Hy S. Watson Signed Original Sports W/C Gouache Later Published in 1902 NY Forest, Fish & Game Commission Report

An original watercolor and gouache on paper by Henry Sumner Watson (1868-1933), the celebrated turn-of-the-century magazine and book illustrator specializing in outdoor sporting scenes. "Bass Fishing, Landing A Double" depicts two fishermen in a canoe, the front figure extending a short net into the water. Signed by Watson as "HY - S. WATSON." at lower left. The illustration has been accomplished in a monotone, or grisaille palette, and is laid down on its original illustration board, a chipboard mount. The illustration title, as well as several printing notations, are pencil-inscribed verso. Both the illustration and the original illustration board have a closed tear extending approximately 2.5" up from the bottom edge. Expected negligible surface wear including isolated water droplets or scuffs, one affecting the face of the steersman. Old masking tape and pin holes can be found on the mount edges. Else near fine and incredibly vibrant. The actual size of the illustration is 13.625" x 19" while the overall mount measures 14.75" x 20.125."

Watson's illustration "Bass Fishing, Landing A Double" was later printed and published in the "Seventh Report of the Forest, Fish and Game Commission of the State of New York" (Albany: New York, J.B. Lyon, State Printers, 1902), under the same title, on p. 58. (Please see the attached scans of relevant excerpts, included just for reference.) The report prepared by state commissioners provided a summary of ecological affairs in New York for the year ending in September 1901. It discussed animal and marine populations in natural preserves, waterways, and hatcheries; recreation and tourism; and forest management. Specific issues, such as the under-development of chestnut horticulture in New England, and the negative impact of tree-boring insects like the turpentine bark beetle, were also investigated.

The same 1902 New York Forest, Fish and Game (FFG) Commission report also included several other Watson illustrations. These text and full-page illustrations depicted hunters shooting for rail bird, duck, and quail; salmon and pound fishermen; and soft clam scavengers, among other quaint outdoor genre scenes. The more technically demanding illustrations of wildlife--mammals and fish--were provided by fellow illustrators S.F. Denton and Oliver Kemp.

Information about Henry Sumner Watson is surprisingly scarce, considering his popularity as well as his prolific artistic career. Details can be gleaned mostly from art encyclopedias or art gallery biographies. According to these sources, Watson was a pupil of major American painter Thomas Eakins and was also instructed by Paul Albert Laurens at the Académie Julian in Paris. Watson contributed illustrations to "Scribner's," "Outing," "Recreation," "The Bachelor of the Arts," and "Truth" magazines, and served as the editor of "Field and Stream" magazine from 1918-1924. Watson's illustrations were also published in books. In addition to New York FFG reports, Watson illustrated Grover Cleveland's "Fishing and Shooting Sketches" (New York: The Outing Publishing Company, 1906.)

While Henry Sumner Watson's oils on canvas sell for between $1,000-5,000, original watercolor and gouache preparatory illustrations like this one land in the hundreds of dollars range.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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