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THBOil Painting After Bruce Bairnsfather
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveDec 18, 2017 - Dec 19, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (298)
- Lot Description
Jack Humphries
untitled
oil painting
signed l.r., Jack Humphries MGC 1932
framed, 29.25 x 29.5 in. (sight)
Depicts old mustachioed man smoking a pipe leading child by the hand down a road lined with gravestones (one for each year, from 1917-1924 in sight) with ghosts of soldiers visible between two of the gravestones. emptied cans are scattered in the road and red flowers bloom in the grass. Beautiful landscape of hills, trees, and town below covers area above the main scene.
Inscriptions cover several areas. At the top, a British flag and cross inscribed, "Remember the Fallen, A Free Gift from a Grateful Country," separate a heading that reads, "Mud: Memories, Mile-stones:" Inscriptions at the top right and left contain verses from what appears to be a soldiers' song or poem. Inscriptions at the bottom provide captions and quotations for the characters in the painting.
Bottom left caption reads: "Old Bill: 'Ere we are, Douglass. 'Ere we are! Now you can see what your Daddy did in the Great War! Young Douglass: Yes, but Dad, you said it was a Holy War!!! It's the 'ground' that's Holy. Old Bill: Anyhow, it was for Truth, Honour, & Freedom: A place fit for... Young Douglas: For Hero's Daddy!!!"
Bottom right caption reads: "1st Wraith: Grikey! Look who's here. Old Bill of the Better 'ole. 'Im who Capt Bairnsfather used to draw shewing the kid round. 2nd Wraith (from Gornal Wood) He'll find the Better 'ole at ode Rooker's place when he gets back. - They'll put him on the Means Test.!!!...A bit of the Somme from a machine gunner's Range Chart."
Bruce Bairnsfather was a World War I cartoonist best known for his character, "Old Bill," a mustachioed soldier in the trenches depicted in a humorous light with captions and quotations. One of the most famous of these cartoons depicted "Old Bill" hiding with another soldier in a hole while explosions are going off in the background. The caption reads, "Well if you knows of a better 'ole, go to it!" This is probably the "better 'ole" to which the wraiths in this oil painting are referring.
Provenance: The Alan Culpin Collection of World War I ArtEliminate the Hassle of Third-Party Shippers: Let Cowan's Ship Directly To You!Condition
If you'd like a shipping estimate before the auction, contact Cowan's in-house shipping department at shipping@cowans.com or 513.871.1670 x219. - Shipping Info
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Eliminate the Hassle of Third-Party Shippers: Let Cowan's Ship Directly To You!
If you'd like a shipping estimate before the auction, contact Cowan's in-house shipping department at shipping@cowans.com or 513.871.1670 x219.
At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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