For a Big Parcel to Arrive

The parcel contained this picture.  It is by James Charles (1851-1906)

I bought it on an internet auction site and I have had it rescued from oblivion.  For the last four months it has been restored and repaired down in Newlyn.  

The original canvas was ripped and had a number of holes in it. The paint of the sky was also badly discoloured.  I am really pleased that it could be so skilfully repaired.  Looking at it now you would not know that it had been neglected.  It is still in its old frame and which is rather delicate.  I think that the time has arrived to have it re-framed.

Oh and for years the picture has been incorrectly described. It was called "Gathering Verne"  or latterly "Men working in field" That is incorrect.  There is the faintest scratched writing on the wooden canvas stretcher on the reverse.  With great difficulty it has been possible to de-cypher this as being "Gathering Bracken - Ambersham Common, Sussex"

This title can now be directly related to its first sale in 1907.  So that is a good result.