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Circa: 1935
Condition: Used
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Unmarked
This drawing is of cyclist Cecil Walker (1900-1969), who is depicted here at a 1935 6-day bike race at New York's Madison Square Garden. An Australian, Walker began his racing career in 1919. Board track racing in America attracted him and he soon became popular as an all-rounder. By 1924 he became the All-round Champion of America and held the title for nine consecutive years. He spent much of his time training on ships traveling to Europe and back to Australia. As a sprinter he was three times the American Champion on a points basis over the (1924?) season. Back in Australia again he competed with success at the Canterbury Velodrome until around 1937. After his retirement from racing, he opened a bike shop in Melbourne. The drawing measures 6¼" x 13¾". It was signed by Walker while he was still competing, in 1935. He signed on the background in black ink. The autograph is crisp and clean, and includes an inscription.
The artist was my father, Arthur Haas, who lived in New York City until 1938. A commercial artist by trade and a huge sports fan, he would render the player's action pose in charcoal and pen & ink. When a team would come to town he'd take his artwork to the race and seek out the subject for an autograph. This piece was done on heavy weight drawing paper, and may have been sprayed with a fixatif. It is signed and dated by my dad. We are pricing this as if it were an autographed 8 x 10 photo, since my dad was an unknown artist. Although, unlike sports cards or photographs, this is unique and one-of-a-kind!
The autograph has not and will not be ‘certified’. This would require my sending it away so it can be looked over with a loupe, only to be told what I already know – that it is authentic. Any buyer will have two weeks to have the autograph certified if they desire it. And as always, your purchase may be returned for any reason for a full refund. This item will be shipped flat by Priority Mail, UPS, or FedEx. Insurance will be required.
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