2: AN IMPORTANT PETER HELCK PAINTING FOR NEW YORK CENTRAL

Peter Helck (1893-1988)
New York Central Locomotive #6000 (1945)
The original tempera and gouache painting executed on artist's board, a commissioned illustration for the New York Central Railroad.

The commission is discussed and this work portrayed in How I Make a Picture, written by Peter Helck and published by The Famous Artist's School, an art school founded by Peter Helck, Norman Rockwell and other members of the New York Society of Illustrators.

The subject, New York Central Railroad Niagara #6000, is depicted as Commodore Vanderbilt Express from Chicago, southbound to Grand Central Terminal on the Hudson River East Shore Mainline approximately sixty miles north of New York City.

The work is signed by the artist on the lower right and dated 45.

Peter Helck was an important and prolific illustrator who, it is estimated, produced more than 600 sketches, drawings and paintings during his career. He was best known as a painter of cars, trucks, locomotives and industrial genre. He was privately tutored by the important British artist and illustrator Sir Frank William Brangwyn and at the Art Students League of New York. 'As a small boy living in New York City, he loved to stand by the tracks at 96th Street and watch the steam trains rumble down into the long tunnel toward Grand Central Station. He began to draw at the age of five, and soon was producing remarkably detailed renderings of all types of locomotives.'

He is best known for his connection to auto racing and made a good living with repeat illustration commissions from The New York Central, The Autocar Magazine, Brighton Beach Motordrome, Sheepshead Bay Speedway, Sinclair Oil Company, Esquire Magazine and many others. He wrote and illustrated numerous articles and books including The Checkered Flag and Great Auto Races.

This work is fresh to the market, with fine provenance and smartly framed.
Measures 30 x 39.75 inches.
Very good original untouched condition. There are no issues of scratches, losses, repairs, in-painting or touch-up.
$3,000 - $5,000