Brian H. Jackson, Costume Design, 1960
Updated August 18, 2026
| Lot number | 187 |
| Auction | Art, Jewelry, Antiques & Estate Auction |
| Date | August 26, 2026 at 8:05 PM EDT |
| Auction house | Amber Door Estate Sales Inc. |
| Location | Niagara-on-the-Lake |
This original mid-20th-century costume design for the character Captain Corcoran in Act II of the Gilbert and Sullivan opera H.M.S. Brian H. Jackson, Costume Design for Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore, 1960. Pinafore is executed in ink, watercolour, and wax crayon on toned paper. The central illustration is inset into a larger window mount and depicts the Captain in a dark blue naval dress uniform with gold epaulettes and rank stripes, shown in the act of playing a white guitar. The surrounding paper mount contains several technical pencil sketches detailing uniform components, including a cuff with buttons and gold braid, and a trouser leg featuring a 1 1/2 inch side stripe. The mount is inscribed with numerous handwritten annotations in ink and pencil. At the top, it is marked No 21, CAPT. CORCORAN & RALPH. ACT II, HARRY MOSSFIELD. ANDREW DOWNIE., and H.M.S. PINAFORE. The central drawing itself is labeled CAPT. CORCORAN. ACT II in the upper right corner. A personal dedication at the bottom of the mount reads: Many thanks for your personal interest & excellent work. Brian H Jackson, 1960. Brian Jackson (1926-2023) was a noted British theatrical and film designer; the performers mentioned, Harry Mossfield and Andrew Downie, were established singers in mid-century operatic productions. The verso features a blue paper backing with remnants of green adhesive tape. Dimensions (mount): approx. 52 cm x 37 cm. Condition: The paper mount is in poor condition, exhibiting significant water staining with prominent brown tidemarks, surface paper losses, scuffing, and general toning throughout. The central drawing is in relatively better condition, showing some minor toning and light surface marks, but remains bright. The blue paper backing on the verso shows extensive water damage and adhesive tape residue.
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