FABULOUS PAIR OF 1775 DATED T. ENGLISH BRONZE CANNON OF VISCOUNT “KITTY” COURTENAY OF POWDERHAM CASTLE.

SN VI & XII. This exquisite pair of two-pounder guns, 41-3/4″ bbl length are among the finest bronze cannon in collection. These cannons are part of a set of twelve cast by the well known London founder T. English for the third Viscount Courtenay whose family estate is Powderham Castle in Exeter, England. Powderham originally built as it is seen today in 1391. The cannon are similar in design to the British light 3-pounder field gun. The 2.7″ bore diameter equates to 2-pounder bore. The guns were cast on cores in the old way, rather than cast solid and having the bores drilled out, as was done for military pieces at that time. There are four steel chaplets in the breech-three in the base ring and one through the cascabel. The cannon have naturalistic dolphin handles. Each piece has a series of punch-marks in a horizontal line near the bottom of the breechface. The meaning of these marks is unknown. The cannon are mounted on old oak naval carriages with brass fittings. These cannon and carriages were found in upstate New York and no doubt were brought to America where the flamboyant Kitty Courtenay fled after his scandalous relationship with the novelist, politician, art collector and profligate William Beckford. Beckford inherited a one million pound fortune which would be like a billionaire today. He indulged himself living a life few could dream of even being taught music by no other than Mozart himself and studying art under Alexander Cozens. Beckford, though married, had numerous affairs with boys and women including William Courtenay, which started when Beckford was 18 and Courtenay was only 11; when this affair was discovered and published in London newspapers, Beckford chose self exile from polite British society and continued on with his illicit affairs. Third Viscount William “Kitty” Courtenay of Powderham was one of 14 children and the only boy, also being born into great wealth and power. Courtenay’s infamous affair forced him to live abroad. He lived in the United States on property he owned on the Hudson River in New York and later in Paris, dying there in 1831 as The Earl of Devon. There is still an identical pair of cannons found at Powderham Castle which is still home to the 18th Earl of Devon and is open to tours to the public. Book including photos and story of Powderham Castle is included. PROVENANCE: Frank E. Bivens, Jr. Collection. Val J. Forgett, Jr. Collection. Glode M. Requa Collection. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Fine overall. Cannon barrels exhibit smooth bronze patina with fine detail as can be seen in photos. Carriages are later Naval style, one missing trunnion caps. Markings are crisp and discernible. Base ring is marked “T. ENGLISH & CO. FECIT LONDON 1775” and breech is marked “C” surmounted by Viscount’s coronet. Underside of one cannon has “VI” and other has “XII”. 4-54088 JS127 (30,000-40,000) – Lot 1409

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1409	$34,500.00	FABULOUS PAIR OF 1775 DATED T. ENGLISH BRONZE CANNON OF VISCOUNT “KITTY” COURTENAY OF POWDERHAM CASTLE. SN VI & XII. This exquisite pair of two-pounder guns, 41-3/4″ bbl length are among the finest bronze cannon in collection. These cannons are part of a set of twelve cast by the well known London founder T. English for the third Viscount Courtenay whose family estate is Powderham Castle in Exeter, England. Powderham originally built as it is seen today in 1391. The cannon are similar in design to the British light 3-pounder field gun. The 2.7″ bore diameter equates to 2-pounder bore. The guns were cast on cores in the old way, rather than cast solid and having the bores drilled out, as was done for military pieces at that time. There are four steel chaplets in the breech-three in the base ring and one through the cascabel. The cannon have naturalistic dolphin handles. Each piece has a series of punch-marks in a horizontal line near the bottom of the breechface. The meaning of these marks is unknown. The cannon are mounted on old oak naval carriages with brass fittings. These cannon and carriages were found in upstate New York and no doubt were brought to America where the flamboyant Kitty Courtenay fled after his scandalous relationship with the novelist, politician, art collector and profligate William Beckford. Beckford inherited a one million pound fortune which would be like a billionaire today. He indulged himself living a life few could dream of even being taught music by no other than Mozart himself and studying art under Alexander Cozens. Beckford, though married, had numerous affairs with boys and women including William Courtenay, which started when Beckford was 18 and Courtenay was only 11; when this affair was discovered and published in London newspapers, Beckford chose self exile from polite British society and continued on with his illicit affairs. Third Viscount William “Kitty” Courtenay of Powderham was one of 14 children and the only boy, also being born into great wealth and power. Courtenay’s infamous affair forced him to live abroad. He lived in the United States on property he owned on the Hudson River in New York and later in Paris, dying there in 1831 as The Earl of Devon. There is still an identical pair of cannons found at Powderham Castle which is still home to the 18th Earl of Devon and is open to tours to the public. Book including photos and story of Powderham Castle is included. PROVENANCE: Frank E. Bivens, Jr. Collection. Val J. Forgett, Jr. Collection. Glode M. Requa Collection. Springfield Arsenal, LLC Artillery Collection. CONDITION: Fine overall. Cannon barrels exhibit smooth bronze patina with fine detail as can be seen in photos. Carriages are later Naval style, one missing trunnion caps. Markings are crisp and discernible. Base ring is marked “T. ENGLISH & CO. FECIT LONDON 1775” and breech is marked “C” surmounted by Viscount’s coronet. Underside of one cannon has “VI” and other has “XII”. 4-54088 JS127 (30,000-40,000) – Lot 1409 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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FABULOUS PAIR OF 1775 DATED T. ENGLISH BRONZE CANNON OF VISCOUNT “KITTY” COURTENAY OF POWDERHAM CASTLE.