[78-L] Original Francis Barraud "Nipper" painting at auction in Maine

[Mark S. Chester]

I saw in an auction flyer from James D. Julia in Fairfield, Maine, that they
have an oil-on-canvas Nipper painted by Barraud himself. The catalog
description follows:

"ORIGINAL VICTOR GRAMOPHONE "NIPPER" OIL ON CANVAS. This painting by the
Bristol, UK artist Francis Barraud used the Jack Russell terrier named
Nipper (fond of "nipping" at the heels of visitors) that he had inherited
upon his brother Mark's death as his model. Barraud tried selling his
painting to Edison-Bell, but they didn't bite. However, their competitors
the Gramophone and Victor companies were taken by the image, renaming it
"His Master's Voice" and it became one of the most recognized images in
American advertising. The Gramophone and Victor companies commissioned
Barraud to paint 24 copies of his 1899 original for distribution to their
branch offices. This painting is signed in the lower right corner with the
artist's initials and the Roman numeral "VII", being the 7th he produced.
SIZE: Overall: 34-1/2" w 24-1/2" h. PROVENANCE: From the Sherman Clay
Company which was the west coast's largest music store from the mid teens to
about 1940. They were the largest Victor Talking Machine retailer on the
west coast and at that time were give the painting from E.R. Johnson who was
this Victor Co. CEO. CONDITION: The canvas in very good to near excellent
condition with only a small area of paint loss adjacent to the edge of the
upper frame. Painting is in its original gilt frame with metal plaque which
reads "His Master's Voice". 1-9253 (8,000-12,000) [sale: ATD June 09]"

Of course, they omitted the details about Barraud painting over the Edison
cylinder player with the trademark model Berliner Gramophone and that was
what induced the G&T company to purchase it.

It's lot #1306 of the upcoming June 26 Advertising, Toy & Doll Auction.

Go to
http://jamesdjulia.com/auctions/div_catalog_275_search.asp?search=lots
and enter lot 1306 in the "search lot number" box and you'll find the
listing.

The home page for this auction is at
http://jamesdjulia.com/atd.asp; scroll down until you come to:

"Auctions:
June 2009 - Advertising, Toy & Doll Auction"

where there is a description and a link to the catalog.

Mark S. Chester
Phoenixville, PA
www.whalom.com
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