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OFFERED BY: Vintage Sports Equipment: division of J. Harris Antiques, Kansas City Missouri
LOCATED AT: November 2002 Hillsborough Antique Show, San Mateo, Calif.,
PRICE TAG: $950.00
By
Carlton
Hendricks
It would be very interesting to know the training and background of the artist of this exceptional, unsigned 1920-30’s Pen and Ink drawing; measuring 20” X 29” framed; as it
seemed to have been professionally rendered. It appears to be a good example of an art style popular during the 1920’s and 30’s here in the United States; sometimes called the “Ash Can School”. The style originated in New York City and earned its name from the urban scenes its proponents drew and painted there. The American artists; George Bellows, John Sloan, William Glackens, Robert Henri, George Luks, Everett Shinn, Maurice Prendergast, and Arthur B. Davis are considered it’s originators. Collectively they were known as “The Eight”.
I’ve always liked the style for its gritty realness and unique American character; so a football work done in it was a very nice find. Really, other than being unsigned, the drawing had it all; excellent art quality, nice size 15” X 20” inside mat , not too big, not too small, nicely framed, and seemed to be priced right at $950.00 .
The artist chose to illustrate the frenzied and chaotic pursuit of a quarterback about to pass. It appears the artist was not only accomplished but also very familiar with football; as the uniforms and equipment are both nicely illustrated, and period correct.
The picture is full of good detail. At least three of the leather helmets appear to be last generation Dog Ear types; placing the scene toward the late 20’s early 30’s. Six of the eight players have numbers visible on their jerseys; No.29 at Quarterback, No.7, No.9, No.15, No.17 and No.12. The shoes of No. 9 appear to be the high top kind with the rectangular stacked leather cleats; typical of the period; even the pattern of the cleats appear detailed and correct. The players whose waists are visible all have on high waist rib protectors. The defense has banded jerseys with the classic striped arms that graphically add much character to the scene.
The tumult at the center is the pictures most distinguishing feature. Formal art training prescribes an illustration have a center axis from which it should revolve. Faithful to that prescription, No.15, just right of bottom center, with his chin square on the ground, has just taken out tacklers No.7 and No.9 . This is where we really see artist’s ability. He-or-she could have just drawn a typical scene of tacklers closing in on the quarterback. Given their ability for detail, that would have been a nice work. However, obviously the artist had advanced to where they took on more …or should I say…tackled more complicated composition. The unknown artist captured the bowling ball affect of number No.15’s block exceptionally. Apparently he hit No.7 and No.9 so hard, they were knocked in the air, as they are portrayed coming down head first twisted and convoluted.
In all the 16 years I’ve studied and collected athletic display pieces, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a football Pen and Ink for sale in person, before this one; maybe I saw a couple things on ebay. Most good art comes out of the big city art galleries and auctions; you generally don’t see a lot of real high quality art at Antique shows. It’s good for an antique sports collection to be well rounded with at least one example of each genre. This would have been an excellent opportunity to score a football Pen and Ink reasonably. Can’t say I expect to see another football Pen and Ink drawing that nice very soon, if ever.
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