All Poster Forum
Collecting and Collectibles in Other Areas => Show Us Your Other Collectibles => Topic started by: erik1925 on November 13, 2015, 12:43:47 AM
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On Sunday, I decided to drive over to a second hand shop not far from me. I hadn't been there in probably a year or more. In a stack of framed "things" on the floor was this-- a framed and matted color chromolithograph, printed in London, in 1920, entitled "Widdicombe Fair." The artist is a gentleman named TF Richards. It is signed and dated in the print (dated 1919-the year the original was created by Richards).
The print itself measures approx 12x25"; with the mat and frame, it is 15x28 inches.
What caught my eye, too, were the tags on the back. At some time in the past, it was sold by a shop on Orcas Island, WA, called Darvill's Rare Print Shop. The proprietor of that shop signed and described the piece, on this tag, along with his sales price.
2 other tags on the back showed that it was custom framed by a professional framer, in Belleview, WA, who used Tru View™ UV Conservation Glass.
I was sold.
The print has a bit of foxing here and there (as can be seen, and was likely this way, when it was framed), and I pointed this out to the seller. She saw that, sold it to me for $16.00 USD, and off I went.
Here are a few shots. I think it's a very interesting piece, and thanks again, to Paul Waines, for giving me some insight into what Widdicombe Fair was (and still is, to this day), as well as some info on the lithographer - a name he knew of (Vincent Brooks, Day & Son, Ltd).
I've looked for comps, but haven't found any yet. Most sites seem to carry reproduction prints only.
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Nice, I seem to say this to you a lot, but I would have bought it also. Well Done.
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Thanks Jeff - this brings back happy memories for me of a childhood holiday in Devon - but also a nightmare! Any chance you could enlarge the image of the skeletons bottom right?
Mark
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Hi Mark.
Will do. I will try and take a clear snap of the skeleton panel.
Jeff
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Here you are, Mark.
Jeff
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Here you are, Mark.
Jeff
(http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10197.0;attach=7066;image)
(http://www.allposterforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10197.0;attach=7067;image)
Thanks Jeff - yes, that ghostly image, albeit a different version, caused a nightmare for 6 year old me. Great find!
Mark
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Happy to oblige, Mark. :)
Jeff
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Unpleasant dreams Mark.... ;)
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Just a small update on this piece.
Per Mark Lawd's suggestion (thanks again, Mark), I wrote to the Widecombe in the Moor historical site, to ask if they knew any more about this particular piece or the artist.
I got this reply not too long ago. The gentleman there has been most helpful and he said he will be posting my queries to their newsletter, in the hopes that they also may learn more about this chromolithograph (as one of their members has a copy, as well).
Here's what was sent:
"A friend has a copy of the print and it came with the following (which does not add very much):
Little is known about the artist T F Richards, but his Widdicombe Fair is one of the best loved images in the art world.
Richards’ memorable cartoon was inspired by the traditional Devonshire folk song. The Widecombe (sic) Fair which exists today was actually founded in 1850 but the song itself is believed to date back far further, although the words and tune varied slightly in different parts of the country. However, when the Rev. Baring Gould published it in his "Songs of the West" in 1890, it had become known in its present form. The original Thomas Cobley (sic) is thought to have died in Spreyton in 1794.
Our print is not black and white (as I thought and on closer inspection), but muted colours printed on quite dark paper. There is nothing on the back to tell us anything more. I still hope to speak to our local knowledge bank but he has been unwell recently."
So more to follow, hopefully, with some time and a bit more digging.
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The proprietor of that shop signed and described the piece, on this tag, along with his sales price.
Great litho! Mind my asking what the original tagged price was at Darvill's Rare Print Shop? pcorn
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Sent you a PM.
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and for just $16
score!
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Yeah, I was happy about that, too.