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Nautical Antiques & Maritime Collectables
Miscellaneous items
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826 Naval Air Squadron Hand Carved Badge - Another exceptionally fine plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. No. 826 Squadron was formed in March 1940 at RNAS Ford in Sussex as a torpedo bomber squadron, first equipped with Fairey Albacore biplanes. After initial training it was placed under the operational control of RAF Coastal Command, flying its first Op, a daylight bombing raid against a road junction at Nieuwpoort, Belgium on 31 May 1940. The squadron continued to fly a mixture of convoy escort operations, daylight attacks against German land and sea targets and nighttime patrols against German E-boats. When the Albacore was grounded on 3 July 1940, owing to the unreliability of the aircraft's Bristol Taurus engines, the Squadron was temporarily re-equipped with the older Fairey Swordfish. 826 saw considerable Mediterranean service during WWII and won Battle Honours for Dunkirk 1940, English Channel 1940–44, Atlantic 1940, Matapan 1941, Crete 1941, Mediterranean 1941–43. The squadron was disbanded in 1944, but resurfaced again post war and won further Battle Honours for Falklands 1982 and Kuwait in 1991. The squadrons last incarnation was operating Sea King Helicopters but after the squadron's aircraft had been reallocated to 810 and 819 Naval Air Squadrons, 826 was finally disbanded in July 1993.
This badge (we have avoided calling it a 'Crest' on the basis Naval chums advise "Waves have crests, whilst Ships have badges"!) is a unique finely hand carved example that depicts the squadron badge comprising a Naval Crown of standard form, with the squadron nos 826 below, followed by a seahorse grasping a downward pointing trident. Then in scroll form is carved the squadron's Latin motto 'Latet Anguis In Aqua' that translates to "A Snake Lies Concealed in the Water", a reference to the 826 role as a Torpedo-Spotter Squadron. Whilst the history of the piece has been lost, it is clearly a unique one off hand carved badge, the likes of which we will never see again. It is made from a single piece of polished hardwood, with a warm mellow patina and with the badge carved in relief. We believe this would date from WWII and remains in very fine original condition. We suspect it will not be with us long and with the festive season nearly upon us this would be the ideal present for the Naval or aviation collector in your life that you are not going to find repeated on 'Not on the High Street'! Measures 10.5"x 8" (27 cm x 20 cm)
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£85.00
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HMS Southampton Candlesticks - We have often bought and sold items of treen, made from wood salvaged from Royal Navy ships, but few match this attractive matched pair of candlesticks. They look to have been carved from pitch pine, with fitted brass sconces, but what lifts them to a new level is the hand carving to the base of each which confirms 'HMS Southampton Portion of mast, JUTLAND 31st May 1916'. The story does not end there, as they were originally presented to Engineer-Captain W. H. Mitchell R. N. (1878-1960), who served on Southampton in WWI and were subsequently inherited by his Grandson, who also advised his Grandfather went on to become a Rear Admiral.
Provenance is only of value if it can be proven and in this case a report found in the Times newspaper of 11th November 1926 confirms 'Engineer-Captain W. H. Michell has been selected for the position of Chief Engineer of the Dock Yard at Hong-Kong. Hitherto he has been First Assistant to the Manager at Chatham. In the War Engineer-Captain Mitchell was chief engineer of the cruiser Southampton'. The year of Eng-Captain W. H. Michell's transfer from Chatham to Hong Kong was 1926, and at the time HMS Southampton was at Chatham being made ready for scrapping at Pembroke Dock. It is safe to assume the candlesticks were made by Chatham Staff as a leaving gift to Eng-Captain Michell on his transfer from Chatham to Hong Kong and as a reminder of his service on Southampton in the First War.
HMS Southampton was built by John Brown & Company at their Clydebank shipyard and launched on 16 May 1912. She was assigned to the 1st Battle Squadron and she became flagship of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron in July 1913. She had an extremely active wartime career, participating in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and later in the Battle of Dogger Bank in early 1915. In May 1916, Southampton fought in the Battle of Jutland as flagship of 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron and was first to spot the German battle fleet when Commodore "Barge" Goodenough sent a signal back to his commander, Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty. She subsequently torpedoed and sunk the German light cruiser SMS Frauenlob. In 1917, she was transferred to the 8th Light Cruiser Squadron with whom she remained and suvived the war. In 1926 Southampton was sold for scrapping on 13th July 1926.
The candlesticks measure 7.5" high and 4" diameter at the base (18.5 cm x 10 cm). With the festive season fast approaching these historic, decorative and useful candlesticks would be the perfect present for the marine or Royal Navy collector in your life. A one-off opportunity that will never be repeated!
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£145.00
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HMS Devonshire Copper Ashtray - HMS Devonshire was a Cruiser launched in 1927 and weighed 25,750 tons and served with distinction in WWII and post war was converted to a cadet training ship & she was finally scrapped in 1954. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example carries and applied brass badge featuring the ships crest to the centre of the copper tray. Measures 3.65" diameter (9.4 cm)
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£20.00
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Cardiff Docks Stores Authority Form issued to 'S.S.Mar Glauco' - An original document issued on 4th December 1939 during the very early part of WWII. The Italian registered vessel of 2969 tons was scheduled for a voyage to Naples, her home port. The document request additional coal to complete the voyage adding 600 tons to the 125 already onboard. Interestingly the document, that has been signed by her Master (named Gillard) also has a statement 'reasonable anticipation that steamer will return to this country'. The document is further stamped by Collector of Customs and Excise, Cardiff and dated 4 December 1939.
We have tracked down the vessel relating. She was built by Doxford & Sons Sunderland, launched in 1906 and owned by the Astral Shipping Company and was named 'Drumcondra'. In 1913 she was sold and renamed' Lubeck'. She was sold again in 1921 becoming 'S.E.Calvert', then in 1924 'Aquitania'. In 1927 she acquired the name on this document 'SS Mar Glauco'. Interestingly in March 1941 she was detained in Philadelphia and in 1941 she was requisitioned by the US Government and renamed 'Mokatam' when she served on war duties, being damaged in 1944 in a Japanese attack. She was finally laid up in 1946 in New South Wales and finished her days beached as landfill on Hunter River, NSW. It is amazing what you can find online with a little research! This original document is a little frayed at the edges but writing remains crisp and clear and would look well framed and glazed. It measures 13 1/2" x 8 1/2" (34 cm x 22 cm).
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£4.00
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French 'Les Cofres De Marins' - Literally translate a 'Mariners Chest' and this one is an absolute time capsule. Whilst purchased here in Somerset, South West England it clearly originates from over the channel. Carved into the domed lid is the name of the original owner 'Duval Jean '. In addition on the front of the chest a further carving names an 'L.Duval'; it is quite possible this was a family piece handed down perhaps from Father to son? The owners name is followed by the name 'Plevenon'. We speculated this was the name of his ship but thanks to assistance of a French visitor here this week we now understand this is the village of Plévenon, situated in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany, North Western France thus confirming for sure the boxes' French origins. How it came to be rehomed in England we will never know but it is always fun to speculate and perhaps it was captured from the French in one of the many wars we have had with our neighbours over the years gone by!
The chest is of a very significant size, measuring 56" x 22" x 20" (142 cm x 56 cm x 51 cm) so rather larger than the normal seaman's boxes that occasionally turn up. This is again pure speculation on our part but we feel it could have belonged to an Officer of even the ship's Captain. It features the sloping sides typical of the design with original rope 'becket' handles fixed to either end. This is a heavy piece of furniture and it would certainly have needed them and more so when full of the owners worldly processions whilst at sea! We describe it as a time capsule as unlike many it has never been stripped and still carries the original rust red paint which with the timber below showing through gives the classic 'shabby chic' look so popular today. The original lock is fitted but the key is long gone. In addition heavy iron strap hinges are bolted within the domed lid. The timber shows wear and tear commensurate with use at sea but overall it is in remarkably sound condition ; at a guess we would date it to the 19th century. If any current residents of Plévenon should spot this listing who might have further information on the Duval family we would love to hear from them and we will then add any provenance associated with this piece to our description. Better still if any relations of the Duval's are still about it would be lovely to think this piece of history could be repatriated with the family!
This time capsule of French Marine history really deserves to be displayed in a specialist museum, but would be equally functional in an appropriate private collection. We have owned this personally for the last 17 years but space is now required for a new display so the time has come to find new custodians for it. As with all our kit if you have interest drop us an e mail to request more detailed pictures. This is certainly a one off and unlikely to be repeated. In view of its size and weight we would prefer for the buyer to arrange collection, but it is possible we can arrange delivery by separate negotiation.
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£425.00
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R.N.A.V. Presentation Chalice won by No1V Battery HMS Avon - A silver plate prize goblet marked on base Mappin Brothers 222 Regent Street London ; this predates Mappin & Webb who are not recorded until 1889. The cup is finely worked with a tapered stem is finely engraved on the base 'R.N.A.V. Presented by Lord Ashley for Heavy Gun Firing at Sea Won By No 1V Battery HMSAvon 1884. Gunner Hammond No 8'. Lord Ashley (1801-1885) was Anthony Ashley Cooper 7th Earl of Shaftesbury who had an illustrious career and was a politician, philanthropist and social reformer. This was the fourth "Avon" to serve with the Royal Navy, being a 4-gun twin-screw gunboat, launched at Portsmouth in 1867. She weighed in at 603 tons with a 530 horsepower engine and a maximum speed of 10 knots. She was 155ft long and had a 25ft beam. She was a fine looking transitional ship having both sail and stream power. On August 5th 1873 Parliament passed an Act "to provide for the establishment of a Royal Naval Artillery Volunteer Force" - this was Britain's first truly volunteer naval reserve. The volunteers were unpaid, they had to buy their own uniforms and pay for their own travel and meal expenses; despite this the RNAV attracted many willing volunteers and were recruited from either keen amateur sailors or those who were in the merchant service. The R.N.A.V. was killed by official neglect and was disbanded in 1892, but when it was gone its value was realized and in 1903 the R.N.V.R. was formed to take its place. In view of the fact the RNAV was only in existence for 19 years any relating artefact is now extremely rare and our chalice would sit happily in any serious marine or specialist RNAV collection. HMS Avon had a full an interesting service career, including piracy repression operations, which is all fully documented on line. She was sold out of service in 1890 and broken up at Charlton. Sadly we have no history on Gunner Hammond but if any visitors can add anything on his service career please get in touch. Measures 8" high (19.5 cm)
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£245.00
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German Navy Plaque named to Minesweeper 'Koblenz' - Formed with an image of the vessel cut in relief from a brass plate and below an engraved plaque in German reading 'Zur Erinnerung an den Besuch des KM-Bootes Koblenz'. The translation of plaque reads 'To commemorate the visit of the ship Koblenz'. According to our research the vessel was a Lindau class or type 320 minesweeper pennant nos M 1071 launched in 1957/8. She was then upgraded to a Type 331 mine hunter in the early 1960s. Germany donated Koblenz to the Lithuanian Naval Force in 1999 when she was renamed Sūduvis. The vessel silhouette and plaque are fixed to an oak mount with a wall hanger attached to the reverse. Mount measurements 10" x 7.5". (25 cm x 19 cm)
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£38.00
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Kriegsmarine Silver Cutlery Rest - we understand this tool to have been used in the Officers' Mess for formal meals to enable cutlery to be rested between courses to prevent soiling of the table cloth. We have, however, been unable to positively identify, so if any of our Kriegsmarine collectors can give us confirmation, it would be appreciated. The item is stamped on the base with a fine Waffen Ampt and a large M below. It is also marked with 90 which we believe confirms the grade of silver used and beside this is a maker's mark. In excellent original condition. Price indicated is for the pair. We would be happy to sell a single stand at £55.00 Measures 4.75" (11 cm)
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£100.00
pair
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Cunard Adventurer Sovenir Tray - The Cunard Adventurer was one of two liners acquired by Cunard to help launch the line into the emerging cruising market in 1971. Originally designed for Overseas National Airways, the vessel was smaller than flagship QE2, and a vast departure from the older Cunarders they replaced. Like QE2, both Cunard Adventurer and her sister Ambassador had white and black funnels to signify a change in the direction for Cunard. The ship had a brief career with Cunard, sailing in the Caribbean, Bermuda and Alaska. The vessel was replaced by Cunard Countess and Cunard Princess. Sold in 1977, Cunard Adventurer became Sunward for Norwegian Cruise Line.
The tray which is engraved with a fine image of the ship would probably been sold from an onboard shop to a passenger as a reminder of their cruise. It is made from pressed aluminium, is named to the ship and measures 6"x 6" (15 cm x 15 cm).Some age related marks but generally in good display condition and modestly priced.
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£12.00
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USS Maine Commemorative Quadruple Plate Dish - Manufactured by Poole Silver Co of Taunton Mass, we believe this little dish was made to honour the sinking and loss of the USS Maine (ACR-1) in Havana Harbour (Harbor) in February 1898 and so contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War. The press soon got on the bandwagon and came up with the phrase "Remember the Maine! To hell with Spain! and this became a rallying cry for action. The cause of the explosion proved contentious but it served as a catalyst that accelerated the events leading up to the war with Spain.
The dish is made of Quadruple Plate which was a high quality silver plating and whilst it did not mean the plating was carried out four times it meant four times as much pure silver was used, compared with standard plating. The maker, Poole Silver Company was based in Taunton, Massachusetts, established in 1892 and were an early manufacturer of silver products made with electroplating techniques; they were taken over in 1971 by Towle Silversmiths. Our dish is named on the inside base to 'U. S. Baltic Ship' and below, whilst slightly worn, is the legend 'Sunk in Havana Harbor'. Below this is an image of the 'Maine' in relief, followed by the ships name in stylised form. Whilst not dated seeing the vessel sank on 15th February 1898 it must have been made during or after 1898 to commemorate this loss, when 260 members of her crew, three quarters of her total strength, were killed in the explosion on that fateful day. The underside of the base carries the makers marks as detailed above and in addition the number 518. We stand to be corrected but we speculate this could be the manufacturers catalogue number for this piece.
The dish measures 6.5" diameter (17 cm) and stands 2" high (5 cm), sitting on four ornate feet. The plating shows some wear, as to be expected after over 100 years and a slight bump to the edge around the 9 o'clock position but generally remains in very good display condition. How this item turned up along with a collection of British of Royal Navy related items at auction in Exeter, Devon we will never know but it almost certainly has a story to tell. Seeing this commemorates a pivotal piece of US Naval and national history we feel it is time to repatriate the dish over the pond. As with all out stock more detailed images are available and we are happy to provide a delivered price on request.
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HMS Nelson Copper Tray - HMS Nelson was a Battleship of 33,500 tons launched in 1925, serving throughout WWII with distinction and won Battle Honours for MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42, NORTH AFRICA 1942 -43, MEDITERRANEAN 1943, SICILY 1943 -,SALERNO 1943, NORMANDY 1944. Having survived that lot she was finally broken up in 1949. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This came in with a small collection and are all period items and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example carries a stamped 'HMS Nelson' ships badge to the centre of the tray. Measures 3" diameter (7.4 cm)
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HMS Galatea Copper Ashtray - HMS Galatea was a Cruiser launched in 1934 and weighed 5,220 tons and served with distinction in WWII. Her luck however ran out on 14th December 1942 when she was sunk by torpedoes from U-557 off Alexandrea. Sadly Captain Sim, 22 of his Officers and 447 Ratings were killed. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. Measures 4.25" diameter (11.0 cm)
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HMS Emperor of India Trench art Tray - Emperor of India was a dreadnought battleship of the Iron Duke Class built at Vickers in Barrow-in-Furness. She weighed in at 30,000 tons and was 622' l from stem to stern. She was intended to be called HMS Delhi but it is reported the change was to honour HM King George V who was 'King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India'. Launched in November 1913 HMS Emperor of India joined the 4th Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet, based at Scapa Flow. She took part in numerous sorties into the northern North Sea to enforce the blockade of Germany but missed the Battle of Jutland as she was in for a refit. Post war she was sent to lend support to the White Russians and Allies in the Russian Civil War which had by mid-1919 reached the shores of the Black Sea. HMS Emperor of India was finally paid off in Portsmouth in January, 1931. The ship provided one final service to the Navy by serving as a gunnery target, along with HMS Marlborough. The tests included firing destroyer armament at the upper works at close range to test their effectiveness in a simulated night engagement and she finally sank off Owers Bank.
This brass tray appears to be of trench art rather than commercial origins but beautifully crafted. It is engraved with a Kings Crown with the cypher GRI below. Then enclosed withing a circular device is the legend 'Light, life and Glory' and withing two fish, one with scales and one without and to the centre is a swastika device. This is known as a right-handed swastika, which in Hindi, stands for wisdom, luck and riches. It was only when the Nazi's adopted it in 1933 that the swastika took on a completely different and more sinister meaning.
The final photograph attached shows the ships diving party with an identical plaque to the centre. The tray measures 5.75" diameter (15 cm) and would make an ideal gift for the Royal Navy collector in your life.
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HMS Raleigh Copper Ashtray - Six Royal Navy ships have carried the name HMS Raleigh and of course the current shore station at Torpoint. It is our feeling this tray relates to the Cruiser launched in 1919 and which was subsequently run aground in thick fog off the cost of Labrador in 1922 and was lost together with 11 of her crew. Her Master was subsequently charged with negligence. It may of course relate to the shore station but we believe the Cruiser mentioned is the more likely candidate. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example carries an applied brass badge featuring the 'HMS Raleigh' ships crest. Measures 3 1/2" diameter (9.0 cm)
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HMS Exeter Copper Ashtray - HMS Exeter was a Cruiser launched in 1929 and weighed 8,390 tons and served with distinction in WWII. She famously took part in 'The Battle of the River Plate' but her luck ran out in 1942 when she was sunk by Japanese dive bombers off Java in 'The Battle of the Java Sea' with the sad loss of 50 crew; a further 150 subsequently lost their lives as Japanese POW's. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example, as well as carrying an embossed 'HMS Exeter' badge, is also stamped in fine script on the reverse'Made in England'. Measures 3.65" diameter (9.4 cm)
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SS Arcadia Ship's Helm Ashtray - Made from cast aluminium with P&O pennant badge to centre. The Arcadia was built for P&O in 1954 and sailed on the Australian run, being scraped in Sydney in 1979. This ashtray would have been sold on board as a souvenir of the trip. In good condition. Measures 6" (16 cm) diameter.
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HMS Devonshire Ships Badge - No less than eight ships of the Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Devonshire, the first a 3rd rate sailing vessel of 80 guns that was launched in 1710 and the most recent a Destroyer that served from 1962 until 1978. She was then offered for sale to Egypt but the deal never went through and she finally met her end as a target during testing of the Sea Eagle cruise missile in the English channel in 1984. This badge is likely to relate to the final ship of the line mentioned above.
Of standard form, this example is made from cast alloy with a gold painted rope surround and surmounted by a Royal Naval crown and the ships name below. The crest itself features a red painted rampant lion set against a silver background. The paintwork remains strong with minor age related wear. The back carries a brass hanging device for wall display. Measures 7" diameter (18 cm) excluding crown.
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HMS Nelson Copper Ashtray - HMS Nelson was a Battleship of 33,500 tons launched in 1925, serving throughout WWII with distinction and won Battle Honours for MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42, NORTH AFRICA 1942 -43, MEDITERRANEAN 1943, SICILY 1943 -,SALERNO 1943, NORMANDY 1944. Having survived that lot she was finally broken up in 1949. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example carries a stamped 'HMS Neson' ships badge to the centre of the copper tray. Measures 3" diameter (7.4 cm)
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HMS Seagull Niehuis & Van Den Berg's Shipyard Rotterdam Copper Tray - HMS Seagull was a Halcyon-class minesweeper, completed on 30 March 1938. and the first Royal Navy ship to be built entirely without rivets. She was adopted by the civil community of Christchurch, Hampshire after a successful Warship Week National Savings campaign in February 1942. During the Second World War she won Battle Honours for the Artic Convoys in 1942 and helped escort 21 Arctic convoys. Subsequently she won further Battle Honours for Normandy in 1944 when she participated in Operation Neptune. After VE Day HMS Seagull was deployed on mine clearance duties in the North Sea and Channel areas but in August 1945 she was allocated for conversion to a Survey Ship and Paid-off from the Royal Navy.
HMS SEAGULL was taken to Niehuis & Van Den Berg's Shipyard Rotterdam (which is still in business) for the conversion to her new role and two months later went to Chatham for completion of this work, including the installation of specialist hydrographic equipment in HM Dockyard and on completion in April 1946 the ship recommissioned for surveying duties. From June onwards she carried out surveys in Home Waters until again paid-off and reduced to Reserve Status in March 1951. In the sequence of images attached here the final shot shows a period image of HMS Seagull as a minesweeper and below how she looked after conversion to a survey ship proably taken in 1946. In he4r final season Seagull was employed in the Bristol Channel, mainly sweeping for wrecks. She was laid-up at Devonport and towed to Leith in 1955 for used as a Drill Ship for the RNVR Division. She was finally sold to BISCO for breaking-up by Demelweek and Redding at Plymouth and taken in tow from Leith on 1st May 1956 for her final voyage.
Our copper ashtray remains in fine original condition as shown and was clearly made by Niehuis & Van Den Berg's Shipyard and is engraved with the company name, HMS Seagull, 1- VIII and 8-X1 and 1945 so the exact dates when the conversion work in Holland took place. We can only assume this was presented to the ships company when the conversion work was completed; her Commander in September '45 was Lt. Cdr. Colin Courtenay Lowry. We purchased ithis item in Devon so it may have been recovered from the ship when she was broken up in Plymouth 64 years ago. This would make a unique present for the nautical collector in your life or a perfect gift for if you happen to have family who served on HMS Seagull! Measures 6.25" diameter (15.5 cm)
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HMS Nelson Copper Ashtray - HMS Nelson was a Battleship of 33,500 tons launched in 1925, serving throughout WWII with distinction and won Battle Honours for MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42, NORTH AFRICA 1942 -43, MEDITERRANEAN 1943, SICILY 1943 -,SALERNO 1943, NORMANDY 1944. Having survived that lot she was finally broken up in 1949. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. This example carries a stamped 'HMS Neson' ships badge to the centre of the copper tray. Measures 3" diameter (7.4 cm)
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The Maritime Paintings of John Chancellor - Regarded by many as one of the finest marine artists of the 20th century, Chancellor was born in Portugal in 1925. He always had an interest in the sea having sailed many differing vessels and navigated waters from Trinidad to the Medway and was firstly a sailor who later in life became a superb artist. He eventually settled with his family in Brixham, Devon in 1963 and spent 2 years trawling, which led to early works, when commissioned to paint trawler portraits by their skippers. Steadily he began to take his painting more seriously, encouraged by the great enthusiasm and guidance of Austin Hawkins, who had a gallery in the town and Chancellor began producing works that exhibited his huge potential as a serious professional artist. His paintings go beyond aesthetically pleasing, well-executed marine scenes; they are often definitive, historically accurate representations of actual events, completed in painstaking detail. His research would take him to museums, the hydrographic office and public records to ensure that every last detail is accurate. Sadly John's life was cut short on 9th April 1984, aged just 59, having painted professionally for only 13 years, during which time his complete output numbered fewer than 150 works. Only three exhibitions (in 1973, 1976 and 1981) were ever staged and all three were a sell out - the first with everything sold in less than an hour! An indication of his standing in art circles was confirmed when an original artwork sold by Bonhams in 2008 for £38,400!
This finely illustrated book dates to 1984, but Chancellor sadly died shortly after proof checking, so he never lived to see his work published. The book contains 19 sumptuous paintings, portraying sailing ships and the sea in all its moods. They are accompanied by text, sketches and enlarged details which highlight Chancellor's workmanship. This hardback copy appears to be first edition dated 1984 and its original published price was £40 and is complete with dust jacket that a previous owner has covered for added protection. The image on the front depicts HMS Beagle in the Galapagos, whilst the back cover shows some amazing detail from the same painting. 80 pages in total are filled with informative text, full colour paintings, sketches and enlarged details which highlight Chancellor's workmanship. This is very much a coffee table sized book at 14.5" x 11.5" (37 cm x 29 cm) Whilst clearly second hand it remains in really excellent condition and on offer 36 years later at a significant discount on the published price!
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Glass Fishing Floats - a selection of early English made examples finished in green glass. Used to support fishing nets prior to the introduction of plastic floats. These are the last few we have remaining and are all original Victorain examples, but these do not carry any makers marks but all remain in excellent condition and offered at a modest price.
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Pacific Steam Navigation Company Pastry Cutters - The Pacific Steam Navigation Company was established in 1838 carrying mail and passengers and operated in the Pacific coast of South America, and was the first to use steam ships for commercial traffic in the Pacific Ocean. The company was finally incorporated into Royal Mail Lines in 1938. These two rings, which are made from plated metal, are nicely embossed with the company crest featuring Pacific Steam Navigation around the edge and a crown in the centre. We are not 100% sure of their purpose. One ring is a fraction smaller than the other and it has been suggested they were pastry cutters as they have a rounded ring on the top and a bevelled sharper edge on the bottom although we stand to be corrected on this! The larger ring measures 4" diameter (11.5 cm) and the smaller is 3.75" (9.5 cm). Our price is for the pair but happy to sell individually at £15.00 each.
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Presentation Plaque - named to USS Atlanta SSN712 Resurgens. Reverse reads: "Presented to Flag Officer Sea Training Radm J M Webster"
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Royal Navy Ditty Box - A pine box which was issued to sailors so as to keep their personal possessions, including letters from home, safe and private. They were all made to a standard design and size. This example carries a brass plate to the front with the original owner's name H. Eldridge. Our research indicates a Herbert Eldridge was a boy first class sailor service no. J/37894 and he served aboard HMS Queen Mary in WWI. He sadly died in action on the first day of the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May, 1916 aged 16. He is remembered with honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Good original condition but lacking key. 12" (21 cm)
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HMS Sheffield Copper Ashtray - This tray seems to relate to the first Royal Navy ship to be named, HMS Sheffield, a Cruiser of 9,100 tons launched in 1936. Here fittings were made from stainless steel rather than brass and as a result she was always known as 'The Shiny Sheff'! She survived WWII and was not broken up until 1967. Sadly the next ship to carry this name was lost to an Exocet in the Falkland's war in 1982. These little trays were offered for sale onboard via the NAAFI shop to serving crew members and were mainly bought as gift for friends and relations back home. This and the rest of the small collection we are listing today are all of the period and would make a great gift for anyone with an association with this fine ship. Measures 3.75" diameter (9.5 cm)
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HMS Gunner Trench Art Ashtray - This is the second "Gunner" dish we have listed this week but with this one absolutely no doubt to which ship or base it relates to. It is ornately engraved "HMS Gunner" and also carries below the dated 1918. The only other Navy ship to carry this name was not launched until 1927 so this clearly relates to the WWI vessel that was based at Granton harbour in Scotland and was operational from 1915-1919 and used as the base for mine-sweeping, utilising mainly Scottish trawlers and their crews, called into active service and conscripted as part of the Royal Navy Reserve. The base itself also acquired the name of "HMS Gunner" in reference to the name of the largest converted trawler/minesweeper in its fleet. Granton harbour was also home to decoy ships (Q-ships) and anti-submarine vessels. Conscripted fishing vessels were regarded as part of the Royal Navy so our ashtray is probably associated with this vessel or possibly the Granton land base itself which was otherwise known as a "Stone Frigate".
The tray is made from beaten copper, in an arts and crafts style, and is clearly hand rather than commercially made. In addition to the ships name "HMS Gunner" and the date it also carries what appears to be initials to the centre reading "AWS", which could possibly help identify the hands that made it 4.5" (11.5 cm). With the festive season fast approaching this could be the ideal stocking filler for the Royal Navy or trench art collector in your life!
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Brass Merchant Navy Desk Plaque - We bought this little item at auction in 2005 and it subsequently got mislaid in our stock room over the last 14 years, but it has finally seen the light of day again today, together with a number of other assorted miscellaneous items that came in the mixed lot! King George V bestowed the title of "Merchant Navy" on the British merchant shipping fleets following their service in the First World War. Our crest is made from a very solid lump of cast brass and is in standard form with an oval surround of rope, knotted at bottom and surmounted by a naval crown with 'MN' embossed within. It is securely mounted on a polished hardwood mount that comes complete with a support strut for display purposes The mount measures 5" x 3.5" (12.5 cm x 9 cm) and with the Christmas season fast approaching this would be the ideal stocking filler for the Merchant Navy collector (or veteran) in your life!
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HMS Gunner R.N.V.R. Brass Tray - We have researched two possible scenarios for the this fine brass tray, the final item from the mainly Royal Naval collection we have just listed. The first possibility relates to WWI when Granton harbour in Scotland was used as the base for mine-sweeping, utilising mainly Scottish trawlers and their crews, called into active service and conscripted as part of the Royal Navy Reserve. Granton was operational from 1915-1919 and was officially renamed as "HMS Gunner" in reference to the name of the largest trawler in its fleet. The harbour was then home to mine-sweepers, decoy ships (Q-ships), and anti-submarine vessels. Conscripted fishing vessels were regarded as part of the Royal Navy so our tray may relate to this trawler/minesweeper or to the associated land base.
The alternative possibility is this relates to a conscripted trawler FY568, built by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd in 1927 and taken over by the Admiralty in September 1939; she was 350 tons and was armed with a single 12 pdr anti-aircraft gun, mounted on the foredeck. As in WWI and despite the Royal Navy being the largest in the world, it was still not big enough to protect the convoys of merchant ships bringing goods and raw materials to our Island Nation. The Admiralty therefore requisitioned suitable ships to be used as minesweepers, many being trawler and drifters, that could simply be converted for minesweeping rather than fishing duties. These were normally commanded by RNR/RNVR (Royal Navy Reserve or the Volunteer Reserve) Lieutenants but often the ships were manned by their civilian crews. HMS Gunner served throughout the war, survived and was returned to her owners in 1946 and was finally scrapped in Ghent Belgium in 1954.
The tray carries a standard Royal Navy crest of Crown, Wreath and Anchor with R.N.V.R. above signifying Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Below is the ships name HMS Gunner;it remains in remakably good condition with just the odd age mark to the brass. Either of the two suggested scenarios fit as no other vessel has ever served with the Navy that has carried the name 'Gunner'. We tend to think the second option is most applicable but all we can say for sure only one is the true story but we will leave that for the new owner to decide! The tray's diameter is 6" (15 cm) and would ne an ideal stocking filler for the Royal Naval collector in your life!
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HMS Apollo D- Day Trench Art - Another item we bought at auction in 2005 but was subsequently mislaid in our stock room for the last 14 years, but it has finally seen the light of day, together with a number of other assorted items that came in the mixed lot. Small but historically interesting, it is made from a 1943 dated expended shell case that has been display mounted on a hardwood base. To the front is a white metal plaque that has been embossed 'HMS Apollo D-Day 6.6.44'.
Our research indicated HMS Apollo was an Abdiel-class minelayer of the Royal Navy, the eighth RN ship to carry the name. She was commissioned in February 1944 and joined the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow before setting out for Plymouth for minelaying operations in support of the planned invasion of France. She loaded mines at Milford Haven and commenced a series of operations off the French coast of Brittany between Ushant and Île Vierge. She was detached for duty in "Operation Neptune" and on 7 June and carried Allied Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Naval Commander in Chief Admiral Bertram Ramsay, General Bernard Law Montgomery and staff officers from SHAEF, to visit the assault beaches. Unfortunately Apollo grounded while underway, damaging her propellers, and her VIP passengers were transferred to the appropriately named destroyer HMS Undaunted!
Sadly we have no provenance with the item but seems most likely it was made by a crew member of Apollo from scrap materials recovered but we have no idea where it subsequently resided for the next 61 years before turning up in an Exeter auction house.
An ideal Christmas stocking filler for anyone with associations with Apollo (she was placed on Reserve in 1961 and was broken up at Blyth, Northumberland in November 1962) or to the collector of Royal Navy trench art in your life. Measures 5" from base to top of shell case (12.5 cm)
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A/S Mk 10 Mortar Shell Case Trench Art - Here is another item from our 'Pandora's box' of mainly Royal Navy related items. In this instance we have a fine example of post war Royal Navy trench art, in the form of an ashtray made from a cut down shell case. The face plate is profusely stamped including A/S Mk 10 Mortar Mk 2. Online research indicates this is made from a Limbo, or Anti-Submarine Mortar Mk 10 which was the final British development of a forward-throwing anti-submarine weapon originally designed during the Second World War. Limbo, a three-barrelled mortar similar to the earlier Hedgehog and Squid which it superseded, was developed by the Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment in the 1950s. It was installed on the quarterdeck of Royal Navy escort ships from 1955 to the mid-1990's and was used in the 1982 Falklands War. When a contact had been confirmed as a hostile submarine, the SC manually fired the Mortar Mk 10 from the SCR upon receiving the order from the captain in the operations room. The firing was done by means of a pistol grip and trigger mounted to the deckhead immediately behind the Mk 10 Mortar. Limbo had a max range of about 1000 yards.
Our shell case is dated 1962 and a further stamp 6/63. It is also marked ECC indicating it was made by Edward Curran & Co. The original length of the shell case before it was cut down was 305 mm with a diameter of 115mm. Inside the base of the shell case, mounted where the detonator cap used to be is a pre decimal original British Penny piece that is dated 1967 and shows and image of Britannia ;the "old penny" ceased to be legal tender after 31 August 1971. The ashtray is 4.5" diameter (11.5 cm) and stands 1.25" high (3 cm). The item is completely inert and would make a fine addition to a trench art of British Naval shell case collection and with the festive season approaching would make a great stocking filler!
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