15th Mar, 2019 10:30 GMT/BST

Books, Maps & Ephemera

 
Lot 133
 

133

Anon. ('a' friend of John Spencer Stanhope'). Album of watercolour views of Verdun, n.d. but...

Anon. ('a' friend of John Spencer Stanhope').
Album of watercolour views of Verdun, n.d. but circa 1810-1812 (vide infra). Oblong 8vo, paper wrappers; 13 leaves of watercolours, on one side only.
The identification comes from an inscription on the ffep. This states that the artist was a friend of Spencer-Stanhope whilst the two were prisoners at Verdun. Spencer-Stanhope, father of the famous painter and scion of a wealthy industrial family, travelled the continent at the height of the Napoleonic War. He was handed over to the French by the Gibraltarian privateer he had engaged for passage. He was first taken to Barcelona, but after his fencing tutor was involved with a treasonous plot he was moved to the fortress of Verdun in 1810. He spent two years there, hence the assumed dating of the paintings. Sadly it has not been possible to determine the identity of the artist. Although most pictures show the town and its sights, the very first is of what seems to be a military camp, a stark reminder of the plight of the painter.

Sold for £750
Estimated at £150 - £250


 

. Upper wrapper detached, occasional foxing etc., very good.

 


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Auction: Books, Maps & Ephemera, 15th Mar, 2019

Books, Maps & Ephemera

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