The purchase of Van der Capella's "Seapiece", by Charles Morland Agnew

An extract from Morland's writings detailing the unusual circumstances which lead to his ownership of Van der Capella's "Seapiece", shown at a Christie's Picture Sale (Nov 1896). A confused exchange between Morland and a commission agent, Mr Philpott, lead to both parties bidding and pushing up the price to an inflated price, when in fact the latter was under the impression that Morland had requested that he purchase on the firm's behalf. The picture was eventually bought by Sir William Agnew (then retired) for a 10% profit, and passed to Morland after his father's death.