W Woolmore Collection - Militaria
Lot 3589 SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 21ST NOV) W Woolmore Collection - Militaria
Estimate $3,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN JOHN A.COLLINS CB RAN, (later Vice Admiral Sir John Collins KBE, CB), an original portrait from 1943 in coloured chalk by the Australian artist Charles Wheeler OBE, DCM, the portrait (23.5x31cm) matt framed under perspex within a black and gold timber frame (41x50cm). As new.
Captain Collins commanded HMAS Sydney, a modified Leander Class light cruiser, from 16 Nov 1939 to 15 May 1941. During this time, the Sydney gained much fame for its sinking of the Italian cruiser, Bartolomeo Colleoni and was feted everywhere she went and on her return to Sydney she was presented with a plaque by the Citizens of Sydney for her great victory. Fortunately for Captain Collins, or Colleoni John as he was nicknamed by the crew, he handed over command of the Sydney in Fremantle, Western Australia on 15 May 1941 to Captain Joseph Burnett RAN. Captain Collins' good fortune was Captain Burnett's bad fortune because the Sydney, while on patrol duties in the Indian Ocean, encountered the German Navy's largest auxiliary cruiser disguised as a Dutch merchant ship, MV Straat Malakka, and a battle ensued. The Kormoran was sunk and Sydney was last seen limping off into the distance and was not seen again. All 42 officers and 603 ratings were lost. It was not until March 2008 before both wrecks were finally found in the vast Indian Ocean.
See lot 3571 for medals to the artist Charles Wheeler OBE, DCM and an outline of his career in art.
Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.
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Adjacent lots
Lot 3587
QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 3 reverse), - two clasps - Orange Free State, ...
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Lot 3588
HMAS SYDNEY DESTROYING THE GERMAN CRUISER SMS EMDEN, Nov 9, 1914, watercolour by artist John ...
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Lot 3589 This lot
PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN JOHN A.COLLINS CB RAN, (later Vice Admiral Sir John Collins KBE, CB), ...
Estimate $3,500
Lot 3590
SINGLES: Egypt Medal 1882-89, (1882 reverse); Royal Scots Guards unofficial medal made from a DSC. ...
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Lot 3591
QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 2 reverse), - five clasps - Tugela Heights, Orange ...
Estimate $70