A PAINTED PLASTER DEATH MASK OF OLIVER CROMWELL
the head modelled with eyes open, two drilled holes for suspension, the interior with the inscriptions "Oliver Cromwells Mask" and "John Burns, August 15th 1932 (m)", 25cm long; together with a Cromwellian deed dated 1st September 1655, with Oliver Cromwell’s Great Seal of the Commonwealth from 1651 (2)
Provenance: Formerly in the collection of John Burns (1858-1943) the trade unionist and politician.
| Condition Report: |
click here
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| Estimate: |
£500 - £1,000
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Hammer price:
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£1,100 |
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.
Burns was first a socialist and subsequently a Liberal Member of Parliament and Minister, he resigned when the Liberal cabinet made a decision for war on 2 August 1914 and played no further role in politics. In 1919 he was left an annuity of £1,000 by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie which left him financially independent and he spent the rest of his life devoted to his interests in books, London history and cricket. As a book collector, he created a very large private library, much of which he left to the University of London.
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