Edmund Blampied art from Jersey's Government House goes to auction

Wednesday, 26 February 2025 07:00

Seaweed Harvesting (top), Surf Riders (left) and Vraicking (right)

A rare collection of paintings by Jersey artist Edmund Blampied are going under the hammer today (26 February).

'Surf Riders', 'Seaweed Harvest' and 'Vraicking' previously hung on the walls of Government House during the tenure of a former Lieutenant Governor in the 1950s.

Admiral Sir Randolph Stewart Gresham Nicholson was the Queen's representative in the island from 1953, the year of Her Majesty's Coronation, until 1958.

Blampied (1886 -1966) is widely regarded as Jersey's most renowned artist, known for capturing the essence of island-life.

The privately-owned paintings are expected to sell at Dawsons auction house in the UK for between £3000- £5,000.

Also in the collection is another artwork called 'Peeling Potatoes', which comes with a handwritten letter penned by the artist to the LG's wide Lady Nicholson.

Blampied suggests the woman pictured probably wishes she was wearing a cleaner apron to be on display at the home of the monarch's representative.

"Dear Lady Nicholson, the old lady peeling potatoes must be, I am sure, feeling so greatly honoured at being in Government House – but at the same time wishing most desperately that she had on a cleaner apron and the hat especially reserved for Sundays which is fitted with black grapes, ribbon and a kingfisher…"

Jonathan Pratt, Managing Director of Dawsons Auctioneers, said it was a privilege to bring such a special collection to auction.

“Blampied’s connection to Jersey and the provenance of these paintings makes them particularly noteworthy. We anticipate strong interest from collectors both in the Channel Islands and beyond.”

*UPDATE:

Dawsons Auctioneers says there was a 'great result' from the auction.

The paintings collectively fetched £37,000.

'Seaweed Harvest', the most expensive, alone was sold for £13,000.

'Vraicking' went for £7,500, 'Surf Riders' for £11,000 and 'Peeling Potatoes' for £5,500.

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