Reuben Chappell (British, 1870-1940) An important archive of watercolours and drawings.
Comprising:
The Artist's source sketchbook, depicting in pencil and watercolour the vital details from various vessels painted. approx 33pp. Another folio, with reproductions of various ship portraits commissioned.
A collection of three certificates of Merit for Drawing dated 1890.
A collection of watercolour sketches depicting Chappell's proposals for mine and torpedo counter measures for Battleships, submitted to the Admiralty in 1915, plus their response. together with further anti Zeppelin proposals.
A collection of completed and unfinished ship portraits, unframed and unsigned:
The ship Carnedo, the ship Howth, the Everard coaster Amenity, the Topsail schooner Ellen of Thuro, an unnamed Topsail schooner, the steamer Stoudsholm, the Liner Royal George, the Dutch coaster Adelaar of Rotterdam, the schooner Mervina in a storm (torn) the seven mast schooner Thomas Lawson.
Also an important photo album, originally the property of Captain Vivien Millett, of the clipper Cutty Sark depicting the vessel on her return to Falmouth after purchase by Captain Dowmnan, and a trip to Fowey Regatta with Captain Woodget on board.
23pp.
(a lot)
The Artist's source sketchbook, depicting in pencil and watercolour the vital details from various vessels painted. approx 33pp. Another folio, with reproductions of various ship portraits commissioned.
A collection of three certificates of Merit for Drawing dated 1890.
A collection of watercolour sketches depicting Chappell's proposals for mine and torpedo counter measures for Battleships, submitted to the Admiralty in 1915, plus their response. together with further anti Zeppelin proposals.
A collection of completed and unfinished ship portraits, unframed and unsigned:
The ship Carnedo, the ship Howth, the Everard coaster Amenity, the Topsail schooner Ellen of Thuro, an unnamed Topsail schooner, the steamer Stoudsholm, the Liner Royal George, the Dutch coaster Adelaar of Rotterdam, the schooner Mervina in a storm (torn) the seven mast schooner Thomas Lawson.
Also an important photo album, originally the property of Captain Vivien Millett, of the clipper Cutty Sark depicting the vessel on her return to Falmouth after purchase by Captain Dowmnan, and a trip to Fowey Regatta with Captain Woodget on board.
23pp.
(a lot)
Sold for
£4,750
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Provenance.
Reuben Chappell and family by direct descent.
Chappell was born in Goole, the son of a cabinet maker. He secured a scholarship to Goole Grammar school and was soon notable for his ability to draw ships. Although he started work with a local photographer, tinting images, his work on ship portraits soon overtook his job and by the age of 25 he was earning enough to get married. His output, almost entirely for visiting ship's captains, was prolific, and he rapidly developed a unique style which remained with him all his life. The atmosphere of the North East caused him to develop bronchial problems and so, in 1904 he moved to Par, in Cornwall, where he lived for the rest of his life. At the start of the Great War, sketching ships was forbidden so Chappell was forced to continue working from memory, but he also turned his thoughts, like other artists, to the war effort, sending in ideas for protection of warships and attacking Zeppelins to the War Department, supported by detailed watercolours and notes. In 1922, when the Cutty Sark returned to England, he was commissioned to make a model of her by Captain Millett, who had been apprenticed in her and from whom he acquired the photograph album.
Category: Collectibles / Maritime
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Maritime