Racing Pigeons Oil Portrait for Messrs Holley Bros Bute 1st Whitley Bay 1909 In The Manner of Andrew Beer

🏆 “Old Badge Hen & Champion Cock” — Racing Pigeon Trophy Oil Portrait for Messrs Holley Bros., Bute 1st Whitley Bay 1909 In The Manner of Andrew Beer

🕊️ Subject & Medium
A British sporting folk-art trophy portrait painting depicting two champion racing pigeons — the celebrated Old Badge Hen and a prize-winning champion cock owned by Messrs Holley Brothers of Bute.
🎨 Oil on board, circa 1930, in the original period frame. Painted after several years of further racing and breeding success, postdating the 1909 Whitley Bay victory recorded in the inscription.

🖼️ Composition & Technique
The two birds are set in an open landscape beneath a pale blue sky with light cloud. The hen stands in profile on lower ground, while the cock is elevated on a rocky outcrop in a classic “trophy” pose. The artist adopts a deliberately emblematic, direct style, prioritising clarity of form, distinctive plumage patterning, and legibility over academic naturalism. Close attention is given to feather markings and stance, while the overall composition remains calm, balanced, and dignified — ideal for its commemorative purpose.

🏑️ The Inscription as a Sporting Document (Full Interpretation)
This painting functions not merely as a portrait, but as a permanent painted record of racing and breeding achievement — combining the roles of trophy, certificate, pedigree document, and historical record.

🕊️ The Hen: “Old Badge Hen”
Inscription:
“Dam of 1st Perth / Club & Fed Grand Dam / 1st Chest RD 3 Buxton / 2nd Craven Arms”

Meaning:
The hen is honoured primarily as a foundation breeding bird.

• “Dam of 1st Perth” — She is the mother of a pigeon that won 1st place at the Perth race.

• “Club & Fed” — That victory was achieved at both club and federation level, indicating a top result beyond a single local loft circle.

• “Grand Dam” — She is also the grandmother of another prize-winning bird, confirming her value across generations.

• “1st Chest RD 3 Buxton” — One of her descendants won 1st in a special “Chest” prize class, recorded as Race Day 3, from Buxton.

• “2nd Craven Arms” — Another descendant placed 2nd from Craven Arms.

Summary: Old Badge Hen is celebrated as a proven, elite breeding hen whose bloodline produced repeated high-level winners — a major mark of prestige in pigeon racing culture.

🕊️ The Cock: Messrs Holley Bros., Bute
Inscription:
“MESSRS HOLLEY BRO. BUTE / 1ST WHITLEY BAY 09 / 1ST POOL. 2ND TYNMTH / 5TH PERTH / 10 WIRED 6.45 DAY OF RACE / BANFF 2ST BIRD TO FLY BANFF TO TREHFOD / ALL STAGED TO BANFF / 1ST CLUB / 1ST 51 POOL.”

Meaning:
This is a full competitive race résumé.

• “MESSRS HOLLEY BRO. BUTE” — Owned by the Holley Brothers of Bute.

• “1ST WHITLEY BAY 09” — 1st place in the Whitley Bay race, 1909.

• “1ST POOL” — Winner of the principal prize pool.

• “2ND TYNMTH” — 2nd from Tynemouth.

• “5TH PERTH” — 5th from Perth, a significant long-distance point.

• “10 WIRED 6.45 DAY OF RACE” — Results were reported/verified by wire at 6:45 on race day, noting ten birds recorded — a telling period detail.

• “BANFF 2ST BIRD TO FLY BANFF TO TREHFOD” — Celebrated as the second bird to complete the route from Banff to Trehafod.

• “ALL STAGED TO BANFF” — Birds were transported in stages to Banff.

• “1ST CLUB” — 1st in the local club.

• “1ST 51 POOL” — Winner of the “51 Pool” prize category.

Summary: The cock is presented as a true trophy bird: multiple placings, pool wins, and a standout extreme-distance performance.

🕰️ Historical Importance
From the golden age of British pigeon racing, this is the kind of object commissioned when victories were commemorated not by photographs but by painted portraits. Such works served as trophies, status symbols, and enduring historical records within the racing community.

🎨 About the Artist
Attributed to J. Brown (English Naive / Folk School), active early 20th century — associated with the northern British tradition of inscribed racing pigeon trophy portraits. Although attributed to J. Brown, the work sits within the wider British trophy-portrait lineage of specialist pigeon painters, combining emblematic bird portraiture with detailed inscribed records of ownership, placings, and pools.

📌 Details
✍️ Signed: Unsigned (typical of some works attributed to J. Brown).
🩵 Framed: In its original traditional wood frame.
📏 Dimensions: Framed: 57 cm wide × 52 cm high × 2.5 cm deep

🗾️ Provenance
Private London pigeon fancier collection
Acquired via Curated Auctions, 2024
Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD
Loaned & exhibited at the “Famous Lord Hill Museum”

💚 Why You’ll Love It
✅ Authentic circa 1930 racing pigeon trophy portrait
✅ Records real birds, owners, and race results
✅ Combines art, pedigree, and race certificate in one object
✅ Collectible across sporting art and British folk/naïve art
✅ One-of-a-kind historical piece with strong display presence

🩺 Condition Report
In good, honest condition consistent with age:

• Foxing and surface craquelure present

• A visible vertical stain at the far left

• Frame with old corner repair, minor retouching, scuffs, and wear

🌍 Worldwide Shipping Available
Professionally packaged and fully insured.
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📙 References

• J. Brown, Old Badge Hen & Cock (c.1930)

• Kate Whiston, Pigeon Geographies (2017)

• Contemporary pigeon press (1909–1913)