Lot 55: JOHN ROBERT CHARLES SPURLING (BRITISH, 1870-1967) - A CLIPPER IN FAIR BREEZE

JOHN ROBERT CHARLES SPURLING (BRITISH, 1870-1967)
A CLIPPER IN FAIR BREEZE
watercolour
13.5cm x 14.5cm; 5 1/4in x 5 3/4in
John (better known as Jack) Spurling was born in Suffolk. His first contact with the sea and shipping was through his father's business as an importer of jute. As a youth in London he spent much time drawing ships in the East India Docks. When he reached age 17 he went to sea as an apprentice for 7 years. When he returned to shore he first worked as an actor but continued painting as a sideline. His ship paintings came to the attention of the editor of the nautical magazine The Blue Peter and he received regular commissions. This also led to his collaboration with Basil Lubbock, a maritime author who also contributed to The Blue Peter, on his series of books on commercial sailing ships.