The 61/2 x 101/4in (17 x 26cm) inscribed drawing, dated 192, was offered on June 16 at the sale held by Dukes’ (15% buyer’s premium) at Salisbury on the premises of Netherhampton House itself.
The elegant Queen Anne property has been rented from the Pembroke estate since 1990 by dealer and collector John Parnaby and operated as both a home and a showroom for his business, Victor Mahy Antiques.
Mr Parnaby’s decision to sell every single piece in his home and invest the proceeds in his Christian Charity, the Sowers Trust, seems an admirable one, but auctioneer Guy Schwinge felt it a great shame he hadn’t held on to the Whistler drawing allowing it to remain in its rightful home.
Because the bulk of the pieces in the sale were stock, the trade had largely stayed away, but a local
furniture dealer in the room was determined to secure the drawing for his own private collection.
It was estimated at £500-1000 but, against a keen underbidder on the phone, he had to go rather further than that, finally securing it at £2700.
Rex Whistler leaves home as John Parnaby sells up
Most celebrated for his murals in the café at Tate Britain, Rex Whistler (1905-1944) was also a fine draughtsman and illustrator as is shown in this pen, ink and watercolour drawing, Netherhampton House in the County of Wiltshire, right
