Exhibitions: Museums and Galleries, Art Dealers, Auction Houses

The Very Choice Collection of Ancient & Modern Drawings, Engravings, Etchings, and Books of Prints, formed by the Late William Wells, Esq., of Redleaf, Kent

Messrs. Christie and Manson

Reference: Christie’s, 22 January 1857

The sale took place over two days, 21–22 January 1857

Lugt, Catalogues, no.23307

Copies consulted: Netherlands Institute for Art History, The Hague, online at Art Sales Catalogues Online; Library of the Paul Mellon Centre, London

Day 1

  • 7 – ‘Girtin’s Views in Paris’. Sold for £1

Day 2

  • 249 – ‘View of Jedborough, with the Abbey and surrounding country. Dated July 1, 1801 – in colours. A most interesting view, and a capital specimen of the Master’. Bought by ‘Colnaghi’ for £13 5s
  • 264 – ‘View in Wales, with a man on horseback, crossing an old bridge. Signed. Remarkably fine in colour’. Bought by ‘Palser’ for £8
  • 281 – ‘Morpeth Bridge – in colours. This most interesting drawing was the last this distinguished Artist ever executed’. Bought by ‘Bale’ for £32 11s (TG1709)
  • 282 – ‘A picturesque old English cottage, with a figure near a pigsty – in colours; of large size’. Sold for £5 5s
  • 290 – ‘A village in the North of England, with old wooden bridge over a river – in colours. Signed and dated, 1802. Very fine’. Sold for £12 1s 6d (TG1702)
  • 302 – ‘Carnarvon Castle – in colours. The celebrated engraved drawing; very fine’. Bought by ‘Bale’ for £29 8s (TG1309)
  • 307 – ‘The Doge’s Palace, at Venice, drawn in the manner of Canaletti. A remarkably interesting specimen – in colours’. Bought by ‘Palser’ for £9 19s 6d (TG0902)

312 – ‘Study of old barns – in colours. Very fine large drawing’. Bought by ‘Palser’ for £15 15s. ‘unfinished’ (noted by the auctioneer) (TG0913)

  • 313 – ‘A gravel pit, near Bromley, in Kent – in colours. Very fine’. Bought by ‘Gambart’ for £7 7s
  • 346 – ‘Old bridge at Kelso, 1801 – in colours, fine’. Bought by ‘Palser’ for £13 13s

Identified Exhibits