Bradleys seen for first time

Edwardian figures enjoy an outing in the park in this Helen Bradley watercolour

THREE previously unseen Helen Bradley paintings are going under the hammer next week.

The three watercolours were commissioned and bought directly from the Lees-born artist by a Manchester businessman following a chance meeting in the late 1970s.

They were bought by the late Mr Gordon Haig Emery as a birthday present for his wife, Josephine, a doctor, when they met the artist at a cocktail party.

Each is expected to sell for £12,000 or more in a sale at Colwyn Bay auctioneers Rogers Jones Co on Tuesday next week.

Dr Emery, who lives in Cheshire, recalled: “The three of us were guests at a Christmas party. The host knew we were interested in Helen’s work, so he introduced us.

“We sat together for some time chatting to her and on the spur of the moment, Gordon asked her if she would paint some pictures for us.

“When they were finished my husband invited her to tea at his office. She brought them with her and they’ve hung in our home ever since.

“I was thrilled and felt honoured that I was able to enjoy her works knowing that no one else would have anything like them. Now I think it is time for someone else to have the pleasure of owning them and I really hope they remain together as a set.”

Mr Emery was well known in the Manchester area where he was a builder, property owner and politician.

He was awarded the CBE for political and public services in 1987. He died in 1995, aged 76.

Helen Bradley, who died in 1979, took up painting late in life at the age of 65.

There are three works in the Rogers Jones sale: a view showing a 1907 river bank picnic in Windermere with Miss Carter; a view showing a man crank-starting his car in 1915 surrounded by his family on a country road with farm buildings, a farmer and livestock; and the third is a 1907 autumn scene of Edwardian figures in a park.

The three paintings will be on view on Sunday from 2-4pm, Monday, from 1-7pm, and on the morning of the sale until 10.30am.

The catalogue can be viewed online at www.rogersjones.co.uk