(HERALDRY). ~ Painted and calligraphic arms. [Britain, c. 1800-1950].
c. 40 painted arms, some on vellum, others on paper, various sizes. Some mounted on board, sometimes with consequent staining or offsetting.
An attractive miscellaneous collection of painted arms, some perhaps dating from soon after 1800, some from the later nineteenth century and some from the twentieth. They provide an interesting overview of the arts of the heraldic miniature painter and calligrapher. Two good examples come direct from the College of Arms (both dated 1907), one of the larger pieces (315 × 255 mm) bears the arms of Thomas James Summers and is signed on the back ‘Painted by J. Eedes. 63 Great Titchfield St. Oxford St and a fine painting on vellum is marked in contemporary manuscript on the back ‘Painted by Peters & Sons Coachmakers London November 11 1858’. Some, including a couple bearing royal arms have evidently been cut from the original grants of arms.