Derby Fine Arts & Antique Sale

SMOKING AND THE KING

So, here is an oddly assorted group which will be appearing in the next Fine Art Sale in January 2007. A picture of tobacco pipes and an engraved portrait of King James I, (1603-1625). The picture is the frontispiece to account ‘The wisest fool in Christendom’ as he was aptly called, written in the 1660’s in a well presented folio volume, (estimated up to £250 in the sale).

Minor works of art, the tobacco pipes are made of meerschaum, amber and silver. Meerschaum is soft white clay like silicate of magnesium which gradually turns a honey brown colour as more tobacco is ingested. For pipe smokers these pipes are among the best, light absorbent, easily drawn. In the nineteenth century they were something of a status symbol, particularly among teenagers at universities. Hence they were carved with curvaceous ladies and whimsical sporting subjects. Turkish tobacco was preferred. Cigars, introduced about 1810 from Wellington’s Spanish campaigns were for working geniuses like I.K. Brunel, who has recently has his famous cheroot airbrushed out of his heroic photograph at the launching of ‘The Great Eastern’.

So what is the connection between King James and tobacco?

Simply he hated it! Not only did he have Sir Walter Raleigh who practically invented smoking executed, he also wrote a book against it ‘A Counterblast to Tobacco’ where he describes tobacco as harmful to the lungs, a nuisance to the breath with a smell like the deepest pit of hell! Tobacco advertisers please print a minatory image of King James I on every packet of tobacco…

Free valuations for all antiques and collectables are held Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 11.30am at Friary House, 47 Uttoxeter New Rd, Derby. Phone 01332 296369 for further information and home visits.

RICHARD WINTERTON FINE ART AUCTIONEERS
DERBY 01332 296369