Ending 31st Aug, 2025 18:00
The W. H. Smith Archive | Timed Online
21
Joseph Durham (1814–1877)
Joseph Durham (1814–1877)
A marble bust of The Right Hon W. H. Smith MP
on a later socle base
The reverse with carved with 'W. H. Smith, Esq.' and 'Durham, 1856, London'
79.5cm high
Provenance:The W. H. Smith Archive
Footnote:William Henry Smith (1825-1891) joined his father's business on his 21st birthday. By 1850, the firm had grown to be the leading distributor of newspapers in the country. He became an MP in 1868 and gradually retired from the business, leaving his son to take over on his death in 1891. By repute, six of the statues were commissioned to be presented to each of Smith's siblings. A similar bust can be seen in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Dorset.
Sold for £960
Joseph Durham (1814–1877)
A marble bust of The Right Hon W. H. Smith MP
on a later socle base
The reverse with carved with 'W. H. Smith, Esq.' and 'Durham, 1856, London'
79.5cm high
The W. H. Smith Archive
William Henry Smith (1825-1891) joined his father's business on his 21st birthday. By 1850, the firm had grown to be the leading distributor of newspapers in the country. He became an MP in 1868 and gradually retired from the business, leaving his son to take over on his death in 1891. By repute, six of the statues were commissioned to be presented to each of Smith's siblings. A similar bust can be seen in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Dorset.
Surface dirty and in need of a good clean, otherwise good condition
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Auction: The W. H. Smith Archive | Timed Online, ending 31st Aug, 2025
