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 21.5 x 13.5 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.

An email newsletter tells you which prints are rare. Typically it features one print and tells the story behind it. It tells collectors the latest painting Michael is working on and the latest print he is producing. It describes where Michael's paintings are being exhibited and selects a charity print supporting farmers, lifeboats, dartmoor ponies or hospice charities to show how that print is making a difference. The newsletter is free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Please click on the link to be kept in touch with Michael's work.

The Story of the Painting

The ketch is off Appledore and running to Bideford to unload. One of the local sand barges can be seen on the left and a small steam ship is moored off the village.

In the early 1960s Appledore was the last place in the country with working sail. The Kathleen and May - the last working sailing trading schooner - sailed from there with the Irene, which is now in the Caribbean, and the Result, which is in the Ulster Folk Museum.

It had been raining heavily so mud had made the river brown. The local work boats were some 18 foot long and lug rigged and some are still in existence. Michael was sailing his traditional boat (Number 10) with his son when they came alongside a work boat and raced her. Both boats should have reefed, but did not. Michael's boat, with small side decks, remained reasonably dry but the work boat shipped lots of water over her lee rail and, as both the crew were leaning out to windward on the windward deck, nobody could bail.

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 (21.5 x 13.5 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 (21.5 x 13.5 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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©2007 The art of Michael Lees