Spencer, William Ball (British, 1854-1923), Merchantman, Captain Gardiner, 1863, oil on canvas, laid down on board, signed lower right and titled in the lower center, 23 x 37 inches, framed 28 x 42 inches. The Merchantman was built in Sunderland in 1852 and was used twice as a convict transport for Western Australia. It left London in October of 1862 bound for the Swan River Colony, stopping at Bermuda. It was the 27th of 37 shipments of male convicts destined for Western Australia, and arrived there in February of 1863. William Gardiner was the captain. The artist, who was Richard Ball Spencer's son, is sometimes incorrectly identified as William Barnett Spencer. Provenance: The Estate of Edith (Toto) Fisher, Pittsburgh, PA. Toto Fisher was an active supporter of the arts in Pittsburgh, and served on the boards of many of the city's most important institutions, including The Carnegie Museum of Art. Canvas laid down on board; touching up visible to the edges; otherwise in good condition with small areas of wear and staining. Merchandise will be packed and transported by the purchaser at their own risk and expense. A list of recommended shippers is on our website: https://www.conceptgallery.com/auctions/shipping/ .