Eric Erskine Campbell Tufnell (1888–1979) was a British marine artist and naval officer whose work was defined by a technical mastery of maritime subjects. Born in Bangalore, India, he was the son of a major in the British Army. His formal career began in the Royal Navy, where he joined as a cadet at HMS Britannia in 1903 and transitioned to active service as a midshipman in 1904. Although he lacked formal art training, Tufnell illustrated his naval logbooks and journals with detailed sketches and maps during his early service.
His naval career spanned over four decades and two world wars. Between 1909 and 1917, he served in the submarine service, commanding vessels such as the HMS A8 and HMS B8. During the interwar period, his duties included work in the Fleet Air Arm as an observer and photographer. Following his initial retirement as a commander in 1929, Tufnell turned to professional painting to supplement his income. He was recalled to active duty in 1938 for meteorological and information services, eventually retiring for a final time in 1946.
Tufnell’s artistic output consisted primarily of watercolours characterized by their meticulous nautical accuracy. He specialized in portraits of specific naval vessels, clippers, and whaling ships. His professional knowledge of naval architecture and atmospheric conditions at sea allowed him to produce works that were highly regarded by fellow officers and maritime historians. Many of his paintings were commissioned by naval outfitters or former crew members seeking precise records of the ships on which they served.
The work of Eric Erskine Campbell Tufnell is represented in numerous public and maritime institutions internationally. His paintings are held in the permanent collections of the National Museum of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom and the Surrey County Archives. In the United States, his work is featured in the collections of the Whaling Museum at Cold Spring Harbor and the American Clipper Museum. He died in Farnham, Surrey, on July 18, 1979.
April 9 - April 23, 2026
212 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg MB
(204) 255-5690
mayberryfineart.com
[email protected]
Contact us to make an appointment to preview this item or to sell similar works.
|
Bidding Range
|
Increment
|
|---|---|
| $0.00 - $50.00 | $1.00 |
| $50.00 - $100.00 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 - $500.00 | $10.00 |
| $500.00 - $1,000.00 | $25.00 |
| $1,000.00 - $5,000.00 | $50.00 |
| $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 | $100.00 |
| $10,000.00 - $20,000.00 | $200.00 |
| $20,000.00 - $50,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $50,000.00 - $100,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| $100,000.00+ | $5,000.00 |
Login or register a BidLots.com account to participate in any auction. Track specific lots and artists with real-time notifications on all bidding activity.
Bidding approval requires three simple steps:
1. Create a Bid Lots account
2. Confirm your email address
3. Create a valid billing profile
Bid Lots and/or the auctioneer may choose to revoke your bidding privileges if your account is not in good standing or your activity is in conflict with our standard terms and conditions of sale.
The buyer’s premium is an additional percentage charged to the winning bidder. The buyer’s premiums may vary from auction to auction, typically ranging from 10% to 20%. Buyer’s premiums will be displayed on detailed lot listings and paddle registration forms.
Bidding begins at the reserve price and advances at set increments based on the bidding range. The specific bidding increments may vary from auction to auction, however the next bid and subsequent increments will always be clearly defined on detailed lot listings. Maximum Bids and Single Bids can only be placed within the pre-defined bidding increments ensuring that no two bidders can place identical bids on an item. View individual lot detail pages to see a complete range of bidding increments for that item.
Requests to cancel a single bid are at the sole descretion of the auctioneer. Maximum bids can be increased but cannot be decreased unless premitted by the auctioneer. Requests to cancel a bid or to alter a maximum bid will be denied if the specific lot is scheduled to close in less than 24 hours or if the lot has significant interest or activity.
To request that a bid be cancelled or to change a maximum bid use the "Ask a question" button on the detailed lot listing.
You will receive an email notification when you have successfully won an auction. You will also see the item listed on your "Bidding Results" page and if you are logged into the site you will see a highlighted message on the auction catalogue pages and auction listings.
Shipping requirements may vary on different items depending on location and size or weight of an item. When registering for a specific auction you will be provided options to clarify your preferred shipping instructions. The auctioneer will also review and provide specific shipping quotes or options following the close of an auction. If you have specific shipping requirements or are unsure of the shipping constraints on a specific item please contact the auctioneer prior to bidding.
Following the close of an auction the auctioneer will provide a detailed invoice for all items you have won. They may contact you before a final invoice is prepared to confirm or review specific shipping instructions. Payment is due once a final invoice is provided and can be submitted online by credit card, or made by EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer), bank draft or international wire transfer. Any outstanding balance will be automatically charged to your registered credit card 5 days following the close of an auction.