sign in

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

Auction Categories

reset
Viewing 1
4 categories viewing : Entire Catalogue
description ( and estimated value in GBP )
  • A 1960's slide rule by Graphoplex Brevete S.G.D.G, the reverse stamped SVENSKA DIAMANTBERGBORRNINGS AB, 15cm x 3cm, contained in a red leather case, a pair of steel drafting compasses 11cm and a The Aristo Studio slide rule instruction manual (missing front page, folded and with light staining)

238

A 1960's slide rule by Graphoplex Brevete S.G.D.G, the reverse stamped SVENSKA DIAMANTBERGBORRNINGS AB, 15cm x 3cm, contained in a red leather case, a pair of steel drafting compasses 11cm and a The Aristo Studio slide rule instruction manual (missing front page, folded and with light staining) £60-80
detail
  • A 1961 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card, showing the interior of Barnes Wallis office - draughtsman's table, library table, various books and paintings 23cm x 28cm and marked "1961, A Merry Christmas, A Happy New Year, In This Our Wish We Are Sincere, to Dr Barnes Wallis, Long life And Happiness, From The Workshop Staff" and hand signed by them 23cm x 28cm

239

A 1961 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card, showing the interior of Barnes Wallis office - draughtsman's table, library table, various books and paintings 23cm x 28cm and marked "1961, A Merry Christmas, A Happy New Year, In This Our Wish We Are Sincere, to Dr Barnes Wallis, Long life And Happiness, From The Workshop Staff" and hand signed by them 23cm x 28cm £100-150
detail
  • A 1962 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card, The Chapel of Christ's Hospital Horsham, interior marked "A Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to Dr Barnes Wallis 1962, R & D Staff" and hand signed by them 28cm x 23cm

240

A 1962 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card, The Chapel of Christ's Hospital Horsham, interior marked "A Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to Dr Barnes Wallis 1962, R & D Staff" and hand signed by them 28cm x 23cm £100-150
detail
  • A 1963 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card decorated White Hill House Effingham, the interior marked "1963 Wishing you a Bright and Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, from Personnel of R & D 1963" and hand signed by them 19cm x 23cm

241

A 1963 painted plywood and applied wood 3 dimensional Christmas card decorated White Hill House Effingham, the interior marked "1963 Wishing you a Bright and Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, from Personnel of R & D 1963" and hand signed by them 19cm x 23cm £100-150
detail
  • An undated Christmas card, the front with coloured print after Ian Gilchrist of The Yacht Medici print "Spinnakers Full", the reverse marked "With all good wishes to you and Mrs Wallis for a Very Happy Xmas and New Year, from all at R & D" and hand signed by them 22cm x 17cm

242

An undated Christmas card, the front with coloured print after Ian Gilchrist of The Yacht Medici print "Spinnakers Full", the reverse marked "With all good wishes to you and Mrs Wallis for a Very Happy Xmas and New Year, from all at R & D" and hand signed by them 22cm x 17cm £70-90
detail
  • A 1960's blue leather bound folio with gilt Christ's Hospital armorial to cover, containing unused blotting paper, 35cm h x 25cm w. Sir Wallis was a pupil at Christ's Hospital from 1900-1904 and later a Governor and Treasurer.

243

A 1960's blue leather bound folio with gilt Christ's Hospital armorial to cover, containing unused blotting paper, 35cm h x 25cm w. Sir Wallis was a pupil at Christ's Hospital from 1900-1904 and later a Governor and Treasurer. £80-120
detail
  • A collection of 1960's Bristol Siddeley internal and restricted documents related to reviews of the Hawker Siddeley, documents on the supersonic Orpheus jet propulsion engine, the turbo ramjet project investigation etc, some initialled B.N.W.

244

A collection of 1960's Bristol Siddeley internal and restricted documents related to reviews of the Hawker Siddeley, documents on the supersonic Orpheus jet propulsion engine, the turbo ramjet project investigation etc, some initialled B.N.W. £100-150
detail
  • Three volumes of Sir Barnes Wallis' patents from 1917-1963, text and fold out schematics, 4to, bound in three-quarter red morocco and cloth, the spines with gilt lettering "PATENT SPECIFICATIONS VOL 1, 2 and 3". Pencil dedication to endpaper in volume 1 "B.N.W A memento of an American adventure Oct. 1948. Harry Mushlain". Wallis' bookmarks throughout vol. 1 and 3.

245

Three volumes of Sir Barnes Wallis' patents from 1917-1963, text and fold out schematics, 4to, bound in three-quarter red morocco and cloth, the spines with gilt lettering "PATENT SPECIFICATIONS VOL 1, 2 and 3". Pencil dedication to endpaper in volume 1 "B.N.W A memento of an American adventure Oct. 1948. Harry Mushlain". Wallis' bookmarks throughout vol. 1 and 3. £400-600
detail
  • A collection of late 1960's/early 70's data sheets on aerodynamics, aeronautics and transonics in several binders (11)

246

A collection of late 1960's/early 70's data sheets on aerodynamics, aeronautics and transonics in several binders (11) £40-60
detail
  • 5 vols. Ship Buildings and Ships 1947 8vo, 497pp. Signed B.N. Wallis to endpapers. VIVIAN E. Charles, a History of Aeronautics 1921, 8vo, 521pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpapers (likely purchased after war). PAWSEY and BRACEWELL Radio Astronomy 1955, 8vo, 361pp., initialled B.N.W to endpaper. EAGLESFIELD Charles, Laser Light 1967 (from The BAC Library), 12mo, 192pp. ALLEN, Howard, G., Analysis and Design of Structural Sandwich Panels 1969, 12mo, 280pp., signed B.N. Wallis to title page and front cover

247

5 vols. Ship Buildings and Ships 1947 8vo, 497pp. Signed B.N. Wallis to endpapers. VIVIAN E. Charles, a History of Aeronautics 1921, 8vo, 521pp., signed B.N. Wallis to endpapers (likely purchased after war). PAWSEY and BRACEWELL Radio Astronomy 1955, 8vo, 361pp., initialled B.N.W to endpaper. EAGLESFIELD Charles, Laser Light 1967 (from The BAC Library), 12mo, 192pp. ALLEN, Howard, G., Analysis and Design of Structural Sandwich Panels 1969, 12mo, 280pp., signed B.N. Wallis to title page and front cover £100-150
detail
  • A large quantity of post-war pamphlets and booklets, mainly civilian subjects and interests of Sir Barnes Wallis, pertaining to a variety of subjects from The Royal Society including engineering and economic process, reports on secondary education, annual reports, engineering and youth etc. Several initialled B.N.W or signed B.N. Wallis, one The Engineer in Society with written bookmark "See especially "Containerization" on p.7 & top of p.8 B.N.W"

248

A large quantity of post-war pamphlets and booklets, mainly civilian subjects and interests of Sir Barnes Wallis, pertaining to a variety of subjects from The Royal Society including engineering and economic process, reports on secondary education, annual reports, engineering and youth etc. Several initialled B.N.W or signed B.N. Wallis, one The Engineer in Society with written bookmark "See especially "Containerization" on p.7 & top of p.8 B.N.W" £80-120
detail
  • BLUNDELL, H.M., They Flew From Waddington! 463-467 Lancaster Squadrons Royal Australian Air Force, Sydney: W Homer 1975. Ltd Ed no. 445, 8v0, 67pp, a hardback volume commemorating 30 years of VE Day, pastedown and endpaper with signatures and notes of thanks to Sir Wallis from five members of 463-467 Squadron to include John Cole, Art Whitmarsh, John Stokes DFC, Nobby Blundell, John Niedwick and containing a letter from an address in Geneva within

249

BLUNDELL, H.M., They Flew From Waddington! 463-467 Lancaster Squadrons Royal Australian Air Force, Sydney: W Homer 1975. Ltd Ed no. 445, 8v0, 67pp, a hardback volume commemorating 30 years of VE Day, pastedown and endpaper with signatures and notes of thanks to Sir Wallis from five members of 463-467 Squadron to include John Cole, Art Whitmarsh, John Stokes DFC, Nobby Blundell, John Niedwick and containing a letter from an address in Geneva within £150-200
detail
  • 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

250

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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • **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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • 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
detail
  • **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
detail
  • 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
detail