From the Personal Collection of Waynman Dixon – including the pivotal Ruskin-connected Langdale Pikes pair.
Album of British landscapes, signed and dated – by the pyramid-exploring engineer (who brought Cleopatra's Needle to London) – containing his original watercolours (code NS20-00024).
The Crown Jewels of the Collection: The Langdale Pikes Dialogue
While the album includes many diverse subjects, its heart is an unparalleled artistic dialogue: two paintings of the Langdale Pikes, Cumbria Lake District, created four years apart.
The first (1880) captures the landscape in its monumental, physical glory. The second (1884) is titled on the reverse by Dixon himself: “The Ghost of Langdale Pikes” – Ruskin. This reveals his evolution from topographer to visionary, filtering the view through John Ruskin’s belief that landscapes are repositories of ancient truth and magic. This paired masterpiece alone represents a unique chapter in British art history.
A curated glimpse into Dixon’s artistic process and philosophical engagement with the British landscape. The album’s unparalleled provenance and cohesion make it a unique historical document, distinct from previous historic works on the market.
Why This Album is a Priceless Discovery
Unparalleled Provenance: This is Dixon’s own personal album, bearing his name and address. Provenance guarantees the authenticity of all 25 pages of works within – none of which are loose.
A Complete Artistic Record: This collection provides a invaluable window into Dixon’s artistic process and interests beyond his famous Egyptian exploits, focusing on the British landscapes he held most sacred.
The "Archive Premium": The value of the complete album is infinitely greater than the sum of its individual parts. To break it up would be to destroy a piece of history. For a museum or serious collector, this is a primary source document and a cornerstone acquisition.
A Counterpart to the Egyptian Legacy: This album is the philosophical counter to the famed Sotheby's archive of his Egyptian works and letters sold for £19,000 in 2008. If that collection revealed Dixon the Engineer, this album reveals Dixon the Artist.
The Dixon Legacy: The Original Indiana Jones
Waynman Dixon was the civil engineer who discovered hidden shafts in the Great Pyramid, engineered the perilous transport of Cleopatra's Needle, and painted with a master's eye. This album shows the mind behind the legend at home, applying his knowledge of perspective and geometry to the landscapes of Britain.
Dixon's unique knowledge of perspective and engineering, means he is the only person to have discovered artefacts inside the Great Pyramid of Giza. The pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – and the largest pyramid ever built.
The three objects Dixon recovered are known as the "Dixon Relics". They are thought to be tools used in the construction of the pyramid: a small dolerite ball, a copper hook (in the British Museum in London), and a 5-inch fragment of cedar wood (in the Marischal Museum).
Dixon had a specialist knowledge of engineering, ancient geometry and fascination with "magic" and other secrets. He used his skills in his art, and is thought to have hidden clues and codes in both his writings and images.
He was awarded was the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Third Class) by the Emperor of Japan in 1922.
Dixon was a Freemason and a member of a group called the Knights of Malta - who were related to the medieval order formed at the time of the Crusades.
Before discovering artefacts in the Great Pyramid, Dixon was employed as a civil engineer to build a bridge over the river Nile.
Details
Artist: Waynman Dixon (1844-1930)
Contents: 18 original watercolours (18 x 13cm) and 5 pages of sketches, contained within the artist's original personal album.
Highlight Works: Includes the paired masterpieces: Langdale Pikes, Lake District (1880) and "The Ghost of Langdale Pikes" (1884).
Provenance: The artist’s personal collection; acquired from a notable auction house. A private collection.
Condition: The album is presented as acquired, offering a unique preservation state.
Price: £78,000 for the complete archive. This price reflects the immense value of a intact, historically significant collection from a legendary figure, with premium placed on its unparalleled provenance. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for an institution or top-tier collector to acquire a defining piece of British artistic and exploratory history.
