Andrew Beer (1862-1954) - Oil on canvas - Rare triple bird pigeon portrait, 'Topsy', 'Coronation Boy', and 'Blossom', signed lower right, and inscribed beneath:
'Topsy. Blue Cheq. Hen NU. RP. 37. R.SH. 102. Flew all stages to Normanton. Winning 1st Chesterfield race, and R.P. Special. Painting presented by St. Philips F.C. to winner of Old & Young Combined Average, 1937'
'Coronation Boy. Mealy Cock. NU. 34. BC. 1128. Winner of Painting presented by Mr. Andrew Beer, for winner of Banff race in St. Philips Flying Club. Also was 18th position in Bristol N.R. Combine. Bred by owner R. Oakley, who also won 2nd Chesterfield, 3rd Berwick, & 3rd Ashchurch'.
'Blossom. Mealy Hen. NU. RP. 37. RSH. 95. Flew all stages to Normanton, 1937. Winning 1st Barnt Green, RP. Spl. Painting presented by St Philips F.C. for Y. B. Average to owner who also won 2nd Derby, 1st Chesterfield & 2nd Normanton, 1937'.
'Above birds bred by owner R. Oakley', 39.5cm x 59.5cm, framed

Robert Oakley was a member of the St Philips Marsh, Bristol, Flying Club, and was a direct ancestor of the current owner.

Robert's birds won many major races, and he was rewarded with a painting of his winning birds on six occasions by the artist Andrew Beer (the three of these passed to the current owner are included in today's sale). During the 1930s birds bred by him were sought after, they were even in the Royal lofts, and to this day offshoots of the breed are in the King's loft, passed down from the Queen.