Lot 80: James Scott Maxwell (British, 1845-1922)

The 'Plymouth Belle' and a set of 6 others
initialled and dated 1896, inscribed "'Plymouth Belle' /P.S./ 654 Tons 400H.P. (N.) 220lb.26B.108D. Plymouth Bt Kinghorn 1895, PGVT, gouache; the other 6 similarly presented illustrations of "La Marguerite", "Duke of Devonshire", "Louise Dagmar", "La Flandre", "Dartmouth Castle", "Victoria" , all initialled and dated, with ship names and details inscribed, gouache

17.9 x 25.5cm (7)

James Scott Maxwell was Chief Purser of the Royal Navy, with over 30 years service. Kinsman of Gavin Maxwell, author of 'Ring of Bright Water', and of the same family that founded the Pollock Museum, Glasgow, Maxwell produced some 1,150 portraits of steam yachts, sailing vessls, paddle-steamers, liners and warships of 16 different Navies. His works provide important documentation as to the evolution of steam and shipping technology.