Lot 54: JOHN ROBERT CHARLES SPURLING (BRITISH, 1870-1967) - THE VICTORY GOING INTO ACTION

JOHN ROBERT CHARLES SPURLING (BRITISH, 1870-1967)
THE VICTORY GOING INTO ACTION
signed l.l and inscribed with the artist's hand 'The Victory going into action, 1805; the first shot at Trafalgar falling short of the port bow of The Victory"; watercolour
19cm x 17cm; 7 1/2in x 6 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.