BRUNEL (ISAMBARD KINGDOM)Autograph letter signed ('I K Brunel') to his son ('My dear Isambard'), written after the successful launch of the SS Great Eastern, assuring him he did not mind he was not present, describing at length the anxieties he endured following the first failed launch attempt ('...I have had a hard time of it and have felt the advantages of perseverance and patience...'), admitting he was at fault ('...all the evils and difficulties in such cases are the result of our own imprudence or mistakes...'), explaining the reasons for the failure ('...I had originally designed a complete apparatus which could, as I now see, have launched the ship perfectly. Under the influence of irritating intrigues and insinuations about the costliness of the entire operation, I made enquiries and satisfied myself that in all probability I could dispense with much of the apparatus: I did so and hence all the difficulties...') and the eventual success ('...a combination of circumstances of very high tide, a long period of high water, a very favourable wind and a fine day...'), speaking of his relief ('...quite unaccountable...') and the power of prayer ('...I can assure you that I have ever in my difficulties prayed fervently...'), ending by hoping to see him that evening and mentioning an appointment with Stephenson, 10 pages, light dust-staining at folds, browning and some loss to last leaf at fold, 8vo (202 x 130mm.) [n.p.], 2 February [18]58; with a wooden box bearing the name 'H.M. Brunel Esq' in ink on lid containing a note from Isambard Brunel bequeathing the box and its contents to his brother Henry ('This for my brother Henry./ The most valuable possession I can leave him/ I. Brunel/ August 4th 1888'), note on blue paper, fragile, edges frayed and dust-stained, red wax seal of Isambard Brunel, 85 x 140mm., box 178 x 85 x 55mm.) (3)Footnotes:'ALL THE EVILS AND DIFFICULTIES IN SUCH CASES ARE THE RESULT OF OUR OWN IMPRUDENCE OR MISTAKES'Just two days after the successful launch of the SS Great Eastern on 31 January 1858, a thankful Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859) writes a candid letter to his son Isambard revealing his disappointment at the failure of the first launch, giving his own insight as to what went wrong and ascribes the final success to his own dogged determination, favourable weather conditions and a certain amount of divine intervention. It had been a project fraught with difficulties from the beginning and one in which Brunel was heavily invested both financially and physically: 'I never embarked on one thing to which I have so entirely devoted myself, and to which I have devoted so much time, thought and labour, on the success of which I have staked my reputation...' he wrote (www.brunel200.com).Brunel's ambitious vision was for a ship, originally called Leviathan (and affectionately referred to by him as the 'Great Babe'), capable of taking 4,000 passengers from England to Australia without the need to refuel, the largest iron steamship ever built at that time. He went into partnership with John Scott Russell, an experienced Naval architect and ship builder. Unbeknownst to Brunel, Russell was already in financial trouble and the two men disagreed on many details of the construction. In February 1856, Russell was declared bankrupt and Brunel was forced to take over the project himself. Uncooperative workers and legal wrangling led to slow progress and financial pressures forced an early attempt at launching the ship on 3 November 1857. The launch was a disaster – Brunel could no longer afford the specialist hydraulic launching gear specially built for the project ('...a complete apparatus which could, as I now see, have launched the ship perfectly...') and had to make do with steam winches and capstans worked by teams of men. As a result, in front of a large paying crowd at Napier Yard in Millwall, the ship remained resolutely stranded on its specially constructed launch rails. Two men were killed in the attempt and several others injured. Charles Dickens was in the throng and described the excited scene thus: 'A general spirit of reckless daring seems to animate the majority of the visitors. They delight in insecure platforms; they crowd on small, frail, house-tops; they come up in little cockle-boats, almost under the bows of the great ship... Many in that dense floating mass on the river and the opposite shore would not be sorry to experience the excitement of a great disaster... Others trust with wonderful faith to the prudence and wisdom of the presiding engineer...' In a candid admission to his son, Brunel here admits culpability for the failure and blames himself for listening to the 'irritating intrigues and insinuations' of others ('...I did so and hence all the difficulties...').After several further attempts in November, with the help of a new hydraulic system, fortuitous weather conditions and resorting to fervent prayers (despite believing prayer to be 'incompatible with the regular movement of the mechanism of the universe'), the ship was successfully launched on 31 January 1858, a day later than planned. The stress and relief felt by Brunel is palpable in this letter in equal measure. During his final inspection of the ship at Deptford on 5 September 1859, Brunel suffered a stroke from which he was never to recover. He died shortly after the ship's maiden voyage, knowing she had already been damaged by an explosion. The letter is published in Cecilia Brunel Noble's The Brunels: Father and Son, 1938: '...The next day Isambard wrote himself to his son, and this letter lifts, for a moment, a corner of the curtain which hid from the world the agonies of his soul...' (p.236). Provenance: Isambard Brunel (1837-1902); given to his brother Henry Marc Brunel (1842-1903) in 1888, according to a note in the accompanying box; his niece Celia Noble; her daughter Cynthia Noble; Miles Jebb, Lord Gladwyn; thence by descent to his niece, the present owner.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
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A Second World War "War Prisoners Aid" Poster, designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer, depicting the head of a soldier behind barbed wire and inscribed YOU CAN SET THEIR SPIRIT FREE, WAR PRISONERS AID, MEMBER AGENCY OF NATIONAL WAR FUND, offset lithograph, approximately 51cm by 36cm, in a glazed oak frameCondition report: . The poster is in a sealed frame. It does not appear to be stuck down.
A Second War Halifax and Lancaster Navigator’s D.F.C. and Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Flying Officer P. H. Spindler, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 48 operational sorties with 51 and 550 Squadrons - including the Peenemunde Raid, 17/18 August 1943 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’, with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, cleaned, very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 21 January 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘The above named officer was posted to this Unit on 14.6.43. He has now completed seven Coastal Command sorties and 21 Bomber Command sorties totalling 204.30 hours. His targets have included some of the most heavily defended areas in Germany such as Cologne (2), Mannheim (2), Berlin, Hannover and Dusseldorf. He is a Navigator of outstanding skill, always ready and keen to operate against the enemy. His courage and high standard of navigation has on several occasions been of the greatest assistance in bringing sorties to a successful conclusion in the face of the heaviest opposition and trying weather conditions. He is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Remarks by Station Commander: Pilot Officer Spindler has proved himself to be an outstanding Navigator, and his skill, fortitude and zeal have been a great factor in making the operations on which his crew have been employed a success. His devotion to duty, resourcefulness and his fine offensive spirit have set a magnificent example to his crew.’ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 26 October 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this young officer has now completed his second operational tour consisting of 20 sorties involving 145.10 hours as a Navigator of a Lancaster Bomber. As the Navigator in a Flight Commander’s crew, Flying Officer Spindler achieved a high standard of efficiency both in the air and on the ground. In the air this able navigator proved himself capable of undertaking the most difficult tasks. He has navigated with precision to the widespread targets of Germany such as Osterfeld, Nurnberg, Mersburg, Politz, Chemnitz and Dessau. His cheerful manner and accurate navigation not only inspired the confidence of the crew and his Captain but proved of inestimable value in giving a clear lead to the other Navigators on the Squadron. In his determination and courage he fully backed up the leadership of his Captain throughout the long sorties through the hazards of enemy fighters and flak. Such cheerful devotion to duty, skill and example well merits the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Remarks by Station Commander: Throughout his second operational tour which has involved attacks on the more distant and heavily defended targets deep in the heart of Germany, this gallant Officer has displayed vigourous enemy, pursuance and determination. He lets nothing deter him from the task in hand and his meticulous care and accurate navigation was a source of confidence to his Captain. It is recommended that such sterling qualities combined with his fine record of achievement by recognised by the award of a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross.’ Peter Harold Spindler served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and carried out his initial training as a L.A.C. at 32 A.N.S. in April 1942. Having advanced to Sergeant, and carried out further training at 9 A.F.U., Spindler was posted to 10 O.T.U. He carried out a Nickel Raid on Paris, 18 February 1943, and was attached to Coastal Command in March 1943. Flying in Whitleys, Spindler took part in 7 anti-submarine patrols before being posted to 1652 Conversion Unit in May 1943. Spindler was posted for operational flying to 51 Squadron (Halifaxes) at Snaith in June 1943. He flew in 20 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Mulheim; Wuppertal (when the aircraft was hit by flak); Gelsenkirchen (2); Cologne (2); Aachen; Montbeliard; Mannheim (2); Nurnburg (2, including returning on three engines on one occasion); Milan; Peenemunde Raid 17/18 August 1943; Berlin; Montlucon; Modane; Hannover; Kassel and Dusseldorf. Having completed his first tour of operations Spindler was subsequently posted as an instructor to 1652 and 1656 C.U.’s. He returned to operational flying when he was posted to 550 Squadron (Lancasters) at North Killingholme in December 1944. Spindler was crewed with Flight Lieutenant E. L. Pickles (later promoted to Squadron Leader and to the command of ‘B’ Flight, and also D.F.C. and Bar) as his pilot. Spindler advanced to Flying Officer, and flew in at least 20 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Koblenz; Koln (2); Scholven Buer; Osterfeld; Nurnberg; Munchen; Mersberg; Hamborn; Politz; Dresden; Chemnitz; Dortmund; Pforzheim; Dessau; Kassel; Essen; Hamburg; Lutzendorf and Heligoland. After completing his second tour of operations Spindler was posted to 1656 C.U. at Lindolme in June 1945. He was posted to the Empire Air Navigation School at Shawbury in December 1945, and stayed in this post until April 1946. Spindler was released from service in June 1946. Sold with recipient’s Royal Canadian Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (2 April 1942 - 8 March 1946), with damaged spine.
A French gilt and bronze fifteen light chandelier, 19th century, the star studded globe surmounted by a seated maiden, issuing naturalistic branches58cm high x 71cm wideProvenance:Christie's South Kensington, Style & Spirit sale, 17th May 2011, Lot 388,Birling Ashes, KentCondition report: Repair to two of the arms
Coin - 50p, silver proofs, The Official ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Silver Proof Five Coin Set, limited 136/995, each 8g; Team GB 2016, Butterfly, limited 2549/4000, 8g; £5, Pride of England, The Spirit of the United Kingdom's Home Nations; £2, British Isles, others; 50p, Team GB 2016; ICC Cricket World Cup five coin set, silver 48g gross (8).
A large twin-handled silver plated presentation tray, of rounded rectangular form with gadroon border raised upon four scroll feet, vacant shield cartouche to centre, 76.8cm wide, together with a cased set of twelve ivory handled fish knives and forks, the case with inlaid panel for 'James Dwerryhouse 52 Castle St Liverpool', a pair of hard-soldered spirit warming pans, each 36.5cm long, a silver plated salver, 25.7cm diameter, and a further selection of silver plated and silver coloured tableware (Qty)
An Indian silver coloured double-ended spirit measure, of typical form with scrolling foliate panel decoration, 9.3cm high, together with an Indian silver coloured pill box, of rectangular form with hinged cover embossed with a lion chasing an antelope, 6.5cm wide, a silver coloured Art Nouveau style box with pierced cover, stamped '925', 4.4cm wide, and a silver coloured snuff bottle, 7cm long (4)
A wooden netsuke,Meiji period (1868-1912), Japanese, of Shojo, with red hair and gilt lacquered robes, his face, hands and feet in ivory, signed 'Kazuya' to the base,4cm high,together with an ivory netsuke, of a seated man holding a basket, his clothes inset with mother-of-pearl, signed 'Gyokumin' to the base,3cm long (2)In Japanese folklore, Shojo is a sea spirit with a red face and hair, who is fond of alcohol.IMPORTANT NOTEThis lot contains ivory material. Please be advised that several countries, including those in the EU and the USA, now prohibit the importation of ivory items unless under specific conditions. Accordingly, prospective buyers should familiarise themselves with the relevant customs regulations of their country and ensure they are able to import this item prior to bidding.If you are a UK buyer, we request that you collect your purchase as soon as possible following the sale due to ongoing changes to ivory regulations.
Rock, Blues Rock and Psychedelic rock - vinyl LP music records, nine-teen including Creedence Clearwater Revival; The Electric Flag; Country Gazette; Commander Cody; Revolution; Quicksilver; Moby Grape; The Lovin's Spoonful; Norman Greenbaum; Iron Butterly; Spirit; It's a Beautiful Day; Jefferson Airplane.
Prog / Fusion LPs, approximately seventy-five albums of mainly Progressive Rock and Fusion with artists including Chilliwack, Solution, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Weather Report, Hookfoot, Quicksilver, Bobby Whitlock, Paul Roland, Streetwalkers, Asia, Vangelis, Steve Hackett, Spirit, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Roger Glover, Mason / Fenn, Quiver and more - various years and conditions
Postcards, Advertising, 2 Shell Motor Spirit Adverts ' The Best Mascot' showing a policeman and a poodle sitting on the grills of 2 vintage cars, and a Motor Spirit can drawn on a blackboard in school room with pupils looking on (stamp removed on one the other sl crease and sl rounded corners, fair/gd)
Postcards, Advertising, a collection of 21 product advertising cards inc. 7 plain backs for Pratts Petrol, Frys Cocoa (2), Theatre adverts for 'A Little bit of Fluff' (Will Owen), 'The Eternal City' (Morrow), 'The Cingalee' (Morrow), Shell Motor Spirit (marks to front), Berry's Polishes, French Shop front for postcard Sales Paris, French chromo for Bullier. Also My Lady Canned Fruits, Sailor Salmon Slice and Birds Custard (mainly gd)
Advertising ephemera, selection, a superbly illustrated invoice for Shell Motor Spirit, two Cadbury's adverts, one a paper advert for Bourneville Cocoa, the other a card ad for Cadbury's Cocoa, a Goddard's advert for Plate Powder & Furniture Cream, an advert card for Margerison's Soaps, a Youngman's Puzzle game & a Colman's Mustard puzzle (gd/vg)
A late Victorian boxwood and brass horse measure by Cooper W Jones & Co., with hinged scale, spirit level and tape measure, patent no. '13268', in a leather case and a leather holster for a revolver CONDITION REPORT: Condition information is not usually provided in the description of the lot but is available upon request; the absence of a condition report does not imply that a lot is without imperfection
Retro Radio/cassette player in the shape of a radio, with label and sticker on the back: "Spirit of St. Louis Collectors Edition no. 254", h. 76, width 36, d. 28 cm.Retro Radio/casettespeler in de vorm van een radio, met etiket en sticker achterzijde: "Spirit of St. Louis Collectors Edition no. 254", h. 76, br. 36, d. 28 cm.
REMINGTON A .40-65 WIN. 1879 PATENT 'REMINGTON-HEPBURN NO.3' SIDELEVER FALLING-BLOCK HAMMER TARGET RIFLE, serial no. 8084, circa 1900, 30 1/2in. replacement heavy octagonal black powder proof barrel (Birmingham proof for 2019), windgauge spirit level fore-sight, the hand mounted with a modern long range Vernier peep sight, action stamped to the left side 'HEPBURNS PAT. OCT 7TH. 1879', triggerguard tang marked with the serial number, 14 7/8in. figured semi-pistolgrip stock with sling eye and including 1 5/8in. wooden extension, the right side of the stock with NRA National Silhouette Championships stickers for 2004 through to 2007, weight 11lb. 2oz., with Certificate of Proof. S1 - Sold as a Section 1 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act
WESTLEY RICHARDS A LEATHER SINGLE GUNCASE, fitted for 30in. barrels, the interior lined with green baize, the lid interior with a brass plaque marked 'PRESENTED BY H.C. CULCUTT MANAGER BY THE TENANTS OF MESS RS R.A. HARPER LTD. BREWERS AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, BILSTON SEPT 1917', brass lock (key missing), lid exterior embossed with 'H.C.C.'.
A GROUP OF METALWARES, A PRINT AND A BIRD FIGURE, comprising two spirit kettles on stands with burners, one brass with wooden handle and finial indistinct makers mark to base of kettle (two dents, scratches and black marks to underside), the other plated, hinged lid, marked 'EPBM Sheffield 52 47' (some tarnishing, polish residue), a pair of Oriental cloisonne enamel vases and a bowl (a couple of tiny areas of loss), a framed tinted print titled Landing Place, Brodick Isle of Arran, signed lower right Claude H Rowbotham, size of frame 33cm x 28cm (slight creasing to print, discolouration, tiny insects under glass), a resin nuthatch perched on a piece of driftwood on a wooden base signed Ron Dickens (small area of paint loss to end of beak) (Condition report: as stated, generally good) (7)
A MAPPIN AND WEBB PLATED EGG CODDLER, WITH A PLATED PAN ON BURNER STAND AND A PLATED SPIRIT BURNER, Mappin & Webb egg shaped coddler or warmer, on three scrolling legs with central burner and internal egg holder, the lid having a bird finial, makers mark to base, height 21.5cm, a plated pan on burner stand, pan marked Oneida sp copper (slightly loose, reglued wooden handle, dents to base of pan), a large plated spirit burner height 23.5cm, diameter 24.5cm (Condition report: generally good, as stated, some polish residue and wear) (3 INCL BURNERS, STANDS ETC)
THREE BOXES AND LOOSE METALWARES, TOOLS, ENAMEL WARES, STAINED GLASS AND SUNDRY ITEMS, to include two brass cauldrons, a modern enamel twine tin and bread bin, seven reproduction enamel signs (faded, damaged), assorted pieces of stained and leaded glass including a modern door light with flower design, two small carved wooden panels, tools to include a hammer, two wooden handled augers, spirit level and a pulley, hinges, brackets, a tap, a British Coal Mining Company Wales lamp (missing parts), a Guinness trivet, horse brasses, a twentieth century Blue Bird biscuit tin, etc (sd) (3 BOXES + LOOSE)
THREE BOXES OF METALWARES AND TREEN, to include three brass wall light sconces, four pairs of brass candlesticks, a brass vase height 37cm, a sundial, a pair of copper vases height 21cm, a copper fish shaped mould, a J Rabone & Sons spirit level, pewter, plated and other metal wares to include mugs, tankards, candlestick, vases, trays and picture frames, treen including carved items from around the world, figures, animals, box, book ends etc (sd) (3 BOXES)
SIX BOXES AND LOOSE LAMPS, BOOKS, PICTURES, CERAMICS AND SUNDRY ITEMS, to include a copper spirit kettle on burner stand, a riding whip with Royal Artillery insignia (sd), a twentieth century Smiths mantel clock, a ceramic Nativity set, two table lamps, an adjustable desk lamp, approximately sixty books with titles to include fiction, DIY, antiques and children's books, royal commemorative ceramics, six framed prints, a tall 1970s lamp shade height 68cm, a boxed old English yard of ale, etc (sd) (6 BOXES + LOOSE)
* CLAIRE HARKESS RSW (SCOTTISH b. 1970), POLAR BEAR watercolour on paper, signed, dated 1998 label verso image size 26cm x 18cm, overall size 44cm x 34cm Mounted, framed and under glass. Label verso: Gallery 41, Edinburgh Note 1: In 1998, Claire worked as Artist in Residence with The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. While at Edinburgh Zoo she was filmed as part of the BBC "Ex-S" series and a fascinating documentary about her work was broadcast in November of that year. This work is a portrait of a specific animal at Edinburgh Zoo and it's likely that many Edinburgh residents and visitors to the Zoo will recognise this animal. Note 2: Claire Harkess was born in Ayr, Scotland, graduating from Glasgow School of Art in the early 1990s. In recent years her painting has taken her to fragile lands to study and interpret life on the edge. Antarctica, Outback Australia and St Kilda are all places where, in such extreme environments, survival is difficult and the balance of life is delicate. Harkess has also worked on the Galápagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin’s ‘The Origin of the Species’. This isolated volcanic outpost remained relatively untouched by man, evolving to become one of the World’s unique ecosystems. The balance present in nature is clearly communicated through Claire's paintings. Painting in watercolour or gouache offers a unique directness; the essential qualities of light and energy present in the natural world are the very essence of the medium itself. The delicacy of her palette and oriental economy of her mark-making creates a subtle tension representing a world that is ‘holding still’, giving a sense of freedom, spirit, time and place. Claire's work is exhibited at The Scottish Gallery, where her most recent highly successful solo show was in July 2020, and at other prestigious galleries around the UK.
Ten Gordon & Macphail Malt Whisky Miniatures, all in glass flasks, Strathisla 8 year old 100 proof 57% vol x2, Strathisla 8 year old 100 proof, Glen Rothes 8 year old 70 proof, Clynelish 70 proof, Highland Park 8 year old 70% proof, Highland Park 8 year old 57% vol, Scapa 8 year old 100 proof, George & J G Smiths Glenlivet 70 proof Spirit and Old Elgin 8 year old 40% vol, all 5cl
A Brass Atmos Clock, signed Jaeger LeCoultre, numbered 503347, 20th century, five glass case, opening front panel, start/stop lever and spirit level in the base, 4-3/4-inch chapter ring dial with Roman and dagger hour markers, large balance wheel below, movement numbered 503347, 23.5cm high, with Jaeger LeCoultre service and instruction bookletsCondition report: Brass surfaces are slightly discoloured in parts, glass panels with small scratches, dial is clean, movement looks clean, movement has been tested over several hours and is in going order.
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