Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Gunner F J Mears (British, 1890-1929) London Midnight, 1916 (unframed) (together with a further ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, London 1916 During the Blackout, by the same hand(2)) image 1
Gunner F J Mears (British, 1890-1929) London Midnight, 1916 (unframed) (together with a further ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, London 1916 During the Blackout, by the same hand(2)) image 2
Gunner F J Mears (British, 1890-1929) London Midnight, 1916 (unframed) (together with a further ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, London 1916 During the Blackout, by the same hand(2)) image 3
Gunner F J Mears (British, 1890-1929) London Midnight, 1916 (unframed) (together with a further ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, London 1916 During the Blackout, by the same hand(2)) image 4
Lot 105

Gunner F J Mears
(British, 1890-1929)
London Midnight, 1916 (unframed)

16 July 2025, 12:00 BST
London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £1,152 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Modern British & Irish Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Gunner F J Mears (British, 1890-1929)

London Midnight, 1916
signed 'F.J.Mears' (lower left), also indistinctly signed 'Gunner FJ' (lower right)
ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, laid on card
19.5 x 28.5cm (7 11/16 x 11 1/4in).
(unframed)
together with a further ink, watercolour and pencil, heightened with silver, on paper, London 1916 During the Blackout, by the same hand
(2)

Footnotes

The present lot depicts London during the blackout in 1916, during the First World War. Blackouts in London were instated on 1st October 1914 by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, in order to reduce the risk of raids by Zeppelins. From 1917 to 1918, approximately 300,000 people would shelter from attacks in underground stations, a number that would significantly increase in the Second World War. This drawing shows that the street-side advertising signs for 'Schweppes' and 'Bovril' are not illuminated, and that the street lights were dimmed. The distinctive silhouette of St Paul's Cathedral can be seen on the horizon.

Additional information

Bid now on these items

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)Five Figures 26.5 x 18.2 cm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in.)

Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A.(British, 1887-1976)People at the Beach 31.3 x 40.4 cm. (12 3/8 x 16 1/8 in.)

Fred Yates(British, 1922-2008)Still Life with Flowers

Fred Yates(British, 1922-2008)Vase of Flowers

John Bellany C.B.E., R.A., H.R.S.A., L.L.D.(Lon)(British, 1942-2013)Bouquet in a Floral Jug (unframed)

John Bratby R.A.(British, 1928-1992)Two Sunflowers

Philip Sutton R.A.(British, born 1928)Still Life

Anne Estelle Rice(American/British, 1887-1959)White Cyclamen

Joan Gillchrest(British, 1918-2008)Hyacinths Towards Zennor

Mary Fedden R.A.(British, 1915-2012)Still Life with Eggcup

Mary Fedden R.A.(British, 1915-2012)Still Life with Drawers

Bryan Pearce(British, 1929-2007)Fruit Bowl

Peter Collis R.H.A.(Irish, 1929-2012)Still Life with Blue Jug

Geoffrey Key(British, born 1941)Chinese Vases II

Tessa Newcomb(British, born 1955)The Evening after the Visit

Mary Newcomb(British, 1922-2008)Orange Winged Butterfly

Mary Newcomb(British, 1922-2008)Butterfly

Mary Newcomb(British, 1922-2008)Yellow Butterfly

Tessa Newcomb(British, born 1955)Our Field

Mary Newcomb(British, 1922-2008)Fishing Boat

Alan Lowndes(British, 1921-1978)Cap d'Antibes

Mary Fedden R.A.(British, 1915-2012)Oasis Pella, Jordan

Mary Fedden R.A.(British, 1915-2012)Gone Fishing

Alan Furneaux(British, born 1953)The Bay of St Michael's Mount