Watercolor on paper                                 Signed lower right, January, 1995

Unframed 19" L x 11 1/2" H                       Framed 25" x 17"

 

 

Presented is an original watercolor by Edward Page-Tomlinson, (1932-2003) of the T.S.S. ORIANA which was built by Vickers-Armstrong for the Orient Line of London, England in 1960. She is shown in flanked by two harbor tugs, the FURNESS and the WILLOWGRAPH as she prepares to depart the Port of Barrow on 4 November 1960. The legend gives the details of all three vessels. The painting is in its original frame and matting. Land And Sea Collection is the sole source for six original ship portraits of his work.

• M/V Durango, by Harland & Wolff for the Royal Mail Lines, London 
• RMS Edinburgh Castle,  built 1948 for the Union Castle Lines
• SS Runic, by Harland & Wolff for Shaw, Savill & Albion, London
• RMS Titanic, by Harland & Wolff for the White Star Line, Liverpool 
• Paddle Ferry Will Crooks, by S. White, Cowes for Woolrich Ferry Service, London

THE ARTIST: Edward Paget-Tomlinson died on 10th November 2003 after a long career as a curator and author. He was been better known as a historian, writer of books and museum curator rather than as an artist. Edward graduated from Cambridge with a degree in history and first worked at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. Later he joined the Liverpool Maritime Museum as curator of shipping and then went on to setup the new maritime museum at Hull.

 

Later he was a founder of the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port, specializing in canal and inland waterway craft. His work there formed the basis for his later work of writing about these subjects which he took up on a full-time basis upon leaving here.

 

He was noted for his vast knowledge of waterways matters and wrote extensively on the subject, becoming the acknowledged authority on these matters. He published numerous books, including his magnum opus the Illustrated History of Canals and River Navigations which has become the ‘bible’ for all those working in this field. He also published British Canal and River Craft, another authoritative volume, and worked with Fred Schofield on Humber Keels and Keelmen. His profusely illustrated book, Shipping Company Colours, published after his death is a must for those interested in marine transportation.

 

He was a talented artist, producing drawings and paintings of steamships, ocean liners, canal craft and his other love, railways to illustrate his written work. He wrote for several magazines and produced pictures for many public and private customers for whom he painted a Christmas cards for a number of years.

Edward was considered by those that knew him to be one of Nature’s gentlemen; and it has been said that his demise has left a gap in maritime history which will not be easily filled.

NOTE: The photographs were taken through glass, and there are certain reflections that are not part of the painting.

Close-up and legend                 RMS Edinburg Castle, built 1948 CONDITION: The painting is in excellent condition without exception and is ready to hang. The photographs were taken though glass, and there are some reflected images.   THE SHIP'S HISTORY: Oriana's maiden voyage was from Southampton to Sydney in December 1960. At 41,915 gross tonnes and a capacity of 2,000 passengers, she was the largest passenger liner to be in service on the UK to Australia and New Zealand route until the introduction of the 45,733 tonne ss Canberra in 1961. The Canberra could never match the Oriana for speed however, the latter having achieved 30.64 knots during her pre-hand over trials in 1960. Oriana held the Golden Cockerel trophy for the fastest ship in the P&O fleet until she retired in 1986, when it was handed over to the Canberra.   From 1973 Oriana was converted to operate as a cruise ship and from 1981 until retirement in March 1986 was based in Sydney. After a lay-up of two months, the ship was sold and moved to Osaka to become a floating hotel. This venture was ultimately not very successful, and she was subsequently sold to Chinese interests in 1995. The ship again served as a floating hotel and tourist attraction in Shanghai until 2002, when she was moved to Dalian. In 2004 Oriana was damaged in a storm; repairs proved to be unfeasible and she was towed to a ship breakers yard and dismantled in 2005.   The name Oriana was inherited by another P&O Cruises ship in 1995, the MV Oriana. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia GUARANTEE OF SATISFACTION: You must be fully satisfied with your purchase on arrival and that our description is entirely accurate or your money back. The only conditions are that an email authorization be obtained within five days, and that the artifact is returned in its original condition and packaging, and insured for its full value. Unfortunately, shipping charges are not included in this offer and are non-refundable unless we are at fault.   SHIPPING & PACKING: The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling. INTERNATIONAL BUYERS WELCOME, but inquire first. There are extra costs. We have customers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Martinique, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nova Scotia, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, USVI and the Eastern Caribbean. This is a rare painting by an artist who arguably was one of the best ship painters of his time. Copyright 2007, Land And Sea Collection™, All rights reserved