THREE BLUE DRAGOON PIGEON PORTRAITS

Three original watercolour paintings of prize-winning blue dragoon pigeons on paper, each pigeon accompanied by their hand-lettered exhibition history. Each painting is signed and dated by the artist. The pigeons pictured have the ring numbers "1918-22", "06-30" and "33-3330". Each painting is mounted on board and bound with grey textured paper and black faux leather opposite the corresponding exhibition history to form a folding 'book' that can be opened and closed. The paintings measure 18.7 x 21.5 cm and the boards measure 20.3 x 23 cm. The paintings are in fine condition, the paint extremely bright, the paper clean. The bindings are lightly rubbed at the extremities, the spine of the 'book' containing pigeon "1918-22" has been replaced, the covers are lightly scuffed and the spine tips with slight wear (the painting inside remains fine and bright).

Three beautiful, exceptionally detailed paintings of blue dragoon pigeons, notable for the painstakingly tiny strokes used to render every feather. Between them, the three pigeons are recorded as receiving multiple gold medals and special prizes at exhibitions in Birmingham, Manchester, Altrincham and Crystal Palace between 1907 and 1933. A unique artistic artefact of early 20th century British pigeon fancying.