The following collection of watercolors was removed from an album of watercolors collected by John Drummond of Megginch Castle in Errol, Perthshire, Scotland. The album had his armorial bookplate with the motto, “Marte et Arte”. Those by Georgina Deane (Mrs. George Onslow Deane) were generally ascribed to her on the album page with some annotations on the reverse. The dates of her works range from the 1840’s to 1850’s. The album itself dates from circa 1825 and continues on for over 100 years to the John Drummond who lived at the Castle in the 1930’s, the 15th Baron Strange. The Drummonds were a very old Highland Family dating back at least to 1296. It is very possible that Mrs. Deane was in some way connected to the Drummond family whether by relation or friendship. Unfortunately, all I can glean about her life is that she was probably the mother of the first-class cricketer, George Onslow Deane. He was a first-class player for Hampshire, but was better known for having lived 101 years and thus was the 8th oldest cricketer when he died. He only played a year for Hampshire and was undistinguished!! Obviously from her watercolors, she traveled and was certainly a fine amateur watercolorist!!  And these are some fine examples of her work.

This is a really pretty watercolor of Bisham Abbey which is located near Marlow in England.  Mentioned in the Domesday Book and once the property of the Knights Templar, as well as the Augustinian Canons, the priory was destroyed by Henry VIII so that all that remains today is the Manor House.  Many notables stayed at the Manor House featured in the watercolor, including Richard Neville, Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves, Elizabeth I, and James I.  The famous property was donated for use as a National Sports Centre in 1947 and continues in that capacity with the National Sports Council to this day....ghosts and all!!  This is Pencil and Watercolor on Paper and is sized 7 1/4 x 12 1/4 inches.  In fine condition with remnants of old mounting board on the reverse.  Inscribed "Brisham Abbey" on the back, and titled, dated, and ascribed on the album page.

Price:  $245.00

This is a beautiful small watercolor showing the famous Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, one of the seven churches visited by pilgrims on the journey to Rome.  It was once called the "Basilica of the Relics" as so many Holy artifacts were kept within it's walls.  The Church was first consecrated circa 325, then just a smaller building which was re-built to house the Passion Relics brought to Rome by St. Helena.  The floor was even packed with soil from the Holy Land!!  The watercolor is Pencil and Watercolor on Paper with the album page Titled and dated.  There are remnants on the back from the old album page.  Sized 4 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches.

Price:  SOLD

This is a nice diminutive watercolor showing the seat of the Drummond family in Perthshire, Megginch Castle.  The inscription reads:  "The home of John Drummond, which he sold to his younger Brothers painted by Georgina Deane 1847".  The Drummonds were originally a highland family, and were involved in a number of clan disputes which were all too common in the years of Scotland's development.  Their properties were all forfeited during the Jacobite uprisings, but later they re-established the family at Megginch Castle.  This piece is Pencil and Watercolor on Paper sized 4 1/4 x 7 inches.  It is in fine condition with some remnants of the album page on the back.  It is dated on the reverse and then inscribed on the album page.

Price:  SOLD

This is another nice diminutive watercolor, almost a match to the previous, showing a nice hillside castle or abbey.  It seems that I have seen this subject before, but I haven't been able to place it!!  It was on the same album page as Megginch Castle, but the architecture looks very French in nature and is similar to the Abbey of Haut-Combe by Georgina Deane which has already been sold.  At any rate, it is Pencil and Watercolor on Paper sized 4 5/8 x 6 3/4 inches.  In fine condition with remnants of the old album page on the reverse.  There are no markings nor were there any inscriptions on the album page.

Price:  $95.00