Wilson KM Battlesip Art

[SwordFish]

I've been adding art pieces the bnker as of late. Trying to add a splash of color. Even though I tend to favor Trudgian's prints as a whole, I try to keep the collection open and limited to only a couple of prints rom each.

I discovered this artist recently whilst searching for KM prints. His name is Randall Wilson and I belive he's out of Australia. There are no licensed or authorized dealers in the USA so I bough from Cranston Fine Arts, UK. They were even cheaper than dealing directly with the artist, Mr. Wilson. Cranston Arts also paid all shipping charge, international 2 day express air shipping from FexEx.

This piece is titled "The Admiral Hipper Weighing Anchor". Limited edition, signed and numbered. The prints are not inexpensive, and on the whole more than Trudgian prints which contain RK winners, ace pilots, Panzer crew signed pieces. There is a limited choice of KM art out there. It's not as prolific as Luft art. Another wonderful print i'd debating purchasing from Wilson is "Time to Move". Features a heavy cruiser with snow covered mountains, presumably off Trondheim in Norway, or perhaps Wilhelmshaven, Gotenhafen or even the Denmark Strait. ( I like linking these words to definitions. Kinda of neat. I guess it could alos get annyong but would certainly be useful for the uninitiated collector/hostorian who is just begginning to delve into the hobby.

[SwordFish]

The print above I purchased. This is the other from Randall Wilson i'm considering.

[SwordFish]

Another Trudgian print (The Big Guns) i'm waiting for. I'll probably roll fleaBay with this one rather than spending the $300 on her. The last Trudgian I bought from the flea was mint, unframed, and strored for many years and accompanied by the COA (without the COAs I won't purchase the pieces).

[SwordFish]

What prints does everyone else own, assuming that fellow collectors do?

I thought i'd include an image of one of my newer acquisitions. This one is from John Young titles "Guardians of the Atlantic Wall". Limited edition, signed and so on. Came at an immense discount. Stored since 1988, with the COA and never issued until now when I purchased her.

I have each framed, which i've been able to do mostly myself to mitigate framing costs. I typically use a 22"x28" frame, then a nice matching or contrasting colored matte, cut by the pros for arouned $25 each. If you bring a print in and ask a store like Michaels to frame and matte it for hanging, they'll quote you around $600. That's what they asked on 2 separate occasions for a frame, glass,backing and matting which is the same size as the prefabbed frames I buy from Aaron brothers for $29.

The framed prints really add alot to the bunker. You can only hang so many framed war badge collections on the walls. Same holds true with daggers, swords, etc., etc. The prints add a nice touch which brings a classier air to the room and cleans it up a bit aesthetically.

[BenVK]

I've been looking to get some prints as well lately. The one I want to get the most is Robert Taylor's "Gathering Storm". I let one go on ebay recently because on the same day, I got wind of an "original painting by John Young" for sale in my local free ads. I didn't believe it could be original because the price was so cheap but I went and had a look anyway because you never know do you. This is where my total lack of knowledge in this area let me down big time. It was framed behind glass and for some reason, I convinced myself that it was a real oil painting because the glass gave the brush strokes and signature this 3D effect. I asked the seller if I could take it out the frame to be sure but he refused, claiming it would devalue it. I should have walked away right then but like an idiot I handed over the money. The first thing my girlfriend said when I got it home was "that's a print" so we got it out the frame and that's exactly what it was. And not even a ltd edition one at that, just some common reproduction worth nothing. I rang the seller and he was very apologetic but wouldn't let me return it of course! Another expensive lesson learn't but a good lesson I think, won't ever make that mistake again in my life.
Still, it does look good above the fireplace so I think I'll have to find a
proper print of it with a COA. Young is one of only a few artists in my opinion who can truly capture the lines of the Spitfire. Others don't seem to get it quite right.
Those Randall Wilson prints look great as well. Not a name I've heard of before so thanks for the heads up on him.

[army_sniper]

My wife dragged me into an art shop while were killing time before an appointment and, I stumbled across a really cool picture of a Spitfire. It's huge, too.....about 29" tall and about 48" long. Really adds a lot to "The Cave".

[SwordFish]

Trudgian's "Storm Clouds Gather" is on ebay right no for $80 which is what I paid. I bought it from the same seller who has one listed now. It's about 50% of actual market price and list price. The Young print only cost me about $51 with the various discounts. The Randall Willson print is around $200 and up. Lesser known artist, but very high quality and free 3 day international shipping accross the globe. Cranston is offereing the free shipping right now on thier prints and may upgrade your as well if you order right now. Otherwise, it would have cost me an additional 20 British Pounds=$40.00. The shipping alone is a 17% savings.

It's all personal choice. I'd really like Trudgians "winter patrol" but this one is bigger dollars. I havn't seen this print for less than $600 in recent times. I'm only buying never before issued prints, that come with COA, limited number artist hand signature, and pilot, conmbatant signatures if at all possible. By being shrewd and careful with the spending, alot of the prints can be had at very nice prices, if one is patiently inclined. Otherwise, $1000 out the wind for 2 or 3 prints max while the thrify guy bought those same three prints, plus 4 more.

Nice spitifre.

[SwordFish]

I framed her up and this is her on display.

Wilson is not a very prolific artist and you'll really need to be sure to follow through if interested. Not an artist whos prints pop up on fleabay. I had to make the concerted effort to buy from overseas. But it was well worth it...and free 2 day shipping from the UK to California. Wonderbar!

[Justin P]

Hi all

Thought i would chip in with this one



<a href="http://s279.photobucket.com/albums/kk134/bogthedoguk/?action=view&current=JJ.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk134/bogthedoguk/JJ.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[SwordFish]

Justin,
Is that a Bailey print? Who's signatures?

[Justin P]

Hi swordfish

Nice pictures you have

Mine is a print, signed by Artist Frank wooton, Adolf Galland and Johnnie johnson......not auto pen Orignal sigs behind UV glass

Regards
Justin

[CollectRussia]

Wilson's signature seems to be inky black water, which IMHO looks too dark to be consistent with the ships in the paintings. Its as if he paints water on dark days, then paints ships from photos taken on bright sunny days. Hard to find good WW2 naval prints painted recently, but I like Tom Freeman.

Here is one of his that shows consistent light cast on the dark water and the ship

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...1994_102104668

U boat scene is pretty nice

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._1994_44434161



Dave