Our Autumn Fine Art auction features art and antiques from the collection of Douglas Wilmer the quintessential Sherlock Holmes actor who brought Conan Doyle’s character to life on the BBC in the 1960s.
06/09/2023
Part one of a larger collection of items to be sold in due course.
Douglas Wilmer was born in Brentford, but spent his early years in Shanghai before moving back to the UK where he was educated at The King’s School, Canterbury. Whilst in a school play he was "discovered" by Dame Sybil Thorndike, who was in the audience. Training at RADA he initially worked in repertory theatre groups in London and Stratford alongside many of the great Classical actors and directors of the age including John Gielgud, Charlton Heston, Richard Harris, Alec Guiness, Michael Redgrave, Noel Coward, Tyrone Guthrie and Lawrence Olivier. From the mid-50s his career progressed into film, early film titles included Richard III, Cleopatra, El Cid, The Battle of the River Plate, Cromwell, Jason and the Argonauts and The Fall of the Roman Empire.
In retirement Douglas settled in Woodbridge, Suffolk, where for a number of years he ran a popular wine bar, appropriately named ‘Sherlock’s’. In 2011 he was persuaded out of retirement by Mark Gatiss for a cameo guest appearance in an episode of BBC’s adaptation ‘Sherlock’. Douglas was always interested in art and collected many interesting paintings during his life. In retirement took up painting himself, becoming quite an accomplished artist. He went on to sell many of his own watercolours especially those depicting scenes of Malta, the home of his late wife Anne. Part 1 of his collection including fine art, sculpture and jewellery items from Douglas Wilmer’s Woodbridge residence feature in our East Anglian and Fine Art auction on the 26th and 27th of September.
An important pair of oil paintings by Edward Dayes (1763-1804) are to appear at auction for possibly the first time in their history; they will be sold in Reeman Dansie’s Royalty, Fine Art & Antiques sale on Wednesday 6th November.
22/10/2024
Two rare classic cars have been uncovered in a rural Suffolk barn, following decades off the road. The 1950’s Mercedes - Benz 220 Type A Convertible and 1921 Talbot - Darracq with a combined age of 175 years are being offered for sale due to the passing of their owner.
09/10/2024
We are delighted to offer this historic Royal overcoat owned by H.M. King Edward VIII who later became the Duke of Windsor and who carried on wearing it after his abdication.
08/10/2024