Tiny masterpieces which had been languishing in a wardrobe for decades sold for a ‘phenomenal’ six-figure sum at auction on May 9.
A rare archive of stamp and bank note designs by the late Leonard Fryer sparked a bidding frenzy among collectors around the world with one set of stamp designs relating to Malta, Lot 42, selling for £22,100.
“I burst into tears when Lot 42 sold,” said Dianne Fryer who, together with sister Jan Bullock, decided to sell their late grandfather’s artwork after finding it tucked away in a wardrobe 14 years ago.
Never in their wildest dreams did they expect such an incredible result. In total, the collection of 127 lots made £167,000 at Hansons Auctioneers’ Staffordshire auction venue, Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge. The bottom estimate for the entire collection was £76,000.
Dianne, 67, from Abbots Bromley, Staffordshire, said: “We were speechless – and thrilled to bits. Our grandad was just doing his job and now he’s known around the world. It’s so overwhelming. We’re so grateful for all the work that went into this auction, especially from Jim Spencer who managed the sale.”
Jan, from Lewes, East Sussex, said: “We’re delighted by the whole thing. It’s something we never dreamt of. Grandad was such a quiet gentleman just doing his job. I think his designs sold so well because they’re beautiful.”
Mr Spencer, head of works on paper at Hansons, said: “I’m knocked out by this phenomenal result. I knew this collection was beautiful and important but some experts told me otherwise. It was only when I took it to London’s Royal Philatelic Society that I discovered I was absolutely right. They supported the cataloguing process and were enormously helpful.”
Mr Fryer, who died at the age of 74 in 1964, worked as a designer for London’s Waterlow and Sons, a worldwide engraver and printers of currency, postage stamps, stocks and bond certificates founded in 1810. He worked for the company for more than 50 years from 1906 until he retired in the late 50s. Decades later, some 270 of his original stamp artworks plus 40 bank note designs were discovered by his granddaughters.
Dianne said: “They were found after our aunty, Pauline Fryer, a fashion designer, died at the age of 84 in 2005. We had to clear her house in Redbridge, Ilford, Essex, and found them tucked away in a wardrobe in a spare bedroom. It was a complete surprise. We had no idea they were there. They must have been there for decades.
“Grandad was born in Plaistow, Newham, London, in 1891 and worked at Waterlow until he retired. We never planned to part with the artwork but felt it deserved to be seen and appreciated rather than hidden away. I’ve scanned every single item so we have the collection as a memory.”
Adrian Rathbone, associate director of Hansons, who discovered the archive with Jim Spencer in Staffordshire, said: “I’m delighted for all concerned. There was demand from across the globe because Mr Fryer designed stamps for many Commonwealth countries. He was also involved in the design of some British commemorative stamps.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons and auctioneer on the day, said: “This was a first-class sale which showcased Mr Fryer’s extraordinary talent. His mini masterpieces were painted to scale in such exquisite detail he had to work with a magnifying glass in one hand.
“His designs may have gathered dust in a wardrobe for decades but they’ve come into the light and will be treasured by their new owners all over the world.”
Mr Fryer had to squeeze a portrait of a monarch, a symbol of the nation and the price of the stamp in his tiny designs. Competition was stiff and several designers were commissioned to create a stamp design, which then went before a postal administration panel.
Mr Spencer said: “Everything was carefully assessed and amendments made before any stamp hit the printing presses. Sometimes, one element of Mr Fryer’s work would play a part in the final concept.
“His tiny paintings display dazzling colour, ingenuity, flair and artistic talent. They paved the way to stamp designs adopted far and wide.”
The archive included original watercolour stamp designs created for numerous countries including Malta, Peru, Antigua, Southern Rhodesia, St Lucia, Brazil, Cyprus Jamaica, Nigeria and Ceylon.
The top-selling lot, 42, which sold for £22,100, was a set of adopted stamp designs, some partially completed, made for Malta in 1926 featuring Valetta Harbour and a Gozo fishing boat.
Lot 112, a piece of currency artwork made for Malaya and British Borneo sold for £7,500 and Lot 43, another set of designs made for Malta in 1938-43, was contested to £5,700.
Stamps were first introduced in the UK on May 1, 1840 as a part of postal reforms promoted by Sir Rowland Hill, who invented the adhesive postage stamp. The first issued stamp, Britain’s Penny Post, was released on May 6, 1840.
The Leonard Fryer Stamp and Bank Note Design Collection was sold by Hansons Auctioneers at Bishton Hall, Wolseley Bridge, Staffordshire, ST17 0XN, on May 9. To find out more, email [email protected].
