Olympic fittings auction (Haltwhistle Factory)

[Raymond Cowell]

Hi all,

Just to let you know that I am the person that is selling by auction the fittings from the Olympic that were in the old Akzo Nobel Paint works in Haltwhistle.

I took the decision to sell after two years of trying to use the office block as a craft and visitor centre but after several feasibility studies the outcome was that it would not generate sufficient interest to make it a viable option.

I also have many photographs of the fittings during the strip out, most of which have never been seen since 1935. I will be posting some of these pictures shortly.

Please feel free to ask any questions and I will do my best to answer them.

Regards
Ray Cowell

 

[Raymond Cowell]

This is a picture of the first sight of Olympic's decking.

The decking was found under a cement screed on the first floor of the offices. Probably laid down in 1935. Carpet tiles were subsequently laid on top.

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Another picture

These tiles were found under chipboard covering the floor in one of the first floor offices

This tile was used on the Second Class Staircase and several other locations

This tile was also on the Titanic and the Britanic

 

[Raymond Cowell]

This picture shows the swags that fit around the coving in many areas of the ship, shown are a stripped set and a set with 69 years of paint on

There are two types I have found one is made of an alloy and the other is made of cast bronze

The bronze is copper plated then gilded some of the gilding is still visible

If anyone is interested you can visit my website and look under Olympic suite if you look at the bottom left picture you can see the coving
http://www.hadrianenterprisepark.co.uk/

 

[Nigel Bryant]

Wow, thanks for posting these photos. I have never seen a colour photograph of the Olympic's decking! That second-class tile is pretty amazing as well. Thanks for posting the photographs. You said you had photographs of the strip out? Just to clarify is that when the scrappers were taking interior fittings out of the
Olympic in 1935 or the factory in Haltwhistle?

All the Best,

Nigel

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Hi Nigel,

The photos I mention are from the strip out from Haltwhistle site for the auction in September

I am uploading another photo with this reply it is of a piece of Oak moulding that I have stripped of paint
When you think this is all hand carved in a repeat pattern the skills needed were amazing



Regards
Ray

 

[Daniel Hengstschläger]

These photos are marvellous. Thanks for posting them Raymond. I think the pictures from 1935 during the strip out will be very interesting too.

 

[Raymond Cowell]

This is a bunk ladder made in mahogany found in the loft and used as an access to a water tank !!

There is also another but it has the brass hangers missing still it survived

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Floor tile with border

These tiles were found under chipboard flooring in the office constructed of the panelling and windows from the gymnasium

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Reverse side of panelling marked "FORWARD STAIRCASE S.S.400"

There are other markings but I cannot quite make them out

 

[Raymond Cowell]

This is a section marked

"1st state rooms shelter DK 400"

The markings are very clear but the photo does not show up that well

 

[Raymond Cowell]

First Class light fitting

These fittings are in the "Olympic Hall" at Haltwhistle and as can be seen are still working

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Toilet lock fitting
There are four toilet cubicles in the works all have the original fittings as seen in this photo

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Outside Toilet Door fitting
as previous but outside view

 

[Raymond Cowell]

Oak Parquet Flooring

Found under the carpet of the "Conference Room"
a smaller quantity was also found in another room

Sorry about the quality of the photo I am having the floor polished soon so it will be back to its former glory

This floor came from the Library of the Olympic