Dennis Alfred Hamlyn (Lyn)

Year working: 1878 - 1937

Dennis did not like his middle name Hamlyn and shortened this to Lyn, a name by which he was always known. He also signed his art A L Dennis or Lyn Dennis.. It would seem that A L Dennis is a later signature post 1926? The majority of art seen by A L Dennis is work for the Morris Owner in the mid 1920’s. Also believed to have signed work with D in a box. This is demonstrated by an article in The Morris Owner February 1926 in which it says the art borders are by A L Dennis. The art pictured in the article (as below) is signed with a boxed D. Also in the same magazine there is other art signed Lyn Dennis so it is assumed that art signed A L Dennis, Lyn Dennis and boxed D are the same person. (Information and images courtesy of the late Robin Barraclough). Lyn's Grandson has also assisted with details providing information and life dates. We know little about him except he was married in 1914. It is believed by the family that Dennis was an employee of Morris Motors and that he assisted with a redesign of the Morris Oxford badge. The closeness to Lord Morris is perhaps demonstrated by the two works by Dennis at Nuffield Place in Lady Nuffield's bedroom. One supposedly show Lord Morris in a Bullnose car and are dated by the registration 1926. It is interesting that he overlapped with the other great artist for Morris Motors - Leslie Carr who was working for Morris motors from at least 1925 onwards. The earliest Dennis art seen for Morris is 1924 and at that age he would have been 46 years old. What employment and art completed prior to this period is a mystery similarly what work post Morris? The latest piece seen is a poster for 1928 cars, probably completed is say October 1927. The only other mention of this artist is a book 'Headlington Quarry and Shotover' published in 1933, for which he did the illustrations. This was published by the Quarry Womens Institue so unlikely to be a major publication!

Header signed with D in a box, text says border designs by A L Dennis

Morris Trucks poster 1924. Signed with boxed D. Image courtesy of CTA auctions

Morris Owner May 1924

Morris Owner July 1926

Front cover the Morris Owner July 1927

Morris Owner artwork November 1925

Pen and ink sketch

1928 Poster for Morris cars

Image of Dennis painting in Lady Nuffield's bedroom at Nuffield Place supposedly of Lord Morris in Bullnose Morris.

Similar image of Bullnose car outside Nuffield Place

Brighton street scene. Painted submittied to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours (undated). Probably completed in later life. Image courtesy of Grandson - Lyn George.