People have the chance to own a unique piece of English history as contents from William Wordsworth’s Rydal Mount home are set to go under the hammer next week.
At the request of the Wordsworth family, the items are being sold at Mitchells saleroom in Cockermouth, the town where the poet was born.
Last year, Christopher Wordsworth Andrew says and his brother Simon Bennie took the decision to sell Rydal Mount, near Windermere, because they both live and work in the South of England.
The cost of keeping the house going and open to the public had become prohibitive and the number of visitors had dropped off since Covid.
It was bought by the Wordsworth Trust.
Rydal Mount was the final home of the Poet Laureate and his sister Dorothy.
Artwork, furnishings and personal items from Rydal Mount will be sold on Wednesday June 10 on the first day of Mitchells’ three-day Antiques & Fine Art Sale.
James Moore, Mitchells’ head of antiques & fine art, said: “We’re delighted the Wordsworth Trust have been able to acquire Rydal Mount to ensure its future and we’ve been working closely with the family who feel the remaining house contents should be auctioned at Mitchells in Cockermouth, the town where Wordsworth was born.”
The most important lots to be auctioned from Rydal Mount include a substantial lock of Wordsworth’s hair in a circular glass and metal mount to form a paperweight, together with a separate paper script reading ‘Hair of W Wordsworth Poet’, has an estimate of £3,000 to £5,000.
The lock of hair was previously displayed in Wordsworth’s study at Rydal Mount.
A late 18th/early 19th century George III oak circular tilt top tripod table with a brass plaque to the top reading ‘This Table belonged to Wordsworth Poet Laureate Rydal Mount’ Is estimated at £4,000 to £6,000.
Also for sale are two 19th century engravings in the style of Winterhalter, presented to William Wordsworth by Queen Victoria after he became Poet Laureate in 1843.
One titled Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen, engraved by Forster and dated 1846/47 and the other, His Royal Highness Albert Prince of Wales, engraved by Leon Noel, dated 1843/44, the engravings are valued at £2,000 to £3,000 for the pair.
An early/mid 19th century design silver plated teapot, by repute referred to by the family as ‘William’s teapot’, has a valuation of £300 to £500.
An early 19th century mahogany linen press referred to as ‘William and Mary’s wardrobe’ is expected to sell for £300 to £500.
A 19th century boxwood table top tapestry frame stand with needlework panel by family repute known as ‘Dorothy’s stand’ has an estimate of £300 to £500.
Other items for sale from Rydal Mount include an early 19th century French design giltwood side chair with a faint inscription on the bottom ‘This chair was one of six similar ones made specially as a wedding present to Princess Adelaide on the occasion of her marriage in 1818 to the Duke of Clarence who later became King William IV’.
The widowed Queen Adelaide visited Rydal Mount in 1840.
This chair and another, an early 19th century William IV design mahogany framed tub armchair with black button down leather upholstery both have estimates of £200 to £300 each.
Sheila Fell
The sale also features personal artefacts from the family of the renowned artist Sheila Fell RA (1931-1979), a protégée of LS Lowry, including sketchbooks, photographs and letters.
A collection of family and studio photographs together with a quantity of letters written by Shelia Fell to her mother and father, addressed to 69 Queen Street, Aspatria, with family postcards is expected to sell for £300 to £500.
Also for sale is a visitor’s book from Sheila Fell’s early exhibitions in Cumberland in 1961 and 1964, signed by LS Lowry RA (1887-1976), William Heaton Cooper, Ophelia Gordon Bell and Julian Heaton Cooper among others, together with a photograph of Sheila Fell with LS Lowry, which has an estimate of £300 to £500.
Sheila Fell’s school sketchbook filled with paintings and sketches together with her cookbook, first entry 5/10/1945, her diary from 1944 when she was aged 13 and a framed print, signed to the rear ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy 1963 and Good Wishes Sheila’ with two other sketches are valued at £1,000 to £1,500.
Sheila Fell’s artist’s box by Reeves & Sons Ltd, London containing various tubes of oil paint together with her certificate of entry to the Royal Academy, dated April 25 1969 and an invitation to the Royal Academy of Arts annual dinner, Wednesday April 29 1970 has an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.
Artwork
Other artwork for sale include a William Heaton Cooper RA (1903-1995) watercolour of Crummock Water with Rannerdale and Red Pike, signed to the bottom right valued at £1,500 to £2,000 and an Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) pen and ink drawing The Quiraing (Isle of Skye Scotland), signed to the mount with an estimate of £400 to £600.
Ceramics
Ceramics include a 19th century Whitehaven Pottery darning egg, with the name Ann, with transfer printed pictures ‘Our early days keeping school’ ‘Our early days the romp’ which should make £300 to £400.
Other items
Other items of historical interest include a signed postcard from Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley (1851-1920), co-founder of the The National Trust, sent to a lady in France in 1900 thanking her for sending helmets and shirts for the men at the front, with an estimate of £80 to £120.
When does Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale take place?
Day one of the three-day sale on Wednesday June 10 will include the Wordsworth contents from Rydal Mount, Asian art, ceramics & glassware, coins, jewellery & pocket watches, silver & allied wares.
Day two of the sale on Thursday June 11 will include paintings, drawings & prints, objects of art, collectors’ items, metalware and textiles.
Day three of the sale on Friday June 12 will include table boxes, wall clocks, barometers & mirrors, furniture, longcase clocks, dining tables and chairs.
Where can I see the lots in Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale?
Lots are on view in the Saleroom from Sunday June 7 from 11am to 3pm, Monday June 8 and Tuesday June 9, from 10am to 5pm and throughout each sale day.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at the-saleroom.com/Mitchells or easyliveauction.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic bids in advance.
Alternatively, those unable to attend the sale can arrange to bid by telephone or leave commission bids in advance by contacting the saleroom.
For further information about lots featured in the auction and condition reports contact James Moore on 01900 827800.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Entries are open now for Mitchell’s Vintage Toy & Model Sale on Thursday July 30.
For free valuations of items for potential sale contact David Lomas on 01900 827800. Entries close on Friday July 10.
Valuations
If you have something you think might be valuable and want to find out what it’s worth, Mitchells offer free valuations by appointment at their Cockermouth saleroom and home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness.
Alternatively, you can email your valuation request and photographs to [email protected]
Valuation services for insurance and probate and house clearances are also available. Contact Mitchells now on 01900 827800 to arrange.
