Fred Yates ‘Platform’ Painting Arrives in Time for Auction

Arriving at the Saleroom this week from a South Hams home is this charming painting by Fred Yates (1922-2008) titled ‘Poppy Field’. It is a good size painting at 86cm x 86cm, and as well as being titled on the back it is also marked ‘St. Erth, ’89, Penzance to Plymouth (Accompanied)’.

This ties the painting into when Fred was regularly travelling by train to Plymouth, dropping artworks off for exhibitions. Francis Mallett, of the New Street Gallery, recollects the painting and a near mishap,

“It was one of the infamous two paintings he was delivering to me for a show in 1989. He was on his way to London and I was going to meet him at the Plymouth Station, and collect the pictures while he carried on his journey. I got to the platform, the train arrived, but no Fred. I went back to the gallery and took a call from Fred, who must have missed me on the crowded platform. He had left the painting on the platform. I rushed back to the station, and found the platform empty. Then spotted a bundle at the far end, something wrapped in old sheets. And there they were, two large paintings, including the Poppy Field”.

Auctioneer Paul Keen comments that it is “a great painting”, with expectations of reaching between £2,000 to £3,000.

For more information, view the Lot here.