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Lot 262

WILLIAM BARNES (1801-1886): HIS VICTORIAN MAHOGANY BOOKCASE FROM OLD CAME RECTORY, DORSET

late 19th century, with an arrangement of short and long shelves, some with gilt tooled leather fronts, on pedestal bases, 218cm high x 266cm wide x 35cm deep

Provenance: The Old Came Rectory, Winterborne Came, Dorset.
Acquired by the Lock Family of Lock, Reed and Lock Solicitors, and thence by descent.

Condition Report: click here
Estimate: £800 - £1,500
Hammer price: £800
Bidding ended. Lot has been sold.

Note: Lock, Reed and Lock were solicitors of Dorchester from 1757-1999, they were responsible for handling the estate of Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), who was in turn a close friend of Barnes and regular visitor of Old Came Rectory. 

Literature: Figure 4 shows an image of the bookcase behind Barnes' bed as it was located shortly after his death.


This lot was delivered in pieces and can therefore be shipped easily.

It was used as a bookcase in London for several years before being offered for sale here.

It is not meant to be freestanding and may require some attention to ensure every shelf is robust for books

The leather is cracked and dry to the shelf edges

There are cracks to veneers and losses throughout. It is scratched with chips to extremities.

The backing is missing to the bottom section which appears to be the case from its construction (evident from the photograph)

Some of the shelves are not original to the piece nor are some of the panels to the back of trhe shelves.

Please see the additional images available on request.

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