Sir Alfred James Munnings, P.R.A., R.W.S.

Both given by the artist to John Paul Murphy and his wife and thence by descent to the present owners

Both sheets appear sound and have not been laid down. There are some spots of staining in the upper right corner of sketch of the man, probably contemporary to the sketch; some other small spots of surface dirt. Both works appear in good overall condition. There is a small crease to the centre of the sketch of the groom. Both sheets are a little time-stained. FRAMES Both held in a two-windowed mount, beigee coloured, in a simple dark coloured wood frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

These watercolours were given by Munnings to John (Jack) Paul Murphy a cartoonist for the Saffron Walden Weekly News and Cambridge Daily News whose professional name was ‘Spud’. During WWII Jack was Artillery Gun Emplacement Officer at Fowey in Cornwall billeted at Point Neptune. Two or three days a week author Daphne du Maurier would stop by for a chat with Jack’s wife. When the du Mauriers discovered Jack was a cartoonist the Murphys were invited to lunch, a lunch where Alfred Munnings was in attendance at Menabilly. Jack drew the assembled guests to the delight of Munnings, who sent him the 1912 watercolour of Exmoor ponies via the du Mauriers in appreciation of the day. The two stayed in touch up until Munning’s death. Right through the fifties, the two lived in Essex. Murphy was a fine horseman and rode many times with Munnings at his Dedham property. On one such occasion Munnings gave Murphy the sketch of his groom to demonstrate how to build up tone in colour.