Download - Final Matthew Barton Press Release May 2011
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Matthew Barton LtdSilver, Works of Art & Objects of Vertu
PRESS RELEASE
IMPORTANT CASKET HIGHLIGHTS AUCTION OFSILVER, WORKS OF ART AND OBJECTS OF VERTU
A MAGNIFICENT George V Gold Freedom Casket
enamelled with the arms of the County Borough of
Newport (Wales) will highlight Matthew Barton Ltds
auction of Silver, Works of Art and Objects of Vertu.
The sale will take place on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in
West Kensington at 25 Blythe Road, W14. It is
estimated at 18,000-22,000.
Made by S. Blanckensee & Son Ltd of Birmingham
and dated 1924, the rectangular casket is decorated
with Newport views of St. Paul's National School,
Commercial Street and Newport Harbour, while the rear has panels of St. Paul's Church and the
G.W.R. Chepstow Castle steam locomotive. The interior has crushed cream satin lining and
presentation plaque, also containing the scroll pronouncing 'The Right Honourable James Henry
Thomas' an 'Honourary Freeman of the County Borough of Newport', underside inscribed 'SUPPLIED
BY HOSKIN NEWPORT MON.'. The presentation inscription reads: Presented to the Right Honourable
James Henry Thomas M.P., His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, by a few friends
on his being made an Honourable Freeman of his native town of Newport, Mon., on May 8th 1924.
J.H. Thomas, in spite of leaving school at 12 years, had a remarkable career as a Trade Unionist and
Labour politician. By the age of 15 he was an engine cleaner on the Great Western Railways, passing
his fireman's exams three years later. He became an official of the Amalgamated Society of Railway
Servants and in 1913 helped organize the National Union of Railwaymen becoming its general
secretary in 1917 and presiding over the successful rail strike of 1919. With Union backing, he had
been elected to Parliament in 1910 as MP for Derby. He was appointed Secretary of State for the
Colonies in the incoming Labour government of 1924 under Ramsay MacDonald. In the second Labour
government of 1929 Thomas was made Lord Privy Seal with special responsibility for employment.
Appointed Secretary of State for the Dominions in 1930, retaining the position in Ramsay MacDonald's
controversial National Government (1931-1935): as a result he was expelled from the Labour Party and
the NUR, although the electors of Derby remained faithful when he stood as an independent candidate.
Thomas served as Secretary of State for the Colonies again from 1935 until May 1936, when he was
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forced to resign from politics because he had been implicated in
leaks to friends about the forthcoming Budget. Retiring from public
life to his home on the Sussex coast, he published his
autobiography 'My Story' the following year. According to his
obituary in The Times (22nd January 1949, p.6) he was 'always
effective on the platform, he had a special gift for after-dinner
speaking and succeeded in translating his homeliness into anasset. Members of all parties liked him for his humour, courage
and broad humanity...' The G.W.R.'s 4-6-0 Castle class locomotive
featured on the back of the casket had only just been completed, in
February of 1924. Ironically the Chepstow Castle's life also ended
in Newport when scrapped at Cashmore's, having been withdrawn
from service in 1962.
Also included in the sale is a large Edwardian Silver Presentation Pilgrim Flask, dating from 1906, which
was presented two years later by the Prince of Wales to G. Cecil Whitaker after his A Class yachtCicely
won the Regatta at The Royal Harwich Yacht club. The Regatta, in the 19th century had established
itself as the opening event of the season for the big yacht class. Most of the famous racing yachts
sailed there, includingBritanniaowned by Edward VII and his son, the Prince of Wales (later George V)
had been the clubs commodore since 1895. To win in 1908Cicely beat the German Emperor'sMeteor
among others. The flask is estimated at 4,000-6,000.
Following the success of Oriental Works of Art in
previous sales; an oval Sawasa ware Tobacco box,
dating from the early 18th century decorated with panels
of blossom, birds and pavilions on a granulated gilt
ground with a gilt interior is estimated at 500-700, while
a finely carved Chinese ivory casket carries expectations
in excess of 4000.
A lovely pair of George III silver square tea caddies by Lewis Pantin (London, 1772) are estimated at
5,000-7,000, while a rare Irish rococo silver basket, probably by Thomas Lynch of Galway carries an
estimate of 4,000-6,000.
Elsewhere in the sale is a group of 17 Billy & Charley
figures from the Anthony North Collection. Born in
Blackpool in 1942, North, became a curator in the
Metalwork Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum in
1964. He worked closely with the Keeper, Claude Blair,
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and remained there until he retired in 2002. Billies and
Charlies, otherwise known as Shadwell Dock
Forgeries, were produced in the mid 19th century in
variety of forms, often as badges, but also as figures,
vases, vessels etc., the majority made by the labourers
or navigators (navvies) Billy Smith and Charley Eaton.
An example from 1860 of a knight in armour and amodel of a Bishop Saint, are being sold together and
carry an estimate of 200-400
Among the 20th century pieces is a rare Danish Toast Rack designed by Oscar Gundlach-Perdersen for
Georg Jensen, 1933-4, which is
estimated at 700-1,000; while a set of
four Edwardian silver novelty menu
holders, by Levi & Salaman of
Birmingham, 1909 each finely modelled
as a seated Roosevelt bear is expected
to fetch 400-600.
The sale also includes glass and Scandinavian design continues to be evident. A Swedish oval glass
vase designed in 1955 by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Glasbruk decorated with two black trees shedding
their leaves is expected to fetch 1,000-1,500, while an opalescent Ceylan vase by Lalique decorated
with budgerigars is estimated at 4,000-6,000.
For further information on the auction, please call020 7806 5545 or visit www.matthewbartonltd.com
For Press Information onlyPlease contact Rachel AkedEmail: [email protected]
Tel: 07790 732448 April 2011