Thomas Sewell Robins (1810-1880)
ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR of YACHT "AMERICA" by Thomas S Robins
Significant Watercolor on Board: untitled, unsigned and undated. This very important watercolor is the foundation for the 'Three Prints' (to be documented below); one of the prints identifies the artist as "TS Robins".
DESCRIPTION: The 'original watercolor' and 'print 1' show the famous yacht "America" carrying two foresails and a mizzen, while several members of the crew weigh anchor and prepare the mainsail for getting underway. A small group of gentlemen in top hats and ladies in fully bustled crinolines stand in the stern in front of the helmsman. There are two flags flying from the mizzen masthead, Stars and Stripes and presumably the burgee of the New York Yacht Club. As the white sails reflect in the water in a very talented way, TS Robins chooses Queen Victoria's summer residence of Cowes Harbor and its shoreline as the paintings background. TS Robins carefully details the curved trailboard at the vessel's bow, a signature identification for yacht "America". (PA1067)
Dimensions of Painting (Sight) Height 11 3/4, Width 17 7/8, Inches
Dimensions of Frame: 22 1/2, Width 27 3/8, Inches
PRINT 1
Print 1 is a sepia-toned print titled: "THE SCHOONER YACHT, AMERICA, 170 TONS Winner of the RYS cup value LIOO AUGt 22 nd 1851 and of a Match with the Titania for LIOO AUGUST 28th 1851"
And was
"Published septr 8th 1851 BY MESSRS Fores. 41, Piccadilly London." ** These dates would indicate 17 days after the race.
Reference for Print 1:
Granby, Alan and Janice Hyland, "The Holy Grail of Yachting: The Art of the America's Cup 1851", Vol. 1, Plate 1.154, p. 147. (Published by America 3 Foundation, 2015). This copied print from the original undated watercolor identifies the artist as TS Robins in the lower left of the print.
Provenance: Original plaque on frame indicates, "Presented by Com. John C. Stevens 1851" as it was a gift by Commodore Stevens to the New York Yacht Club.
PRINT 2
Print 2 is a hand-colored lithograph titled: "THE CLIPPER YACHT "AMERICA". WINNER OF THE ROYAL
YACHT SQUADRON CUP VALUE L 100. IN THE GREAT MATCH FOR ALL NATION AT COWES AUGUST 22 ND AND OF A MATCH WITH TITANIA for LIOO AUGUST 28TH 1851". An addition from Print 1 would be America's hull dimensions (lower left) and spar dimensions (lower right). And was
Published by Currier & Ives
Provenance: Peabody Essex Museum, Peabody, Massachusetts
Reference for Print 2:
Granby, Alan and Janice Hyland, "The Holy Grail of Yachting: The Art of the America's Cup 1851", Vol. 1, Plate 1.129, p. 130. (Published by America 3 Foundation, 2015).
PRINT 3
Print 3 is a hand-colored lithograph (cropped version, titled: "THE CELEBRATED YACHT "AMERICA"
WINNER OF THE "QUEEN'S cup," VALUE 100 GUINEAS". Print 3 is similar to Print 2. And was
Published by Currier & Ives
Provenance: Collection of William l. Koch
Reference for Print 3:
Granby, Alan and Janice Hyland, "The Holy Grail of Yachting”: The Art of the America's Cup 1851, Vol. 1, Plate 1. 126, p. 126. (Published by America3 Foundation, 2015).
CONDITION OF THE ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR:
The watercolor is in excellent condition and the colors are strong with no fading 'or staining. The watercolor on board has three paper labels: Quester Galley, Greenwich, CT; Kennedy & Co Rare Prints, 693 Fifth Ave. and the third label is BURRICHTER KIERLIN COLLECTION.
Note 1:
This watercolor discovery is significant for scholars and collectors to trace the origins of three outstanding prints, to learn the original artist (T S Robins) and to expand the knowledge of historical documentation for the maritime field in its understanding of the 1851 America's Cup. Print 1 clearly identifies the artist.
Another combination of a painting and print is the Currier & Ives Print, titled "CUTTER YACHT MARIA" taken from the James Butterworth painting published on pages 16 and 17 "A YACHTSMAN'S EYE" by Alan Granby. The painting and print depict the trial races between Yacht "America" and the Yacht U Maria" in New York Harbor.
Note 2:
It has been suggested that the well-dressed figures huddled around stern represent Queen Victoria and Prince Albert meeting with John Cox Stevens. owner of Yacht "America".
Note 3: The New York Yacht Club Burgee flying from tat the top of the Main mast shows the blue burgee lacking the red cross and white star. In the Currier and Ives prints the flag is shown with white stars similar to the United States merchant flag which was also blue with white sails.
BIOGRAPHY of ARTIST - Thomas Sewell Robins (1810-1880)
Thomas Sewell Robins was born in Davonport, Devon. At age 19, he was admitted into the Royal Academy School under the tutelage of James Northcote, a former pupil of Sir Joshua Reynolds.
Northcote's lectures included the great marine artist, J.M.W. Turner. Robins was an early member of the New Water Color Society and the Institute of Painters in Watercolors. Robins traveled extensively on the
Continent and exhibited seven works at the Royal Academy, 39 at the British Institute, 21 at the Suffolk Street Galleries and 317 works at the New Watercolor Society. Robins is famous for his coastal marine subjects, working primarily in watercolors, and examples can be found in the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The British Museum, the City of Portsmouth Museum, Cartwright Hall (Bradford), Howarth Museum and Gallery (Accrington), Newport Art Gallery, the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum (Birkenhead) and the National Maritime Museum (Greenwich). One of Robins most celebrated oil paintings is at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes and depicts '"America" and the British Fleet in the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup race August 22nd 1851.
Dimensions of Painting: Height 21 Height inches; Width 27 Inches.
