THE HEAD OF H.M.S. AGAMEMNON'S FIGUREHEAD, HELLYER WORKSHOPS, CIRCA 1852

carved as a moustachioed warrior wearing a plumed peak helmet with slightly open mouth, gesso covered overall, now ebonised, the neck inscribed AGAMEMNON / 1877 -- 36 x 20in. (91.5 x 51cm.); together with a 16 x 22in. engraving from the Illustrated London News date 1.8.57 entitled H.M.S. "AGAMEMNON", 91 GUNS, SHIPPING THE ENGLISH PORTION OF THE ATLANTIC SUBMARINE CABLE AT EAST GREENWICH. with good view of the vessel, including her bust-length figurehead.

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Agamemnon (91), a 'James Watt'-Class battleship of 5,080 tons, had the distinction of being the first purpose-built auxiliary warship for the Royal Navy. Her success was such that she became the template for all RN auxiliary battleships for the decade after her launch in 1852. She served as flagship to Rear Admiral Mends in the Crimea and took part in the bombardment of Sevastopol in 1854 and the shelling of Fort Kinburn a year later. In 1857 she was fitted out to carry 1250 tons of telegraph cable for the Atlantic Telegraph Company's first attempt to lay a transatlantic telegraph cable. The first attempt was a failure, however, the next year she tried again and met her counterpart U.S.S. Niagara in mid-ocean, successfully splicing the cable ends on July 29th. Returning to Ireland with William Thompson (later Lord Kelvin) monitoring the 1,020 miles of cable, Agamemnon reached Valentia Bay on 5th August 1858 with Niagara raising Trinity Bay, Newfoundland the same day. Eleven days later Queen Victoria sent President Buchanan a ninety-nine-word message - a process that took over sixteen hours - which laid the foundation for all modern global communication thereafter. Agamemnon was paid off in 1862 and sold in 1870 -- her figurehead originally showed Agamemnon, Commander of the Greek Army at the siege of Troy in a plate-mail tunic and holding a scimitar and shield, Hellyer's charged £35/0/0 for the work.

Condition Report

old wear and paint loss although seems to be mainly superficial and to the gesso/paint.

We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. 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 Charles Miller Ltd 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.