John Jenkinson

Sir Ernest Bland Royden Bt.;
Paul Mellon, U.S.A;
His sale, London, Sotheby's, 18th November 1981, lot 114 (bt. by the present owner)

J. Wilmerding, Robert Salmon, Painter of Ship and Shore, 1971, Appendix D., no. 71 (as by Salmon)

STRUCTURE The canvas has been lined. PAINT SURFACE The painting appears to be in good overall condition with no damage or loss of paint however there is a spidery craquelure concentrated in the centre left. There is also some old minor retouching to the sails that has discoloured slightly over time, as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. The paint also appears top be a little thin in places, however overall the picture appears to be in good condition. ULTRAVIOLET Examination under ultraviolet light reveals scattered minor retouching throughout the sky and infilling to craquelure in the sails and horizon in the centre and centre right. Elsewhere there is retouching visible in the centre left which corresponds to the aforementioned craquelure. FRAME Held in a gilt wood frame. To speak to a specialist about this lot please contact Julian Gascoigne on +44 (0)207 293 5482, or at julian.gascoigne@sothebys.com, or Ludo Shaw Stewart on +44 (0)207 293 5816, or at ludovic.shawstewart@sothebys.com.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The sloop astern of the main ship is identifiable as the Liverpool pilot cutter Prince of Wales, active in the Mersey between 1788 and 1819, on account of the broad stripe on her black hull, and the number 8 which appears on both her main sail and her jib.

We are grateful to Sam Davidson for his assistance in the cataloguing of this lot.