Forum Topic

Titanic Book Collection Needs A Good Home

My name is David I have collected a few Titanic books over the years starting in 1977 some in excellent condition some a bit tatty,I also have the complete 7 book set of the Leviathan by Frank O. Braynard in mint condition with dust jackets. I have all the National Geographic's covering Titanic starting in 1985, I also have some other books covering shipping and shipping history, included is a beautiful wall art (poster sized) pencil drawing of Titanic I bought at the 1997 convention on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach USA it is numbered and signed by the artist. My goal is I would like to see them go to someone as a unit, they have been together for a long time and I would hate to split them up. I need to find a new home for the books as my health is not very good. This is the problem I have I am a disabled person living in Chiswick West London (W4) so someone will need to collect them if you decide that you would like them. If they are not going to someone that will take care of them my Partner will donate them to a charity and I don't really want that. These books will make a handsome addition to any collection or you can start your collection with them. Please send me a DM and I will send a message to you, you will need transport as they are heavy and there are a few maybe 30+, Thank You David

D.A. Benn ● 290d12 Comments

" None the less ... one has perhaps to shop around for suitable Auctioneers for one's çollections."While its always in the auctioneers interest to obtain the highest possible price, providing an item is properly described in the catalogue and there are sufficient bidders any item will still only fetch what people are prepared to bid. Irrespectoive of whatever estimate appears in tbe catalogue it only takes two bidders who recognise a possible bargain to drive up the bidding to the current market price.At least in that particular location and on that datemichael adams

Michael Adams ● 286d

I have "Sunset" James ...I fell in love with it at first sightback in the late 1980s at one of the heady "Russian Art Shows" at the old Roy Miles Gaĺlery.The popularity of Russian Art may have plummeted a bit in recent times ...due to you know what!None the less ... one has perhaps to shop around for suitable Auctioneersfor one's çollections.

Jim Lawes ● 286d

£3000 seems a lot!"Leonid Tikhomirov's work has been offered at auction multiple times, with realized prices ranging from 191 USD to 3,501 USD, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. Since 2011 the record price for this artist at auction is 3,501 USD for Winter Evening, sold at Dorotheum, Vienna in 2019."

James Roy ● 286d

Think they are under new management now Jim.

Janice Evans ● 287d

Beware dealing with Chiswick Auctions unless you get attention from their historical and book specialist.Some years ago I took a large Russian Painting to them by State artistLeonid Tikhomirov for which I had paid £3000 in 1989. They wanted to auction  it for £200!

Jim Lawes ● 288d

You could also speak to Stephen Foster of Foster's Book Store next to the Old Fire Station at 183 CHR. He may be able to help you. I think he is there on Thursdays only.Tel. no. 0208 995 2768

Marlene Plimley ● 288d

The Greenwich Museum is a treasure trove.Looking for plans of a yacht Taiseer V(now called Skye) built by Robertsons in 1953 in Sandbank many many moons ago, builder has gone bust, we found all their plans and drawings were safe in the museum and available for copying (at a small fee).Made a big difference to a major refit/rebuild

James Roy ● 289d

Think that's the best option MIchael, if a collector already has some of them they themselves can then sell those ones off.

Janice Evans ● 289d

"Have you been in touch with the Maritime Museum in Greenwich?They may be interested."In which case the collection would most likely simply go into storage; packed away in cardboard boxes never to see the light of day.In the case of nearly all the majot London Museums and Art Galleries, they have far more potential exhibits than they can ever hope to display. Some like the Tate are regularly rotated while in others researchers have to mwke a special appointment to view particulr items.What the OP also might need to be wary of, are unscrupulous dealers, making false promises, and then putting the items on eBay. michael adams 

Michael Adams ● 289d

Have  you tried contacting say, Chiswick Auctions ?They may be prepared to offer the whole collection asa single lot, in an upcoming book sale, and even collect them from you. The problem with entire collections is that many people who might be interested may already have some of the items and so may be deterred. Whereas seeing the whole collection in an auction catalogue may stir up people's interest, Nobody can really guarentee that a collection won't be broken up eventually but an auction would probably be the best short term bet. Chiswick or a similar house should also advise if there are any stand-out lots that merit an individual listing.michael adams

Michael Adams ● 289d

Direct messaging no longer works on this site, D.A.  Two recent threads ‘advice please’ and ‘DMs again’ have discussed this.

Alastair Banton ● 290d

Have you been in touch with the Maritime Museum in Greenwich?They may be interested.

Adrian Irving ● 290d