* May (W.) Wreck off the Kentish Coast {1883} Loc? [WT]

May, Walter William (1831-96; English)
Wreck off Kentish Coast: Lugger going out
Watercolour, c.51 x 76 cm 
Purchased, 1883
Unidentified; present location unknown

This would appear to have been a substantial work. The artist specialized in marine views; examples appear regularly at auction, fetching modest prices. In a 2007 Christie’s auction catalogue, he is described as a captain.

[comparative work: Trawlers in a choppy sea 1872 (auctioned 2011)]

Refs.

AR 1883, p.33; NGV 1894, p.45 (II.Stawell Gallery, no.12; as measuring 20 x 30 inches); not listed in NGV 1905 [£52/10] 

For the artist, see Bénézit 9, p.607; and for examples of his work, see e.g. http://www.invaluable.com/artist/may-walter-william-238077qj5c (including the watercolour reproduced above, sold by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood, Honiton, UK, 22 Nov.2011, lot121; size given as 44 x 75 cm) and http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/drawings-watercolors/captain-walter-william-may-ri-a-loaded-4987344-details.aspx (with details as noted above)