Many years ago Bryan purchased his first Herbert Thomas Dicksee etching and he soon became a fanatical collector, over the years he has created a large and virtually complete collection of etchings and other works which he has now decided to sell.
Many years ago Bryan was browsing an antiques auction when he came across a very appealing, small, pencil-signed Herbert Dicksee etching of a sleeping puppy. He left a commission bid and happened to secure it. He liked it so much that he went on to buy a few more dog etchings by the same artist and over ensuing years he amassed a large collection of works by Dicksee, travelling far. He had become a fanatical collector and over the years has created a large and virtually complete collection of etchings and other works by Herbert Thomas Dicksee R.E. (1862 – 1942). Bryan has taken the decision to begin the disposal of his collection, his reason is simply his advancing years.
Bryan Steele and his wife Valerie
The Collection includes over 180 different-subject, original signed artist proof etchings (about 100 mounted and framed to conservation standards, the remainder stored flat and protected by individual folders). Many were purchased from the artist’s descendants and the family art dealer respectively. Sales will include items of interest to both print connoisseurs and collectors alike.
We are delighted to present the first selection from the Bryan Steele collection in the Sporting Art, Wildlife and Dogs sale, with further items to be offered in the forthcoming Fine Interiors sale on the 25 and 26 June 2019.
A major highlight of our forthcoming Dreams – A Unique Private Collection sale on 9 July is a remarkable archive of letters and manuscripts by John Ruskin (1819–1900), the celebrated Victorian polymath. This unparalleled group – numbering in the hundreds – is believed to be the largest collection of Ruskin correspondence in private hands and spans a vast range of topics from art and architecture to politics, religion, and personal reflection.
2 July 2025
'The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz' - also known as 'The Bagh-i-Muattar' - quickly caught the attention of our book specialists, when a copy bound in full vellum was brought in by a local client to our weekly valuation day.
2 July 2025
We are thrilled to launch The Glass Sale - a brand-new addition to our auction calendar! The inaugural sale will take place on Tuesday 28 October and will become a biannual fixture in our calendar going forward.
20 June 2025