Art collectors have a unique opportunity to buy never seen before work by Cumbrian artist Percy Kelly at Mitchells’ next Antiques and Fine Art Sale.
A private collection of 60 works – including illustrated letters, small paintings and envelopes – come from the personal collection of Joan David, a close friend and correspondent of Kelly during the last 10 years of his life whom he often referred to as his saviour.
Joan also helped Kelly legally change his name when he started a gender transition in later life, consequently many of the letters are signed Roberta.
Since they were either sent, gifted or bought directly from the artist, they have never been seen in public before or made available for sale on the open market.
Joan’s daughter, Maggie Sale, said: “She initially saw a large painting of Kelly’s in the late Mary Burkett’s house in Windermere. She had known Mary (former head of Abbot Hall Art Gallery) since she had moved to the Lake District in 1971.
“She was very interested in local artists and was very drawn to the painting and thought she would like to own one by him. Mary suggested Joan write to him and ask if he had any for sale. She had been a friend and correspondent with Kelly for some time and had her own collection of Kelly’s.
“Joan wrote to him, admiring his work and asking to acquire one. Kelly, who appreciated having his work admired, was happy to let her buy one, and in the meantime she was overjoyed to receive his illustrated letter in an illustrated envelope. This was the beginning of a very prolific writing period between them. He wrote so often and so long that Joan had some difficulty keeping up with the correspondence.
“Joan’s Percy Kelly collection continued to grow until his death. Joan only saw Kelly on five occasions over the10-year period.”
Although Kelly is best known for his paintings of landscapes and villages, particularly ones of the Lake District and West Cumbria where he was born and lived for many years, the artwork for sale show the variety of subjects he painted, including the industrial landscapes of West Cumbria.
The highlights among the letters are Greysoon Cumberland from 1987 and Pear Tree Cottage with Poppies both with estimates of £1,000 to £1,500, Bakers Van from 1990 with a valuation of £800 to £1,200 and an industrial drawing of Maryport Harbour with an estimate of £500 to £800.
The Cockermouth saleroom believes the collection could realise between £40,000 to £50,000 in total with estimates ranging from £200 to £1,500 per lot.
Fine art
Other fine art by renowned local artists includes a charcoal on paper by Sheila Fell (1931-1979) titled Christmas 1979 with an estimate of £1,000 to £2,000 and three paintings by June Bennett (1935-2013) including an oil on canvas of the Solway, Tidal Patterns, with an estimate of £500 to £800.
Also for sale are eight paintings by Michael Bennett (1934-2016) including an oil on handmade paper Two Women by the Sea No. 1 with an estimate of £500 to £800 and an oil on board Far Field which should make £700 to £1,000.
Of local historical interest are two important industrial landscapes by George Henry Andrews (1816-1898) of Barrow Haematite Steel Company depicting the Bessemer steel sheds and blast furnaces which should make £500 to £800 each.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online now at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic advance bids
Coins
An important single owner collection of over 40 gold guineas and half guineas is also for sale, including 10 coins dating back to the reign of King Charles II (1660-1684), with the earliest dated 1665.
The collection also includes coins from the reigns of James II, William III, Queen Anne, George I and George II with estimates ranging from £500 to £1,000 for the full guineas and £200 to £400 for the half guineas.
A guinea from the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714) and another from the reign of George I dated 1719 both have estimates of £600 to £800. However, due to the rarity and condition of some of the coins, the auctioneers believe these estimates may well be exceeded and the total value of the collection could be as much as £30,000.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online now at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic advance bids
Furniture, clocks and watches
Highlights among the furniture and clocks are a pair of Regency rosewood whatnot stands with an estimate of £1,800 to £2,200 and a fine George III mahogany longcase clock by Nicholson of Whitehaven which should make £1,500 to £2,000.
Two fine 19th century marine chronometers, one by Brockbank and Atkins London the other by Graham and Parkes, both in fitted mahogany cases have an estimate of £1,500 to £2,000 each.
A good ebonised Regency bracket clock by George Prior London should make £700 to £1,000. A late 18th/early 19th century Breguet a Paris pocket watch with painted porcelain and jewelled plaque has an estimate of £400 to £600.
Also for sale is a good single owner collection of wristwatches including vintage Rolex, Breitling and Sekonda. In particular, a vintage Rolex manual wind wristwatch with 9ct gold case and a vintage Rolex Oyster wristwatch with bi-metal bracelet have estimates of £1,000 to £1,500 each.
A Breitling Top Time chronograph wristwatch circa 1969 with Panda dial should fetch £400 to £600 and a Sekonda chronograph with Poljot lever movement has been valued at £250 to £300.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online now at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic advance bids
Jewellery
Valuable jewellery includes an Effedue 18ct gold link bracelet which is expected to make £1,000 to £1,500, a fine Victorian gold coloured metal cameo bracelet in fitted case valued at £700 to £1,000 and a late Victorian/Edwardian gold coloured metal suite of jewellery by G and M Creighton Edinburgh which should make £500 to £800.
Among a large collection of silverware is a Walker and Hall four-piece silver tea service from 1949 weighing 74 ounces with a valuation of £600 to £800.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online now at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic advance bids
When does Mitchells Fine Art and Antique Sale take place?
The sale includes some 1,400 lots to be sold over three days.
Wednesday March 22
Day one of the sale will include Asian art, ceramics and glassware, jewellery, watches and pocket watches, coins, silver and allied wares and textiles.
Thursday March 23
Day two will include paintings, drawings and prints, objects of art, collectors’ items and metalware, table boxes, wall clocks, barometers and mirrors.
Friday March 24
Day three will include furniture, longcase clocks and dining tables.
How can I see the the lots included in Mitchells Fine Art and Antique Sale?
Lots are on view in the saleroom from Sunday March 19, from 11am to 3pm, Monday March 20 and Tuesday March 21 from 10am to 5pm and throughout each sale day.
Those unable to attend the sale can also arrange to bid by telephone or leave commission bids in advance by contacting the saleroom. For further information about lots featured in the auction contact James Forster or Mark Wise on 01900 827800.
What is the next sale at Mitchells?
The next sale to arrive at platform Mitchells will be…model railways and railwayana!
Coming soon on Thursday April 13 is the sale of a vast single owner collection of 00 gauge model railways and railwayana from a deceased estate in West Cumbria, including 1,000 locomotives, 3,000 pieces of rolling stock and original railway signage from Cockermouth station which closed in 1966, as well as display cases, pictures, railway lamps, books, model kits and a large quantity of crafting materials for building scenery. Due to the quantity of items to be sold, many lots will include multiple items.
The sale will be on view in the saleroom on Tuesday April 11 from 10am to 5pm and Wednesday April 12 from 10am to 7pm.