A superb, rare Colin 'Beaverman' Almack dark oak book trough with signature beaver - circa 1960s.
 
Colin Almack trained under Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in the 1940s and continued to work for him during the 1950s. In 1960 he left Mouseman and set up his own workshop, adopting the beaver as his signature. This book trough, being an early example of his work, would have been one of the first pieces he carved after leaving Mouseman.
 
His early signature beaver is very distinctive in that it has shoulders. The beaver has also been undercut so that it has quite a raised head, very similar to the early Mouseman signature mice. Colin had many apprentices and most of the Beaverman pieces that come to the market were not actually carved by him, unlike this example.
 
It is a large book trough, quite a bit bigger than most that come to the market. The dark oak colour is gorgeous, and it has great patination. 
 
One of the best examples of a Colin Almack book trough to come to the market. The little beaver has been so well carved with great detail to the tail; it even has a big smile on its face - very sweet.
 
Regarding condition, it is excellent with no damage. It was quite dirty when we acquired it, but it has been sympathetically cleaned to retain the patina, and professionally waxed and polished, so it looks at its absolute best.
 
The length measures 53cm, the depth 19.5cm, and the height 19.5cm.