Basil Smith Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Basil Smith Art Value Price Guide

Aug. 06, 2023
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "European Perch" W/C
Est: $100 - $1,000
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "European Perch" Signed lower right. Original watercolor painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Yugoslavia 15din Perca fluviatilis L. stamp issued February 2, 1990. The European Perch thrives throughout central and northern Europe, its range extending as far north as Siberia. This perch is similar in appearance and habits to its smaller cousin, the North American Perch. Both fish prefer ponds and lakes, but may also be found in sluggish, weedy streams. The perch feeds throughout the year, which makes it a popular catch during ice fishing season. Image Size: 5.75 x 7 in. Overall Size: 8.75 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12595)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 05, 2023
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "R.M.S. Yare" Watercolor
Est: $150 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "R.M.S. Yare" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Yare. One of the first of the so-called "ocean stagecoaches" built in the 1840s to carry mail between British colonies, the R.M.S. Yare actually served a variety of purposes. First and foremost she was, as her named implied, a carrier for the Royal Mail. In order to provide the most reliable service possible among the scattered islands of the West Indies, the Yare and her fourteen sister ships were equipped with steam-powered paddle wheels as well as a complete sailing rig. These hybrids, all named after British rivers, chugged through the Caribbean at speeds averaging eight knots; a copper-plated hull protected them from the ravages of the tropical toredo worm. But, in the days when the sun never set on the British flag, the Royal Navy was spread thin and the British Admiralty was more concerned about the ravages of hostile nations than the ravages of nature. For this reason they insisted the steamers carry a variety of small arms, including muskets, pistols, and pikes. Furthermore, their decks were specially reinforced to enable them to carry heavy cannon in the event of a war. TheYare was never forced to do battle at sea. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07225)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 05, 2023
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "European Perch" W/C
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "European Perch" Signed lower right. Original watercolor painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Yugoslavia 15din Perca fluviatilis L. stamp issued February 2, 1990. The European Perch thrives throughout central and northern Europe, its range extending as far north as Siberia. This perch is similar in appearance and habits to its smaller cousin, the North American Perch. Both fish prefer ponds and lakes, but may also be found in sluggish, weedy streams. The perch feeds throughout the year, which makes it a popular catch during ice fishing season. Image Size: 5.75 x 7 in. Overall Size: 8.75 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12595)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 05, 2023
Basil Smith (B 1925) "John Deere Tractor" Original
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "John Deere Tractor" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Image Size: in. Overall Size: in. Unframed. (B12051)
Helmuth Stone
Oct. 02, 2022
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "R.M.S. Yare" Watercolor
Est: $200 - $400
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "R.M.S. Yare" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Yare. One of the first of the so-called "ocean stagecoaches" built in the 1840s to carry mail between British colonies, the R.M.S. Yare actually served a variety of purposes. First and foremost she was, as her named implied, a carrier for the Royal Mail. In order to provide the most reliable service possible among the scattered islands of the West Indies, the Yare and her fourteen sister ships were equipped with steam-powered paddle wheels as well as a complete sailing rig. These hybrids, all named after British rivers, chugged through the Caribbean at speeds averaging eight knots; a copper-plated hull protected them from the ravages of the tropical toredo worm. But, in the days when the sun never set on the British flag, the Royal Navy was spread thin and the British Admiralty was more concerned about the ravages of hostile nations than the ravages of nature. For this reason they insisted the steamers carry a variety of small arms, including muskets, pistols, and pikes. Furthermore, their decks were specially reinforced to enable them to carry heavy cannon in the event of a war. TheYare was never forced to do battle at sea. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07225)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 14, 2022
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "European Perch" W/C
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "European Perch" Signed lower right. Original watercolor painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Yugoslavia 15din Perca fluviatilis L. stamp issued February 2, 1990. The European Perch thrives throughout central and northern Europe, its range extending as far north as Siberia. This perch is similar in appearance and habits to its smaller cousin, the North American Perch. Both fish prefer ponds and lakes, but may also be found in sluggish, weedy streams. The perch feeds throughout the year, which makes it a popular catch during ice fishing season. Image Size: 5.75 x 7 in. Overall Size: 8.75 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12595)
Helmuth Stone
Jul. 06, 2022
Basil Stapleton and Richard Smith Signed Hornchurch Scramble Hardback Book by Richard C Smith.
Est: £14 - £16
Basil Stapleton and Richard Smith Signed Hornchurch Scramble Hardback Book by Richard C Smith. Signed on title page, Dedicated to John. 210 pages. Published in 2000 by Grub Street. Good Used Condition. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Chaucer Auctions
Apr. 10, 2022
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Orig
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Bugatti Royale Type 41. One of the Italian designer Ettore Bugatti's most impressive cars, the Royal Type 41 was also known as "La Royale" or "Golden Bug." He first envisioned this grand car in 1913, when he described it to a good friend as "a piece of machinery above criticism." But it would be another thirteen years before he actually started building the automobile. Initially, he planned to construct twenty-five cars, but he actually built only six or seven. The engine itself was later produced en masse for the Bugatti railcar. The Royal Type 41 started as a two-seated roadster by the direction of M. Armand Esders, a wealthy French clothier. It was considered one of the most elegant auto bodies ever designed. But because Esders never drove at night, the car had no lamps. Later, the car was customized as a coupe de ville, possibly for King Carol of Romania. It included toughened bullet-proof glass windows, and plush dove-grey worsted seats that could hold two or three passengers. During the German occupation of Paris, the car was well hidden in the sewers, but the original roadster body was destroyed during a bombing raid. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B10813)
Helmuth Stone
Apr. 10, 2022
Basil Smith (B 1925) "John Deere Tractor" Original
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "John Deere Tractor" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Image Size: in. Overall Size: in. Unframed. (B12051)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 27, 2022
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "The Laughing Policeman" W/C
Est: $200 - $400
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Laughing Policeman" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media/Watercolor painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p Laughing Policeman stamp issued February 6, 1990. In 1829, British statesman Robert Peel succeeded in reforming the criminal laws of Britain and established the London Police Force. Its members, known as Bobbies or Peelers, were viewed with suspicion from the very beginning. There was much opposition at the time from the laboring class because policemen were seen as enforcers of an unjust and restrictive society. With their tall hats, stiff uniforms, and menacing billy clubs, the stern-faced Bobbies were thought to be inept, surly, and decidedly humorless. So, in some respects, the term "laughing policeman" is an ironic misnomer. Policemen were rarely seen laughing. Such light-hearted behavior would be considered unseemly and might cause a policeman to lose his job. The only place it appeared safe for a policeman to laugh was on stage in the Music Hall. An entertainer who got his start in the Music Hall and who was known anonymously as the "Laughing Policeman," was celebrated for singing a lively comic song broken up by fits of raucous laughter. Indeed, there is nothing funny about many of the crimes policemen are required to enforce. But for smaller offenses like parking violations or jaywalking, policemen have been known to have a sense of humor. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12344)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 27, 2022
Basil Smith (B. 1925) Original Watercolor
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Cow Jumped over the Moon" Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p The Man on the Moon stamp issued February 6, 1990. The Moon, Earth's satellite and closest astral neighbor, has been a source of inspiration to poets and dreamers throughout the centuries. Its craters and mountains were first studied by astronomer Galileo, but weren't actually mapped until 1837 by Johann von M?dler. Because of their eerie resemblance to the human face, lunar spots have afforded an especially rich subject for the play of human fancy. Perhaps the oldest myth relating to the man in the moon originates in the Old Testament. In the Book of Numbers, a man is caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and as an example to mankind, he is condemned to stand forever on the moon with a bundle on his back. Chaucer and Shakespeare also allude to the man in the moon as an individual who was banished to the lunar surface as punishment. Even so, people throughout the centuries have seen the man in the moon as a more benevolent presence in the night sky, evoking the mysteries of the universe and of love. Many nursery rhymes have also been inspired by the moon. One credits the man in the moon with visiting earth: "The Man in the Moon came down too soon and asked his way to Norwich..." and another popular nursery rhyme conjures up a cow jumping over the moon. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12343)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 14, 2021
Basil Smith (B 1925) "John Deere Tractor" Original
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "John Deere Tractor" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Image Size: in. Overall Size: in. Unframed. (B12051)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 14, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Orig
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Bugatti Royale Type 41. One of the Italian designer Ettore Bugatti's most impressive cars, the Royal Type 41 was also known as "La Royale" or "Golden Bug." He first envisioned this grand car in 1913, when he described it to a good friend as "a piece of machinery above criticism." But it would be another thirteen years before he actually started building the automobile. Initially, he planned to construct twenty-five cars, but he actually built only six or seven. The engine itself was later produced en masse for the Bugatti railcar. The Royal Type 41 started as a two-seated roadster by the direction of M. Armand Esders, a wealthy French clothier. It was considered one of the most elegant auto bodies ever designed. But because Esders never drove at night, the car had no lamps. Later, the car was customized as a coupe de ville, possibly for King Carol of Romania. It included toughened bullet-proof glass windows, and plush dove-grey worsted seats that could hold two or three passengers. During the German occupation of Paris, the car was well hidden in the sewers, but the original roadster body was destroyed during a bombing raid. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B10813)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 14, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Orient Express" Watercolor
Est: $200 - $300
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Orient Express" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Orient-Express. Traveled by counts, heiresses, and other intriguing personalities, the Orient Express is shrouded in more mystery and legend that perhaps any other railway line. It began its first complete journey on June 5, 1889, and soon captured the imagination of Europe and the world. Ushering in a new era of passenger transportation, this elegant line provided the first through connection between Paris and Constantinople. The trip covered over 1800 miles and lasted nearly seventy hours. The original train consisted of a locomotive, a tender, two baggage cars, a dining car, and two sleepers. Because the line ran through seven often hostile countries, the Express immediately took on a distinctive character. For instance, the corps of sleeping car attendants and waiters had to be skilled diplomats and masters of a half dozen languages. Also, because the train could not transport food across national boundaries, passengers enjoyed fine foreign wine and sampled the best cuisine of the countries along the route. And, of course, the train provided a logical means of travel for any number of spies, defectors, and desperate men on the run, as well as Europe's aristocracy. The Orient Express made its last run on May 20, 1977, a victim of the fast-paced priorities of the Jet Age. Its memory lives on, however, in scores of novels and plays, and in the hearts of romantics everywhere. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07022)
Helmuth Stone
Nov. 14, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "European Perch" WC
Est: $200 - $400
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "European Perch" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Yugoslavia 15din Perca fluviatilis L. stamp issued February 2, 1990. The European Perch thrives throughout central and northern Europe, its range extending as far north as Siberia. This perch is similar in appearance and habits to its smaller cousin, the North American Perch. Both fish prefer ponds and lakes, but may also be found in sluggish, weedy streams. The perch feeds throughout the year, which makes it a popular catch during ice fishing season. Image Size: 5.75 x 7 in. Overall Size: 8.75 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12595)
Helmuth Stone
Sep. 26, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Orient Express" Watercolor
Est: $250 - $500
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Orient Express" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Orient-Express. Traveled by counts, heiresses, and other intriguing personalities, the Orient Express is shrouded in more mystery and legend that perhaps any other railway line. It began its first complete journey on June 5, 1889, and soon captured the imagination of Europe and the world. Ushering in a new era of passenger transportation, this elegant line provided the first through connection between Paris and Constantinople. The trip covered over 1800 miles and lasted nearly seventy hours. The original train consisted of a locomotive, a tender, two baggage cars, a dining car, and two sleepers. Because the line ran through seven often hostile countries, the Express immediately took on a distinctive character. For instance, the corps of sleeping car attendants and waiters had to be skilled diplomats and masters of a half dozen languages. Also, because the train could not transport food across national boundaries, passengers enjoyed fine foreign wine and sampled the best cuisine of the countries along the route. And, of course, the train provided a logical means of travel for any number of spies, defectors, and desperate men on the run, as well as Europe's aristocracy. The Orient Express made its last run on May 20, 1977, a victim of the fast-paced priorities of the Jet Age. Its memory lives on, however, in scores of novels and plays, and in the hearts of romantics everywhere. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07022)
Helmuth Stone
Sep. 26, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "R.M.S. Yare" Watercolor
Est: $250 - $500
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "R.M.S. Yare" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor/Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Yare. One of the first of the so-called "ocean stagecoaches" built in the 1840s to carry mail between British colonies, the R.M.S. Yare actually served a variety of purposes. First and foremost she was, as her named implied, a carrier for the Royal Mail. In order to provide the most reliable service possible among the scattered islands of the West Indies, the Yare and her fourteen sister ships were equipped with steam-powered paddle wheels as well as a complete sailing rig. These hybrids, all named after British rivers, chugged through the Caribbean at speeds averaging eight knots; a copper-plated hull protected them from the ravages of the tropical toredo worm. But, in the days when the sun never set on the British flag, the Royal Navy was spread thin and the British Admiralty was more concerned about the ravages of hostile nations than the ravages of nature. For this reason they insisted the steamers carry a variety of small arms, including muskets, pistols, and pikes. Furthermore, their decks were specially reinforced to enable them to carry heavy cannon in the event of a war. TheYare was never forced to do battle at sea. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07225)
Helmuth Stone
Sep. 26, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "The Laughing Policeman" W/C
Est: $250 - $500
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Laughing Policeman" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media/Watercolor painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p Laughing Policeman stamp issued February 6, 1990. In 1829, British statesman Robert Peel succeeded in reforming the criminal laws of Britain and established the London Police Force. Its members, known as Bobbies or Peelers, were viewed with suspicion from the very beginning. There was much opposition at the time from the laboring class because policemen were seen as enforcers of an unjust and restrictive society. With their tall hats, stiff uniforms, and menacing billy clubs, the stern-faced Bobbies were thought to be inept, surly, and decidedly humorless. So, in some respects, the term "laughing policeman" is an ironic misnomer. Policemen were rarely seen laughing. Such light-hearted behavior would be considered unseemly and might cause a policeman to lose his job. The only place it appeared safe for a policeman to laugh was on stage in the Music Hall. An entertainer who got his start in the Music Hall and who was known anonymously as the "Laughing Policeman," was celebrated for singing a lively comic song broken up by fits of raucous laughter. Indeed, there is nothing funny about many of the crimes policemen are required to enforce. But for smaller offenses like parking violations or jaywalking, policemen have been known to have a sense of humor. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12344)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 01, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "1913 Mercedes Automobile"
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "1913 Mercedes Automobile" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. A European car manufacturer world-renowned for the exquisite styling and performance of its products is the legendary Mercedes-Benz. The establishment which today enjoys the highest popularity and appeal with car owners began with two men tinkering with an engine which would never be practical. Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were working independently on gas-powered engines ... until August Otto developed the four-stroke principle for gasoline engines which finally made them reasonable. Emil Jellinek, a wealthy admirer of Daimler automobiles and one of Daimler's directors, convinced the company to build a high-performance car. The new car was named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes, and it first appeared in the Nice Time Trials of 1901 ... and took everyone by surprise. The overwhelming success of the Mercedes encouraged Daimler to adopt the name for the company's private cars. Nine years later, in 1911, Mercedes received official registration for its famous three-pointed star as a trademark -- and has employed it ever since. Ferdinand Porche became chief designer for Mercedes in 1923 ... and in 1926, Karl Benz amalgamated his company with Daimler's, forming Mercedes-Benz. The first cars to be produced under the new name with the tutelage of three great automobile men -- were a great success. An early Mercedes model became the sports model K. From this model, a very successful range of cars were developed. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B07818)
Helmuth Stone
Aug. 01, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "John Deere Tractor Model D"
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "John Deere Tractor Model D 1929" Signed lower left. Original Water Color painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Maximum Card for the U.S. 7.1c John Deere Tractor stamp issued May 26, 1989. Before 1870, almost all farm work was done by hand. With the advent of the "traction engine" during the 1870's, however, the farmer's burden began to ease. The "traction engine" was the first tractor -- a large awkward steam-driven machine was soon replaced by a smaller, more practical tractor with a kerosene-powered engine mounted on a four-wheeled frame. Then in the 1920's the all-purpose tractor was developed. The forerunner of today's tractor, this machines only shortcoming was that it was usually manufactured in only one model or size, with no frills and no extras. In comparison, tractors now come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, with a list of available options that would make any automobile owner envious. Options to enhance speed, power, and operational ease are only the beginning. Air conditioning, the best in stereo equipment -- even a television, telephones, or refrigerators are common features of the modern tractor. Though farming is still hard work, today's farmer has certainly come a long way from the toil of the past! Image Size: 6.5 x 9.25 in. Overall Size: 9.75 x 12.25 in. Unframed. (B12052)
Helmuth Stone
Jun. 06, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Eagle and Shield" Original
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Eagle and Shield" Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Signed lower right. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This paintingis the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Maximum Card for the U.S. 25c Eagle & Shield stamp issued November 10, 1989. Patriotic artwork, depicted in heraldic style, as on the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle clutches thirteen arrows to represent the original thirteen colonies -- and the nation's willingness to wage war if necessary. The balancing olive branch signifies a desire for peace. The motto E pluribus unum translates "One out of many," and refers to the creation of one nation, the United States, out of separate colonies -- Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson suggested this motto in 1776. Image Size: 5 x 7.25 in. Overall Size: 9.75 x 12.25 in. Unframed. (B12184)
Helmuth Stone
Jun. 06, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) Original Watercolor
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "The Cow Jumped over the Moon" Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Signed lower left. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society 20p The Man on the Moon stamp issued February 6, 1990. The Moon, Earth's satellite and closest astral neighbor, has been a source of inspiration to poets and dreamers throughout the centuries. Its craters and mountains were first studied by astronomer Galileo, but weren't actually mapped until 1837 by Johann von M?dler. Because of their eerie resemblance to the human face, lunar spots have afforded an especially rich subject for the play of human fancy. Perhaps the oldest myth relating to the man in the moon originates in the Old Testament. In the Book of Numbers, a man is caught gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and as an example to mankind, he is condemned to stand forever on the moon with a bundle on his back. Chaucer and Shakespeare also allude to the man in the moon as an individual who was banished to the lunar surface as punishment. Even so, people throughout the centuries have seen the man in the moon as a more benevolent presence in the night sky, evoking the mysteries of the universe and of love. Many nursery rhymes have also been inspired by the moon. One credits the man in the moon with visiting earth: "The Man in the Moon came down too soon and asked his way to Norwich..." and another popular nursery rhyme conjures up a cow jumping over the moon. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B12343)
Helmuth Stone
Apr. 18, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "John Deere Tractor"
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "John Deere Tractor" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. Image Size: in. Overall Size: in. Unframed. (B12051)
Helmuth Stone
Apr. 18, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "Bugatti Royal Type 41"
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "Bugatti Royal Type 41" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Bugatti Royale Type 41. One of the Italian designer Ettore Bugatti's most impressive cars, the Royal Type 41 was also known as "La Royale" or "Golden Bug." He first envisioned this grand car in 1913, when he described it to a good friend as "a piece of machinery above criticism." But it would be another thirteen years before he actually started building the automobile. Initially, he planned to construct twenty-five cars, but he actually built only six or seven. The engine itself was later produced en masse for the Bugatti railcar. The Royal Type 41 started as a two-seated roadster by the direction of M. Armand Esders, a wealthy French clothier. It was considered one of the most elegant auto bodies ever designed. But because Esders never drove at night, the car had no lamps. Later, the car was customized as a coupe de ville, possibly for King Carol of Romania. It included toughened bullet-proof glass windows, and plush dove-grey worsted seats that could hold two or three passengers. During the German occupation of Paris, the car was well hidden in the sewers, but the original roadster body was destroyed during a bombing raid. Image Size: 6 x 7 in. Overall Size: 9 x 10 in. Unframed. (B10813)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 21, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) "San Francisco Cable Car"
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925) "San Francisco Cable Car" Signed lower left. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Combination Cover for the U.S. Steetcar stamps issued October 8, 1983. The cable car was invented by an Englishman named Andrew S. Hallidie. While he was in San Francisco, he witnessed a terrible carriage accident -- caused by the steep hills -- and vowed to find a way to avoid further calamities. He devised a system of continuous running cables under the pavement, which could be used to pull a streetcar along the rails. The cable car could be stopped by simply detaching it from the cable and setting the brake. On the first trial run, the workmen who had been assigned to ride and operate the cable car took a hard look at the slopes they had to climb -- the gradient sometimes approached twenty degrees -- and they all resigned on the spot! So Hallidie -- confident of his invention -- hopped on and made a flawless run, starting and stopping on the steep hills several times. Thus, San Francisco became the first city in the world to have a cable car system, and soon after this initial success in San Francisco, cable cars became quite common and spread to other towns across the United States. The cable car and other forms of streetcars -- like the "Bobtail" horsecar of Sulphur Rock and the St. Charles streetcar of New Orleans -- helped to speed the urban growth of America. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 10 x 9 in. Unframed. (B08202)
Helmuth Stone
Feb. 21, 2021
Basil Smith (B. 1925) 1880s Police Patrol Wagon
Est: $250 - $450
Basil Smith (British, B. 1925). "1880s Police Patrol Wagon" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Hot Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This paintingis the original painting which appeared on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 13c Patrol Wagon 1880s stamp issued October 29, 1988. By the mid 1800's, many American cities were experiencing rapid population growth accompanied by increased crime rates. Through the early 1800's, most police forces were hard pressed to provide even the appearance of protecting the public. Fortunately, reforms took hold in the shape of merit systems to replace the rampant political patronage then in vogue, recruitment of honest men of high caliber to serve as commissioners, and the evolution of better equipment. Police officers had up to this point been grossly ill-equipped. At last, the tools necessary to do their jobs became available to these men. One such tool was the police patrol wagon, the late 19th century innovation shown in this artwork. It was used to efficiently and economically transport officers to and from their regular beats, as well as to public disturbances and other problem areas. In some parts of the country, the patrol wagon evolved into a vehicle also used to move prisoners, precipitating the addition of security features. Known as a "paddy wagon," the van was built with an entrance at the rear and seats along the flanks. It was built with strong walls, barred windows and a foot gong that announced its priority over other traffic. The paddy wagon featured here was known as the "Black Maria." Drawn by a two-horse team, it was recognized by -- and named for -- its color. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 10 x 9 in. Unframed. (B11808)
Helmuth Stone