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Lot 93
EPSTEIN JACOB: (1880-1959) American-born British Sculptor. Collection of ten A.Ls.S., Jacob Epstein, nineteen pages (total), 8vo, Hyde Park Gate, Kensington, 28th October 1953 to 10th June 1954, each to David Hardman, secretary of the Sir Stafford Cripps Memorial Trust. In the first letter Epstein invites Hardman to come and see the bust of Cripps, explaining that it is not finished however adding that Lady Cripps is also keen to see it, and explaining 'I am a little uncertain about showing it yet to Lady Cripps who of course will have a not unnatural anxiety about it & I want really a decision from you before I show it [to] her'. The sculptor also comments on being shown an unsuitable place in St. Paul's that had been allocated to the bust although adding that he now understands he can choose any place he wishes for the memorial. In his second letter Epstein thanks Hardman for a payment of £337 and announces 'Tomorrow I am showing the bust to Lady Cripps, not without some trepidation! I think I have interpreted Sir Stafford in the right spirit.' and in further letters discusses the inscriptions to appear on the bust, preparations for sending the work to the foundry ('I have been today to the foundry & the more I think of it the less I like the idea of glasses on the bust. After all God made Sir Stafford without spectacles'), also requesting the final payment from the committee, updating Hardman on the progress at the foundry, discussing his thoughts on the pedestal ('Dove silver grey will look very fine & show up the bronze.'), and also commenting on a meeting at the foundry ('The reception….was somewhat curious I thought. The ecclesiastic talked as if we were attempting a crime when I asked about the site of the bust & Mr. Attlee was like a frozen turnip. A somewhat chilling affair.'), stating that he hasn't the heart to battle with the Cathedral authorities and also asking for confirmation of the date of the unveiling and requesting 5 or 6 tickets to give to friends who would like to attend ('I recall that the Dean hinted that a crowd would not be welcome! What a silly idea….I don't mind in the least the vagaries of the ecclesiastical mind. Of course it is their cathedral.') and in the final letter Epstein thanks Hardman for 'photographs of [the] great event, when we were shoved out after half an hour' and asks if he saw Tom Driberg's account? An interesting series of letters. One letter has some light age wear and another has a minor tear, a few with ink annotations (presumably in Hardman's hand), otherwise G to generally VG, 10 Sir Richard Stafford Cripps (1889-1952) British Labour Politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1947-50.
Lot 398
London Underground enamel PLATFORM ROUNDEL SIGN from Baker Street, a complete 4-part sign comprising bar, half-circles and bronze frame. Likely to date from the 1980s, the sign is in very good, used condition with just a little grazing/surface scratches on the bar and a couple of small chips which are hidden by the frame. It measures 51" (130cm) across by 42" (107cm) down. [1]
Lot 242
London Underground enamel SPEED RESTRICTION SIGN complete with original bronze frame. Thought to date from the 1930s/40s, one of these is believed still extant at Ealing Common depôt. Measures 32" (82cm) in diameter and has some weathering and small losses resulting from many decades in situ, probably at a train depôt. A scarce item, not seen at auction before. [1]
Lot 182
A City of London WARD BOUNDARY SIGN 'The Ward of Cripplegate'. An oval enamel sign in its original bronze and steel frame, measuring 20" x 13" (51cm x 33cm) at its maximum dimensions. Cripplegate is one of the 25 ancient wards of the City of London and was largely destroyed during the Blitz in WW2. Today it is home to the Barbican Estate & Centre. Estimated to date from the 1970s/80s. In very good condition. [1]
Lot 389
London Underground framed enamel PLATFORM ROUNDEL SIGN from Earl's Court station, probably from the Piccadilly Line platforms. One of the smaller, tunnel-side versions 24" (61cm) across, c1980s. Complete with original bronze frame. Minor signs of use but generally in excellent condition. [3 parts + frame]
Lot 76
Charles Robinson Sykes - 'Silence and Speed' radiator or desk-piece mascot c1909, believed to be an important and exceedingly rare design for a motor car radiator adornment, the original of which was commissioned from Charles Sykes by John (Walter) 2nd Baron Montague for his 1909 Rolls-Royce Ghost motor car, created in heavy silver-plated bronze by the cire-perdue casting process, and display mounted upon an ebonised wood plinth base. History: It has been understood and long-believed that the original of this statuette was commissioned by John Montague specifically for his personal Rolls-Royce motorcar, at a time when there was no definitive mascot for the Marque but when after market radiator embellishments were proliferating due to an increasing current trend for such adornments. It is a further popular conception that the model for this sculpture design was Eleanor Velasco Thornton, who during this time was secretary to John Montagu and with whom was having a clandestine romantic involvement as his mistress. Thus created, this was the draped female figure in flowing robes with forefinger to her lips emblematic of this liaison. Approximately two years later it is presumed that she was again the model chosen by Charles Sykes for his subject, who posed for the ultimate design selected by Rolls-Royce now known universally as the 'Winged Lady' mascot, which bears much similarity in essence to its earlier counterpart, and is now renowned and recognised world wide. Provenance: Over many years it has been understood that perhaps four or five original examples of 'The Whisper' mascot (as it had become known outside the Montagu circle) were in existence; accompanying this lot is a comprehensive file of documentation and historical provenance, which it is hoped clarifies the origins of the design, numbers made, and their subsequent ownership. It includes published articles, photographs (including one showing all then-known originals together), letters and correspondence from leading authoritative authors and owners including the Late Lord Edward Montagu, Jo Sykes the daughter of Charles Sykes, Dr Douglas Latto, the late Peter Baines of the RREC, Paul Tritton, Mrs Scheerman, and Tony Gosnell inter alia; and further includes correspondence between the vendor and many of these leading experts, including that relating to his purchase of the mascot from Dr Latto. There is also an invoice/receipt from Aspreys the Crown Jewellers for 'cleaning and polishing a silver-plated mascot' (the aforementioned) and manufacturing a replacement plinth base replacement for the original which was damaged dated 1994.
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