John Nicholson’s


Longfield, Midhurst Road, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surrey, United Kingdom GU27 3HA
+44 0-142-865-3727

About Auction House

John Nicholson's is the premier specialist in the south of England since 1980, focusing on paintings, sculpture, Chinese and Asian art, jewelry, clocks, ceramics, furniture, glass, books, coins, medals and vintage collectibles. They have a global audience of buyers, bidding regularly from many countries, including Australia, China and the United States. Set the record price for anything ever sold outside London in the UK at auction. Sold Francis Hayman’s portrait of the Samuel Richardson family for £540,000.

Auction Previews & News

2 Results
  • Letter left in drawer reveals Japanese cabinet was Queen Marys charity donation
    Auction Industry
    Letter left in drawer reveals Japanese cabinet was Queen Mary’s charity donation

    A small Japanese cabinet given to Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End, Stratford by Queen Mary in 1931 along with a card from Buckingham Palace and a letter from the Queen’s lady-in-waiting contained within an envelope addressed to Mrs Gatley, Dagenham; stamped with King George VI’s cypher (GRI VI) to the bottom-left and the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom to the verso. FERNHURST.- A letter found in the drawer of a Japanese decorated cabinet consigned for auction has revealed that it was once donated to a charity auction by Queen Mary. Auctioneer John Nicholson, of Fernhurst, near Haslemere in Surrey, was preparing the box for inclusion in his monthly Islamic and Oriental sale when he found the letter, envelope and card from the Queen ticked away in one of its drawers. Addressed to a Mrs Gatley of Neaseby Road, Heathmay Park in Dagenham and written on the queen’s behalf by a lady-in-waiting, the letter said: “The Lady-in-Waiting is commanded by The Queen to acknowledge the receipt of Mrs Gatley’s letter of Feb 6 and in reply to say that her Majesty will have great pleasure in sending a gift of a Japanese cabinet (value £5) in aid of St Mary’s Stratford. The Queen parcel will be sent to Mrs Gatley in due course.” Dated Feb 7, 1931, the letter is accompanied by the envelope in which it was sent and an embossed card, headed Buckingham Palace and inscribed: “From The Queen In aid of Queen Mary’s Hospital for the East End, Stratford.” The hospital, which had been formed as the West Ham, Stratford and South Essex Dispensary in 1861, had changed its name to Queen Mary’s Hospital during the First World War after The Queen became its patron and it was issued with a Royal Charter. “Intriguigingly, it would appear that the palace managed to get most of the address wrong, so it was lucky that both the letter and the eventually cabinet arrived at the correct destination,” said Mr Nicholson. “Dagenham has a Naseby Road, but no Neaseby Road; nor does it have a Heathmay Park,…

    Art Daily
  • John Nicholson's to offer de Vlaminck's personal tribute to founder of Surrealism
    Auction Industry
    John Nicholson’s to offer de Vlaminck’s personal tribute to founder of Surrealism

    Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958), Figure walking on a tree-lined country road, signed, in a hand carved frame. Inscribed to the reverse: A André Breton, Amicalement, Vlaminck. 50 x 61cm. Estimate: £10,000-15,000. HASLEMERE.-John Nicholson’s will offer this landscape by Maurice de Vlaminck – dedicated by the artist to the poet and writer André Breton, founder of Surrealism – in their June 12 fine art sale in Fernhurst. Alongside Henri Matisse and André Derain, de Vlaminck is considered a leader of the Fauve movement, and the dedication is inscribed in his own hand to the back of the canvas. It comes to auction as a family heirloom inherited by the consignor in 1981 and has an estimate of £10,000-15,000. The highlight also marks a new era at the auctioneers as they welcome Philip Maggs as the new head of their fine art department. He has spent over 20 years as the buyer and agent for two successful international art galleries specialising in British and European paintings from the 18th century to the mid-20th century, and has also represented several renowned contemporary sculptors. A familiar face on the international art fairs circuit, having clocked up over 200 transatlantic flights, he is happy to be staying on terra firma in the beautiful countryside surrounding the saleroom in Fernhurst, where he is already a familiar face. “As we emerge from lockdown with a bumper calendar of sales, this is a perfect opportunity to welcome fresh talent at our Fernhurst rooms,” said principal auctioneer John Nicholson. “Philip is a well-respected specialist with decades of successful sales under his belt and we are delighted to have him join us here.”

    Art Daily