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'A Lively Sail - Fowey'

The Presentation Print
and the story of the picture

This print is a limited edition of 495 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 16.5 x 23.5 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

"It is a lively sail on the Fowey estuary as the three Troys battle it out with Square Sail's Barque the Earl of Pembroke setting sail in the main channel as she approaches the Royal Fowey Yacht club. Nearest the buoys in the foreground is the Troy Janet taking green water along her side decks.

She was built in 1930 and is now owned and beautifully maintained by the boat builder Marcus Lewis.

Earl of Pembroke.
Built in Sweden in 1948, the Earl of Pembroke was originally named Orion and traded timber in the Baltic and on British east coast. In 1974 she was laid-up in Denmark before being bought by Square Sail, her current owner, in 1979. In 1994 she was commissioned as a magnificent three masted Barque.
She has taken pride of place in many films and can be regularly seen on passage around the UK and overseas.
Fowey Gallants
Sailing Club web-site
A Brief History of the Troy Class

Troys are 18ft long, 3/4 decked Keelboats, of traditional carvel construction with a 30ft tall mast, nearly 300sq ft of sail and 16cwt of lead keel bolted externally to prevent them capsizing. The early boats were given girls names, but the trend then went to gemstones, such as Ruby, Opal, Jade etc.

Archie Watty, a local Boatbuilder built the First "New 18ft Class", for Sir Charles Hanson (a former Lord Mayor of London) in the winter of 1928/29. The second being completed in time for the 1929 racing season, when they raced in the Handicap Class. Archie Watty had designed these boats especially for Fowey Harbour, with their tall rigs to catch any zephyrs of wind amongst the surrounding hills. So much interest was shown in these new boats that by the spring of 1930 there were 6 boats on the starting line.

With the Permission of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, (author of Troy Town and other novels based on Fowey) the title Troy was used, and the Troy Class of yachts was born.

Originally Gunter rigged, the boats were altered to Bermudan rig within a couple of years; and then in 1936, on the advice of the Kings Sailing Master, Sir Philip Hunloke, the length of the boom and therefore the sail area were reduced, but in a fresh breeze, there is still a feeling of being over canvassed!

The rules forbid the use of metal spars, so wood is the order of the day, and, with no backstay, mast breakages are not uncommon.

There have been 27 boats built over the years, 24 of which survive. With 12 to 14 boats turning out on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons, racing is very competitive, and come Regatta Week, close to twenty Troys will be charging off the line at the starting gun."

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 £44 (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 (16.5 x23.5 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 (16.5"x23.5" 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.