Britain’s Maritime History - An Illustrated Chronicle - Foreword by A G Credland (Keeper, Hull Maritime Museum)
signed first edition
1983 · Hull
by BELL, DAVID C
Hull: Privately Published, 1983. First Edition. Copy number 53 of 300 numbered copies signed by the artist, David C. Bell, each containing twelve hand-colored plates in watercolor by the artist. Each plate is signed and labeled in pencil by the artist. The plates measure 8" by 11" and are are protected with tissue guards. throughout the text there are copious additional illustrations by the artist. This fine volume is bound in wine-red half crushed morocco over red cloth boards with raised bands, gilt lettering and decoration spine. The book is housed in a matching slipcase with "Queen Elizabeth 2" stamped in gilt on the front. The twelve Plates are titled: Discovery, China Seas, Frigate Duel, Trafalger, The Race Home, Beached Schooner, Titanic, Warspite, Hood, Hull City Homeward Bound, R. M. S. Queen Elizabeth, Canberra and Queen Mary. This is a Scarce, beautiful volume. An artist's overview of British maritime tradition. 8.3"x12". Davis C. Bell (1950- ) is a Yorkshire marine artist best known for his nautical watercolors. Foreword by A G Credland (Keeper, Hull Maritime Museum). David C. Bell was born in Lincolnshire, not far from the River Humber. After attending Trinity House Navigation School, Hull, he embarked upon a career at sea as a navigating cadet in the Merchant Navy. Despite his initial career choice in the merchant navy and having spent time at sea drawing and painting he felt his true course in life was to paint full time. So, after nine years sailing around the world as a ships navigator, he left the sea to become an art student. After gaining a B.A. in Art he set about fulfilling his ambition as a Marine Artist. Successful exhibitions followed and two books of his work were published, the second, 'A Coastal Passage,' launched with an exhibition in Cork Street, London. In 1984 he was commissioned by the military to travel to the Falklands and produce several commemorative paintings. Drawing on his understanding and experience of the sea with all it's moods, he is able to produce evocative and atmospheric paintings, many of which are found in important collections. (Inventory #: 13801J)