My connection with HMS Pickle goes back a long way and includes a lengthy commission for HMS Victory which resulted in some great pictures (several available as heritage prints from page
http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Curiously when I was filmed in Nelson’s Great Cabin onboard HMS Victory for the BBC TV programme “The Boats that Built Britain” I found myself being asked by narrator Tom Cunliffe to give a character reference for Pickle’s commander.
See this blog December 5th – http://www.frickers.co.uk/blog/2009/12/05/portsmouth-hms-victory-and-pickle/.

Can you imagine the experience to be on HMS Victory early on a December morning when only Victory’s Royal Navy staff are present?

At 07.30 on a chilly 5th of December 2009 morning I found myself in Nelson’s day cabin being asked about the mind set of the sailors after the battle of Trafalgar and giving a character reference for Lt Lapenotiere of HM Schooner Pickle (he of possibly the most miss pronounced miss spelt name in British naval history) ~ and this was to go on National TV?!
My view is that despite desertions and floggings Lt Lapenotiere was a good commander and very fine seaman.

He commanded a very small very wet vessel that must have been seriously unpleasant in winter and he sailed Pickle in dangerous coastal waters with out misshap, with some élan and some distinction.

How Lt Lapenotiere managed this and his men is a story in its self for another time, maybe.

One of my best known pictures features Pickle, “I have urgent dispatches“.
If you wish reproduce this image for the purpose of an educational presentation (only) do go ahead, free of charge.
A credit shown with the image mentioning web site and availability of prints would be appreciated, thank you.
The Pickle in “I have urgent dispatches” is after much research including of similar period vessels, models, other paintings and the only illustration probably overseen by her then commander Lt Lapenotiere is considered by some leading authorities as showing her most likely actual appearance.

Available as a heritage edition in print, signed and numbered, the first copy was presented by the officers of HMS Seahawk mess in 2005 to the Princess Royal in appreciation of her assistance with the commemorative voyage, Trafalgar to Falmouth, of the news of Trafalgar and death of Nelson.
Having made a special study which started in 1994 when I was commissioned to paint to raise funds for HMS Victory , of HMS Pickle, I have a considerable amount of information here about HMS Pickle and other vessels of her type.
I am also keenly aware some books and many web sites present info on Pickle as fact and are simply wrong or at best guessing.
Example: in my view Pickle was probably built at or near Plymouth.

Bermuda is often suggested for which I’ve seen no supporting evidence.

I have a huge respect for the achievements of the men of that period, I feel HMS Victory is still visited by their spirit.

I even felt contacts with these formidable men while painting “Trafalgar Dawn” (http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/trafalgar_dawn.html)

That story is mentioned in Trafalgar Dawn, further reading (picture available as a signed edition exclusively from this web site).

You may also like to know I am currently working on 2 new “Pickle” paintings.

I wish my naval friend all the best with his presentation a copy of which would be of great interest.

I like the idea of a Leading Seaman giving a command leadership presentation to senior officers.
In any event I hope he does let us know how he got on and of any funny stories.

Of course we would like you to buy from frickers.co.uk however here is a guide or at the very least food for thought  for everyone interested in framing.

This text will we hope help you care for your new and existing art work to maximize its value and your enjoyment. If you are in doubt, we can supply finished prints and paintings to most destinations usually for very reasonable prices.

Some people like to organize their own framing so here is a guide.

By the way

This page updates the Frickers web site page  at http://www.frickers.co.uk/care.html

Frickers prints and painting have increased in value over the past 20 years on average by 250%.

Our carriage costs for framed works are very reasonable however they do vary even with in the British Isles.

~
Gordon Frickers career as an artist started in 1966 at Maidstone College of Art. His studies included a range of subjects as diverse as life drawing, philosophy, Art History  and graphic design
Since 1983 his core activity has been ‘painter’ (specializing in marine art) and Art Photographer… He has a “formidable list of clients” ~ quote from Audrey Hinks of Gallerie Marine, (C.V./résumé page. http://www.frickers.co.uk/about.html)

Invited to exhibit in the  European Parliament in May 2011 Frickers has been describes  as widely regarded as one of the finest living marine artists.
~
Choose from our selection of collector’s heritage quality prints fully framed and delivered. You can order easily, safely on line using PayPal
“Print Gallery”

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Superior paintings and prints produce a special ambiance making a statement. The best photographs and other forms of interior decoration can enhance, they can’t substitute for fine paintings. To maximize your investment, always frame discreetly but don’t spare the cost.
Your / our new print / painting is our baby too so we would like to provide the following recommendations. Treating your / our print / painting with care will help provide many years of pleasure and protect it your heritage picture as an investment.
Usually a better quality frame is worth the money. Cheap frames cheapen your presentation. Our view is that a frame should not overwhelm the picture, but look unobtrusive and sophisticated. More on how to choose follows further below.
Please note, our top of range prestigious Heritage prints (see Print Gallery) are on a special cotton canvas so look and to feel like the real thing.
These are a development of the renowned Giclee printing process. We recommend they are dry mounted before framing. We use a museum approved system guaranteed not to bubble or blister and it is reversible.
~
Choosing a picture frame

We recommend you consider the frame is sympathetic to the picture, the owner’s temperament and the room it should be hung in. What does that mean?

Some guidelines include:

1.    The latest fashions are for quite clean mouldings with the detail in the colour and texture of the moulding. These suit almost all periods of room from ultra modern to Georgian and older.
2.    The frame should help the picture look important so, steer well clear of very narrow or highly original frames.
3.    Big ornate frames still have a place particularly in formal settings like offices were other pictures have been framed in that style or where special attention is desired for the picture. Our swept frames are hand made to special order.
4.    Avoid frames that are narrow or very dark; they generally look and are miserly.
5.    2.5″ ( 62mm) works well for pictures up to about 20″ x 32″ (508 x 810 mm) then add on about 1 ” (25mm) per foot (300mm).
6.    For a modern person and modern home, even a traditional picture (see “Trafalgar Dawn”) will take a relatively clean uncluttered moulding and very pale mounting card. Whereas the same picture in a Victorian or older style of setting would take a much more ornate frame quite comfortably.
7.    Unfortunately some picture framers are more interested in the frame than the picture, a natural mistake, watch out for this. It will devalue your picture. They use frames which over power the picture; not good.
Card mounting.
1.    If there is to be a card mount, it should echo the main theme colours of the picture and often but not always be white, near white or of a significantly softer tone and saturation.
2.    The latest fashions are for white or near white card mounts.
3.    We now use Artscreen in place of glass. It has many advantages including lighter and almost unbreakable in transit and claims better UV light resistance.

Confused? If we can help don’t hesitate Contact Us T: 0044 (0) 1865 52 2435 .
~
Why paintings?

Few things make a home or offices look more stylish than very good paintings.
The rooms are given uplift for people without their even looking at the paintings.
They convey authority and integrity, an ambience, to the rooms in a way which no other furnishings can, challenging the imagination and senses of all who see them.

Fine paintings will arouse conversations and give pleasure and value every time you see them. If you commission Gordon Frickers you will be in safe, experienced hands.
~

Investment
With quality art consistently out performing the stock market, some people order 2 copies, one to show, the other as an investment to keep in store. You only need one or two art works in your collection to become sought after to pay for all and much, much more, be a winner: enjoy and good luck!
Have you seen the info about print quality on our “Print Galley”

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

IMPORTANT INFORMATION about the Mounting and framing of any and especially our fine art print(s)

Never frame directly on glass.

Consult an experienced picture framer for advice before framing your print. Ask for conservation quality framing, cheap frames devalue your and your collection.
Do discuss with your framer the various conservation methods of framing which can assist in maintaining the life span of your print. Be sure to have the picture framer explain their methods to you.
Prints should never be permanently secured to the mounting board. Only two methods of attaching the artwork to the mounting board are “museum” acceptable:

1.    The use of quality hinges attached to the print borders and mounting board.
2.    The use of Mylar or similar print pockets that are attached to the mounting board. The print is then slipped into these pockets. No adhesive of any kind touches the print and the paper is allowed to expand and contract without any adverse effects.
3.    A museum quality acid free masking tape along the top edge.

~
Improper mounting is responsible for much of the damage to art on paper. Deterioration and discoloration are caused by the use of common mat board. Only use acid free 100% museum quality art board to be safe, including for the backboard. The smallest amount of unprocessed inferior mounting board or adhesive will contain acid that “bums” paper and could cause it to turn brown. It may eventually become brittle and even disintegrate when it is removed from the frame.

~

Store prints, ensure they have been separated by acid-free tissue, without overmounts directly one on top of the other. Never store or leave prints flat on a floor – elevate them so that air can circulate underneath and around them.
~

Humidity is a major enemy to paper and prints. The chief danger in is mould. Mould grows in excess of 70% relative to humidity. According to museum curators, 50% humidity is ideally suited for keeping fine works of art on paper. Always maintain proper humidity levels wherever prints are being stored or hung. If there are signs of mould consult a reputable picture framer.
Handling our print, always have clean hands and use two hands to lift the paper so there is no risk of creasing and the edges do not get crimped. Never touch or drag anything across the image area, if you leave a thumb- print or scratch the surface, you will leave a permanent mark that cannot be repaired. Never use pressure sensitive tapes on the paper.

Never hang or store prints over or next to a radiator, heater or fire, the combination of heat, soot and smoke can do extensive damage over a short period of time. Make sure you check there is no dampness on any wall where you are hanging our print.
~

Light fades all works of art, all inks and paints; even ours that are produced from start to finish with the best materials. Once framed, your new print should be hung in an area away from direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting. Over time sunlight or fluorescent light will adversely affect your print. Fading is not reversible. It is irreversible damage. How much light is the optimum? The measurement in terms of lighting is called foot-candles, and according to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the optimum is five foot-candles, which is roughly the equivalent of a 150-watt bulb, approximately four-to-five feet away from the piece that is being lit. Genuine picture glass, ultra violet protective Plexiglas, Conservation Clear or a similar conservation glass will reduce the possibility of light damage but any strong direct light source should be avoided.
~
Any prints you order from us carry an impressive guarantee, for details
Visit our “Print Gallery”

Gordon Frickers © 26.06.05, updated 03.03.11

While recently speaking by phone with a client ordering a copy of our beautiful Heritage print October Evening the subject of ship models came up.

Subsequently and our thanks to this person, we have discovered a source of Pickle models!

This gentleman from St Austell, Cornwall  first bought a Gordon Frickers painting from Mid Cornwall Gallery way back around 1982.

There was actually an argument over who would have the painting, rare, and unique in the history of Mid Cornwall Gallery at St Blazey!

The gallery despite the obvious popularity of Gordon Frickers marine paintings has to this day never shown another Gordon Frickers marine painting.

Reason given, we prefer to show more experimental styles of art.

There is no pleasing some people?

October Evening, the print, is one of a mini series Gordon Frickers painted of the Cornish port of Charlestown when living at Par near Charlestown.

You can view this painting and print on page

http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/charlestown.html and read some of the story by following the link useful facts + excellent stories about “October Evening”.

It seems there is a model available of HMS Pickle, Scale: 1:64  Length: 565mm  Beam 180mm  Height: 460mm
Price of kit £121.48
Try looking for Westbourne Model.co.uk and please,

Tell them about our dramatic print of HMS Pickle, “I have urgent dispatches” and that we pointed you in their direction, thank you that helps everyone.

It was as you may be aware produced specially for and in close collaboration with Britain’s most illustrious yachtsman and master mariner, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

We had a brief, charming compliament recently re the beautiful Heritage quality marine print of “Roaring Forties”, one of those thing which helps make our work feel worth while. 

A constant concern of ours is  with quality of reproduction of our pictures on the Internet, the original and the prints look far better than any computer generated image.

The kind remarks below illustrate the point more effectively than we can, read on, enjoy!

This was from a person I met at the Wayfarer World Championship who’s birthday coincidentally is the 16th of December, the same date Robin Knox-Johnston experienced the dramatic moment shown in the painting.

~

Gordon,

I have received the print and I absolutely love it! I had no idea it would be so alive and so much akin to a real painting. Thanks ever so much.

Kind regards,

J. Browning, Engineer.

Available in a choice of 2 sizes, standard and large you can order your copy of this signed moment from an historic marine adventure, the first non stop solo circumnavigation of the world, direct from page

http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Ordering your copy is quick, easy and secure using our PayPal system.

~

These are frequent questions so here are reliable answers, to guide you.

In brief our Heritage marine prints are “improved SuperGiclée ”

Each Heritage marine print is individually produced, signed and numbered for those discerning individuals who appreciate the best quality and investment.

Each print is produced on a fine art quality cotton canvas.
We offer a unique thus rare collection including some famous paintings, a wonderful investment very reasonably priced and we can print most of our other paintings to special order.

Prints can be purchased quickly, securely using Paypal on page

http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Description of Heritage marine prints follows below, what these marine prints are, are these special marine prints?

By the way, you can also find on www.frickers.co.uk detailed info on pages:
1. care of prints and framing prints on http://www.frickers.co.uk/care.html
2. Mounting cotton canvas prints http://www.frickers.co.uk/framing.html

The following is a summary of our web site page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html followed by some remarks by our printer Alan Tooze of Adaptgraphics, Plymouth.

The Prestige Heritage Limited Editions are printed on cotton canvas that gives the look and feel of originals.

Each Prestige Heritage Limited Edition is numbered and signed by Gordon Frickers.

~

The following endorsements may further increase your confidence in us?

The Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm, HMS Seahawk (Culdrose, Cornwall) mess presented a copy of “I have urgent dispatches” to the Princess Royal, Princess Anne at one of their Trafalgar night dinners in appreciation of the support given in person by the Princess Royal to the 2005 commemoration of Trafalgar and the re enactment of the historic voyage of HMS Pickle to Falmouth, Cornwall. ~
Buckingham Palace agreed:

“the Princess was delighted to receive this beautiful picture”, (”I have Urgent dispatches“) “The Princess was over the moon” wrote our contact. (You may know, usually only original paintings are given to Royalty).

~
The quality is so remarkable people will often touch the unframed prints as if to re assure themselves.
“Your painting ‘I have urgent dispatches‘ hangs over the fireplace in our library and I feel very proud to have this painting of the Pickle. Perhaps we should work together on another concept soon?” ~ Peter Goodwin, author, Curator of HMS Victory at H.M. Naval Base, Portsmouth ~ and finally for an encore?
As each new marine print is individually produced supervised by the artist Gordon Frickers using the latest innovations available we hope you appreciate our aim is to bring you stunning first class quality prints with a high “wow” factor?
In the case of our Prestige Heritage Limited Editions, each marine print will arrive with the look and feel of an original painting.

~

Gordon Frickers, renowned for a number of internationally famous paintings, went to Art College at the tender age of 16, for 5 years emerging with a degree and London City and Guilds final, General Photography.
He has painted professionally since 1981; we have 38 years of personal and 400 years of combined professional experience for you to draw on.
World famous pictures, “Roaring Forties” for example have been commissioned; some are available as collectable Heritage prints from page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html.
Ordering is quick and easy using the secure system Paypal, collect, share, enjoy.
~

Question to our printer Alan Tooze who brings each day a life time of experience in the print industry and is passionate about his work, and very high tech.
His reply may be of interest to you and your people.

Q. What is a Prestige canvas print?
A. Also called a Giclée print (comes from the French word meaning literally ‘to squirt’); this refers to the process in which the ink is laid down on the paper. Giclée is the name commonly given to an inkjet limited edition reproduction of an artwork, photograph or digitally created work. We now print on archival grade artist’s quality coated canvas, with HP Vivera pigment inks offering a lifespan of up to 200 years, using an HP Z6100 eight colour printer.
We previously used a seven colour Epson 9600 with Ultrachrome inks rated at up to 75 years.

Q. How long do canvas prints last?
A. This will depend totally on where they will be used. Exposure to UV light (daylight, especially sunlight) will cause ALL inks to fade eventually. Prints in bright rooms or in front of windows will fade sooner than those in controlled conditions such as galleries and museums where there is little or no daylight.

However as a guide: we use HP Vivera pigment inks which can last up to 200 years

Pigmented ink is made from natural, mineral and biological material mixed with resin, producing a color more fade and water resistant then traditional ink or dye. Archival pigment inks are made from 100 percent pigment in a fine micro-dispersion sprayed through a fine inkjet print head. This process allows a large amount and intensity of color to be applied. Archival pigmented ink is used in Giclee printing because digital printing process and fade resistance is a concern when printing digitally. This new technology eliminates problems with traditional print reproduction methods of color longevity.

The high resolution standards of Giclée printers can repeat original artwork faithfully without any visible dot patterns. True Giclée is reproduced on stretchable canvas or watercolor paper. The artist, working along with the printer, produces a print that is now a new art form.
~

Signed and numbered for those discerning individuals who demand the best each print is produced on a fine art quality cotton canvas
~

Hope this helps?
If you can’t find the answer here don’t hesitate to use our “contact us” page or the comments facility below.

We hope you agree, www.,frickers.co.uk is a significant resource; you may like to book mark this site for further reading  research and enjoyment?

Gordon Frickers © 2010

Sea Breezes, Glenorchy the marine painting is in the June issue which is on sale today.
We had a slight problem because of the tight deadline.
I have an excellent 5″ x 4″ transparency of this beautiful marine art painting but no high resolution digital image and my Epsom Perfection 2450 scanner is currently NBG, refuses to talk to Vista.

~

Glenorchy is on the Sea Breezes gatefold in this issues, a rare chance to have a nice print of this classic Glen Line ship and Empire class tugs, some of the ex William Watkins,  Alexander Towing Company tugs.
You can find the picture and more text on page http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/glenorchy_thames.html.

The pop up on this page shows you the painting about life size but is not as crisp, sharp as the original consequently the colours have suffered a bit.

Of course, many of the illustrations here and on www.frickers.co.uk you can view larger than life.

Recently for your enjoyment, we have started to include a grey and a colour scale with the pictures thus if you wish to se them as close as is possible to the image we place on the web you can adjust. yourscreen.

I hop you think, still fun to see though?

The editor is would like to use more of my pictures in the future, probably “Plymouth Cattewater” featuring the crack clipper Samuel Plimsoll next.
Sea Breezes are preparing an article on the Samuel Plimsoll.
I mentioned to my friends at Sea Breezes, the exceelent new-ish Nicolette Jones book “The Plimsoll Sensation” to them (ISBN 978-0-349-11720-1).

If you live in GB you can see the programme via the BBC web site on their Ipod and you can add a copy of “I have urgent dispatches” to your collection quickly and securely on page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html.

The latter also gives you acces via “further reading” to much of the brief yet facinating history of the historic and famous schooner Pickle.

Unfortunately I only found out an hour before the happening via a very kind friend so have not seen it.

Unfortunate for me, I could not view The Boats that made Britain; not while in France because of BBC licencing arrangements with other countries so I’ve not seen it.

I’d like to have seen the whole series and as you probably know this year the BBC is featuring many sea and marine stories as part of a special study.

Ce la vie… I should be back in England on the 28th so maybe I’ll be able to see it then?

You can if you wish see pictures and read about the interview with Forum films in the Admiral’s Great Cabin onboard HMS Victory by visiting this bolg date 05.10.09, enjoy!

This is the renowned marine painting, reproduced in several learned books and considered by some leading experts the definitive marine painting of HMS Pickle, a painting from which even the prints have created a history with copies going to among others, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, The Royal Naval Air Service and the New York Yacht Club!

I have urgent dispatches is still available as a prestige limited edition.

Signed by the artist and at very affordable prices, as are many of the other prints in the Gordon Frickers growing selection.

I’m just starting to re optimize my web site, a job that is overdue and very likely to increase sales however only The Schooner Vagrant is currently at risk of being sold out.
You can check these prints out on page http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html, also place your order securely and easily online from this page

~

Other Nelson news is the attached picture of Nelson at Gibraltar, while still a long way from finished as you can see from the following pop up pics, Nelson at Gibraltar is beginning to be detailed so completion is probably only about 20 hours away ~ but it has to compete with the Samuel Plimsoll for my attention!

As usual with my significant historical paintings there are some neat touches appearing.

For example when you read about this period some odd ship names keep coming up in the Mediterranean like Tartan and Xebec so thanks to my very rare copy of Serres great book guide to marine painters we have a Tartan and a Xebec in this painting.

Can you spot the Tartan and the Xebec?

Part of my intention is to recreate the business of Gibratar and it’s bay at that period hence the inclusion of the Tartan and Xebec.

Who knows which is which and what they were?

Of course the rigging of Minerve is barely started and the rigging on most of the other ships are incomplete however there is now enough detail to begin to guess how this marine painting will turn out particularly if you have had a long look at some of the pop up details on www.frickers.co.uk in the marine gallery.

Nelson is beginning to be identifiable, the uniforms of the Marine guard I think are correct (you know some thing I don’t? If so please speak up!) as are many other clothing details and away in the middle distance we can now see crew at work on the 74 gun ship of the line HMS Captain.

I hope by now if you are unfamiliar with my marine art you will have realised I carry out more than average research?

I consult some rather special sources and have even sailed on a square rigger which was 10 years older than the Cutty Sark!

For sure, Nelson at Gibraltar direct from me, it won’t cost the lucky purchaser anywhere near the asking price of the original of I have urgent dispatches!

Maybe that makes it a great bargain?
It’s what often happens to my paintings, I have to watch them re sold for far more than I got, ahh well, ce la vie and good luck to all the owners of my “children”.

Nelson at Gibraltar is not pre sold.

I am happy for who ever purchases, I aim to give excellent value to every clinet, my clients in turn have enabled me to have an amazing 30 years painting and I’ve learnt the ultimate compliment is I think, “I’ll buy it”!
~
I am also working on a second version of Trafalgar Dawn, this time the French view at 06.05 but it is not sufficiently advanced to  show just yet.
I have though started the drawing. So what you yawn? Give me a break mate, this has taken 7 years to research that is a detective story in it’s self!
This is going to be a famous painting, make no mistake about that.
The French I discovered refer to Trafalgar as “the catastrophe of Trafalgar“.
That said, most of their people as is not generally known in Britain, fought very bravely as did many of the Spaniards.
The French have always had a great maritime tradition as alive today as ever.
~
Thus, I was recently asked by the president of the Laperouse Society to make enquiries in England about the possibility of working with other museums dedicated to great navigators and explorers with a view to jointly raising European funding.
There are numerous historical replicas built and building in France, maybe we could involve the French in one of our Pickle nights?
~
I still love boat building.
I was super fit in my boat building and dinghy racing days, sadly I am going soft here in the Tarn ~ I must go down to the sea again…
I am being asked to helm a Wayfarer at the World Championship this year and am worrying that I’m not fit enough to cope.
I stopped sailing dinghies (mostly Laser) 4 years ago…
I wouldn’t mind a dinghy for day cruising and to keep fitter but my days of winning at national and International level are history.
A winter capsize from a Laser at Plymouth taught me that!

I’ll be in England end of May and most of June, after a brief stay in S Brittany (Loire Atlantic).
The general quality of life here in France is wonderful, the French work hard and know how to party and play, seem to like me and lots of people say “why would you ever want to go back?“

A few days ago and there is a joke in here some where,  I received an email dated February 23, now why did that arrive so late?

The subject, an enquiry, was “H.M. Schooner “Pickle“, carrying the news of the Battle of Trafalgar ~PurchasePrint : yes ~ Message : On prestige cotton canvass~ Message entered from : H.M. Schooner “Pickle“, carrying the news of the Battle of Trafalgar.

You can see and read more of the extra ordinary research and story of  Pickle and this wonderful and renowned picture on web site page http://www.frickers.co.uk/marine-art/urgent_dispatches.html.

Curiously, ironically, given the delay, the joke maybe is this marine print is entitled “I have urgent dispatches“.

This dramatic picture shows HMS Pickle in heavy weather, her equally dramatic dispatch indicated by Pickle flying flags 2214, an 1805 (Admiral Popham’s) code signal when speaking en route with HMS Nautilus, Pickle then carrying  the news which stunned the British nation and is still referred to by the French as “le catastrophe de Trafalgar” .

You may be aware, Pickle is the famous schooner that carried the news of the death of Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar.

Pickle’s voyage was re enacted in 2005 and she is celebrated in the Royal Navy every year on the anniversary of her arrival off Falmouth, Cornwall, 4th October 1805, at the New York Yacht Club and many other venues world wide so now you too have an excuse for a nautically themed party, maybe unveiling your new copy of the acclaimed painting “I have urgent dispatches”!

You can if you wish order yourself a  copy of this historic and renowned picture quickly and easily using Paypal from page

http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

When the original painting of “I have urgent dispatches” was finished, my family decided we should have a Pickle party and what a party it turned out to be?

Among our distinguished guests we had 2 square rig captains and the curator of HMS Victory, Peter Goodwin.

We also had thanks to Martin Bibbings of the Trafalgar Gun Company and Nick Dalton of the Maria Asumpta, 2 live cannon which Martin described as the ultimate executive toys.

Our guns capable of firing a 1 pound ball 3 miles, where loaned for the evening from Maria Asumpta and duly cermoniously fired.

Although by the standard of the Georgian Navy they were considered pop guns they made enough very satisfying noise for people around Plymouth to our great glee saying the next day, “there were very load fireworks last night…”

The back blast even broke a window of my house!.

Of course such dangerous weapons must and were handled by experts and with great care.

These same people fascinated the children by allowing them to go through the motions of loading the guns and gave Victory’s curator Peter Goodwin, his first taste of firing a live cannon; a taste he is now some what addicted to!

I painted “I have urgent dispatches” as part of a project to raise funds for HMS Victory.

I chose Pickle partly because I felt while it is hard for modern people to understand the ships of Nelson’s time (unless you visit HMS Victory at Portsmouth but beware, it may be a life changing event!) , I felt Pickle was the sort of size of vessel modern yachtsmen could relate to.

Pickle was the kind of ship which if seen today in port many might say, ‘what a beautiful big ship’ and yet in her day she was considered tiny and only worth a lieutenant to command, not worth a Post Captain…

Luckily for all concerned in the case of this enquiry, the gentleman had included his full contact details so I phoned him a as soon as I found the late email and spoke with his very charming receptionist.

A few days later we spoke man to man and an interesting conversation it was too.

He said he owns a yacht named, go on, guess?

YES!, Pickle!

Why? Well why not own a yacht if you can run to that?

In this case the former owner twice removed was my old friend Admiral Bob Gerkin.

Bob was naturally known in the Navy as “Pickle” hence the name of the yacht.

So why contact Gordon Frickers Marine Artist?

Yes you are probably ahead of me!

Having seen the picture “I have Urgent Dispatches” of HMS Pickle, on my web site this gentleman decided one of my Prestige quality prints on cotton canvas would make a welcome and appropriate addition to the interior of his yacht Pickle.

True to his word, a few days later a very welcome message was recieved from PayPal,

22 Mar 2010 19:49:07 GMT

Hello G S A Frickers,

A/ Standard Size Prestige Limited Edition Print on Cotton Canvas of “I have Urgent Dispatches”
Item Number ********************

You received a payment of £147.00 GBP
Thanks for using PayPal. You can now send any items. To see all the transaction details, log in to your PayPal account.

Thus another copy of “I have urgent dispatches” will be despatched soon; to what I hope you agree is a most appropriate home?

For a picture of enduring worth, it is quick, easy  and very secure to order any print from our collectors range by visiting web page

http://www.frickers.co.uk/prints.html

Good luck to you and enjoy.

~

P.S. By the way, The Trafalgar Collection, paintings by Gordon Frickers,  are now after some 15 years, up for sale.

This is a unique opportunity to by a set of well researched Nelsonian paintings.

The owners will consider offers from £10,000.00 per painting but would prefere the set to be sold as a set.

If interested, contact Gordon Frickers

The haunting marine painting of “Talthybius by moonlight”, not unlike the ship in the painting has reached it’s new home port, delivered to London Yesterday.

And The Port of Chester? ~ more below…

The new owner wrote: “Of course you can quote, including the remarks I made of it before“. (Name by request with held)

This in reference to his previous email: “Dear Gordon,
Your painting has arrived. My friend in London who has opened it and is looking after it for the time being, he kept on saying what a good picture it its, and it will be an wonderful addition to my walls. I am very thrilled and cannot wait to see it“.
~

Of course the original Port of Chester 1863 was sold some 11 years ago so we are talking of a print order with remarque.
You can find the picture, the explanation and stories of the painting and historic port  on page

http://frickers.co.uk/marine-art/chester.html,

You can order your copy paying securely on line via PayPal about, the info is half way down page:

http://frickers.co.uk/prints.html

For the remarque I drew a version of the earliest know picture of New Crane Wharf,  Chester.
My client thoughtfully wrote the following, also quoted with his permission: “Dear Gordon,
My Port of Chester remarque arrived safely today, thank you very much, both myself and my wife are very pleased with the print, and thank you for an excellent remarque.Thanks for your info. on framing, an art framing company in Saltney usually does a good job on our artwork.
Sincerely
J. I.”

I really appreciate and am encouraged by all the endorsements I have been fortunate enough to receive.

The painter’s lot is not the easiest and at times quite isolated, my greatful thanks to all who have made the time to express appreciation of my work and service.

Happily the above endorsements will eventually join the many others on the web site.

My work is not just about trying to make a decent living, I care about giving good service and value plus many of the paintings I have been fortunate to have the ability to produce are many are proving to be of real and enduring worth.

Also, comments like those above made direct to me as in this case, on this blog in response to entries and via Linkedin are helpful in other ways.

They encourage fellow surfers to have confidence in www.frickers.co.uk and search engines like to see interactive sites which encourages traffic and improves rating.

Thus whether you buy or simply enjoy this site if you can add some  appropriate words you are helping and have made a contribution, thank you.

Gordon Frickers, Marine Artist, Art Photographer.