Probably the oddest item I have ever owned and sold:

On one side is a gouache and pastel portrait of an 18th century gentleman. This is not unusual in itself, but the backing card was a little loose when I obtained this item and it is clear that this painting was backed onto a copy of an American magazine entitled, ‘Stereo Review’. This magazine was not launched until 1958 so this painting is post 1958 in date. It is signed bottom right ‘Atkins’

The verso is even stranger. Along the left hand edge are Latin words relating to what appears to be Emperor Charles Vth, but this is somewhat curious as he dates to the 16th century. There are some words in French but also these words in English: “These are probably (?) copies (?)  of grandfather A.H. Prices pictures and done by Jim.” The main focus of attention of this side is a sketch of a soldier with a bicorn hat holding a long lance. The ship in the background suggests that this soldier may have served aboard the ship as a Royal Marine. There is some French and English script (mostly undecipherable) above and to the bottom right of the sketches

At some point in the past someone appears to have stuck sellotape on parts of this side of the item........................ why would you do this ???????????? The top coat of Sellotape has gone, but has unfortunately left three marks as indicated in the last photograph

These sketches have been professionally framed so that both sides are visible, both sides of the frame are glazed. The easel is not included in the sale. There is no reason why the frame could not be mounted on a wall like a traditional photo frame if this was desired (once a decision was made as to which image to display). The metal tabs are easily bent backwards to allow the chosen side to be displayed without the tabs being visible

This is a unique, one-off item. The price reflects the professional framing costs 

The first two photographs show the images outside of the frame. The quality of the other images has been affected by reflections from the glazing - apologies for this

Dimensions:

Width of frame: 25 cms

Height of frame: 32.5cms

Depth of frame: 2.5 cms

Width of aperture: 20.5 cms

Height of aperture: 28 cms

Condition:

- on the side displaying the portrait of the 18th century gentleman there is a small hole on the right hand side as shown in some of        the photographs

- please note the sellotape marks indicated above on one side

Postage is just to the UK mainland with delivery via UPS, but personal collection from Buntingford (East Herts. SG9) is most welcome

Please see my other items which are predominantly 18th and 19th century in date

A footnote regarding gouache (with thanks to Wikipedia): “Gouache paint is similar to watercolour, but it is modified to make it opaque. Just as in watercolour, the binding agent has traditionally been gum Arabic………………………… Gouache differs from watercolour in that the particles are typically larger, the ratio of pigment to binder is much higher, and an additional white filler such as chalk - a "body" - may be part of the paint. This makes gouache heavier and more opaque than watercolour, and endows it with greater reflective qualities.”