The Ron Elam Collection of Local Yesterdays

The Late Ron Elam

The Ron Elam Collection of postcards is to go under the gavel at Toovey’s Sussex rooms on Wednesday 13th November 2024.

A photographic postcard of Moore’s “Presto” Motor Works in Croydon
A photographic postcard of Spooners Laundry vehicles off Wandsworth Common

“It’s by far the best collection of London postcards I have seen to date” said specialist postcard auctioneer and valuer Nick Toovey, who continued “it’s like a pictorial A-Z of central and south London. It not only offers a breadth of different views but also some quality postcards that will be hard to find again”.

A photographic postcard titled ‘The Ha’penny Bumper, St James’s Rd, Old Kent Rd’
A photographic postcard of a train in a street in Deptford

This remarkable collection was amassed by Wandsworth-based local historian Ron Elam. For several decades (from the early 1980s until 2012) he had a stall every Saturday on Bellevue Road, Wandsworth Common trading as Local Yesterdays. There, passers-by could browse his postcard collection. Ron sold framed photographic prints which were created from the original postcards.

A photographic postcard titled ‘Balham Station’
A photographic postcard titled ‘Entrance to Chelsea Football Ground’

Local Wandsworth resident, Caroline, remembers “Ron was on his stall whatever the weather. I remember him once being there when it was snowing! I would often stop, have a chat and look at the postcards. I enjoyed imagining how the area would have looked in times gone by.”

A photographic postcard titled ‘Petrol Pumps at Work, Head Quarters L.F.B.’
A photographic postcard of the demolition of the North Tower at the Crystal Palace

These snapshots of an era in time make topographical postcards so appealing for the collector. The window into the past shows how life was different in the city over 100 years ago. Trams and horses and carts join charabancs and buses in the hustle and bustle of the capital. Scenes that have changed dramatically are very apparent throughout the collection, but are contrasted by views that reassuringly don’t differ very much despite the passing of time and advancements in technology.

A photographic postcard of the junction of Harrow Road and Hazel Road, Kensal Green
A photographic postcard titled ‘New Cross Gate’

The collection spans over 100 albums and is generally organised by area, which is how the collection will be offered at the specialist auction. The strength of the collection lies in the Boroughs of Wandsworth and Lambeth, but covers all other parts of London and even other parts of the UK.

A photographic postcard titled ‘Alleyan Road, Dulwich’
A photographic titled ‘Lyndhurst Road in War Time’

“It has been fantastic having the opportunity to catalogue the collection and see so many different views of London in the past. I can’t wait to wield my gavel and see what they make on the 13th” said Nick.

The catalogue will be online at www.tooveys.com from Saturday 2nd November.

A photographic postcard of Titus Ward & Co shopfront in Battersea
A photographic postcard titled ‘Clapham Junction’

Tin Plate Toy Inspired by Hispano-Suiza

An early 20th century JEP tinplate clockwork model Hispano-Suiza touring car

A tinplate model of an Hispano-Suiza touring car has just sold at Toovey’s for £1100. This rare model featured on the cover of Gordon Gardiner and Alastair Morris’ Price Guide to Metal Toys.

Hispano-Suiza is one the most important marques from the early days of motoring. The automobile company was named Hispano-Suiza, which translates as Spanish Swiss, by its founders Marc Birkigt and Damián Mateau. The company’s corporate structure would evolve manufacturing in France and Spain whilst retaining its famous name. Its patrons would include King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Hispano-Suiza became famous with the introduction of voiturette race cars which showcased the marques quality and capabilities at motor racing events during the early twentieth century. Engineer owner, Marc Birkigt, acquired a reputation for building remarkable machines. Many have argued that the Type 45 Alfonso XIII from the early 1900s was amongst the world’s first sports cars. The Type 45’s engine was placed closer to the rear which combined with its low chassis created an extremely balanced car with exceptional handling in the corners and straights. These innovative engineering principles became the hallmark of these cars.

Toovey’s toy specialist, Chris Gale, with a rare JEP tinplate Hispano-Suiza

Commenting on the tinplate Hispano-Suiza Toovey’s toy specialist Chris Gale said “Tinplate was used in the manufacture of toys from the mid-19th century. The invention of sheet metal stamping allowed toys to be made inexpensively in large numbers. Tin toys were made from thin sheets of steel plated with tin, hence the name tinplate and were painted by hand. This wonderful model was by Jouet de Paris, also known as JEP. The company was founded in 1902 by Roussel. and Dufrien. They not only sold their own models but also brought together a number of independent tin-smithing ateliers in eastern Paris. The thriving independent toy makers of Paris benefited from selling their designs and models under a single brand and catalogue. The JEP tinplate clockwork Hispano-Suiza touring car was numbered No. 7395. Although there was some playwear, paint chips, scratch marks and repairs its burgundy and yellow coachwork had a pleasing patina. It had a sprung front bumper, windscreens, spare tyre and electric lights. Not only did the model have forward and reverse gears but also working steering.” Gordon Gardiner worked at Sotheby’s and later as Toovey’s toy consultant working with Chris over many years. A copy of his ‘The Price Guide to Metal Toys’ was included in the lot. Chris Gale is always delighted to share his expertise and passion for toys with collectors and specialists.

Martello Towers and the Defence of the Realm

The Martello Tower at Archirondel Bay, Jersey

The Channel Islands, like the coast of Sussex, has always been important to the defence of the British Isles. Since Norman times our defences together with  the English Channel, our island’s moat, have kept us safe from invasion. From the late 18th century and throughout the first half of 19th century the Martello Tower was used both in Sussex and the Channel Islands.

These circular forts stand up to 40 feet high. Their circular construction and thick masonry walls made them resistant to canon fire. They would be manned by an officer and 15-25 men. Provisions and ammunition were stored on the lower levels and a canon was placed on the top allowing them to fire through 360º in defence of their position. The Martello Towers were inspired by the circular towers built by the Corsicans from the 15th and 16th centuries onwards in defence of pirates. The Genoese built later towers. The British Navy encountered these during the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1794, as part of the siege of Saint-Florent, the 72 gun HMS Fortitude and the 32 gun HMS Juno failed to defeat or even mark the tower at Mortella Point after engaging it with canon fire for over 2 1/2 hours. It would eventually fall to an attack from the land under the command of Sir John Moore after two days of heavy fighting. Impressed by the effectiveness of the fort the British copied its design and in true British style misspelt Mortella and called their forts Martello Towers.

Rupert Toovey with the Archirondel Martello Tower, Jersey

Jersey in the Channel Islands has always been considered strategically important and heavily defended. You will find Martello Towers all around her coast line. My favourite is the example at Archirondel Bay on the North East of the Island. The Tower sits confidently on its promontory with St Catherine’s breakwater and the French coast in the distance. Archirondel is a precious place to my wife’s family. It is where her grandparents made their home after they returned to the island of Jersey after its liberation from the Germans on the 9th May 1945, a day after the surrender of their forces in Europe. They had cause to flee the island as Grandma was English. Many of their friends and relations stayed and lived under Nazi rule. To reflect on our own history across the centuries perhaps provides a timely reminder of the importance and costs of defending our freedoms, values and nation.

Works by the Important Aboriginal Artist Albert Namatjira sold at Toovey’s

Albert Namatjira – Australian Landscape with Ghost Gum Tree and Mountains (detail), early/mid-20th century watercolour, signed, © The artist’s estate/ Toovey’s. Sold for £26,000

Three works by the important Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira (1902-1959) have just sold for a total of £61,000 in Toovey’s specialist fine art auction.

Albert Namatjira was a pioneering Aboriginal Australian artist known for his distinctive watercolour landscapes that captured the beauty of the Australian outback. Born Elea Namatjira and raised in the Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission in the Northern Territory, he was educated in both Aboriginal and Western traditions. Namatjira discovered his talent for painting in his mid-30s after meeting the artist Rex Battarbee, who was touring Central Australia. Battarbee taught him the techniques of watercolour painting, and Namatjira quickly developed a unique style that combined Western techniques with his deep spiritual connection to the land. His works vividly portrayed the rugged and vibrant landscapes of Central Australia, especially the MacDonnell Ranges, using soft hues and detailed brushwork. His art gained widespread acclaim and by the 1940s Namatjira had become one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. He was the first Australian Aboriginal to achieve commercial success in the Western art world, holding numerous exhibitions across Australia. His fame also brought attention to the cultural and political issues faced by Aboriginal people at the time. Despite his success, Namatjira’s life was marked by the complexities of navigating two cultures. Although he was granted limited citizenship rights in 1957, he still faced significant legal and social discrimination. Namatjira’s legacy endures as a trailblazer in Australian art. His work not only opened doors for future Aboriginal artists but also helped to change perceptions of Aboriginal culture in Australia.

Albert Namatjira – Valley Landscape with Gum Trees, early/mid-20th century gouache on panel, signed recto, gallery label verso, © The artist’s estate/ Toovey’s. Sold for £19,000

The three paintings were consigned by a private collector based in Sussex. These works were inherited from his late father, Sir John Galvin, a self-made Australian multi-millionaire. Sir John, who amassed his wealth through ventures in media and mining, was born in Tasmania in 1908. He is recognized as one of the few Westerners to have interviewed Mao Zedong for an English-language newspaper he founded in Shanghai. A passionate patron of the arts, Sir John directly acquired two of these paintings from the artist and purchased the third from Artlovers’ Gallery in Artarmon, Sydney, New South Wales.

This important Aboriginal artist speaks of Australia’s history and Albert Namatjira’s work continues to be celebrated by collectors around the world.

Albert Namatjira – Australian Landscape with Trees and Mountains, early/mid-20th century watercolour, signed, © The artist’s estate/ Toovey’s. Sold for £16,000

Agricultural Society Celebrates Young People in the Farming Industry

Young herdswoman, Leah, showing the prize winning Ayrshire from Brinsbury College with Brinsbury student, Maddy, to her left

For many years now the West Grinstead & District Ploughing Match & Agricultural Society has been celebrating young people in farming and encouraging them to join the agricultural industry through their bursaries and awards.

The warmth of the welcome overcame the early wet start of this year’s show. The afternoon brought bright sunshine drawing the crowds in the afternoon. As I arrived I was greeted by Rowan Allan.

Rowan is the longstanding joint secretary of the Society and a partner in H. J. Burt based in Steyning and Henfield. As a Chartered Surveyor and a Fellow of the CAAV he has strong professional and personal links with the rural and agricultural community in Sussex. I ask Rowan how long H. J. Burt has been associated with the Society and show, he replies “The Society was founded in 1871 and as a firm we’ve been involved since 1887”. He explains that the show seeks to honour and learn from the past whilst looking confidently to the future.

Society Secretary, Rowan Allan, at the 2024 West Grinstead & District Plough Match and Agricultural Show

I join Leah in the ring. She has been showing the prize winning Ayrshire from Brinsbury College where she was a student. I ask Leah about the cow, she replies “She’s an Ayrshire, a year and a bit old…we’ll start serving her in November time and, yeah, she’s just a lovely cow.” The cattle have been judged by Tim Gue, a respected dairy and arable farmer at Huddlestone Farm, Steyning. His wife, Marion, provides enthusiastic and expert commentary throughout the day. Leah tells me how she now works on a farm near Barlavington running a dairy herd of 300. Our conversation turns to the Society’s bursaries and how she has personally benefitted from them. I ask Rowan about the Society’s bursaries, he says “The Society launched the Bursary Scheme more than ten years ago to assist those keen to pursue a career in agriculture. Potential candidates need to be working in the Society’s area.”

It was a blessing to see the local farming community brought together and so many enthusiastic young people. They were joined by families from the Horsham District which made for a joyous day. Thanks must go to David Exwood, his family and team, for their hospitality and for hosting this year’s show at Westons Farm. To find out more about the Society and its work visit www.westgrinsteadploughing.co.uk.