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Catalogue for our Sir Barnes Wallis 'Dam Busters' Collection auction to be held on Wednesday 25th of March 2026

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description ( and estimated value in GBP )
  • 4 vols. PIERCY N. A. V. Aerodynamics, London: English Universities Press, 8vo, 536pp. Second Edition 1947, signed B.N, Wallis to endpaper. ROARK Raymond J., Formulas For Stress and Strain, London: McGraw Hill 1954, 8vo, 432pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper. BRAGG S. L. Rocket Engines, London: George Newnes Ltd. 1962, 8vo, 158pp. Signed B.N. Wallis 1977 to end paper and PALMGREN Arvid, Ball and Roller Bearing Engineering, USA: Burbank 1946, 4to, 270pp., signed B.N. Wallis Feb '48 to endpaper

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4 vols. PIERCY N. A. V. Aerodynamics, London: English Universities Press, 8vo, 536pp. Second Edition 1947, signed B.N, Wallis to endpaper. ROARK Raymond J., Formulas For Stress and Strain, London: McGraw Hill 1954, 8vo, 432pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpaper. BRAGG S. L. Rocket Engines, London: George Newnes Ltd. 1962, 8vo, 158pp. Signed B.N. Wallis 1977 to end paper and PALMGREN Arvid, Ball and Roller Bearing Engineering, USA: Burbank 1946, 4to, 270pp., signed B.N. Wallis Feb '48 to endpaper £60-80
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  • 2 vols. FERRI, Antonio, Elements of Aerodynamics of Supersonic Flows, New York: Macmillan 1949, 8vo, 433 pp, bound in contemporary blue cloth, silver lettering, fold out chart within an envelope on back board, Vickers-Armstrongs stamp to title and Barnes Wallis handwritten note "received 14.vi.49" to title page. POPE, Alan. Aerodynamics of Supersonic Flight an Introduction, London: Pitman Publishing Corp. 1950, 8vo, 184pp, bound in blue and gilt cloth, (spine in poor condition), Vickers-Armstrongs stamp to title page, together with a facsimile of a German article on wing design dated 1957

251

2 vols. FERRI, Antonio, Elements of Aerodynamics of Supersonic Flows, New York: Macmillan 1949, 8vo, 433 pp, bound in contemporary blue cloth, silver lettering, fold out chart within an envelope on back board, Vickers-Armstrongs stamp to title and Barnes Wallis handwritten note "received 14.vi.49" to title page. POPE, Alan. Aerodynamics of Supersonic Flight an Introduction, London: Pitman Publishing Corp. 1950, 8vo, 184pp, bound in blue and gilt cloth, (spine in poor condition), Vickers-Armstrongs stamp to title page, together with a facsimile of a German article on wing design dated 1957 £50-70
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  • 17 vols. A collection of 1950's scientific reference books and others, some with Vickers-Armstrongs library stamp (none initialled or signed)

252

17 vols. A collection of 1950's scientific reference books and others, some with Vickers-Armstrongs library stamp (none initialled or signed) £50-70
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  • 12 volumes of The Biographical Memoirs of The Royal Society to include the years - 1955, 56, 57, 60, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78

253

12 volumes of The Biographical Memoirs of The Royal Society to include the years - 1955, 56, 57, 60, 66, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 £40-60
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  • HIGHAM Robin, The British Rigid Airship 1908-1931, London: Foulis 1961, 8vo, 426 pp. Original blue cloth cover, silver lettering, fading to spine and cover, rubbing to corners and edges of spine, with fold out map to back board, appears to be a copy sent to Wallis for proof, Wallis' notes and corrections throughout on the text and on notepaper. Long note taped on page 157 (Chapter titled Impact of Jutland and L33) of Wallis' actions around this time, index has pencil note informing which Airships he worked on with H.B. Pratt, also together with a newspaper cutting "Life in the raw on the R100 airship station" by Lady Barnes Wallis

254

HIGHAM Robin, The British Rigid Airship 1908-1931, London: Foulis 1961, 8vo, 426 pp. Original blue cloth cover, silver lettering, fading to spine and cover, rubbing to corners and edges of spine, with fold out map to back board, appears to be a copy sent to Wallis for proof, Wallis' notes and corrections throughout on the text and on notepaper. Long note taped on page 157 (Chapter titled Impact of Jutland and L33) of Wallis' actions around this time, index has pencil note informing which Airships he worked on with H.B. Pratt, also together with a newspaper cutting "Life in the raw on the R100 airship station" by Lady Barnes Wallis £200-300
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  • WRIGHT BAKER, H. Inchley's Theory of Heat Engines, London: Longman, 8vo, 455pp. New Impression 1963, bound in contemporary purple cloth, silver lettering, signed in pencil B.N. Wallis to endpaper

255

WRIGHT BAKER, H. Inchley's Theory of Heat Engines, London: Longman, 8vo, 455pp. New Impression 1963, bound in contemporary purple cloth, silver lettering, signed in pencil B.N. Wallis to endpaper £80-120
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  • **Alfred Egerton Cooper R.B.A. (British, 1883-1974), Half Length Portrait of Barnes Wallis wearing the C.B.E. and DSc robes of the University of London, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1964, 60cm x 50cm, within a painted composition frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum for over 28 years.

256

**Alfred Egerton Cooper R.B.A. (British, 1883-1974), Half Length Portrait of Barnes Wallis wearing the C.B.E. and DSc robes of the University of London, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1964, 60cm x 50cm, within a painted composition frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum for over 28 years. £300-500
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  • 8 volumes of The Journal of Royal Naval Engineering, to include editions December 1965, June 1966, Dec. 1966, Dec. 1967, Dec. 1968, June 1969, Dec. 1969, June 1971, 6 initialled in pencil BNW

257

8 volumes of The Journal of Royal Naval Engineering, to include editions December 1965, June 1966, Dec. 1966, Dec. 1967, Dec. 1968, June 1969, Dec. 1969, June 1971, 6 initialled in pencil BNW £50-70
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  • 3 pamphlets of The Military Balance by the Institute for Strategic Studies 1965-66, 1966-67 signed B.N. Wallis to cover and 1967-68 initialled B.N.W. to cover

258

3 pamphlets of The Military Balance by the Institute for Strategic Studies 1965-66, 1966-67 signed B.N. Wallis to cover and 1967-68 initialled B.N.W. to cover £70-90
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  • C. W. Glover (active 1950-1968). Half Length Portrait of Sir Barnes Wallis wearing a navy jacket, white shirt and Christ's Hospital School tie, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1968, 66cm x 56cm, within a gilt composition frame. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: Sir Barnes Wallis was educated at Christ's Hospital between 1900 and 1904, and he retained a close and enduring connection with the school throughout his life. His affection for the institution was demonstrated in a remarkable act of generosity: he donated the 10,000 pound award he received from the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors in recognition of his wartime work. Wallis directed the entire sum to Christ's Hospital to assist the children of those who had served in the Royal Air Force. In partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund, which matched his gift, a dedicated trust was established to administer the award. Since its foundation in 1952, the Trust has supported more than 150 pupils. Each beneficiary has worn the distinctive Foundationers' badge, specially designed by Wallis himself. This work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum for over 28 years.

259

C. W. Glover (active 1950-1968). Half Length Portrait of Sir Barnes Wallis wearing a navy jacket, white shirt and Christ's Hospital School tie, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1968, 66cm x 56cm, within a gilt composition frame. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: Sir Barnes Wallis was educated at Christ's Hospital between 1900 and 1904, and he retained a close and enduring connection with the school throughout his life. His affection for the institution was demonstrated in a remarkable act of generosity: he donated the 10,000 pound award he received from the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors in recognition of his wartime work. Wallis directed the entire sum to Christ's Hospital to assist the children of those who had served in the Royal Air Force. In partnership with the RAF Benevolent Fund, which matched his gift, a dedicated trust was established to administer the award. Since its foundation in 1952, the Trust has supported more than 150 pupils. Each beneficiary has worn the distinctive Foundationers' badge, specially designed by Wallis himself. This work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum for over 28 years. £150-250
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  • Sir Barnes Wallis, a Knight Bachelor's second type silver gilt neck badge with Royal Mint Hallmark in fitted red case (Wallis was knighted on December 10th 1968), together with a red cloth bound volume listing Knight Batchelor recipients from 1965-1973, 8vo, 193pp. and a Guardian Newspaper from June 8th 1968 announcing the Birthday Honours list.

260

Sir Barnes Wallis, a Knight Bachelor's second type silver gilt neck badge with Royal Mint Hallmark in fitted red case (Wallis was knighted on December 10th 1968), together with a red cloth bound volume listing Knight Batchelor recipients from 1965-1973, 8vo, 193pp. and a Guardian Newspaper from June 8th 1968 announcing the Birthday Honours list. £500-600
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  • **David Poole A.R.C.A. (b.1931) - Portrait of Barnes Wallis, pencil with charcoal, signed and dated 1968, 46cm x 33cm, within a painted wood frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent.

261

**David Poole A.R.C.A. (b.1931) - Portrait of Barnes Wallis, pencil with charcoal, signed and dated 1968, 46cm x 33cm, within a painted wood frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. £150-250
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  • Lesley R. - The achievements of Barnes Wallis, watercolour with gouache, signed and dated 1968, 43cm h x 55cm w. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work can be seen in several publicity photographs of Barnes Wallis including Roger George Clark's portrait of Sir Barnes Wallis at his desk in the collection at the National Portrait Gallery.

262

Lesley R. - The achievements of Barnes Wallis, watercolour with gouache, signed and dated 1968, 43cm h x 55cm w. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work can be seen in several publicity photographs of Barnes Wallis including Roger George Clark's portrait of Sir Barnes Wallis at his desk in the collection at the National Portrait Gallery. £100-200
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  • A selection of aircraft brochures, many with notes handwritten by Wallis to include brochures on Concorde, Vickers Wellington One and Two, Vickers Vanguard, Super VC10, B.A.C 111 etc

263

A selection of aircraft brochures, many with notes handwritten by Wallis to include brochures on Concorde, Vickers Wellington One and Two, Vickers Vanguard, Super VC10, B.A.C 111 etc £100-150
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  • A photograph of the Children of Barnes and Molly Wallis: Barnes, Mary, Elisabeth, Christopher and Molly's sister's children John and Robert McCormick: Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. 19cm x 27cm

264

A photograph of the Children of Barnes and Molly Wallis: Barnes, Mary, Elisabeth, Christopher and Molly's sister's children John and Robert McCormick: Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. 19cm x 27cm £30-50
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  • Gerald Coulson (1926-2021) "The Sinking of the Tirpitz", 20th century colour print, 23cm h x 28cm w, within a stained wood frame. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent.

265

Gerald Coulson (1926-2021) "The Sinking of the Tirpitz", 20th century colour print, 23cm h x 28cm w, within a stained wood frame. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. £50-80
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  • A B Kirkbride Associates for The British Aluminium Company, an Aluminium Alloy BA.24.WP machined and hand finished ashtray with barked edge, the interior monogrammed B.N.W. 11cm x 11cm together with an explanatory slip of paper.

266

A B Kirkbride Associates for The British Aluminium Company, an Aluminium Alloy BA.24.WP machined and hand finished ashtray with barked edge, the interior monogrammed B.N.W. 11cm x 11cm together with an explanatory slip of paper. £300-400
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  • A Simplon Automatic Adjustable Set-Square Dargues Patent, very chipped and brittle

267

A Simplon Automatic Adjustable Set-Square Dargues Patent, very chipped and brittle £80-120
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  • A large collection of 1960's and 70's brochures, scientific volumes and mathematic books (1 brochure with rubbed signature B.N. Wallis)

268

A large collection of 1960's and 70's brochures, scientific volumes and mathematic books (1 brochure with rubbed signature B.N. Wallis) £50-70
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  • Will Spencer (1921-2002) "Animal Crackers: When we go to England I want to try those Barnes-Wallis adjustable wings!", ink with watercolour, signed with initials and inscribed, 23cm h x 14cm w. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: In 1954 Spencer joined the News Chronicle to start the "Animal Crackers" pocket cartoon series. This ran in the News Chronicle until that paper was absorbed by the Daily Mail in October 1960, when it continued in the combined paper. The Daily Mail continued to feature "Animal Crackers" until May 1971, when the newspaper was redesigned as a tabloid and the series was dropped. This work, depicting swallows in flight, alludes to Sir Barnes Wallis's pioneering "Swallow" project of the 1950s. During this period, Wallis advanced a bold variable-geometry concept he termed the "wing-controlled aerodyne", conceived to maximise the efficiency and economy of high-speed flight. His earliest investigations took shape in the "Wild Goose" study, which laid the groundwork for subsequent developments. Wallis later refined these ideas into the "Swallow", a tailless, blended-wing aircraft envisioned as capable of completing return journeys between Europe and Australia in under ten hours - an extraordinary ambition for its time. As the project evolved, the Swallow was increasingly regarded as a potential supersonic successor to the RAF's subsonic Vickers Valiant bomber. Throughout the mid-1950s, various models of the design were tested with promising results, including a six-foot scale model that achieved speeds approaching Mach 2. Despite its technical promise, the programme was curtailed in 1957 when the British government withdrew support from several advanced aeronautical initiatives, bringing Wallis' visionary work on the Swallow to an end.

269

Will Spencer (1921-2002) "Animal Crackers: When we go to England I want to try those Barnes-Wallis adjustable wings!", ink with watercolour, signed with initials and inscribed, 23cm h x 14cm w. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: In 1954 Spencer joined the News Chronicle to start the "Animal Crackers" pocket cartoon series. This ran in the News Chronicle until that paper was absorbed by the Daily Mail in October 1960, when it continued in the combined paper. The Daily Mail continued to feature "Animal Crackers" until May 1971, when the newspaper was redesigned as a tabloid and the series was dropped. This work, depicting swallows in flight, alludes to Sir Barnes Wallis's pioneering "Swallow" project of the 1950s. During this period, Wallis advanced a bold variable-geometry concept he termed the "wing-controlled aerodyne", conceived to maximise the efficiency and economy of high-speed flight. His earliest investigations took shape in the "Wild Goose" study, which laid the groundwork for subsequent developments. Wallis later refined these ideas into the "Swallow", a tailless, blended-wing aircraft envisioned as capable of completing return journeys between Europe and Australia in under ten hours - an extraordinary ambition for its time. As the project evolved, the Swallow was increasingly regarded as a potential supersonic successor to the RAF's subsonic Vickers Valiant bomber. Throughout the mid-1950s, various models of the design were tested with promising results, including a six-foot scale model that achieved speeds approaching Mach 2. Despite its technical promise, the programme was curtailed in 1957 when the British government withdrew support from several advanced aeronautical initiatives, bringing Wallis' visionary work on the Swallow to an end. £150-250
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  • Nine 1970's volumes of Year Book of The Royal Society - 1970, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, red cloth bound with gilt lettered spines

270

Nine 1970's volumes of Year Book of The Royal Society - 1970, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, red cloth bound with gilt lettered spines £40-60
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  • A black document case marked British Aircraft Corporation, with zipped main compartment and zipped compartment to the front 29cm h x 41cm w (Sir Barnes Wallis worked for BAC from 1945 until he retired in 1971)

271

A black document case marked British Aircraft Corporation, with zipped main compartment and zipped compartment to the front 29cm h x 41cm w (Sir Barnes Wallis worked for BAC from 1945 until he retired in 1971) £40-60
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  • 7 vols. A collection of books with personal dedications from the authors to Barnes Wallis to include ANDREWS C. F., Vickers Aircraft Since 1908. MORPURGO J. E., The Road to Athens 1967. EULER, Helmut, Als Deutschlands Damme Brachen 1975. SCOTT J.D., Vickers History 1962. BONNER W. A., Dixon, Aircraft From Airship to Jet Propulsion 1908-1948, London: Tapp & Toothill Ltd. 1949 and GARBETT Mike, The Lancaster War 1972 (x2)

272

7 vols. A collection of books with personal dedications from the authors to Barnes Wallis to include ANDREWS C. F., Vickers Aircraft Since 1908. MORPURGO J. E., The Road to Athens 1967. EULER, Helmut, Als Deutschlands Damme Brachen 1975. SCOTT J.D., Vickers History 1962. BONNER W. A., Dixon, Aircraft From Airship to Jet Propulsion 1908-1948, London: Tapp & Toothill Ltd. 1949 and GARBETT Mike, The Lancaster War 1972 (x2) £80-120
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  • An Inuit carved hardstone figure of a standing Inuit, raised on a white onyx base with gilt metal plaque marked Sir Barnes Wallis, In Appreciation Canadian 617 Squadron, 24th September 1977 (plaque is loose), the reverse of the figure labelled Canada Eskimo Art, on a revolving base 20cm x 13cm x 13cm

273

An Inuit carved hardstone figure of a standing Inuit, raised on a white onyx base with gilt metal plaque marked Sir Barnes Wallis, In Appreciation Canadian 617 Squadron, 24th September 1977 (plaque is loose), the reverse of the figure labelled Canada Eskimo Art, on a revolving base 20cm x 13cm x 13cm £100-150
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  • **David Shepherd C.B.E. (1931-2017) "Winter of '43, Somewhere in England", limited edition colour print, signed in pencil and with blindstamp, published in 1977, 51cm h x 93cm w, within a stained wood and hessian frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum. In 1977, to "repay his debt" to the Royal Air Force, David Shepherd painted a picture of a Lancaster bomber at dispersal, titling it "Winter of '43 - Somewhere in England". He donated 850 prints, all signed and numbered, of this painting to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and the prints raised 96,000 pounds for the institution.

274

**David Shepherd C.B.E. (1931-2017) "Winter of '43, Somewhere in England", limited edition colour print, signed in pencil and with blindstamp, published in 1977, 51cm h x 93cm w, within a stained wood and hessian frame. ** Artist's Re-sale Rights may be payable on this lot. Provenance: Sir Barnes Wallis thence by descent. Note: this work has been on loan with the Royal Air Force Museum. In 1977, to "repay his debt" to the Royal Air Force, David Shepherd painted a picture of a Lancaster bomber at dispersal, titling it "Winter of '43 - Somewhere in England". He donated 850 prints, all signed and numbered, of this painting to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, and the prints raised 96,000 pounds for the institution. £100-200
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