The Presentation Print
and the story of the picture

This print is one of a limited edition of 495. It is a giclee print on museum quality paper with a slightly structured soft-textured surface as in a traditional fine art paper. The paper is acid free with a weight of 315gsm.

The normal print size is approximately 22 x 13 inches, but, as this is a bespoke piece of art, the artist can produce it for you at a smaller size so that it can hang in that ideal position in your house or will be the best size for a gift.

A bespoke picture can have your loggo, or wording placed on it, a superb solution for a presentation gift.

• The print is signed personally by Michael once he is happy with the quality
• Limited edition prints are numbered.
• The print comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
• It is accompanied by the story behind it so you can entertain the friends to whom you show it - see below.
• The print is flat packed to make it easier for framers. Unless you are outside the UK in which case it is sent in a roll for additional security. Michael normally completes your print and despatches it to you within two working days.

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The Story of the Painting

It is March in the early 30s and a lively day in Plymouth Sound with a fresh breeze. A Royal Navy Montague Whaler is in its element slicing through the choppy seas of wind against tide, spray sluicing over the lea side, shortly they will harden up into the wind and beat up past Cremyll into the Hamoaze. Beyond them, under the craggy outcrop of Drake's Island, is the newly completed Armadillo under steam, with the helmsman enjoying the full benefit of the elements, whilst his passengers exchange pleasantries in the relative shelter of the aft well deck.

In the 1890's the Montague Whaler was adopted by the Royal Navy as a general purpose sea boat being named after Admiral Montague who was responsible for its development. Either 25 or 27ft long they were used throughout the fleet for more than 150 years. They were excellent sea boats and as lifeboats have made voyages of thousands of miles. Naturally the Navy raced them with ferocious competition between ships and shore bases for the trophy in the form of a cockerel, so that the winner could have the accolade of being called the "cock o' the fleet".

The Armadillo was built for the Mount Edgecombe Estate in 1926, to be used as a ferry between the Estate and Admiral’s Hard. It had a teak lined cabin for the family and upholstered seats, elsewhere were slatted seats for the general public, and the very same boat and the same seats are still in use today. Now renamed the Northern Belle, after almost 80 years she still plies her way between Admiral's Hard and the Mount Edgecombe estate as the Cremyll Ferry.

Guarantee

If you are not delighted with the print post it back to us and we will refund your complete outlay with no questions asked. If the print is damaged in transit then contact us and we will replace it.

Payment

Michael's Limited edition works of art tend to sell out and we regularly get people searching for sold out prints so ensure you order your print before it sells out.

To purchase this unique print with a Certificate of Authenticity, made personally for you and signed by the artist, with the story behind the print at the affordable price of £48 (plus postage and packing) click one of the options below.

Purchase on the web with secure payment:

Click on 'Add to Basket' to buy the standard size print (22 x 13 inches approx)

Or, click here to buy the print to your bespoke size, with your inscription

Purchase by cheque or money order in the post

Use this form to buy the standard size print (22 x 13 inches approx)

Use this form to buy the print at your size with your inscription

Order on the Phone: Please ring our answerphone on 08700 349909 and leave a message. Please tell us the picture you are interested in, your name and telephone number or email address. We will ring you back if you are in the UK or the EEC to arrange delivery and payment. We do not take credit card details on the phone but can arrange secure payment facilities by email, or by cheque.

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