THE GREAT EASTERN STEAMSHIP REPRINT OF 1860's, circa 1970

A Limited edition print of the Great Eastern Steam Ship. The original painting from which this is taken dates from the 1860's and was probably painted by Henry Clifford 1821-1905, a Telegraph Engineer who also served on this vessel. This limited edition could have been made anywhere between 1900 and the 1960's. Printed on the back: -. ''This reproduction is number 228 of an edition limited to four hundred and forty copies''. The original was in the possession of Sir Kenneth. G Corfield, Managing director of Standard telephones and Cables London.'' Kenneth Corfield was Director of STC from 1970 to 1985, so this print was probably commissioned during this period. Kenneth Corfield is better known for the 'Periflex' camera that he designed and introduced in 1953. See Item A1799.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed the Great Eastern. Built in 1858 it was the largest Steam ship in the World, unfortunately there was no dock big enough for her, subsequently she never became the great passenger liner for which she was intended. She was eventually used to lay the first successful Transatlantic Telegraph cable in 1865, and was broken up in 1888.

Nortel Collection

A1782