLD for £ 460K.
In France, he had heard the stories told by the explorers of Florida. He attracted the attention of Queen Elizabeth on the need for England to catch up on France and Spain, and campaigned for an immediate settlement of Virginia.
His first major compilation, published in London in 1589, is titled The Principall Navigations, Voiages and Discoveries of the English Nation, made by sea and over land. It is a big folio size book with more than 800 pages 28 x 18 cm. A copy is estimated £ 40K, for sale by Sotheby's in London on September 30, lot 578. It retained its rare map designed from the Ortelius model.
Ten years later, needs and knowledge have dramatically increased and Hakluyt had meticulously continued his work. The second edition was published in three volumes from 1598 to 1600, totaling nearly 1,900 pages. In the same sale as above, a copy bound in two books is estimated £ 180K, lot 579.
The title was amended to add the word Traffiques confirming the willingness of the author to encourage settlers and traveling merchants, but this is not the most important. This copy has retained its very rare world map in two joined sheets using the most recent projection system of Edward Wright.
The Dutch scientist Mercator had resolved in 1569 the challenge to offer to navigators plane maps in which angles are exact whatever the latitude. However, his geometrical theory contained some errors whose corrections were published by Wright in 1599. The graphs of Wright greatly increased the accuracy of the compass navigation.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
First issue : SOLD for £ 146K.
Second edition of 1598-1600 SOLD for £ 460K.
1810-1814 Krusenstern around the World
2017 unsold
In 1802 the new Tsar Alexander I accepted the project of an expedition in the North Pacific. Its mission was to establish diplomatic relations with Japan and trade relations with Canton and to identify how to facilitate the communication with distant Russian territories in Kamchatka and Alaska.
Russia bought two British ships renamed Nadezhda (which means Hope) and Neva. Krusenstern was the responsible of the expedition and the captain of the three masted Nadezhda.
The boats often separated. During the long months of imprisonment of the crew of the Nadezhda in Japan which was still rejecting any relation with foreigners, the Neva visited the Russian settlements in Alaska. This very first Russian circumnavigation had lasted three years, from 1803 to 1806.
Krusenstern then prepared the report of the voyage of the two boats in these regions, some of them unexplored before him. The German edition is published in St. Petersburg in three text volumes 25 x 21 cm from 1810 to 1812 and an atlas of 110 plates in folio format 60 x 45 cm in 1814. A complete copy including the highly rare early version of the atlas with Cyrillic captions in the maps is estimated $ 350K for sale by Christie's in New York on December 7, lot 94.
Russia bought two British ships renamed Nadezhda (which means Hope) and Neva. Krusenstern was the responsible of the expedition and the captain of the three masted Nadezhda.
The boats often separated. During the long months of imprisonment of the crew of the Nadezhda in Japan which was still rejecting any relation with foreigners, the Neva visited the Russian settlements in Alaska. This very first Russian circumnavigation had lasted three years, from 1803 to 1806.
Krusenstern then prepared the report of the voyage of the two boats in these regions, some of them unexplored before him. The German edition is published in St. Petersburg in three text volumes 25 x 21 cm from 1810 to 1812 and an atlas of 110 plates in folio format 60 x 45 cm in 1814. A complete copy including the highly rare early version of the atlas with Cyrillic captions in the maps is estimated $ 350K for sale by Christie's in New York on December 7, lot 94.
The very rare first edition of the first Russian circumnavigation of the globe by Ivan Kruzenshtern--in our upcoming 7 Dec sale of the Martin Greene Library of Russian America & Polar Exploration. https://t.co/tyHXEOr5IA pic.twitter.com/8Aok52k508
— Christie's Books (@ChristiesBKS) November 15, 2017
1828-1833 THE MOREA EXPEDITION
2014 SOLD 384 KCHF INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
With the famous campaign of Bonaparte, Europeans rediscovered the extraordinary cultural heritage of Egypt. Three decades later, another field of investigation opens to them : Greece.
Described by Winckelmann in the eighteenth century as the cradle of civilization and the perfect example of the ideal although ephemeral political organization, Greece later came under Ottoman domination and was not quite accessible. The independence war changes that situation.
In 1827, when the Ottomans helped by the Egyptians regained control of Greece, the British, French and Russians intervened militarily. The Battle of Navarino is decisive. From 1828 to 1833 a French force occupied the Peloponnese.This is known as the Morea expedition.
A special mission of 17 scientists accompanied the expedition. Their priority is geodesy but their visits to sites and monuments of the Peloponnese provided an objective description which was highly appreciated.
Eugène Peytier had been the military surveyor of the Pyrénées. He realized in the Peloponnese a very interesting set of watercolors and drawings bound in an album at the end of the nineteenth century. A fac simile was published in 1971 by the Greek bank.
The original document is estimated CHF 300K, for sale by Koller in Zürich on March 29. It consists of 63 watercolors and 17 drawings with size range between 10 x 15 cm and 32 x 50 cm.
POST SALE COMMENT
The album was sold for CHF 320K before fees, in line with the estimate.
With the famous campaign of Bonaparte, Europeans rediscovered the extraordinary cultural heritage of Egypt. Three decades later, another field of investigation opens to them : Greece.
Described by Winckelmann in the eighteenth century as the cradle of civilization and the perfect example of the ideal although ephemeral political organization, Greece later came under Ottoman domination and was not quite accessible. The independence war changes that situation.
In 1827, when the Ottomans helped by the Egyptians regained control of Greece, the British, French and Russians intervened militarily. The Battle of Navarino is decisive. From 1828 to 1833 a French force occupied the Peloponnese.This is known as the Morea expedition.
A special mission of 17 scientists accompanied the expedition. Their priority is geodesy but their visits to sites and monuments of the Peloponnese provided an objective description which was highly appreciated.
Eugène Peytier had been the military surveyor of the Pyrénées. He realized in the Peloponnese a very interesting set of watercolors and drawings bound in an album at the end of the nineteenth century. A fac simile was published in 1971 by the Greek bank.
The original document is estimated CHF 300K, for sale by Koller in Zürich on March 29. It consists of 63 watercolors and 17 drawings with size range between 10 x 15 cm and 32 x 50 cm.
POST SALE COMMENT
The album was sold for CHF 320K before fees, in line with the estimate.
1829 the artist of the scrimshaw
2014 SOLD for $ 123K including premium
The scrimshaw was mainly a pastime of sailors who countered the boredom of long journeys by engraving bone or ivory. The ships returned from the distant seas loaded with barrels of grease and oil of sperm whales, extensively used for lighting and lubrication before the development of the petroleum industry.
In August 1826, the Susan leaves Nantucket to pursue whales in the Pacific. She returned to the same port after three years with about 2,700 barrels of oil.
Frederick Myrick is on board. He is one of the first sailors to date and sign scrimshaws on whale teeth. 36 pieces are attributed to him. On a single model, they offer different variations such as full sail during transit and reduced or removed sail for hunting.
With the exception of nine pieces, all scrimshaws from this group are dated between December 1828 and September 1829, covering the end of the hunting phase and the travel back.
However, it is difficult to conclude on the meaning of that dating, either linked to the execution of the piece or to events on board. Two of the dated pieces and four undated are dedicated to other ships, and we may believe that the artist made some of them to order after his return.
On October 26 in Boston, Skinner sells an undated scrimshaw signed by Myrick showing the Frances ship off Peru, lot 236estimated $ 150K. It shares with many other pieces a poem of unidentified origin remembering the atmosphere of these trips: 'Death to the living, Long life to the killers, Success to the sailors' wives and Greasy luck to whalers'.
In August 1826, the Susan leaves Nantucket to pursue whales in the Pacific. She returned to the same port after three years with about 2,700 barrels of oil.
Frederick Myrick is on board. He is one of the first sailors to date and sign scrimshaws on whale teeth. 36 pieces are attributed to him. On a single model, they offer different variations such as full sail during transit and reduced or removed sail for hunting.
With the exception of nine pieces, all scrimshaws from this group are dated between December 1828 and September 1829, covering the end of the hunting phase and the travel back.
However, it is difficult to conclude on the meaning of that dating, either linked to the execution of the piece or to events on board. Two of the dated pieces and four undated are dedicated to other ships, and we may believe that the artist made some of them to order after his return.
On October 26 in Boston, Skinner sells an undated scrimshaw signed by Myrick showing the Frances ship off Peru, lot 236estimated $ 150K. It shares with many other pieces a poem of unidentified origin remembering the atmosphere of these trips: 'Death to the living, Long life to the killers, Success to the sailors' wives and Greasy luck to whalers'.
1830 It's a Long Way to Swan River
2012 SOLD 120 K£ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
How could they use the western coast of Australia ? Opinions differ. A penal colony like those established at Botany Bay near Sydney in 1779 ? A free territory to be offered to emigrant farmers?
What is clear is that the clock is ticking. The French are the archrivals of the British. The circumnavigation of Dumont d'Urville, begun in 1826, has scientific purposes, but it is rumored in England that France would like to also send convicts to Australia.
The exploration is accelerating. On May 2, 1829, Captain Fremantle creates the Swan River Colony on behalf of the British. Settlements of Perth and Fremantle will soon be founded.
The first austral winter is catastrophic on this ground less fertile than expected, but it is no more possible to curb the enthusiasm and more than 20 British boats reach Swan River for the single year 1829.
The journey of the Wanstead, leaving Portsmouth for Hobart in August 1829, is part of this movement. For several weeks in February and early March 1830, the travelers observe the precariouss settlements of the new colony while fearing attacks by aborigines, tasting kangaroo tails and trying to get rid of flies and fleas.
Mary Ann Friend, wife of the commander, kept a manuscript journal that covers the entire trip, including a few watercolors and maps. Her stay in Fremantle is a unique eyewitness account of pioneer life in Western Australia in 1830.
This document is estimated £ 100K, for sale by Christie's in London on October 10.
Here is the link to the catalogue.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, £ 120K including premium, is in line with the estimate.
How could they use the western coast of Australia ? Opinions differ. A penal colony like those established at Botany Bay near Sydney in 1779 ? A free territory to be offered to emigrant farmers?
What is clear is that the clock is ticking. The French are the archrivals of the British. The circumnavigation of Dumont d'Urville, begun in 1826, has scientific purposes, but it is rumored in England that France would like to also send convicts to Australia.
The exploration is accelerating. On May 2, 1829, Captain Fremantle creates the Swan River Colony on behalf of the British. Settlements of Perth and Fremantle will soon be founded.
The first austral winter is catastrophic on this ground less fertile than expected, but it is no more possible to curb the enthusiasm and more than 20 British boats reach Swan River for the single year 1829.
The journey of the Wanstead, leaving Portsmouth for Hobart in August 1829, is part of this movement. For several weeks in February and early March 1830, the travelers observe the precariouss settlements of the new colony while fearing attacks by aborigines, tasting kangaroo tails and trying to get rid of flies and fleas.
Mary Ann Friend, wife of the commander, kept a manuscript journal that covers the entire trip, including a few watercolors and maps. Her stay in Fremantle is a unique eyewitness account of pioneer life in Western Australia in 1830.
This document is estimated £ 100K, for sale by Christie's in London on October 10.
Here is the link to the catalogue.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result, £ 120K including premium, is in line with the estimate.
1842-1849 David Roberts, British Tourist
2010 SOLD 167 K$ including premium
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The early nineteenth century saw the development of tourism, to which the British travelers brought passion. As its name suggests, this tourism is to tour the curious sites and monuments in distant countries.
Influenced by Turner, David Roberts leaves in 1838 for Egypt and the Holy Land. He wants to reveal to his contemporaries the magnificent monuments, of which he takes drawings and watercolors.
He starts too early to use photography. The technique of his time is lithography, in steady progress since its invention in 1796.
The two books by Roberts, one on the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia (1842-1849), the other being specialized in the latter two countries (1846-1849) are possibly the most beautiful books of the nineteenth century.They are very large (elephant folio size, 62 x 44 cm), and the lithographs were made by Louis Haghe.
A copy of these two books, in six volumes, is sold by Heritage Auction Galleries in Beverly Hills on February 11.Wonder of wonders, it is the "DeLuxe" issue, hand colored. This lot is estimated $ 250K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was too high, but this book has still been sold: 167 K $ including premium.
The early nineteenth century saw the development of tourism, to which the British travelers brought passion. As its name suggests, this tourism is to tour the curious sites and monuments in distant countries.
Influenced by Turner, David Roberts leaves in 1838 for Egypt and the Holy Land. He wants to reveal to his contemporaries the magnificent monuments, of which he takes drawings and watercolors.
He starts too early to use photography. The technique of his time is lithography, in steady progress since its invention in 1796.
The two books by Roberts, one on the Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt and Nubia (1842-1849), the other being specialized in the latter two countries (1846-1849) are possibly the most beautiful books of the nineteenth century.They are very large (elephant folio size, 62 x 44 cm), and the lithographs were made by Louis Haghe.
A copy of these two books, in six volumes, is sold by Heritage Auction Galleries in Beverly Hills on February 11.Wonder of wonders, it is the "DeLuxe" issue, hand colored. This lot is estimated $ 250K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The estimate was too high, but this book has still been sold: 167 K $ including premium.
1875 the grand tours of the fifth count
2009 sold 378 K£ including premium
In 1866, Offenbach creates one of his most famous comic operas, "La Vie Parisienne". We still enjoy today his characters of aristocrats from all over the world coming to spend their money in libertinism and social events in Paris.
To those who do not believe in the realism of the story told by Offenbach, let me introduce now the fifth Count Preziosi.
A Maltese aristocrat, he discovered an irresistible vocation as an artist while studying in Paris, which he left to settle permanently in Constantinople. He was very close to the influential British community in this city, for which he assembled sketchbooks of watercolors, and which sponsored his trips to explore the West for arts and leisure.
Comparing two albums provides a fascinating information on how was working this interesting artist, lover of monuments and of animated scenes.
On March 18, 2004, Christie's sold at Paris the album of his 1872 trip, including 79 watercolors. Leaving Constantinople in May, he visited Italy and arrived on June 23 in Paris where he only produced 23 images in ten weeks' stay for his album. Probably not to disappoint his sponsor, he completed it with watercolors of Romania and Constantinople, which he did not date.
On September 16 in London, Bonhams is presenting the 1875 album, which includes 81 watercolors. This time, he started by the Danube, and then spent ten weeks in Paris. After two weeks in London, he embarked at Marseilles for the return journey, whose views are not dated.
Both albums are conceptually very similar. The 1872 realized 230 K€ fees included on an estimate of 70 K €. Bonhams is expecting 320 K£ for the album of 1875. This estimate seems ambitious.
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite the obvious quality of this lot, I thought it would not sell. I was wrong: It realized exactly the low estimate: £ 320 K hammer price (378 K £ including fees).
To those who do not believe in the realism of the story told by Offenbach, let me introduce now the fifth Count Preziosi.
A Maltese aristocrat, he discovered an irresistible vocation as an artist while studying in Paris, which he left to settle permanently in Constantinople. He was very close to the influential British community in this city, for which he assembled sketchbooks of watercolors, and which sponsored his trips to explore the West for arts and leisure.
Comparing two albums provides a fascinating information on how was working this interesting artist, lover of monuments and of animated scenes.
On March 18, 2004, Christie's sold at Paris the album of his 1872 trip, including 79 watercolors. Leaving Constantinople in May, he visited Italy and arrived on June 23 in Paris where he only produced 23 images in ten weeks' stay for his album. Probably not to disappoint his sponsor, he completed it with watercolors of Romania and Constantinople, which he did not date.
On September 16 in London, Bonhams is presenting the 1875 album, which includes 81 watercolors. This time, he started by the Danube, and then spent ten weeks in Paris. After two weeks in London, he embarked at Marseilles for the return journey, whose views are not dated.
Both albums are conceptually very similar. The 1872 realized 230 K€ fees included on an estimate of 70 K €. Bonhams is expecting 320 K£ for the album of 1875. This estimate seems ambitious.
POST SALE COMMENT
Despite the obvious quality of this lot, I thought it would not sell. I was wrong: It realized exactly the low estimate: £ 320 K hammer price (378 K £ including fees).
1911 THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE LAND OF PENGUINS
2009 SOLD 132 K£ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The project lasted from 1910 to 1913, under the official name of British Antarctic Expedition, and is also known as Terra Nova Expedition. The project leader was Captain Robert Falcon Scott. One of the survivors, Apsley Cherry-Garrard, entitled his story The Worst Journey in the World.
Before most tragic events take place, this frightening assessment applies to the journey of Edward Wilson and Cherry-Garrard in 1911 to Cape Crozier. Wilson went ahead to collect emperor penguin eggs to support his hypothesis that this strange animal is a missing link between reptiles and birds.
For such a purpose he had to be on the site in the depth of the austral winter. The Wilson expedition experienced the worst conditions that travelers have had to endure, and penguins, with the exception of three of them, kept their eggs. But the come back of the explorers to Cape Evans encouraged Scott to organize his expedition to the Pole.
The text of the return journey of Wilson from Cape Crozier to Cape Evans was published. Now the manuscript, forty pages of a tight script, appears among 34 lots of personal effects from Wilson in the sale of Bonhams in London on September 16. This direct testimony of one of the most daring expeditions is estimated £ 80K.
Scott reached the South Pole in February 1912, one month after Amundsen. Scott and Wilson died on the way back, and Cherry-Garrard was a member of the team that found the tent and corpses.
POST SALE COMMENT
The unique documents are often worth more than their estimate. This is the case here, and rightly so: K £ 110 hammer, 132 K £ including fees.
The project lasted from 1910 to 1913, under the official name of British Antarctic Expedition, and is also known as Terra Nova Expedition. The project leader was Captain Robert Falcon Scott. One of the survivors, Apsley Cherry-Garrard, entitled his story The Worst Journey in the World.
Before most tragic events take place, this frightening assessment applies to the journey of Edward Wilson and Cherry-Garrard in 1911 to Cape Crozier. Wilson went ahead to collect emperor penguin eggs to support his hypothesis that this strange animal is a missing link between reptiles and birds.
For such a purpose he had to be on the site in the depth of the austral winter. The Wilson expedition experienced the worst conditions that travelers have had to endure, and penguins, with the exception of three of them, kept their eggs. But the come back of the explorers to Cape Evans encouraged Scott to organize his expedition to the Pole.
The text of the return journey of Wilson from Cape Crozier to Cape Evans was published. Now the manuscript, forty pages of a tight script, appears among 34 lots of personal effects from Wilson in the sale of Bonhams in London on September 16. This direct testimony of one of the most daring expeditions is estimated £ 80K.
Scott reached the South Pole in February 1912, one month after Amundsen. Scott and Wilson died on the way back, and Cherry-Garrard was a member of the team that found the tent and corpses.
POST SALE COMMENT
The unique documents are often worth more than their estimate. This is the case here, and rightly so: K £ 110 hammer, 132 K £ including fees.
1912 THE PROFILE OF THE TITANIC
2011 SOLD 220 K£
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
Devizes is a market town in Wiltshire, one hour and a half drive from London. Like many small towns of England, anauctioneer operates there. The auction house Henry Aldridge manages a specialty that is unique in the world: twice ayear, a sale is dedicated to the relics of the Titanic.
The epic tragedy of the Titanic happened one hundred years ago. In May 1911, the construction of the hull was completed. The centenary of the sinking will occur next year, on April 14, 2012.
The inquiry committee met from May 2 to July 3, 1912. Its work enabled to conclude with some common judgment that the loss of the boat was due to collision with an iceberg, brought about by the excessive speed with which the ship was driven.
Do not joke with disasters: the commission also made valuable recommendations concerning maritime safety.
These experts had made a profile drawing of the Titanic in scale 1 / 32 (3 / 8 inch per foot). This huge drawing, of high accuracy, is measuring 1.40 x 10 meters. It was not an artwork but a working document, which kept its cable holes through which it was suspended. Marks with color chalks show by where the experts thought that water had penetrated.
This lot, pictured on the AP release shared by Artdaily, is the highlight of the sale of May 28. It is estimated £ 100K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is given by BBC News: £ 220K. This piece is unique within a popular topic of collection, so I am not surprised that the price is high.
I suppose that this value does not include fees.
Devizes is a market town in Wiltshire, one hour and a half drive from London. Like many small towns of England, anauctioneer operates there. The auction house Henry Aldridge manages a specialty that is unique in the world: twice ayear, a sale is dedicated to the relics of the Titanic.
The epic tragedy of the Titanic happened one hundred years ago. In May 1911, the construction of the hull was completed. The centenary of the sinking will occur next year, on April 14, 2012.
The inquiry committee met from May 2 to July 3, 1912. Its work enabled to conclude with some common judgment that the loss of the boat was due to collision with an iceberg, brought about by the excessive speed with which the ship was driven.
Do not joke with disasters: the commission also made valuable recommendations concerning maritime safety.
These experts had made a profile drawing of the Titanic in scale 1 / 32 (3 / 8 inch per foot). This huge drawing, of high accuracy, is measuring 1.40 x 10 meters. It was not an artwork but a working document, which kept its cable holes through which it was suspended. Marks with color chalks show by where the experts thought that water had penetrated.
This lot, pictured on the AP release shared by Artdaily, is the highlight of the sale of May 28. It is estimated £ 100K.
POST SALE COMMENT
The result is given by BBC News: £ 220K. This piece is unique within a popular topic of collection, so I am not surprised that the price is high.
I suppose that this value does not include fees.
1912 BAD WEATHER ON THE SOUTH POLE
2012 SOLD 163 K£ INCLUDING PREMIUM
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
The conquest of the poles was a major media scoop for that early twentieth century still in search of feats and heroes.
Amundsen and Scott set off almost simultaneously to the South Pole, but their methods and their fates diverged.
Amundsen reached the pole on December 14, 1911. The whole journey was made without serious incident in only 94 days. He is a modern hero, and his victory was due to excellent logistics.
Scott reached the pole on January 17, 1912, too late to take advantage of acceptable weather for the travel back.Understanding that he was going straight to death, he wrote farewell letters with kind words for the families of his companions.
The captain of the British navy was seeking glory for himself and his country. The discovery of the letters beside the corpses by the end of 1912 will help make him an archetype of the gallant patriot. Much later, historians would dispute the personality of Scott.
On March 30 in London, Bonhams sells a letter written on March 16, 1912 to the attention of one of the sponsors of the expedition.
The interpretation is ambiguous. Scott may be sincere in saying that the financing of the expedition was impeccable.But by insisting that no one is to be blamed for the failure, perhaps he simply tries to hide his own mistakes behind bad luck.
This document is estimated £ 100K.
POST SALE COMMENT
This unexpected reminder from one of the most famous explorations was sold £ 135K before fees, 163K including premium.
The conquest of the poles was a major media scoop for that early twentieth century still in search of feats and heroes.
Amundsen and Scott set off almost simultaneously to the South Pole, but their methods and their fates diverged.
Amundsen reached the pole on December 14, 1911. The whole journey was made without serious incident in only 94 days. He is a modern hero, and his victory was due to excellent logistics.
Scott reached the pole on January 17, 1912, too late to take advantage of acceptable weather for the travel back.Understanding that he was going straight to death, he wrote farewell letters with kind words for the families of his companions.
The captain of the British navy was seeking glory for himself and his country. The discovery of the letters beside the corpses by the end of 1912 will help make him an archetype of the gallant patriot. Much later, historians would dispute the personality of Scott.
On March 30 in London, Bonhams sells a letter written on March 16, 1912 to the attention of one of the sponsors of the expedition.
The interpretation is ambiguous. Scott may be sincere in saying that the financing of the expedition was impeccable.But by insisting that no one is to be blamed for the failure, perhaps he simply tries to hide his own mistakes behind bad luck.
This document is estimated £ 100K.
POST SALE COMMENT
This unexpected reminder from one of the most famous explorations was sold £ 135K before fees, 163K including premium.
1912 I WRITE TO YOU FROM THE TITANIC
2010 SOLD 55 K£
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
In two years from now, a great excitement shall reign among a category of very specialized collectors: it will be the centennial of the epic story of the Titanic. Let's not wait so long: for our pleasure, Henry Aldridge and Son regularly organizes auctions on this topic in the middle of the English countryside, more precisely at Devizes between Southampton and Bristol.
The discovery in the sale of April 17 is a very interesting three-page letter on Titanic headed paper, sent by a wealthy first-class passenger to his wife, whom he names "wifey". It is a nice description of the luxuries of life on board, with fine dining, good cigars and promenade on the deck.
The Titanic was a formidable liner, so steady that her movements were not felt. But she was difficult to maneuver, and nearly collided with another boat when just leaving Southampton harbour, April 10, 1912. The incident delayed the dinner during half an hour, to the great displeasure of our writer.
The letter was mailed from Queenstown in Ireland, which was the second and last stop before the tragic adventure that everybody knows.
The press announced this lot before the site of the auction house, and indicates an expected price of £ 25K which is probably the high estimate. Other picturesque details are copied in the Guardian article.
POST SALE COMMENT
The news is shared by the Daiiy Mail, and the first page of the letter is shown. The result, £ 55 K, confirmed that the lot was exceptional in its category.
I do not know if that price includes the fees.
In two years from now, a great excitement shall reign among a category of very specialized collectors: it will be the centennial of the epic story of the Titanic. Let's not wait so long: for our pleasure, Henry Aldridge and Son regularly organizes auctions on this topic in the middle of the English countryside, more precisely at Devizes between Southampton and Bristol.
The discovery in the sale of April 17 is a very interesting three-page letter on Titanic headed paper, sent by a wealthy first-class passenger to his wife, whom he names "wifey". It is a nice description of the luxuries of life on board, with fine dining, good cigars and promenade on the deck.
The Titanic was a formidable liner, so steady that her movements were not felt. But she was difficult to maneuver, and nearly collided with another boat when just leaving Southampton harbour, April 10, 1912. The incident delayed the dinner during half an hour, to the great displeasure of our writer.
The letter was mailed from Queenstown in Ireland, which was the second and last stop before the tragic adventure that everybody knows.
The press announced this lot before the site of the auction house, and indicates an expected price of £ 25K which is probably the high estimate. Other picturesque details are copied in the Guardian article.
POST SALE COMMENT
The news is shared by the Daiiy Mail, and the first page of the letter is shown. The result, £ 55 K, confirmed that the lot was exceptional in its category.
I do not know if that price includes the fees.
1912 GUIDED VISIT OF THE TITANIC
2011 SOLD 25 K£
PRE SALE DISCUSSION
We are familiar in this group with the auction house Henry Aldridge and Son, which is able to provide twice a year atDevizes in Wiltshire a specialized auction sale on the theme of the Titanic.
In April, the centenary of the disaster will certainly be an opportunity to find fabulous memorabilia. Do not wait. The sale of October 29 includes a highly interesting document.
This is a copy of the detailed plan of the first class accommodation of the ship which was presented at the departure from Southampton to all passengers of that category. It is a large sheet of tissue paper, 105 x 74 cm, showing the map of all decks and illustrated with photos: a view of the ship at sea, and five photographs revealing the extraordinary opulence of suites and bedrooms.
It is assumed that only three copies survived the sinking. This one belonged to a wealthy businessman, owner ofMacy's department store in New York, who perished in the disaster with his wife. They had entrusted the plan to theirservant, who was fortunate to be among the survivors and kept the sheet throughout her life.
This document is estimated £ 40K, and illustrated in the release shared by the Daily Mail.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price announced by the press release from the auction house for this lot is £ 25K.
We are familiar in this group with the auction house Henry Aldridge and Son, which is able to provide twice a year atDevizes in Wiltshire a specialized auction sale on the theme of the Titanic.
In April, the centenary of the disaster will certainly be an opportunity to find fabulous memorabilia. Do not wait. The sale of October 29 includes a highly interesting document.
This is a copy of the detailed plan of the first class accommodation of the ship which was presented at the departure from Southampton to all passengers of that category. It is a large sheet of tissue paper, 105 x 74 cm, showing the map of all decks and illustrated with photos: a view of the ship at sea, and five photographs revealing the extraordinary opulence of suites and bedrooms.
It is assumed that only three copies survived the sinking. This one belonged to a wealthy businessman, owner ofMacy's department store in New York, who perished in the disaster with his wife. They had entrusted the plan to theirservant, who was fortunate to be among the survivors and kept the sheet throughout her life.
This document is estimated £ 40K, and illustrated in the release shared by the Daily Mail.
POST SALE COMMENT
The price announced by the press release from the auction house for this lot is £ 25K.
