Militaria

Lot 4200    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Militaria

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $400

THE IMMORTAL SHRINE, a colour print mat framed under perspex with frame made of timber (68x48cm) from the decommissioned HMAS Sydney which was broken up in 1929, with two suspension loops on reverse, also with original brass title plaque and in a window at the right side is the pencil signature of the artist 'Will Longstaff' (appears to be genuine), signed in the early 1930s as part of a fundraising effort to build the Australian War Memorial. Print as issued, the framing board needs to be tightened a little bit across the back, otherwise the frame is very fine.

Captain Frederick William Longstaff (1879-1953) was an Australian painter and war artist who produced several artworks commemorating those who died in World War I. The original painting is in the Australian War Memorial. Prints were sold by the Australian War Memorial and also ex-servicemen were engaged to go door-to-door to sell the prints to raise funds to construct a permanent building which was not completed until 1941.