Features

While galleries remain open during Asian Art in London, the ever-changing world of Covid-19 restrictions means the internet has also become an important resource for doing business

A selection of previews from dealers taking part in the East Asian section of Asian Art in London.

This striking example of Art Deco poster design promotes the Blue Train: the luxury overnight express between Calais and the French Riviera named after the dark blue Compagnie International des Wagons-Lits carriages used when the service resumed after the First World War.

As travel possibilities opened up with the advent of railways and steamships, the question of how to transport belongings became an important one. One of the first manufacturers to tackle this with great success was entrepreneur and designer Louis Vuitton (1821-92).

Sir William Russell Flint (1890-1969) is an artist well known for his watercolours, often featuring exotic landscapes and ladies with not a lot on.

Tim Bryars’ enthusiasm for the “democratisation of travel” extends well beyond the railways.

Before railway mania came canal mania – key to the Industrial Revolution. This 1830 second edition copy of George Bradshaw’s 'Map of Canals, Navigable Rivers, Rail Road &c. in the Midland Counties of England from Actual Survey' sold for £500 (estimate £200-300) at Forum Auctions (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) on October 8.

Ewbank’s of Send, Surrey, will feature a series of rare 1930s Soviet travel posters in its Vintage Posters auction on October 30.

“Bradshaw becomes first-hand for any sort of railway guide – you can argue whether or not he was the very first to create them, but he was the first to be successful. It is a bit like everyone calling vacuum cleaners Hoovers.”

This lithographic poster design of Titanic and Olympic, c.1910-11, was withdrawn after the disaster of 1912 so there are only a handful in existence today. They would have been used in travel agents and White Star Line offices to advertise the liners.

This c.1905 leather top hat ‘bucket’ by the prestigious hatters Johnson and Co of Regent Street, London.

Oxfordshire dealership 3Details offers this original Louis Vuitton trunk with its instantly recognisable monogrammed canvas for £22,500.

Made from paktong, a zinc, copper and nickel (or similar) alloy resembling silver, this c.1780 English travelling chalice, or cup, is modelled on drinking glasses of the period.

An early 19th century campaign chest designed to be broken down into two parts for easier travel has been hailed as “exceptional” by the specialist dealer who bought it at an Essex auction.

Motor cars became more affordable and reliable particularly in the 1920s-30s, making day trips increasingly popular.

In the campaign furniture market, provenance and an interesting story behind the owner are important.

At TW Gaze (18% buyer’s premium) in Diss, Norfolk, on August 12 this early 20th century Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk, no 796731, sold for £4200 against an estimate of £1800-2500.

What could be more British than a policeman in traditional garb standing on Tower Bridge?

Works by two Modern British female artists whose stars have been rising commercially over recent years topped the bill at the latest fine art sale held at David Lay (18% buyer’s premium).

A group of works by Edward Bawden (1903-89) will be offered at Sworders’ Modern British & 20th Century Art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet on October 20.