Antique Isandlawana Prints rescued in Canada

[J. Ziegler]

Hello everyone...First an intro. I am a Canadian former serving member in the 3rd and 4th Bn's,(Reserve), of THE Royal Canadian Regiment. The 3rd Bn was an amalgamation of the London and Oxford Fusiliers which was itself formed from two Regiments, The Canadian Fusiliers and The Oxford Rifles.
When the Oxford Rifles Home armouries in Woodstock Ont. was closed down in 1968 I was part of the work party which transfered Regimental property to the London Ontario headquarters of the 3rd Bn R.C.R.,(Dundas St. Armouries). This property was dispursed throughout the three messes and placed in various locations in the armouries and at Regimental H.Q. at Wolsely Barracks in London.
Among items transfered were numerous Military prints acquired by the Oxford's throughout their history, two of which I am writing today.
They are large approx 27inch by 19inch full colour reproductions of Alphonse DeNeuville's 1881 Saving the Queen's Colours and Last sleep of the Brave. I do not know the proper name for their style of print or litograph but I can best describe it as appearing to be on canvas,( woven pattern is visible), as well having what appears to be actual brush strokes created through some type of embossing which actually raises up in a very realistic manner.
I was told at the time of the move to London that they had hung in Woodstock since the early part of the century..1900-1910? and may have been acquired as a result of a gift or an affiliation with a British Regiment.

In the mid 70's another move was made to the Prevost Armouries and due to space limits many items were indiscriminantly disposed of by being thrown in the garbage. I had always loved these prints and when I saw them sticking our of a garbage bin I pulled them out and obtained permission of my C.O. Col. Lawson to keep them for myself. This started a stampede and many pieces were saved with the Colonel's blessing and went home with members of the Battalion.

These two items were in original wood frames with old glass which was damaged and replaced by me in 1977. Since that time I have kept them safe and treasured them. I should indicate that the framer who specialized in Military prints offered me $1000.00 at the time and was rather put out when I turned him down.

My Question...Can anyone help me identify who printed or distributed these prints or give me a more exact time they were printed or what they may be worth now?
These prints make the modern mass produced versions sold in shops and on the internet look like crap.

I am not the most handy with a camera or on the net but I will try to put up photo's sometime over the week-end.

This is a legitimate quiry . I am a currently serving Police Officer (in my 32nd year of service), and also a Board member of the Elgin Military Museum in ST.Thomas Ont. My wife is at me to dispose of some of my collection and as they would not fit in with the Museum's mandate I am considering letting them go.

Any help or advise would be appreciated.

Jim Ziegler

[Isandlwana]

Jim,

They known as oilegraphs or oilgraphs, I have seen these two advertised in contemporary newspapers circa 1881. I think it was in The Illustrated London News, as the other well-known illustrated paper The Graphic was selling prints of their special artist Charles Fripp's version of the death of Melvill & Coghill.

As to prices I couldn't say at the present time, I bought The Last Sleep of the Brave with a gilded frame for £100, about 20 years ago.

Only 32 years in the job, just a boy...

Best wishes,

John Y.

[J. Ziegler]

Hi John... Thanks for the info on the prints. I had put them in storage but since I have gotten them out I can not seem to resist the urge to re-hang them in my office. Instead I think I will sacrifice my Boer War Canadian version of "Home From The War" print that I found a couple of months ago in an antique shop. The dealer didn't know what he had and I got it in its original frame for $20.00. No sentimental ties yet but the longer I have it the harder it is to let something go.
I may have to find some other way to placate my wife.

While I am on does anyone know John Chards line of decent? A friend of my Wife's is married to a Tony Chard of English heritage. About 15 yrs ago they were over for dinner and I was telling him the story behind my Rourke's Drift print and commented on his surname being that of one of the defenders. He had no knowledge of the battle or his family history but related that his mother had told him his paternal Grandmother had a very important medal his Great Grandfather had won and that it might come to him one day.
I have always wondered what the chances of it being John Chards V.C. were but imagined it would have long ago gone to the Regiments Museum.

All the best... Jim