Myself start on our tour.....", approximately 300 pages closely written ink, unfortunately finishing in Toronto on July 18th. Included is a 'Candian Pacific Royal Mail Steamship Line Passenger List' for the voyage from Yokahama for Vancouver. Quarter leather bound, quite worn and chipped, but contents clean, with a 'Colombo Apothecaries' label on the front endpaper.
They first travel to London for a couple of days where they leave "baby very well" with Mrs Wright, "an excellent nurse", who is relieved to see them go- apparently Fay had been very ill. The author shows some concern about leaving the baby for such a very long time, but soon shrugs the feeling off. They take the train from Victoria to Dover, then on to Calais and Paris, where they take a bus to the hotel with their hand lug-luggage having booked the heavy stuff through to Marseilles. An early morning train sees them in Marseilles that night in a noisy hotel. In the morning they go to P. and O. dock to board the SS Chin, under the command of Captain Angus, with 150 first class passengers, some headed for India via Aden, many for Cairo.
March 3rd, they arrive at port Sais and remain for the night; the SS Isis pulls alongside in the morning to transfer post etc. They hear from respective Mothers, and "had a good account of baby", and they go ashore for some shopping. Next they pass through the Suez canal and dock at Aden on March 8th, where there are more mail transfers, and passengers for Bombay leave the ship.
"Left Aden at 10.45. A lot of natives with ostrich feathers came on board who seemed to do a fair trade....Lady McKenzie Capt Beresford and about 30 people got off, she is going with him to Somaliland to shoot lions".
Then we get a real sense of the cruise atmosphere, with much description of the weather, the distance travelled, various deck games and evening entertainments.
March 14th they are in Colombo shopping; 17th on the train to Kandy, where they take a hotel and go sightseeing (and shopping). The 29th they are at sea again on the Coromandel, arriving on April 2nd at Penang, and the 4th at Singapore, where they take an excursion a "giniricksha"April 9th sees them arrive at Hong Kong (shopping).
April 11th, "Spent most of the morning in the shop of Chang Woo Queen St. where we bought a set of 5 red lacquer tea tables, a roll of 20 yds crepe silk, green embroidered and ditto plain light blue silk, a box of ivory chess men, carved ivory balls with seven inside and a dozen grass cloth handkerchiefs. Table was 35$ the embroidered silk 40$ the plain 32$ ball 7.50$. Handkerchiefs 4$ & chess men 14$ for which we paid 126$ including packing, I think they are good value".
"....afterwards went to the theatre a fine building inside and out and saw the Geisha by Pollards Lilliputian Opera Coy of Australia. Most of the actors are quite midgets they were certainly very fairly good but the singing which was rattled through at top speed and in squeaky voices however we enjoyed it but did not stay to the end".
April 13th they sail on a "little screw steamer", reaching Canton at 6.00am the following morning, where they take a number of sightseeing excursions- Wuchow, Samisha, etc with few shopping opportunities!
April 8th they are back in Hong Kong, pleased to get rooms at the Hong Kong Hotel. The 19th sees them rushing out shopping again, with only a minor distraction- "Had a telegram today to say Baby all well sent from Bath".
April 21st is their last day in Hong Kong, so a quick bit of shopping, before settling up with their shippers, "roughly I think we have spent about 500$ here and at Canton or a little over 40￡ and got some very nice things for it". the 22nd they join the CPR ship Empress of India, "every berth taken", and head shopping in Shanghai on the 25th.
"April 27th. Reached Nagasaki..... there are three Russian men of war in the harbour which I should think rather annoy the japs." The 30th sees them in Yokohama- shopping! They spent several days here, making a number of excursions by carriage and rail, and there are extremely good descriptions of various parts of the interior of Japan. With the aid of Murray's Hand Book and some local guides they visit Kyoto, Osaka, Ikuno, Hiroshima ("...the small steamer touched at several small towns, the largest being Hiroshima"), Kobe, Nagoya etc. By far the most interesting part of the diary.
May 20th, "We stopped at 10 oc at a nice little tea house for coolies to have their chow and bought a laquer tray well carved for 2.50 but after we had got it the man said he could not sell at any price as it had belonged to his family for a long time. I packed it in my bag & we all walked on & left Hori to struggle with him he gave him another yen and cam,e away the man he said very angry we had gone in. We amused ourselves on the way killing snakes which were plentiful three or four different sorts the largest crossed the road in front of us measured 5 feet we killed 14."
May 27th. "....saw the young Mikado and his suite going to Osaka exhibition long before they came in sight a policeman insisted on my taking off my hat and Fay getting out her rickishas and putting down the parasol the sun being very hot they came past in rickishas and the men in uniform the ladies in Paris dress. The Japs are the opposite to us when royalty comes along they are all quite silent their heads bare and standing up long before the royal party almost have started it is rather trying in the rain...".
June 11th. 'Our last day in Japan....settled and paid Arthur and Bond and all our things eight cases are shipped today. they should be at Bessingby in 10 weeks. Also settled up with the Banl. Have spent in Japn ￡309...."
June 12th they sail for Vancouver, and settle into everyday life on the waves again, "Found a rather enthusiastic chess player in Mr E. Hamilton Sharp a professor an old man of about 65 who has lived most of his time in Japan and the rest in Canada I don't know what he is professor of but he lectures to jap students at Tokyo however we had a good game which I eventually won he being very blind is greatly handicapped and is continually mistaking bishops for pawns and queens for bishops...."
they arrive in Vancouver on June 23rd, enjoying various excursions and shopping trips, before taking the train to Toronto on July 15th. Only July 18th they leave Totonto on Steamer Kingston, a paddle-boat on Lake Ontario. " Weather very threatening. Blew a gale soon after starting and had a very rough night frightened we would turn over"...which is the last entry.
If you are unable to collect your purchases, packing and shipping for items can be arranged. We have an independent pack and send service on the premises that does not involve our office staff, please use the following link http://www.delivery-to-you.co.uk for a quote.
Please note that our postal service may not be available for the Painting and Fine Art sales depending on the lot bought.
Terms & Conditions General Conditions
1. GENERAL.
Whilst the Auctioneer makes every effort to ensure accuracy and the description of any lot:
(a) Each lot is as set out in the catalogue or as divided or combined with any other lot or lots, is sold by the vendor with all faults, imperfections and errors of description.
(b) The Auctioneers do not accept responsibility for the authenticity, attribution, date, condition or quality of any lot unless they have been instructed in writing by the vendor to so certify.
(c) All statements whether printed in the catalogue or made orally as to any of the matters set out in (b) above are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as being or implying any warranties or representation of fact by the Auctioneers unless they have been instructed by the vendor to so certify.
2. THE AUCTION.
(a) The Auctioneer has absolute discretion to divide any lot, to combine any two or more lots or to withdraw any lot from the auction, to refuse bids, regulate bidding or cancel the sale without in any case giving any reason or without previous notice. He may bid on behalf of the vendor for all goods which are being offered subject to reserve or at the Auctioneers discretion.
(b) The highest bidder shall be the buyer. The Auctioneer may at his sole discretion determine the advance of the bidding or refuse a bid. If during the auction the Auctioneer considers that a dispute has arisen, he has absolute discretion to settle it or to re-offer the lot.
(c) Each lot is put up for sale subject to any reserve price placed by the vendor. Where there is no reserve price (but not otherwise) the seller has the right to bid either personally or by any one person (who may be the Auctioneer).
(d) All conditions, notices, descriptions, statements and other matters in the catalogue and elsewhere concerning any lot are subject to any statements modifying or affecting the same made by the Auctioneer from the rostrum prior to any bid being accepted for the lot.
3. BUYER'S PREMIUM.
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with the buyer's premium at a rate of 18% of the hammer price.
4. RESCISSION.
Notwithstanding any other terms of these Conditions, if within 14 days after the auction the auctioneer has received from the buyer of any lots notice in writing that in his view the lot is a deliberate forgery and within twenty-one days after such notification the buyer returns the same to the Auctioneer in the same condition as at the time of the sale and by producing evidence, the burden of proof to be on the buyer, satisfies the Auctioneer that considered in the light of the entry in the catalogue the lot is a deliberate forgery then the sale of the lot will be rescinded and the purchase price of the same refunded. The vendor agrees to be bound by the Auctioneers decision.
5. DEFAULT.
The Auctioneer disclaims responsibility for default either by the buyer or the vendor because he acts as Auctioneer only and therefore does not pay out to the vendor until payment is received from the buyer. Instructions given by telephone are accepted at the sender's risk and must be confirmed in writing forthwith.
6. THIRD PARTY LIABILITY.
Every person on the auction premises at any time shall be deemed to be there at their own risk. They shall have no claim against the Auctioneer or Proprietor in respect of any accident which may occur or injury, damage or loss howsoever caused, save in so far as the injury, damage or loss shall be caused by the negligence of the Auctioneer's or Proprietor's employees.
Vendors Conditions
7. INSTRUCTIONS.
All goods delivered to the Auctioneers premises will be deemed to be delivered for sale by auction unless stated otherwise in writing and will be catalogued and sold at the Auctioneers discretion and accepted by the Auctioneer subject to all Sale Conditions. By delivering the goods to the Auctioneer for inclusion in their auction sales each vendor acknowledges that they have accepted and agreed to be bound by all these Conditions.
8. COLLECTION.
The Auctioneer does not himself undertake the collection of goods, but will, if required in writing, instruct a contractor on the vendor's behalf in his capacity as agent. The Auctioneer disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage to goods or for unauthorised removal of goods and damage to premises caused by the contractor.
9. LOSS OR DAMAGE.
The Auctioneer disclaims all responsibility for loss or damage to goods or for unauthorised removal of goods unless caused by the negligence of his staff.
10. STORAGE.
The Auctioneer reserves the right to store or arrange goods delivered to him for sale either on his own premises or elsewhere at his sole discretion. He exempts himself from any liability for loss or damage to goods delivered to his salerooms without sufficient sale instructions and reserves the right to make a storage charge for such goods (unless the loss or damage is caused by the negligence of his employees).
11. RIGHT TO SELL.
Vendors will be charged for goods left on the premises if the vendor has been requested to remove them and if the goods are not removed within twenty-one days of such request the Auctioneer reserves the right to sell the goods to defray costs and storage charges.
12. INSURANCE.
(a) Unless otherwise instructed in writing all goods on the Auctioneers premises and in his custody will be held insured for which insurance the Auctioneer will charge a premium of 1%. The Auctioneer has an insurance policy that covers lots in his care, custody or control. The vendor and the buyer agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of that policy. The policy document is available for inspection at our office.
(b) The Auctioneer shall not be responsible for damage to or loss, theft or destruction of any goods not so insured upon the owner's written instructions.
13. RESERVES.
(a) All goods are put up for sale WITHOUT RESERVE unless written instructions are received by the Auctioneer prior to the commencement of the auction.
(b) In the event of any reserve price not being reached at auction, the Auctioneer is empowered to sell after the auction, by private treaty, at not less than the reserve price.
(c) The Auctioneer may charge up to 20% of the lowest estimate should any lot be withdrawn from the auction or fail to reach its reserve.
14. INDEMNITY.
The vendor shall duly indemnify the Auctioneer against any claims in connection with any goods sold by the Auctioneer on the vendor's behalf.
15. VALUE ADDED TAX.
A vendor who sells by auction any chattel(s) which is an asset of their business must disclose to the Auctioneer whether or not they are registered for Value Added Tax purposes and if so their registered number and whether they intend to operate the special scheme covering works of art etc. This information must be supplied to the Auctioneer on or prior to delivery of the goods.
16. PHOTOGRAPHY.
The Auctioneers reserve the right to photograph and illustrate such items as they see fit. This will be charged up to a maximum of ?40 per illustration
17. COMMISSION.
The Auctioneers will charge commission as shown on the Auction Entry Form. Where electrical goods are consigned to us for sale, we have by law to instruct on the vendor's behalf , a qualified person to conduct the prescribed safety checks. For this and modifications a charge will be made and deducted from the proceeds.
Buyers Conditions
18. INSPECTION.
Ample opportunity is given for inspection and each purchaser by making a bid for a lot acknowledges that they have satisfied themselves fully before bidding by inspection or otherwise as to all Conditions of Sale, the physical conditions of and description of the lot including but not restricted to whether the lot is damaged or has been repaired.
19. PROPERTY AND RISK.
The property in a lot shall not pass to the buyer until they have paid the purchase price in full, but each lot is at the sole risk of the purchaser from the fall of the hammer. Each purchaser shall forthwith give his full names and permanent address, and if called upon to do so by the Auctioneer shall forthwith pay to the Auctioneer such proportion of the purchase price as the Auctioneer my require. If the purchaser fails to do so, the lot may, at the Auctioneers sole discretion be put up again and re-sold.
20. REMOVAL OF GOODS.
(a) All lots shall be paid for and removed at the buyer's risk and expense by the end of the second working day after the auction, failing which the Auctioneer shall not be responsible if the same are lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, and all lots not so removed shall remain at the risk of the buyer and be subject to a storage charge. If they are not paid for or removed within seven days of the auction the Auctioneer may re-sell them by auction or private treaty without notice to the buyer. Any liability which there may be on the part of the Auctioneer in respect of any loss shall be restricted to maximum of the price paid by the purchaser of the lot.
(b) If any buyer fails to comply with any of the above Conditions the damage recoverable from the defaulter shall include all loss arising from any re-sale of the lot, together with the charge and expenses in respect of both sales and any money deposited in part payment shall be held by the Auctioneer against the defaulters liability and may be appropriated in settlement of that liability.
21. CREDIT CARDS.
All major credit cards and debit cards are accepted for payment for lots purchased. A surcharge may be applied to payments made by credit card.
22. ARTIST’S RESALE RIGHTS.
This levy is to be charged to the purchaser. In bidding, you accept that you will be charged in accordance with he terms of the Act
23. ONLINE BIDDING.
David Lay FRICS offer an online bidding service via the-saleroom.com for bidders who cannot attend the sale.
In completing the bidder registration on www.the-saleroom.com and providing your credit card details and, unless alternative arrangements are agreed with David Lay FRICS you:
1. authorise David Lay FRICS, if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction via the-saleroom.com, and
2. confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to David Lay Frics.
3. note that shipping arrangement details are available on our website www.davidlay.co.uk
Please note that any lots purchased via the-saleroom.com live auction service will be subject to an additional 4.95% commission charge + VAT at the rate imposed on the hammer price.
We do not accept credit cards but you may pay by bank transfer, debit card, cheque or cash.
