(Dambusters and Barnes Wallis interest). Two antique marbles stated by the vendor that they were used by Barnes Wallis in his early tests, which would be part of the inspiration for the concept of the Bouncing Bomb, larger marble measuring approximately just over 1" diameter, the other smaller marble approximately just under 1", both have a textured frosted form, a brass RAF button and engraved brass plaque with inscription 'Chastise' (Operation Chastise, more commonly known as the Dambusters Raid), all mounted in a later wooden display frame with laminated photocopy of the museum card from Hydneye House School museum stating that "These marbles were used by Barnes Wallis in his original experiments at White Hill House, Effingham in 1942, kindly donated by Barnes Wallis" with signature of George Leonard 'Johnny' Johnson MBE DFM, verso, total frame size 19cm x 16cm, sold together with small information folder written by the vendor giving his history surrounding the items and how he came upon them, with photos of him at the school and when he returned in 1968.
Provenance: These items, along with other items relating to the Dambusters including marbles, bomb sight, bomb release button, etc, are stated by the vendor to have been displayed at Hydneye House School 'museum', where Etterick Maltby, father of 617 Squadron Pilot of Lancaster AJ-J (J-Johnny) David Maltby, was headmaster. The consignee of this lot is an ex-pupil of the school from 1954, who was captivated by evening lectures by visitors such as William Taynton, Paul Reveley and most of all Barnes Wallis, which inspired him and his classmates in an attempt to replicate the original experiment by Barnes Wallis that inspired his bouncing bomb at the school's swimming pool. The headmaster at the time Mr (Gerald) Brodribb, seeing the students' obvious interest and curiosity in the subject, arranged for Barnes Wallis to come and observe, and after spending the day with the pupil and his classmates, showing, explaining and observing the process, the marbles and other related items were donated to the school throughout the years. In 1968, upon a chance visit to the school before its imminent demolition, the items were given to the then ex-pupil (our vendor) by the then-headmaster Gerald Brodribb, knowing how much they meant to the pupil, who has continued to collect other Dambusters items over the years.