Two local groups have joined forces to secure an important pair of paintings for Kingston Museum.
The Kingston Society and the Friends of Kingston Museum and Heritage acted swiftly after reading in the Comet that the two hitherto unknown pictures, both of which cast new light on the Georgian landscape, were to be auctioned last Saturday in aid of Christian Youth Enterprises.
Kingston Museum could not afford to bid, so the two societies made a snap decision to buy the works on its behalf for £120 each.
The pictures, painted by Paul Braddon in pastels and watercolour, show Kingston Market Place in 1800 and 1830.
"We're glad to have them because they give us interesting new information," said the Royal borough's archivist, Jill Lamb.
John McCarthy and Tony Leitch, respective chairmen of the Friends and the Kingston Society, said they had swung into action after reading the Comet because the pictures were too important to be lost to the Royal borough.
They were donated for charity auction by Steven Jones, of Chichester, and were originally owned by his grandfather, George Jones, head of the famous Victorian photographic studio, Chaplin Jones, of Surbiton Park Terrace.
jsampson@london.newsquest.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article