Fine Art Auction - 24th & 25th September 2008

In 1797 about 500 workmen were employed on a 40 acre site at Norman Cross near Peterborough to build two storey accommodation for as many as 7,000 prisoners taken during the Napoleonic wars. Apparently some 30 wells were sunk on the site, most of which were destroyed but some do remain, such as the governor's house.

Some 10,000 prisoners are said to have passed throught the camp at Norman Cross often being marched there from the coast or brought by barge from Kings Lynn up the Nene to Peterborough Quay.

Cheffins will be auctioning a Napoleonic prisoner of war work bone and horn warship of eighty eight guns, which has an estimate of £5,000-7,000. Ship models were amongst the most valuable items made from the Prisoners of War. These ships made from bone and other materials sometimes supplied by local merchants, sometimes left over from food. Sailor prisoners would be able to produce such ships from memory and with intimate knowledge of their large scale construction. Some work would be commissioned by local retailers, other histories record that prisoners could sell them at local markets.

The sale is available to view from this Sunday through to the sale on Wednesday and Thursday. The catalogue can be bought or viewed online at www.cheffins.co.uk.