Oh how I love compliments! Thanks to "Jules and Andy" who posted this email:
Hi Chris
Just recently my partner and I made our first ever auction purchase on a picture of two quirky little owls. We fell in love with it straight away but had no idea who the painter was. After acquiring this little treasure we began to research it to find out more about it. We came across your article on H B Neilson and were warmed by your enthusiasm for his work. We now believe it to be one of his pieces and just wanted to send you a photograph of the picture in gratitude for all the research you have done on Harry and of course show that people still do appreciate his talent (even though we had no clue who he was!).
Thank You
No, Jules and Andy, thank you! . Read about Harry Neilson here - perhaps you’ll catch the collecting bug.
I am happy to give advice on buying and selling antiques and works of art. Feel free to contact me at the email address below. However, I am not a dealer and I do not buy objects offered to me through these pages. Any advice is given without charge or obligation on either party. 
3 responses so far ↓
1 Jon Hatfield // May 21, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Hi Chris. Ran across your site in a Google search of Obpacher Brothers related to search about the unknown German art publisher (speculative Obpacher) behind the U.S. Winsch postcards and unidentified UK children artists featured in that postcard group (speculatively Harriett M. Bennett & Helena Maguire, one each more or less confirmed attribution–Lizzie Mack/Lawson another possibility).
What an feast of info you have provided! This piece about an unknown Victorian animal fantasy artist is altogether a delight. I had thought the German artists (like A. Thiele) were the animal fantasy artists of choice–kind of blocked Wain, George Thompson, & Beatrix Potter out of my mind…but clearly the UK Victorians were first and best, though I treasure my German artist pieces, especially a c. 1910 International Art Publishing Co. postcard set by an unknown German artist featuring chickens & rabbits in circus scenes–not quite the character portraits of your fantastic artistor the social commentary of Wain, but delightful animal fantasy in a favorite Victorian category.
Except for later children books of a different style & intent (take that back, modeled on Beatrix Potter), strictly U.S. animal fantasy work is few and far between until Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck &, my wife reminds me, her treasured contemporary Cherished Teddies–three c. 1907 bear sets would be the main early entries in a catalog, featured as both postcard & books. There is an exceptionally endearing 1886 Prange cat fantasy Christmas card perhaps by an American artist. (I want this piece to be by Frances Brundage, but that’s wishful thinking.) So many unknown Victorians of unexpected and eccentric genius–and one more now rescued for appreciation–thanks to you and the new world space of the internet.
2 Bliss // Jul 8, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Hello, Chris - After a full morning digging through websites that had no info and lots to sell, it was refreshing to come across your blog. I’m really looking forward to reading your writeups and learning more about antiques. I was editor and publisher of an antique monthly for 11 years and what I enjoyed most was the research, writing, interviews and photography. Now I have a blog on my website, where I essentially get to do the same thing again.
We also publish a free annual map guide to antique stores and shows in the western states and upload the entire 200 page edition on the website.
I’ve already placed a link to your blog on mine, and hope you’ll consider doing the same. Look for me at http://www.cochrans.com
Thanks
Bliss Cochran
3 Christopher Proudlove // Jul 8, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Bliss
Thank you so much for your kind remarks. I’ll be sure to add a link to your website and please be sure to come back often.
Regards
Chris
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