Peacocks Auction Day – Memorable day visiting Bedford for the antiques auction and securing the two historically-important 1790 Harraden drawings of St Neots used in the Rev Gorham’s History and also the Duke of Grafton’s fine old 19th century folding carriage table and other antique maps as the Wapping print unions rejected Murdoch’s latest offer and Tam Dalyall publicises Thatcher’s involvement in the Westland affair
Awake quite tired again and it will be even worse tonight, as the next England World Cup football match is on late. A little late to shower, shave and dress, before down to a breakfast of Jordan’s wheat flakes and top of the milk. Then, as Di tended the children, I started a little work putting back the handles and bolts on the pool-room doors and then adjusting and easing the catches. Once Di was back again, I tended the doves quickly; chatted to Pete about the bedding plants (my £18-worth would have cost £60+ at nursery prices!) and then I set off with Di by her Escort Estate for Bedford. Parked at the Lurke St car park and then we had our drinks of coffee at the High Street coffee house. Della played up a bit and only settled down after I was strict with her. Then to Peacocks and I was delighted to find at the antique auction, five items of exciting interest. First, and most prominently, there were two water colour paintings (called drawings) painted by Harraden in 1790. They show the South West prospect of St Neots and Eynesbury and secondly, Eaton Church and Norman earthworks, both from a river view with boats, boatmen, fishermen and shepherds/sheep in the foreground.
From records and copy prints with them it seems that they were prepared for Gorham’s History of St Neots and appeared in both this book (c1820) and also in the Antiquarian Itinerary in 1818. Engravings were taken from them and the SW prospect one was used as a frontispiece for both books! They are arguably two of the most famous paintings of St Neots and show the appearance of it nearly 200 years ago. I had to bid £900 each for them, but with the notes and known background, I feel they were well worth it. Such good colours for such an old work and, though they had been recently remounted, it was in the original frames and the old mounts and notes were kept. I hurried back to meet Di for lunch at Debenhams after this notable event and then returned to bid and buy an oak carriage table for £150. It is claimed to be formerly in the ownership of His Grace the Duke of Grafton of Euston Hall, Thetford, Norfolk and is pencilled Euston Hall, September 1854, underneath. Compared with the smaller mahogany version of poorer condition for £300/350 from Herridges that I turned down at Hinchingbrooke Antiques Fair, it was a bargain. Lastly two more John Speed maps of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire for £80/£85 each and I shall have them mounted with double-sided glass, as I did for the Huntingdonshire map I already have. A rush to get out and home in time for Di to pick up Debbie from school, but just made it. Out again to St Neots to pick up the rest of our curtains from Brittains, buy 4lbs 6oz of beef for roasting (£9.09) from Andersons butchers of Eaton Socon and then a long time at St Neots reference library researching the two painting’s appearance in the above books. The librarian took my details as the owner of these two paintings (which are important to St Neots) and will try to track down a location for a copy of The Antiquarian Itinerary. I did read one of the original editions of Gorham’s History and Antiquities of Eynesbury and St Neots and saw my picture opposite the title page in the front. I also traced the references to Little Paxton whilst I was at it and noted down the pedigree of the Reynold’s family that formerly owned the Paxton Hall and estate. Quite a day, but in trouble for arriving home late for tea of grilled trout and strawberries after. Fed the doves and ducks and tested the swimming pool. The kids have been swimming again tonight and the air temperature had risen above 60degF. In to chase Daniel on his schoolwork and quite a trial it was. Then to kiss Debbie goodnight and study further my purchases of today, with which I am still well pleased. The paintings were in the possession of the Duke of Buckingham for a long time from 1826 onwards, who presumably saw them in the two books and liked them. The news today was of the Wapping print unions SOGAT and the NGA formally rejecting the Murdoch offer of £50M. Last night’s filibuster, to deprive Labour’s Tam Dalyell of his debate on Thatcher’s involvement in Westland’s affair, has been condemned by other Tories today. They have demanded to know why the government backed a ‘squalid conspiracy’ to silence the attack. It has now backfired, as Dalyell held a press conference and was more reported than ever. Drama in England’s second World Cup final match, as first Robson is injured and is off and then Wilkins is sent off for misbehaviour as the substitute captain. They start the second half in very hot and oppressive temperatures, with ten men and needing to win or draw to stay in the competition. In the event, the Moroccans fail to attack and settle for a miserable draw.