Beer, John | Off to the races!

Property from the Library of John M. Schiff

Beer, John

A collection of 14 original works, vibrantly depicting steeplechase and flat racing, 1910-1915

14 original works (sheet sizes approximately 360 x 255 mm). Watercolor and gouache on paper, mounted on card and matted (overall size 557 x 405 mm), each with manuscript caption at the bottom of the image including the horses' names, and signed by Beer; a few stray spots, some minor rippling, some adhesive remnants on mounts. In custom green cloth drop back box.

Lot includes: "The Derby 1910"; "The Grand National 1912 | the fence before Beecher's"; "The Gd. National 1912"; "The 2,000 Gins [i.e. "Guineas"] Newmarket 1912"; "The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park 1912"; "The Finish for the Derby 1912"; "The St. Leger Stakes | Doncaster 1912"; "The Derby 1913"; "The [?] for The Eclipse Stakes 1913"; "The Grand National 1913 | At The Water Jump"; "The Finish for the St. Leger 1913"; "The Grand National 1913 | fence before Beecher's Brook"; "The Grand National Steeplechase | Liverpool 1914 | The field at the water jump"; "At the fifth fence | The Grand National 1915".  [With:] "The Newbury Summer Cup 1935". Watercolor and gouache mounted on board (380 x 270 mm), signed "JK"?. Matted (overall size 557 x 405 mm).

A charming collection of original works by Beer, capturing the elegance and excitement of the race.  

John Beer was a British sporting artist, known for his horse racing scenes. He was one of several artists employed by racecourses to produce spontaneous renderings of race finishes. Beer’s drawings were hung at the racecourse so that late arrivals to the track could see who had won the earlier races.

Beer worked in oil, watercolor, and gouache, documenting races and other scenes at various venues including The Epsom Derby; Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk (various events); Nottinghamshire Handicap at Colwick; and Victoria Cup, Hurst Park. His sporting art was also published as prints by Messrs. Fores, and as illustration art in sporting periodicals.