Catalogue Six – September 2009

Welcome to our sixth catalogue, issued under a full moon. If you have any queries regarding the material offered in this list enquiries should be directed via our website form, clearly stating the item number in the subject field. For buyers living in London, items 1, 2 and 4 are available for viewing on request.

Items are sold on a first come, first served basis. Postage and packing is a flat rate of £10 for European buyers of unframed items, but framed items will need us to calculate a tailored quotation. Items will be packed and dispatched by a secure method with basic insurance up to £250.00 Additional insurance cover is optional and should be requested. Buyers from outside Europe, and those succcessful in securing multiple items can request a tailored shipping quote.

ITEM 1

Abandon this haunted mortuary in a blind turning
Pencil and watercolour on paper
Unsigned, c.1920
h.430mm x w.325mm approx.

Provenance: Pickford Waller Esq; Lionel Snell Esq; COIL Collection

RARE. This superb drawing is one of very few that Spare executed for his fourth, and penultimate book,The Focus of Life. It is one of the most powerful and sublime images within the book, with multiple elements and details hovering between the visible and invisible realms. It was originally purchased from the artist by Pickford Waller, his great patron from 1905-1929. It remained in the collection of Waller after his death and was dispersed as part of a series of sales at Sotheby’s in the mid 1970s.

The images here cannot do justice to the quality of this piece. Please email us for a full condition report.

£3500 SOLD

ITEM 2

Moonwrack
Pencil and watercolour on board
Signed lower left AOS
Modern sawn oak frame
h.350mm x w.450mm approx.

A superb example of Spare’s treatment of the lunar, nocturnal, arboreal mythos, and a particularly fine and large example. Since it was first sold the new owner has had the piece re-framed in a dark sawn oak frame that is almost a talisman in itself.

Provenance: Koch Collection, Christie’s South Kensington, May 12th, 1994; COIL Collection

This item is currently in the United States

£4750.00 SOLD

The following two items were originally sold in the March of 2008, but in a rare instance they are re-offered here as the owner is looking to shift the emphasis of his collection. They are currently in London.

ITEM 3

The Resurrectionists: “Witches recalling their dead”
Pencil on paper, titled in Spare’s hand
Signed in ink, lower left ‘AOS 54′
250mm x 210mm approx.

Slightly creased lower left corner, remains of Scotch tape along upper edge, partly affecting title. Small ink stain to centre of image, no doubt due to a distraction involving a Woodbine!

£650.00 SOLD

ITEM 4

Amalgation of Ego’s
Pencil on paper, titled in Spare’s hand on lower edge with red ink
Signed in ink, lower right ‘AOS 54′
250mm x 210mm approx.

Some slight discoloration

£580.00 SOLD

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