MORPHETS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SINCE 1895
SALEROOM AND OFFICES
6 Albert Street, Harrogate HG1 1JL Tel: 01423 530030 Fax: 01423 500717 e-mail: enquiries@morphets.co.uk
Thursday 4th March 2010
MORPHETS
RAILWAY RIBALDRY Original Artwork by W. Heath Robinson
Thursday 4th March 2010
MORPHETS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SINCE 1895
Front Cover
Lot 290 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Mr W Heath-Robinson’s Own Private Railway Engine Not Often Allowed on the GWR, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £2000 - £2500
The Complete Set of Pen and Ink Drawings by William Heath Robinson (1872-1944) for Railway Ribaldry the 1935 GWR Centenary Publication to be offered in 82 lots
T h u rs d a y 4 t h M ar c h 2 0 1 0
MORPHETS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SINCE 1895
2
THE FIRST DOG’S TICKET
LIST OF DRAWINGS Page
Page
Mr W Heath Robinson’s Own Private Railway Engine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Frontispiece
The First Sleeping Compartment - - - - - - - 41
Building The First Locomotive - - - - - - - - - 7
The Company Starts Steamer Services - - - 45
Early Railway Pioneers Prospecting for a Site - 5
Filling the Boilers Without Stopping The Engine - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 43
Testing the Speed of Engines - - - - - - - - - - 9
The Building of Saltash Bridge - - - - - - - - 47
Ingenious Plan for Fixing the Times for Trains - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -11
Night Duty at one of the First Railway Signals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13 Goods and Passengers Carried Together - - 15
Boring The First Tunnel - - - - - - - - - - - - - 17
Early Attempt at Picking up Mails without Stopping - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 49
The First Smoking Carriage - - - - - - - - - - - 51 Excavations for the Severn Tunnel - - - - - - 53
Early Type of Engine for Cleaning Tunnels - 55
Pulling the Communication Cord - - - - - - - 19
The Change-over from Broad to Narrow Gauge - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 57
Varied Duties of Railway Police - - - - - - - 23
The First Bathing Compartment - - - - - - - - 61
A Wash and Brush Up at Swindon - - - - - - 21
Early Type of Mechanical Signal - - - - - - - 25 The First Waiting Room - - - - - - - - - - - - - 27 The First Excursion Train - - - - - - - - - - - - 29
Installing the Electric Telegraph between Paddington and Slough - - - - - - - - - - - - - 31 The Mayor in State Letting Through the First Train in a New Railway Station - - - - - - - - 33 The First ‘Ladies Only’ Compartment - - - 35 Introducing the Atmospheric System of Traction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 37 Method of Overcoming the ‘Cold Feet’ Difficulty - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 39
New Uses for Old Railway Engines - - - - - 59
Teaching Engine Drivers the Meaning of Signals - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 63
Training the Staff - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 65 Training Porters to Manoeuvre Loads on Crowded Platforms - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 67
Taking Seats for Lunch - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 69
The First Railway Bus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 71 In the Lost Property Office - - - - - - - - - - - 73
Relieving The Tedium of Waiting for the Signal - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 75
A Speed of 102 mph - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 77 A New Route to Ireland - - - - - - - - - - - - - 79
3
LIST OF DRAWINGS – continued Page
Page
The New Humane Cow Catcher - - - - - - - - 81
The GWR Takes to the Air - - - - - - - - - - - -87
The First Hikers’ Mystery Express Arrives - 85
A Cause of Delay in the Picturesque Districts - 91
How They Negotiated the Flooded Districts - 83
Suggestion for Doing Without Tunnels - - - 80
VIGNETTES Page
Experiment by Early Railway Pioneer - - - - 4
Making Sure That There is Water in the Boiler - 6 An Unfortunate Start for the Summer Holidays; Old but Efficient Test for Brakes (2) - - - - - - 8 Checking the First Time-table - - - - - - - - - 10
Early and Interesting Type of Signal - - - - - 12
Page
Nut Cracking on the GWR (Preliminary); A Busman’s Holiday (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - 42
Carelessness When Looking Over Bridges - 46 Just In Time - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 48
Lighting Up Before Entering A Tunnel - - - 52
An Error of Judgment in the Goods Yard - - 14
Adjustable Chimney to Fit any Size Tunnel; The Stowaway (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 54
The Red Flag - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18
The Kind-hearted Engine Driver - - - - - - - - 60
Dealing with the Smoke Nuisance; The First Dog’s Ticket; The Signalman’s First Duty (3) - 16 Finishing Touches after a Good Clean Up - 20
The Railway Policeman Saves The Situation - 22 Preventing Railway Policemen being Run Down; The Great Popularity of the Mystery Express (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24 Before there were any Waiting Rooms; Smoking in Non-Smoking Compartments - 26 A Little Relaxation by the Way - - - - - - - - 28
“Waste Not, Want Not” - - - - - - - - - - - - - 30 The Earliest Honeymoon Train - - - - - - - - 32
Early Experiment of Atmospheric System - 34 The Atmospheric Principle as Applied to Signals; Bold Move; The First Magnetic Signal (3) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 36 Before the Introduction of Foot Warmers - - 38
The First Automatic Machine - - - - - - - - - - 40
Old Age; Interference with the Smooth running of the Service (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 58 Broad and Narrow Gauge Drivers Fraternising; Training Restaurant Car Attendant (2) - - - - 62 The Absent-minded Man - - - - - - - - - - - - - 64 First Slip Carriage - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 66
The First Luncheon Basket - - - - - - - - - - - 68 Creditable Effort to Catch a Train - - - - - - 70
The Ravages of the Wild Woodpecker - - - - 74 Too Late! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 76
Waiting For The Train In The Flooded Districts; Off to Ireland via Fishguard and Rosslare (2) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 78
Picking up the Driver’s Breakfast - - - - - - - 80 The End of the Season! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 86
When Coal Was Cheap - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 90 The End - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 92
THE RED FLAG
4
Lot 291 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Well Thought-Out And Nearly Successful Experiment By Early Railway Pioneer, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27cms £300 - £400
5
Lot 292 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Early Railway Pioneer’s Prospecting For A Site for A Terminus by The Upper Reaches of the Paddington Canal, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
6
Lot 293 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Official Water Diviners of the Company Making Sure That There is Water In the Boiler Before The Commencement of A Long Run, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size, 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
7
Lot 294 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Building The First Locomotive, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £2000 - £2500
8
Lot 295 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Unfortunate Start To The Summer Holidays; A Very Old But Efficient Test For Brakes, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27cms £400 - £600
9
Lot 296 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Old Fashioned Method of Testing The Speed of Engines, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
10
Lot 297 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Checking The First Timetable Before Publication, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £400 - £600
11
Lot 298 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Ingenious Plan For Fixing The Approximate Times For Trains To Cover The Required Distances..., pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
12
Lot 299 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Another Early and Interesting Type of Signal, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
13
Lot 300 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Night Duty At One of The First Railway Signals, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
14
Lot 301 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Error of Judgement In The Goods Yard; Ingenious Device For Running A Narrow Gauge Engine..., two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artists signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
15
Lot 302 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Goods and Passengers Carried Together In The Open, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
16
Lot 303 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Simple Method of Dealing With The Smoke In The Days of The Open Carriage; The First Dog’s Ticket; The Signalman’s First Duty in The Morning - Oiling The Signal, three vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
17
Lot 304 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Boring The First Tunnel With An Early Type of Rotary Excavator, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
18
Lot 305 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Red Flag, pen and ink on paper laid down on artist board, unsigned, image size 4.5 x 22cms £200 - £300
19
Lot 306 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Pulling The Alarm Code In One Of The Old Open Carriages, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
20
Lot 307 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Putting on the Finishing Touches After a Good Clean Up, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
21
Lot 308 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Wash and Brush Up At Swindon, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
22
Lot 309 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Railway Policeman Saves The Situation, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 20 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
23
Lot 310 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Varied Duties of Railway Police; Picking Up The Bits That Drop Off Now and Again; Removing Obstacles From The Line; Safeguarding The Properties; Helpful Assistance In Any Emergency, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £800 - £1200
24
Lot 311 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Simple Device For Preventing Railway Policemen From Being Run Down When Walking On The Line; On Account of The Great Popularity Of The Mystery Express... On The Road, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27cms £300 - £400
25
Lot 312 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Very Early Type of Mechanical Signal Now Rarely To Be Seen, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
26
Lot 313 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Before There Were Any Waiting Rooms; A Simple Device Enabling Smokers To Smoke In Non-Smoking Compartments Without Annoyance To The Other Passengers, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.25cms £300 - £400
27
Lot 314 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Waiting Room, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
28
Lot 315 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Little Relaxation By The Way, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, unsigned, board size 18.25 x 27.5cms £300 - £500
29
Lot 316 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Excursion Train, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.25 x 24.25cms £1800 - £2200
30
Lot 317 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Waste Not Want Not, An Engine Driver’s Favourite Motto, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
31
Lot 318 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Installing The Electric Telegraph Between Paddington and Slough, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
32
Lot 319 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) One Of The Earliest Honeymoon Trains Run By The GWR, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso (faded), board size 21.5 x 27cms £200 - £300
33
Lot 320 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Picturesque Ceremony, The Mayor In State Letting Through The First Train In a New Railway Station, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
34
Lot 321 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Early Experiment By The Inventor Of The Atmospheric System, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, unsigned, board size 26.5 x 17.5cms £300 - £500
35
Lot 322 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Ladies Only Compartment, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
36
Lot 323 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Atmospheric Principle As Applied To Signals In The First Atmospheric Railway; Bold Move In The Campaign To Do Away With Railway Porters; The First Magnetic Signal - For Doing Away With The Use Of String, three vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
37
Lot 324 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Nearly Successful Effort To Introduce The Atmospheric System, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
38
Lot 325 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Kind Of Thing We Were Sometimes Reduced To Before The Introduction of Foot Warmers, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 18 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
39
Lot 326 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Interesting Methods of Overcoming The Cold Feet Difficulty Before The Introduction of Foot Warmers, pen and ink on artist board, signed upper right, image size 32 x 24cms £800 - £1200
40
Lot 327 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Sectional View Of The Interior Of The First Automatic Machine, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
41
Lot 328 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Sleeping Compartment, pen, ink and crayon on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £800 - £1200
42
Lot 329 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Nut Cracking on the GWR; A Busman’s Holiday, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £500
43
Lot 330 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Antiquated Method Of Filling The Boilers Without Stopping The Engine Before The Introduction Of The Water Trough System, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £2000 - £2500
44
Lot 331 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Company Start Steamer Services, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
45
Lot 331
46
Lot 332 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Sort of Thing That Sometimes Happens When Carelessly Looking Over Bridges, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, image size 24 x 5.5cms £200 - £300
47
Lot 333 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Erection of The Saltash Bridge - Building Up The Piers As The Truss Is Gradually Elevated Into Position By Hydraulic Pressure, pen and ink on artist board, signed upper left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
48
Lot 334 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Just In Time, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 27.5 x 38cms £200 - £300
49
Lot 335 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Last Post For The Country - An Early Attempt At Picking Up Mails Without Stopping, pen and ink on artist board, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
50
Lot 336 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Smoking Carriage - Exterior View Showing Intelligent Precautions Against Fire, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
51
Lot 336
52
Lot 337 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Lighting Up Before Entering A Tunnel, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
53
Lot 338 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Sectional View Of The Excavations For The Severn Tunnel - Showing The Hard And Fossilliferous Nature of The Ground To Be Penetrated, pen and ink on artist board, signed upper left, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
54
Lot 339 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Adjustable Chimney To Fit Any Size Tunnel; The Stowaway, two vignettes together with the title page, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms (2) £300 - £500
55
Lot 340 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) An Early Type of Engine For Cleaning Tunnels, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
56
Lot 341 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Change Over From The Broad To The Narrow Gauge, necessitating diversion of traffic to the road, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24.25cms £1500 - £2000
57
Lot 341
58
Lot 342 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Old Age; The Sort of Thing Likely To Interfere With The Smooth Running Of The Service, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27cms £300 - £400
59
Lot 343 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) New Uses For Old Railway Engines, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
60
Lot 344 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Kind Hearted Engine Driver, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 13 x 29cms £200 - £300
61
Lot 345 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Bathing Compartment, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
62
Lot 346 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Broad Gauge Engine Driver Fraternising With A Narrow Gauge Engine Driver After An Amiable Settlement Of the Dispute; Training Restaurant Car Attendant To Carry On During Uncertain Motion Of Train, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
63
Lot 347 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) How They Teach Young Engine Drivers The Meaning Of The Signals, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
64
Lot 348 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The Absent Minded Man Who Could Not Find His Ticket, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 21.5 x 12cms £200 - £300
65
Lot 349 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Training The Staff: Training Members Of Staff To Close The Carriage Doors When The Train Is In Motion; Training Ticket Collectors, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
66
Lot 350 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Consternation of Passengers In First Slip Carriage, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
67
Lot 351 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) How They Train Railway Porters To Manoeuvre Their Loads On Crowded Platforms, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
68
Lot 352 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First Luncheon Basket, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, unsigned, board size 28 x 13.5cms £200 - £300
69
Lot 353 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Taking Seats For The First Lunch On One Of The First Trains To Be Equipped With Restaurant Cars, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
70
Lot 354 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Creditable Effort To Catch A Train Before The Era Of The Railway Motor Bus, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, image size 26.5 x 10.5cms £300 - £400
71
Lot 355 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) One of The First Railway Motor Buses, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
72
Lot 356 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Old Gentleman Recognising His Lost Umbrella In The Brolley Department Of The Lost Property Office, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
73
Lot 356
74
Lot 357 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Striking Instance Of The Ravages Of The Wild Woodpecker In The Remoter Districts Of The West Of England, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £400 - £500
75
Lot 358 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Relieving The Tedium Of Waiting For The Signal On The Slow Train Between Paddington And Land’s End Via Southampton, Hereford and Weston-Super-Mare, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower right, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
76
Lot 359 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Too Late! A Pathetic Attempt To Arrest The Progress Of The Plymouth & London Train On May 9 1904, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 16.5 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
77
Lot 360 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Speed of 102 MPH Causes A Stir In Railway Circles, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
78
Lot 361 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Passengers Waiting For the Train In The Flooded Districts; Off To Ireland Via Fishguard & Rosslare, two vignettes, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £400 - £500
79
Lot 362 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A New Route To Ireland, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
80
Lot 363 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Ingenious Contrivance For Picking Up The Driver’s Breakfast Without Stopping The Train, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
81
Lot 364 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The New Humane Cow Catcher, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1800 - £2200
82
Lot 365 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) How They Negotiated The Flooded Districts In The Short Cut To The West, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.25 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
83
Lot 365
84
Lot 366 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The First ‘Hikers’ Mystery Express Arrives, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £1000 - £1500
85
Lot 366
86
Lot 367 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The End Of The Season, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £200 - £300
87
Lot 368 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The GWR Takes To The Air, pen and ink on artist board, signed upper left, image size 32 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
88
Lot 369 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) One Of The Many Suggestions For Doing Without Tunnels, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32.5 x 24cms £1500 - £2000
89
Lot 369
90
Lot 370 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) When Coal Was Cheap, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist signature verso, image size 38 x 17.75 £200 - £300
91
Lot 371 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) A Not Infrequent Cause of Delay In The Picturesque Districts In The West Of England, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size 38 x 27.5cms £300 - £400
92
Lot 372 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) The End, vignette, pen and ink on artist board, artist’s signature verso, board size, 38 x 27cms £200 - £300
93
Information For Buyers 1. INTRODUCTION The following informative notes are intended to assist Buyers, particularly those inexperienced or new to our salerooms. All sales are conducted on our printed Conditions of Sale which are readily available for inspection and normally accompany catalogues. Our staff will be happy to help you if there is anything you do not fully understand. 2. AGENCY As auctioneers we usually contract as agents for the seller whose identity, for reasons of confidentiality, is not normally disclosed. Accordingly if you buy your primary contract is with the seller. 3. ESTIMATES Estimates are designed to help buyers gauge what sort of sum might be involved for the purchase of a particular lot. The lower estimate may represent the reserve price and certainly will not be below it. Estimates do not include the Buyer’s Premium or VAT (where chargeable). Estimates are prepared some time before the sale and may be altered by announcement before the sale. They are in no sense definitive. 4. BUYER’S PREMIUM The Conditions of Sale oblige buyers to pay a buyer’s premium at 15% on the hammer price of each lot purchased. In addition, VAT is chargeable on this premium (see below). Please see note under live bidding on the following page. 5. VAT (*) indicates that there is a VAT element payable by the purchaser at the standard rate (presently 17.5%) within the hammer price as well as being payable on the buyer’s premium. This imposition of VAT is likely to be because the seller is registered for VAT within the European Union and is not operating the Dealers Margin Scheme or because VAT is due at 17.5% on importation into the UK. Lots which appear without the above symbol indicate that no VAT is payable on the hammer price. This may be because such lots are sold using the Auctioneers’ Margin Scheme and, if so, it should be noted that the VAT included within the Premium is not recoverable as input tax. 6. CONDITIONS OF LOTS Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale. Intending buyers have ample opportunity for inspection of goods and neither the seller nor we as the auctioneers accept any responsibility for their condition. In particular, mechanical objects of any age are not guaranteed to be in working order. However, in specified circumstances lots
misdescribed because they are ‘deliberate forgeries’ may be returned and repayment made. There is a 3 week time limit. (The expression ‘deliberate forgery’ is defined in our Conditions of Sale). 7. CONDITION REPORTS We may be able to assist buyers unable to view by providing a condition report, but these reports are based solely on our own opinion and are for guidance only and no responsibility is accepted for their accuracy. Intending buyers are strongly encouraged to view. (Please see our Conditions of Sale). 8. ELECTRICAL GOODS Collectable items which are electrical are sold as ‘antiques’ only and if bought for use must be checked over for compliance with safety regulations by a qualified electrician first. 9. EXPORT OF GOODS Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain (a) whether an export licence is required and (b) whether there is any specific prohibition on importing goods of that character because, e.g. they may contain prohibited materials such as ivory. 10. BIDDING Bidders may be required to register before the sale commences and lots will be invoiced to the name and address on the registration form. Some form of identification may be required if you are unknown to us. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for telephone bidding. 11. COMMISSION BIDDING Commission bids may be left with the auctioneers indicating the maximum amount to be bid excluding buyer’s premium. They will be executed as cheaply as possible having regard to the reserve (if any) and competing bids. If two buyers submit identical commission bids the auctioneers may prefer the first bid received. Please enquire in advance about our arrangements for the leaving of commission bids by telephone, e-mail or fax. 12. METHODS OF PAYMENT Unsupported cheques will not be accepted unless prior arrangements have been made. As a general rule, any cheques tendered will need to be cleared before removal of the goods is permitted. Please discuss with our Office in advance of the sale if other methods of payment are envisaged (except cash). 13. COLLECTION AND STORAGE Please note what the Conditions of Sale state about collection and storage. It is important that goods are paid for and collected promptly. Any delay may involve the buyer in paying our storage charges.
94 GLOSSARY OF TERMS CONCERNING THE ATTRIBUTION OF PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS (i) The christian name(s) and surname of the artist indicates in our opinion a work by the artist. (ii) The initials of the christian name(s) and the surname of the artist indicate in our opinion a work of the period of the artist which may be wholly or in part his work. (iii) The surname only of the artist indicates in our opinion a work of the school or by one of the followers of the artist or in his style and of uncertain date. (iv) ‘‘Bears signature’’ indicates in our opinion that this is not the signature of the artist. (v) The name of the artist preceded by ‘‘After’’ indicates in our opinion a copy of the work of the artist. NOTICE TO BUYERS OF GEMSTONES/JEWELS Many coloured gemstones have been subjected to a variety of treatments designed to enhance their appearance, for example heating is regularly used to improve colour or transparency in rubies and sapphires. Other treatments such as oiling, enhance the clarity of emeralds. Other coloured gemstones may have undergone permanent or semi-permanent treatments such as dyeing, irradiation, coating and impregnation, which may require further re-treatment in order to retain their appearance. The jewellery trade generally accepts these treatments. Prospective purchasers should assume all gemstones will have been treated unless statements are made to the contrary. Recent advancements in technology have led to some diamonds being treated in a variety of ways designed to enhance their appearance. These treatments can include fracture filling, laser drilling, irradiation and coating. Every effort is made to identify such treatments, however it is not possible for Morphets to guarantee that all lots containing diamonds are free of these enhancements. All dimensions and estimated weights of gemstones have been determined without unsetting the stones and are therefore only approximate because of limitations imposed by the mount. Estimated weights are normally calculated by applying standard formulae to the measurements taken. SELLING AT MORPHETS Selling by auction is a simple and efficient way of disposing of either a single item or an entire household on the open market with professional advice. Morphets’ staff are available to assist you with your sale. Morphets hold quarterly catalogue sales which include fine art, antique furniture, works of art and regular sales of household content and
Victoriana. Your consignment will be individually assessed for the most suitable sale. FREE ADVISORY SESSIONS are held every Wednesday between 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. when our valuers are on hand to assess the auction value of your property free of charge. If your items are too large or numerous to bring to the office an appointment can be made for our valuers to call at your home. LIVE BIDDING IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS SALE Any bids made via www.the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 3% commission on the hammer price. ARTISTS RESALE RIGHTS In accordance with Artists Resale Rights Regulations 2006, all lots marked ARR which sell for €1,000 or more are subject to a resale royalty charge ("Royalty"). This Royalty is payable by the Bidder. The Royalty will be charged at a rate of 4% of the total hammer price (exclusive of Bidder's premium which is payable under clause 8a) for lots selling for amounts up to €50,000. For lots selling in excess of €50,001, the Royalty shall be calculated at a reduced rate (details available on request). The Royalty is not subject to VAT and is payable in sterling calculated on the day of sale at the prevailing rate of exchange. Payment shall be passed directly to the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), 33 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DX. For further information please contact the Auctioneers or DACS on 0845 4103410 or visit their website at www.dacs.org.uk
Conditions of Sale Morphets carries on business with bidders, buyers and all those present in the auction room prior to or in connection with a sale on the following General Conditions and on such other terms, conditions and notices as my be referred to herein. 1. DEFINITIONS In these Conditions: (a) “auctioneer” means the firm of Morphets or its authorised auctioneer, as appropriate; (b) “deliberate forgery” means an imitation made with the intention of deceiving as to authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source but which is unequivocally described in the catalogue as being the work of a particular creator and which at the date of the sale had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description; (c) “hammer price” means the level of bidding reached (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer;
95 (d) “terms of consignment” means the stipulated terms and rates of commission on which Morphets accepts instructions from sellers or their agent; (e) “total amount due” means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any premium, Value Added Tax chargeable and any additional charges payable by a defaulting buyer under these Conditions; (f) “sale proceeds” means the net amount due to the seller, being the hammer price of the lot sold less commission at the stated rate, Value Added Tax chargeable and any other amounts due to us by the seller in whatever capacity and however arising; (g) “You”, “Your”, etc. refer to the buyer as identified in Condition 2. (h) The singular includes the plural and vice versa as appropriate. 2. BIDDING PROCEDURES AND THE BUYER (a) Bidders are required to register their particulars before bidding and to satisfy any security arrangements before entering the auction room to view or bid. (b) The maker of the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer conducting the sale shall be the buyer at the hammer price and any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the auctioneer’s absolute discretion by reoffering the Lot during the course of the auction or otherwise. (c) Bidders shall be deemed to act as principals. (d) Our right to bid on behalf of the seller is expressly reserved up to the amount of any reserve and the right to refuse any bid is also reserved. 3. INCREMENTS Bidding increments shall be at the auctioneers sole discretion. 4. THE PURCHASE PRICE The buyer shall; pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 15% plus VAT on the premium at the rate imposed by law. Any bids made via www.the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 3% commission on the hammer price. 5. VALUE ADDED TAX Value Added Tax on the hammer price is imposed by law on all items affixed with an asterisk. Value Added Tax is charged at the appropriate rate prevailing by law at the date of sale and is payable by buyers of relevant Lots. (Please refer to “Information for Buyers” for a brief explanation of the VAT position). 6. PAYMENT (1) Immediately a Lot is sold you will; (a) give to us, if requested, proof of identity, and
(b) pay to us the total amount due in cash or in such other way as is agreed by us. (2) Any payments by you to us may be applied by us towards any sums owing from you to us on any account whatever without regard to any direction of you or your agent, whether express or implied. 7. TITLE AND COLLECTION OF PURCHASES (1) The ownership of any Lots purchased shall not pass to you until you have made payment in full to us of the total amount due. (2) You shall at your own risk and expense take away any lots that you have purchased and paid for not later than two working days following the day of auction after which you shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges. (3) No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been paid for. 8. REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO COLLECT PURCHASES If any Lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, we as agent for the seller shall at our absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights we may have, be entitled to exercise all or any of the following rights and remedies: (a) to proceed against you for damages for breach of contract; (b) to rescind the sale of that Lot and/or any other Lots sold by us to you; (c) to resell the Lot (by auction or private treaty) in which case you shall be responsible for any resulting deficiency in the total amount due (after crediting any part payment and adding any resale costs). Any surplus so arising shall belong to the seller; (d) to remove, store and insure the Lot at your expense and, in the case of storage, either at our premises or elsewhere; (e) to charge interest at a rate not exceeding 2% above Barclay's Bank P.L.C. base rate per day on the total amount due to the extent it remains unpaid for more than two working days after the sale; (f) to retain that or any other Lot sold to you until you pay the total amount due; (g) reject or ignore bids from you or your agent at future auctions or to impose conditions before any such bids shall be accepted. (h) to apply any proceeds of sale or other Lots due or in future becoming due to you towards the settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a lien on any of your property in our posession for any purpose.
96 9. THIRD PARTY LIABILITY All members of the public on our premises are there at their own risk and must note the lay-out of the accommodation and security arrangements. Accordingly neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall incur liability for death or personal injury (except as required by law by reason of our negligence) or similarly for the safety of the property of persons visiting prior to or at a sale. 10. COMMISSION BIDS Whilst prospective buyers are strongly advised to attend the auction and are always responsible for any decision to bid for a particular Lot and shall be assumed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves as to its condition we will if so instructed clearly and in writing execute bids on their behalf. Neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall be responsible for any neglect or default in so doing or failing to do so. Where two or more commission bids at the same level are recorded we reserve the right in our absolute discretion to prefer the first bid so made. 11. WARRANTY OF TITLE AND AVAILABILITY The seller warrants to the auctioneer and you that the seller is the true owner of the property consigned or is properly authorised by the true owner to consign it for sale and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third party claims. 12. AGENCY The auctioneer normally acts as agent only and disclaims any responsibility for default by sellers or buyers. 13. TERMS OF SALE The seller acknowledges that Lots are sold subject to the stipulation of these Conditions in their entirety and on the Terms of Consignments as notified to the consignor at the time of the entry of the Lot. 14. DESCRIPTIONS (1) Subject to the next following Condition concerning deliberate forgeries, any representation or statement by us in any catalogue as to authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price is a statement of opinion only. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and prospective buyers must satisfy themselves as to all such matters. Neither the auctioneer nor its employees or agents nor the seller accept liability for the correctness of such opinions and all conditions and warranties, whether relating to description, condition or quality of Lots, expressed, implied or
statutory are hereby excluded. (2) Private treaty sales made under these Conditions are deemed to be sales by auction for purposes of consumer legislation. 15. FORGERIES Notwithstanding the proceeding Condition, any Lot which proves to be a deliberate forgery (as defined) may be returned to us by you within 21 days of the auction provided it is in the same condition as when bought, and is accompanied by particulars identifying it from the relevant catalogue description and a written statement of defects. If we are satisfied from the evidence presented that the Lot is a deliberate forgery we shall refund the money paid by you for the Lot including any buyer’s premium (but not the amount of any consequential loss, damages, expenses or interest) provided that; (1) if the catalogue description reflected the accepted view of scholars and experts as at the date of sale or (2) you personally are not able to transfer a good and marketable title to us, you shall have no rights under this condition. GENERAL 16. We shall have the right at our discretion, to refuse admission to our premises or attendance at our auctions by any person. 17. Any idemnity or exclusion under these Conditions shall extend to all actions, costs, expenses, claims and demands whatsoever suffered or incurred by the person entitled to the benefit of it and the auctioneer declares itself to be a trustee of the benefit of every such clause so far as it is expressed to be for the benefit of its employees and agents. 18. Any notice to any buyer, seller, bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail or Swiftmail in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting. 19. Special terms may be used in catalogue descriptions of particular classes of items in which case the descriptions must be interpreted in accordance with any glossary appearing within the catalogue. 20. Any indulgence extended to buyers or sellers by us notwithstanding the strict terms of these conditions or of the Terms of Consignment shall effect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect. 21. English law applies to the interpretation of these Condition
Front Cover
Lot 290 WILLIAM HEATH-ROBINSON (1872 - 1944) Mr W Heath-Robinson’s Own Private Railway Engine Not Often Allowed on the GWR, pen and ink on artist board, signed lower left, image size 32 x 24cms £2000 - £2500
MORPHETS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS
FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SINCE 1895
SALEROOM AND OFFICES
6 Albert Street, Harrogate HG1 1JL Tel: 01423 530030 Fax: 01423 500717 e-mail: enquiries@morphets.co.uk
Thursday 4th March 2010
MORPHETS
RAILWAY RIBALDRY Original Artwork by W. Heath Robinson
Thursday 4th March 2010
MORPHETS FINE ART AUCTIONEERS & VALUERS SINCE 1895