The only known blueprint of a First World War British Mark I tank, the world’s first tracked armoured fighting vehicle – estimate £10,000-20,000 at Laidlaw.
On February 25-26, Laidlaw of Carlisle is to auction the only known blueprint of a First World War British Mark I tank, the world’s first tracked armoured fighting vehicle.
The highly detailed large scale technical plan was used in its design and construction. It bears the ink stamps of the designers and manufacturers of the tank, William Foster & Co Limited, Engineers, Lincoln, and is dated May 18, 1916, just a few months prior to the first use of the tank on the morning of September 15 during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Somme Offensive.
It is accompanied by a patent specification for the tank titled Improvements in and relating to transport vehicles propelled by an endless moving chain track. Also dated 1916, it runs to some 20 pages of typewritten text with pencil annotations and corrections.
The blueprint (shown above with auctioneer Paul Laidlaw) and patent specification carry estimates of £10,000-20,000 and £5000-10,000 respectively.
Australian black bean wood side-table designed by Robert Lutyens for the Reuters & Associated Press Building on Fleet Street – estimate £2000-3000 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood .
This Australian black bean wood side-table was part of a suite of furniture designed by Robert Lutyens (1901-72) for the Reuters & Associated Press Building on Fleet Street, London.
The building, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) was finished in 1938 but the decision on choosing furniture for the conference room was placed on hold during the Second World War. When in 1947 the Australian Associated Press proposed to buy the furniture as a gift, the plans for a boardroom table, four small tables and 30 chairs were drawn up by Lutyens’ son Robert.
Made in Australia and delivered to Reuters in 1949, they were sold in the 1970s when the interior was updated. Elements of the suite come for sale as part of the 20th century design sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on February 15 with the table guided at £2000-3000.
bhandl.co.uk or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Pair of late George III silver gilt twin-handled cups by Paul Storr – estimate £6000-8000 at Dreweatts.
This pair of late George III silver gilt twin-handled cups by Paul Storr (1770-1844) carry a guide of £6000-8000 at Dreweatts’ Fine Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Luxury Accessories sale on March 8-9.
The pair form part of a consignment of silver tablewares from the collection of Victoria Lady de Rothschild (1949-2021).
This late George II period carved mahogany drop-leaf table c.1755-60 formerly belonged to the art historian, connoisseur and collector Ralph Edwards, author with Percy Macquoid of the hugely influential Dictionary of English Furniture published from 1924-27.
The table, part of the furnishings at Edwards’ home Suffolk House on Chiswick Mall in west London, is pictured in volume three where it is noted as being ‘from Mr Ralph Edwards’ and dated to c.1750.
Edwards was the grandfather of the vendor who has consigned it for sale with other pieces to The Connoisseur’s Library Sale at Bonhams in Knightsbridge on February 15-16. Estimate £1200-1800.
bonhams.com or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Chelsea Gold Anchor plate, c.1765 – estimate £1500-2500 at Dreweatts.
This Chelsea Gold Anchor plate, c.1765, shares characteristics with the Mecklenburg-Strelitz pattern – originally ordered in 1762 by Queen Charlotte for her brother Duke Adolphus Frederick IV of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Elements of the service are in the royal collection at Buckingham Palace.
The plate comes up at an Interiors sale at Dreweatts Newbury on February 15-16 with a guide of £1500-2500.
dreweatts.com or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Mills ‘high top’ slot machine, c.1945-55 – estimate £1500-2000 at Spicers.
Coming up for auction on February 25 at Spicers in Old Goole, East Yorkshire, is this Mills ‘high top’ slot machine, c.1945-55. Mounted in a fibreglass cowboy body with wooden arms, it has an estimate of £1500 -£2000.
'Waiting for Transport', a signed print by Norman Cornish – estimate £200-300 at Anderson & Garland in a timed online auction.
A timed online auction of pictures and prints conducted by Anderson & Garland in Newcastle closing on February 20 includes this signed print by Norman Cornish.
Waiting for Transport is guided at £200-300.
andersonandgarland.com or see this item at thesaleroom.com
A private collection of Roman coins will be offered by Stroud Auctions in Gloucestershire on March 9-11. This gold solidus issued in Constantinople for Honorius (393-423AD) is estimated at £250-350.
stroudauctions.co.uk or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Several British furniture companies were designated to make the 5700 stools and 2000 limed oak chairs used by guests at the 1953 Coronation.
A textile mill in Bradford received the order of 4000 yards of the petrol blue velvet used in the upholstery.
This stool, bearing the monogram ER II beneath a crown, is expected to bring £250-350 at Bushey Auctions in Hertfordshire on February 10
busheyauctions.com or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Lalique Amphitrite scent bottle (design 514) – estimate £1000-1500 at Lyon & Turnbull.
Lyon & Turnbull is selling a 150-lot private collection of Lalique scent bottes on February 17. The collection includes five different versions of the Amphitrite bottle (design 514), with this bottle in frosted and blue stained glass expected to bring £1000-1500.
lyonandturnbull.com or see this item at thesaleroom.com
Possibly unique pair of Martin Brothers stoneware andirons – estimate £50,000-80,000 at Cheffins.
In the Art & Design sale on February 24, Cheffins will be offering a collection of works by the Martin Brothers, originally from a single owner based in the US.
They include this possibly unique pair of stoneware andirons in the form of grotesque amphibians, crouching on their hind legs and bound back-to-back, which has an estimate of £50,000-80,000.
cheffins.co.uk or see this item at thesaleroom.com
