Tucked away behind a suitably grand crescent of Georgian houses in Gloucestershire's famous spa town lies a little gem of an art gallery. The pale blue double doors carry the name Mabileau & Company in soft yellow . The palette is a nod to the famous ‘Campbell Shed’ at Brooklands and parked opposite you will often find a large black 1952 Hotchkiss Anjou saloon - not a car you see very often in Britain.
Mabileau & Company is the brainchild of the car's doting owner, former advertising man Stuart King, and it's dedicated to motoring art and related eclectic ephemera, in particular to the early twentieth century work of French masters like Geo Ham, Montaut and Gamy which originally drew him to the subject.
The gallery name itself is derived from the Parisian lithographer who produced many of the most familiar works of mororing art before the outbreak of World War 1. and inside you'll find numerous examples of their work on display. Stuart's enthusiasm for the subject is infectious. These early works may be his real passion but the walls are hung with original works, lithographs, prints and posters by later artists, many from this side of the channel ,including Roy Nockolds and S C H Davis .
There's a large framed Klemantaski photo of Nuvolari in his 1938 Auto Union propped against one wall and assorted books with vivid period illustartions along another, with Dinky diecasts, the odd trophy , sales catalogues, race programmes and more on the tables and worktops. If it's visually appealing it finds a home here.
On the afternoon of my long-overdue visit Stuart was in the process of selling a 1920s motor racing trophy to a well known luminary of the vintage racing world - and then , over a cup of coffee, bought a few books from me to refill the gap. Good to do business with you Sir! In fact we've been fellow traders at events for many years with he and wife Candy selling patriotic waistecoats and apparal unde the SEND HER VICTORIOUS banner.
The gallery has been open since last summer and although someone is around much of the time, it's not on a 9-5 basis, so if you are around the Cheltenham area (Prescott Hillclimb is only 6 or 7 miles down the road) contact Stuart in advance to arrange a look around. His email is stuart@themabileau.co.uk
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