Left: Stephen Walters with some interesting items from his collection (which is certainly quite an understatement!) See full story below.

Extract from "The UK Log", issue 14, July 1997

The London Meeting of the PISG

12th April 1997

What a day, what a fascinating meeting! If you haven’t been to one of our London meetings yet you really should try to get to the next one; they get better every time!

Our first speaker held the audience spellbound with a very honest and completely fascinating talk about his lifelong interest in Pitcairn and its history. Stephen Walters may have had to sell a large part of his wonderful collection but one thing he will never lose is his incredible knowledge of the subject.

Illustrated are items from Stephen’s collection including: a painting of a Whaleship off Pitcairn c.1820; Bligh’s own Horn Beaker as used in the launch after being cast adrift from the Bounty; a candle from one of the replica Bountys; a 4lb Cannon Shot, ex Pitcairn; a Shot ex Bounty.

Our second speaker of the day brought some of his beautiful slides all the way from America to show us. Spencer Murray, PISG member and author of “Pitcairn Island: The First 200 Years” gave a fascinating talk which included slides taken on his eventful visit to Pitcairn. We are most fortunate to be able to attract such knowledgeable people to our meetings. Spencer’s wife spoke to me after the meeting to say how much she enjoyed the day and added that we all seem to have so much fun. I must admit that the auction was quite hilarious at times – it is good not to take everything too seriously.

David Ransom

Above: Chairman John Smith inspects the auction Lots.

Right: Spencer Murray, author from the USA, our second speaker at the meeting.

Left: A display of scarce prints and paintings.

Right: PISG UK President Jennifer Toombs