Titanic Artist

[Jodie Noname]

I am after some info about an artist - RH Neville Cumming please. An elderly lady who came into my shop today has 3 original oil paintings by him (on board, behind glass (no spacer)not in original frame). The largest one is approx. 16" x 24" dated 1911 "the Channel Patrol". It is of the Titanic in the English Channel, with a small sail boat on the left, and the Channel Patrol boat shining it's light on the boat on the right. The moon is high in the sky. It was painted by RH Neville Cumming who was apparently the official artist for the boat builders, but they didn't want the paintings once the boat sank. He then gave them to a pub which he owed some money. The owner of the pub was the elderly lady's father in law.
If anyone has any info about the artist, or what a painting like this would be worth, I would love to hear from you.
Many Thanks,
Jodie Prymke
Wallflowers Framing, Australia.

 

[JRB]

Take a photo of them and send it, along with a letter of explanation to Sotherbys, ask them if they think the paintings are worthy of appraisal. If there are any good museums in your area, they also may give you some info. I have heard of that artist and I think you may have some winners.

John

 

[jvandy57]

I agree with John, you may have a winner here. However I'm "SUNK" as to what they would be worth.

Jerry

 

[Jodie Noname]

Thanks so much for this advise. I will certainly take some photos, as I share my shop with a photographer, and the Melbourne Museum is only 15 minutes drive away.