Original 'Golf Match' at Westward Ho Watercolor by Artist Major F.P. Hopkins Shortspoon Signed LL

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/9/2020

Original 'Golf Match' at Westward Ho Watercolor by Artist Major F.P. Hopkins Shortspoon Signed LL

Golf Match 8.375 x 12.625. Signed LL. Found a similar work that identified the location as Westward Ho. It includes at least 3 of the figures who also appear in painting 3) below. Includes A Molesworth, and probably Horace Hutchinson, and John Allan. Has a few lighter spots above left figures. Paper has light toning within mat opening, blue color has faded to light brown on front within mat window. Paper is whole and strong with no holes or tears. It should be noted that Westward Ho! is now commonly referred to as Royal North Devon Golf Club.

In high demand are Major 'F.J. Hopkins' Sportspoon's original pieces of artwork, many that give an accurate first person documentation through illustration and painting of those significant figures, courses and events to the history of the game of golf in a time period that was sans photography such as this one. As he was in fact one of the first of golf's journalists, using his artwork to help tell the story. Upon retirement from the Army future prolific artist Francis Powell Hopkins went to the Westward Ho! region where he became passionate about the game of golf in addition to fishing, where he resided for the remainder of his life until his passing in 1913. As written in his biography/portfolio hardback publication 'Shortspoon: Major F.P. Hopkins': "From the evidence of the portraits mentioned in the Will we learn that Hopkins had the ability to paint portraits and the figures who may be recognized in the illustrations reproduced in this book, many of them easily identifiable, are evidence of his ability." This quotation speaks on his pieces such as the ones located in this auction that contain the likeness of some of golf's then luminaries including Horace Hutchinson and Everard. Touching on value of an original Major Sportspoon in the Winter 2018 No. 2 issue of 'The Golf - Journal of the Golf Heritage Society,' "His (Hopkins) works often fetch $20,000 or more."

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