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'Tarka' artist plates at auction 'Tarka' artist plates at auction
(about 11 hours later)
Copper plates and wood carvings by renowned wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe go under the hammer. Copper plates and wood carvings by renowned wildlife artist Charles Tunnicliffe have raised over £15,000 at auction.
The rare items, by the artist who lived and worked on Anglesey, are part of a collection of work which is expected to raise at least £15,000. The rare items, by the artist who lived and worked on Anglesey all reached or exceeded their estimates.
The plates include images for Henry Williamson's famous book 'Tarka the otter'. The plates included images for Henry Williamson's famous book 'Tarka the otter'.
Council-owned Oriel Ynys Mon on Anglesey has a comprehensive collection of Tunnicliffe work and artefacts.Council-owned Oriel Ynys Mon on Anglesey has a comprehensive collection of Tunnicliffe work and artefacts.
Auctioneer Stephen Sparrow from auctioneers Peter Wilson in Nantwich, Cheshire said there was a lot of interest in all the items. Auctioneer Stephen Sparrow from auctioneers Peter Wilson in Nantwich, Cheshire said there had been a lot of interest from both private collectors and galleries.
"The wood blocks in particular are hard to get hold of and many went straight to Oriel Ynys Mon," he said. "It was very well received and all the items either met the top end of their estimates or exceeded them," he said.
Carving and engraving the pieces took the artist up to two days, said Mr Sparrow. "Prices ranged but the Tarka in burrow went for more than its estimate at £1,600.
"We are losing people who have this technical ability," he said. "Swallows over pool woodblock also did well.
"It is interesting what you would do with a wood block though. Would you frame them? I'm not sure. "There were five phone lines on all the lots although I'm not sure where the items will be going," he added.
"And you've got to be thinking that what you see is in reverse," he said.
Interest had been shown worldwide for the pieces, he added.
A copper plate of Tarka the otter
"He was a foremost illustrator and collectors in America like his work," Mr Sparrow said.
Ian Jones, museums officer at Oriel Ynys Mon, said the collection on Anglesey was currently around 500 items.Ian Jones, museums officer at Oriel Ynys Mon, said the collection on Anglesey was currently around 500 items.
"Unfortunately we won't be able to bid for items at this sale, but we do already own a few of these plates and wooden blocks," he said. "When we put our wooden blocks on show we dust them lightly with talc, it makes them easier to see, and does not do them any harm," he said.
"When we put them on show we dust them lightly with talc, it makes them easier to see, and does not do them any harm," he said.
The sale at Peter Wilson, Nantwich will begin at 1100 GMT on Wednesday 20 February.