Picture size framed 17″ x 13″                  Unframed
12″ W x 9″ H

Stitched on canvas                                   Dated
1852

Presented is a magnificently made woolie of a well documented British
warship originally built in 1823 as a First Rate Ship of the Line with three decks and 120 guns. She was the second ship
of this name. In 1844, her top deck was removed and her armament and crew reduced. In nautical terms, this process is called
“razeed”. She was further modified in 1861, to a screw type sailing vessel and all her guns were removed. By 1873, she went
to the breakers.

The woolie shows her as she was in 1852, the date on the scroll. She was then Commanded by Captain Frederick Hutton,
and was the flagship of Rear-Admiral Armar Lowry Corry, admiral of the Channel squadron. The word “Pience” is a misspelling
of Prince as a result of seamen not being particularly well educated in those days. The drawing was done in the 1850’s by
a Royal Navy captain. Below in the “gallery” is a picture of a three deck, first rate, ship of the line which is what the
Prince Regent looked like before she was razeed.

The stitching is the finest we have seen and intricately worked in different directs
using different types of stitches to show the movement of the waves. The rigging is done in extensive detail   and
an intimate knowledge of how sailing ships were designed.  

PROVENANCE: Acquired from a private collection
where it was for the preceding fifteen years, and before that reportedly “handed down in the family of the original owner
for generations”.

=CENTER>

CONDITION: The woolie is worked in shades of
blue, tan, black, cream, and red and all are faded with age adding to the pictures charm. All the yarn is intact, and
the threads are taught with no slack. It is a very fine example with the original period wood frame. Because of its 155 years
of age, please understand that fading is to be expected. There is a picture of the back in the “gallery”
below.

Don’t be confused by her RED ENSIGN which she is shown flying from the
mizzen gaff. Today it is used by the British Merchant Navy, but not then. This flag was originally introduced in
the early 17th Century for use aboard ships and land and was the flag flown during the time of the American Revolution.
At sea, the Red Ensign was originally the principal ensign of the Royal Navy, and as such it was worn by ships of the
Red Squadron, as well as by those warships that were not assigned to a squadron. The white and the blue ensign
were used to designate the other two squadrons. In July 1864, the Admiralty  ordered that the White Ensign
was the ensign of the Royal Naval Service. The Blue Ensign became the national colours of ships commanded by
an officer of the Royal Naval Reserve, and with appropriate badges added as national colours for ships in government service of
the Commonwealth countries. The Red Ensign was assigned to British merchantmen. This structure remains today.

All the pictures of the face
of the woolie were taken though its glass. Consequently, there is some glare and distortion

Detail of stern

Detail of hull

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detail of rigging

HISTORY of WOOLIES: British sailors crafting woolies were talented
needle workers. The height of popularity of this form of folk-art was between 1840-1880. The sailors learned their craft through
their daily routines of repairing the ship’s sails and taking care of their uniforms. They made the most of their limited
spare time and personal space by creating works of art that could be rolled up ,, and stored under their bunks when not being
worked on. These sailors were knowledgeable about their ships and their surroundings and were skilled at drawing on canvas
and then transforming a simple sketch into a vibrant, detailed, and interesting ship picture. Their accomplishments is magnified
by being self taught and creating their works for the satisfaction they gave since there was no profit motive. The overwhelming
majority of woolies are unsigned. A recent sale of such a woolwork brought $22,000.00 in Massachusetts and they regularly
sell for in the twenty thousand dollars.

A SIMPLE CHECK LIST FOR BUYING WOOLIES

Condition is probably the most important
consideration. Are the threads intact, are they stretched, water stained, moth eaten, etc. Expect to see some fading
of color which is a good indication of age. The most highly sought after, and therefore the most valuable, are
those that are identifiable as a specific vessel.

Color: Bright vibrant colors may be the
sign of a recently made piece, but it also could be that of one that was stored away or out of the sunlight which would be
a good thing.

Complexity of design: Woolies that have
more than a simple profile of a ship are more valuable. Some have land in the background, the name of the vessel, various
flags flying, crests or other embellishments that add value.

Design: Some sailors had a knack for composition
and color sense which make the work visually appealing while others ended with an unattractive scene.

Size: The larger the size, the higher the
value. Most woolies are about 16 x 24 inches.

Stitching: There are various stitches that
sailors used many of which came from sail making, but others learned the art of embroidery so they combined complex stitches
for detailing. This adds value. Long stitches take less time, and therefore closely spaced stitches add to the value.

If nothing else, remember HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE,
CONDITION, COMPOSITION, COMPLEXITY enhance value

 

OUR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE:
If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its
original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. A prior email authorization by us for the return is
required. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless due to our error.

 

 

International
buyers welcome, but inquire first.  We have satisfied customers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda,
British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, England,
France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia,
Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean.

 

SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance
to your destination, will be calculated after the auction and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these
costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

 

ACCEPTED FORMS OF PAYMENT
are Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared.
No checks from overseas buyers, no credit cards or PayPal accepted on this item.

 

An interesting wool work of a good size warship of the first quarter of the
19th Century in excellent condition.

 

Copyright 2007 by Land And
Sea Collection™, All Rights Reserved

 

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