An Unusual Carved Wood '1947' Gucci Handbag

Sir William (Bill) was leaving the Gucci shop on Bond St. where he had been buying Christmas presents when he spotted the wooden bag being used as a doorstop. Staff said it was not for sale; but he bought it. It has been used as a doorstop here ever since.

When I contacted Gucci prior to this sale they hadn’t a clue what I was talking about and asked me to send them the “number you will find just inside the interior pocket”. They couldn’t grasp that it is a solid wood carving of a bag.

David Shepherd & Terence Cuneo: Giants of the Art, Railway and Conservation World

David Shepherd once described Terry Cuneo to us as “A far better artist than I am.”. He and David both began as commercial artists, painting their own “stuff” in their own time. Both had a far wider range of subjects than the majority of admirers now realise. We were fortunate to be good friends with both of them and privileged to have access to much that others may not even recognise as Cuneo’s or Shepherd’s work.

David was a near neighbour of mine long before I married Bill McAlpine and I remembered watching him teaching painting from a signal box in a TV series when my children were small. When my daughter Vicky Palmer was trying to become an established “artist”: it was David who helped and encouraged her. When did he switch from trains to animals? Of course he didn’t: they were always all in the mix along with chocolate box twee interiors with benign old men and perfect children. Now of course all than anyone wants is a raging bull elephant or Flying Scotsman roaring through the night.

With Terry, the story was the same: Princess Anne once commented that she passed his painting of the Coronation (her mother’s) every morning en route to breakfast and never ceased to admire the fact that she recognised most of the congregation as he depicted them. Had she then any idea he painted trains? I doubt it. Now, everyone knows Terry because of a mouse his cat brought to him when he was mid-painting. How many have seen the series he did for his children of mice dressed up for outings, tea parties etc.? Or his pictures of his girlfriend on beach or riverbank: one easily mistaken for the work of one of the Impressionists, the other so romantic and detailed that it is perhaps by Richard Dadd?

Terry was more prolific than David. “A day without painting is a day wasted” he said if asked what he did to relax.

The two are forever linked in this family’s memory and the world is a sadder place without two such giants of the art, railway and conservation world. I count myself so fortunate to have had them and their families as friends.

The Largest Single Collection of Works by Claude Muncaster

Claude Muncaster was another “family friend” whose son Martin was a regular visitor to Fawley Hill. I think we had, at one time, the largest single collection of works by Claude Muncaster in the world. To my great regret I sold a lot of small sketches a few years ago.

He was prolific and most of the pictures we bought were of boats and angry seas made while he was sailing round the world on cargo-carrying sailing ships. At least two of those now for sale were painted on the “old bit of sail” that covered his bunk because he had run out of canvas and was desperate to capture the moment. I didn’t meet him. I wish I had. He clearly had that passion and intensity and zest for life that was so evident in David Shepherd and Terry Cuneo. It shows in his work. His son was adorable, in awe of his father’s talent; and I miss him too.

Gerald Benney: Not Just a Brilliant Silversmith

Gerald Benney was not just a brilliant silversmith; he was so much larger than life. He and his wife Janet threw outrageous parties and were fantastic guests at their friends’ parties. If Gerald was “present” at Chelsea Arts Club, you knew it! I feel fortunate to have counted them as friends.

So - why am I selling so much that he created? Because it spends too much time in cupboards when it should be constantly in use. Every piece is a joy to hold, the cutlery is heavy but perfectly balanced, and unique. This set was a prototype for a Viners’ design called “Sable” but considerably larger, heavier of course as Viners produced it in stainless steel. My husband and his brother commissioned so much from Gerald to give to others, but they also bought pieces for each other. I’m keeping those.

Pugs, pugs and more pugs!

Bill was nuts about PUGS! He had them as soon as he could have his own dogs. Sadly, our last two pugs died two summers ago. The collection features a number of pugs, from porcelain models, enamel snuff boxes and ink and watercolour portraits.

A Portrait of Courtney Pine by Judy Nicholls (McAlpine)

My father was a brilliant saxophonist who, like Courtney Pine, also played just about every other instrument well. He admired young Courtney and when a Sunday paper did a piece on him with this photo, holding a Sopranino sax, which no-one recognises as a sax! I painted the portrait for my father.

I met Courtney shortly after and said I had done the painting. He said “May I have it?”. I said “No; but I’ll do one from life if you wish.” I heard no more.

The Wembley Flagpoles

The Wembley Flagpoles were already in situ when I came to Fawley Hill. Wembley Stadium was built by Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons for the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. I note that in 2024 the BBC called it “The forgotten event that took the world to Wembley”. The entire exhibition was designed and built by Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons, even down to sending a family member to America to check out how they did such mammoth events and fun-fairs. I don’t think they ever received the credit they deserved for that monumental task.

When the ridiculous decision was made in 2003 to demolish the entire original stadium, including the iconic “Wembley Towers”, Sir William decided that he could at least save the flagpoles! They are unique in that they are entirely made of concrete “Concrete Bob” being his great-grandfather’s nickname. The poles themselves and the crowns on top: all concrete. Many a football fan has asked if they might buy them. My husband felt he should take care of them. However, with him gone and my tenure of this world and this estate unpredictable, I feel it is time for them to have a new custodian. Maybe someone who prefers football to trains?

Money raised by the sale of the flagpoles will go to “football academies” that support young people by keeping them off the streets and hopefully away from trouble...

A Christmas Gift: A 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Limousine Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberly

Bill had decided to sell the larger percentage of his classic car collection in December 2003 through Bonhams Car Department. Shortly before the auction I had expressed sadness that the Phantom was leaving Fawley, as I rather liked driving it. It was withdrawn from the auction. I thought that it had actually been sold prior to the auction, so was happily surprised when, 22 days later, it was presented to me as a Christmas present.

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Auction Details

Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
  • Monday 27 July: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 28 July: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 29 July: 10am-4pm
  • Thursday 30 July: 10am-4pm
  • Friday 31 July: 10am-4pm
• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Saturday 8 August: 10am-3pm
  • Sunday 9 August: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 10 August: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 11 August: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 12 August: 10am-4pm

Further Information: 
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
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