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Item details

Height

76.0 cm

Width

60.0 cm

Wear conditions Wear conditions

Good

Wear conditions

Excellent

Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.

Good

May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.

Average

Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.

Apparent Wear and Tear

Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.

Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.

Description

WALTER THOMAS ARCA (British, 1894-1971) – An original poster concept design painting, executed mid 1920s, featuring a four-funnel ocean liner, believed for the Union Castle shipping line. Signed and inscribed to lower right artwork.

The design is watercolour and gouache on artists board with period printer copyright stamp verso and corresponding applied label “Copyright Drawing Sole Property of James Haworth & Bro. Ltd., 55 Chancery Lane, London” label inscribed “No. 7425”.

Additionally inscribed later verso in an unknown hand with artists details, dates and “White Star Line, c.1925”.

Framed and glazed (Truview glass). The frame 76 cm x 60cm, visible area of picture (including black margin) 59cm x 43.5cm.

The Artist
Walter Thomas (1894 – 1971) was a naval architect turned painter known particularly for his commercial artwork featuring ocean liners. Initially working with Odin Rosenvinge (famous marine/ poster artist), he produced designs for Blue Funnel Line, Cunard, White Star Line and Lamport & Holt. During the Second World War he was responsible for the camouflage of ships for the admiralty.

The Ocean Liner
The boat featured in this design may be Olympic if the White Star Line later attribution is correct, but more likely based on the flag to the rear of the vessel and 4-funnels, the painting depicts the HMS Windsor Castle (launched 1922) (owned by Union Castle Line) or her sister ship HMS Arundel Castle.

The merger of the Union Line and the Castle Shipping Line formed the Union-Castle Line, operating between Europe and Africa. Most of their ships contained the suffix “Castle” in their names. The Windsor and Arundel were built by Harland and Wolff, Belfast and completed in 1921. They were the only 4-funnel boats that did not travel on the transatlantic route.

The vessels sailed from UK to South Africa (Southampton – Cape Town), rather than Atlantic (which would explain the scenery as some of their ships stopped in Madeira or other African cities on route). The four funnels were reduced to 2 in 1933 to make the ships appear more modern. They were both used during WWII as troop carriers.

The Windsor Castle was torpedoed off Algiers in March 1943; it took her 13 hours to sink meaning the over 2,500 troops and crew could be saved with the loss of only one life! The Arundel survived the war and continued to work until 1958, by which time she had steamed 2,850,000 miles in peacetime service and 625,565 as a troopship.

For a similar design produced by Walter Thomas see ‘Lamport & Holt Cruises’ poster produced 1925 and ‘Cunard: Boston to Europe’ poster produced 1930.

Additionally see ODIN ROSENVINGE (1880-1957) SOUTH & EAST AFRICA / UNION – CASTLE LINE. Circa 1930s. For an unattributed James Howarth Printers design see White Star Line poster circa 1930.

For more information on the artist see 'The Liners' by Terry Coleman.

Condition report:

Displays excellently, the board itself with are relate wear and rounding to corners. The artwork with some staining/ discolouration to top right corner. Overall good condition.

Additional dimensions information:

Dimension relate to frame, see description for further details

Material
Manufactured
Origin
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Item location
Dorking, United Kingdom
Period
Early 20th Century
Condition
Used

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Estimated delivery time

Less than one week

Free collection available

No

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Professional
5.0 / 5
Located in Dorking, United Kingdom
  • Selling at Vinterior since 2016
  • 51 sales
  • Ships from Dorking, United Kingdom

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