BR Standard Class 9F Locomotive (SIGNED) (Original)

Artist: Richard Ward
Medium: Watercolour on Card
Size: 5" x 2" (125mm x 60mm)
Date: c. 1930
Signature: Signed by artist bottom right
Code: WardBRS9F

This is the Signed unique original Watercolour painting by Richard Ward.

This very rare, signed, original cigarette card artwork by Richard Ward features a BR Standard Class 9F steam engine and was produced for Wills Cigarettes circa. 1930.

So few of the original illustrations for cigarette cards exist that this is a must have for train and cigarette card enthusiasts alike.

The British Railways Standard Class 9F is a class of steam locomotive designed for British Railways by Robert Riddles. The Class 9F was the last in a series of standardised locomotive classes designed for British Railways during the 1950s, and was intended for use on fast, heavy freight trains over long distances. It was one of the most powerful steam locomotive types ever built for British Railways, and successfully performed its intended duties. The 9F class was given the nickname of 'Spaceship', due to its size and shape.

Produced by Ward for Mardon, Son & Hall of Bristol, who were famous for dealing with the art and printing of the cigarette trade. The business flourished after being set up in the Victorian era and was able to employ the best artists available.

The detail and quality of their work is incredible. A team of artists would work for several months producing up to fifty hand painted pieces centred around a certain theme and then present it to the client, often Wills Tobacco company who would then authorise the reproduction.

Richard Ward mostly painted in watercolour, his subjects included windmills, kachina dolls, wildlife and transport. He was self taught and produced artwork for the Brooke Bond tea picture card series, aircraft illustrations for 'Profiles' series of magazines and cards for Noel Tatt to name a few.