38 CLASSIC BOAT NOVEMBER 2017Saleroom
BONHAMSAlbatross vs Bentley tow-car
“The acceleration to maximum speed is of sportscar order,”
raved The Motor magazine when its hacks got hold of a
car-engined Albatross sportsboat on test in the 1950s and
towed it around the country behind a Bentley MkVI. The now
defunct magazine also commended the aluminium boat’s “high
standard of workmanship and outstandingly stable design”,
judging it: “A very sound investment.”
That last statement came into focus when an Albatross MkIII
and Bentley MkVI both crossed the block at a recent Bonhams
classic car auction at Beaulieu. The circa 1958 Albatross, now
fi tted with a Ford 1600 GT cross-fl ow engine, and in need of
further re-commissioning, would have cost around £550 when
new. It made £3,320. The MkVI Bentley, which would have cost
just over £4,000 new, made £48,500. Decide for yourself which
represents better value and fun.CHARLES MILLER LTD
Solent scenes
More than 1,000 photos depicting Solent yachting in its 1930s
heyday have come on to the market from the collection of a
prominent yachting historian.
The time capsule of Kirk of Cowes’ work covers everything from
dinghy racing to J-Class and America’s Cup interest, motor
launches and steam yachts, in neatly themed lots of 100 or so
photos, each keenly estimated at £150-250. Charles Miller Ltd’s
next London marine sale is on 7 November.BONHAMSNMMBONHAMSCHARLES MILLER LTDBY DAVE SELBY
As Nelson contemplated his fate on the eve of the Battle
of Trafalgar in 1805, perhaps some of his thoughts turned
to home as he pondered the coming day in the comfort of
his favourite leather armchair.
The mahogany bergère in his cabin on HMS Victory was no
ordinary chair, but a love token given to him by his mistress, Lady
Emma Hamilton. Now known simply as “the Emma”, the
mahogany bergère is regarded by collectors as one of the more
important of Nelson’s personal artefacts. Nelson and Emma were
among the fi rst ‘modern’ celebrities, for even in his lifetime ‘fans’
craved personal mementoes. Yet, while locks of his hair abound,
there is only one Emma chair.
Purchased shortly after Nelson’s death by Sir Francis Laforey,
captain of Spartiate at Trafalgar, the chair’s history and
provenance is well recorded. It was sold, with an asking price of
£200, in 1920, and in 1980 for £1,320 at Christie’s in London.
When it comes up at Bonhams’ next London marine sale on 18
October it is expected to make
£30,000-50,000 – but may fetch
a great deal more.Nelson’s seat
of yearning
BONHAMSPeriod images of two
icons – Nahlin (now
owned by Sir James
Dyson) and Tommy
Lipton’s Shamrock- and one unknown
motor launch/
commuter craft
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