Alfred Wallis (British, 1855-1942) The Flying Scud 23.5 x 29.8 cm. (9 1/4 x 11 3/4 in.)Alfred Wallis (British, 1855-1942)The Flying Scud signed 'A. WALLIS' (upper right); and inscribed 'To Daphne/with wishes for the future/Affectionately/Sven/xmas. 1949.' (in Sven Berlin's hand, verso)oil on card23.5 x 29.8 cm. (9 1/4 x 11 3/4 in.)ProvenanceSven Berlin, 1949, by whom gifted to Daphne Hall Jones, thence by family descent to the present ownerPrivate Collection, U.K.Wallis gave up deep sea voyages in about 1880, shortly after his marriage to Susan Ward, and worked as a fisherman with the Newlyn and Mousehole fleets. He made many paintings of one particular vessel, Flying Scud, on which he had worked. The present work depicts this 1st class lugger, identifiable by its Penzance port registration 'PZ11' emblazoned across the side of the vessel and even shows five of the seven known crew members.The design of these lugsail fishing boats is particular to west Cornwall. With their distinctive outriggers and mizzen sails set at the stern, these were very effective sailing boats. They fished for mackerel, pilchards, and herring according to the season, using drift nets usually set at dusk and hauled at dawn or when the net was full. PZ11 is seen passing a lighthouse, which could be the Wolf Rock Light, which is seen when sailing from Mount's Bay. It is a notable and lonely sight; the lighthouse being built on a single isolated rock eight miles from Land's End.This lot enjoys interesting provenance having been in the collection of Sven Berlin and latterly gifted to Daphne Hall. In May 1949, Hall arrived in St Ives to convalesce and study under Leonard Fuller at the St Ives School of Painting. She quickly met Berlin in a local pub who introduced her to Guido Morris, a passionate printer and typographical designer who had established The Latin Press. Both men were immediately smitten by Hall, but it was Morris who won out and the pair were briefly engaged. Berlin continued to carry a torch however and the gift that Christmas (1949) of the present work and warm tone of his inscription verso, bears witness to this.