A beautiful copy of William Orpen’s book – ‘An Onlooker in France’ comes up for auction at Whyte’s Dublin (from the collection of George and Maura McClelland).

Auction 9th March 2020, 6:00pm – RDS, Ballsbridge, Ireland.

Lot 20: Sir William Orpen K.B.E., R.A., R.I., R.H.A. (1878-1931) AN ONLOOKER IN FRANCE 1917 – 1919, with ink drawing and signed inscription – “To Lord Dewer, in memory of many happy hours trying to paint him. William Orpen 1924” (see link below for more info on Lord Dewer).

Estimate: €800 – €1,200. UPDATE – SOLD for €1,050.

Item Overview from Whyte’s catalogue:

Description: Williams and Northgate, London, 1921. Octavo gilt lettered green cloth hardcover with dust jacket. Ink drawing on ffep, inscribed [To Lord Dewar, in memory of many happy hours trying to paint him. William Orpen, London 1924.] includes 96 black and white plates.
Dimensions: height: 10.50, width: 8, dept: 2 inches.
 Sir William Orpen K.B.E., R.A., R.I., R.H.A., (1878-1931).
Provenance: Peter Nahum, London, 1986.
Collection of George and Maura McClelland.
Notes: Accompanied by Peter Nahum invoice.
Lord Dewar by Sir William Orpen.

Link to more info on Lord Dewar: https://www.sirwilliamorpen.com/grand-national-champion-sergeant-murphy-things-sir-william-orpen/

Listen to William Orpen’s grandson Richard Olivier reading an extract from An Onlooker in France:  https://www.sirwilliamorpen.com/video-of-william-orpens-grandson-reading-an-extract-from-orpens-book-an-onlooker-in-france/

Post by Dominic Lee.