Lot 188: Two portrait studies of Howard Somervell

Francis Helps (1890-1972) Two portrait studies of Howard Somervell the first inscribed ‘2 A Ch..man visited us selling “Favourite House” cigarettes 2 / a 1000! / I bought 10,000 for my sherpas.’ / ‘1 Somervell smoking they all smoked a lot / on the expedition, conversation was very learned, / Mallory was academic, and revolutionary / I had a tent of my own. I had to make 20,000ft of film’ on the reverse, the second signed, inscribed and dated ‘Tibet 24 / Francis Helps’ lower right, and further inscribed and numbered ‘Dr Howard Somervell / training as a doctor, skilled surgeon, / from lake district area. Own K Boot Co / Kemble. / 32’ pencil on paper unframed 11 1/5 x 9in. (29.2 x 22.8cm.) 14 x 10in. (25.4 x 35.6cm.) (2)

29.2 x 22.8cm.

Two fine portraits of the mountaineer, medical missionary and artist Howard Somervell (1890-1975), who would climb with E.F. Norton to within 1,000 feet of the summit of Everest on the expedition.