Sunshine Special art

[princessclyne69]

Yesterday I picked up one of the Sunshine Special prints that I understand were hung in passenger depots.

It may be a little faded, but it’s got the original frame and the stamped metal plaque at the bottom.

Was in an architectural antique store here in Wichita. Probably should have inquired as to where it came from, but this outfit buys from a fairly wide area.

Frame measures 27-1/2″ wide by 29-1/2″ high.

Ron Merrick

[peggyrothschild]

Ron
There were two versions of this painting. One was a flat print behind glass. The other print had the brush strokes reproduced. Not sure which was made earlier but I’d guess it was the flat version behind glass. Both had the metal plate and oak frame.

[luisflierl26]

Please post photos

[peggyrothschild]

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Original painting was painted by William Harnden Foster (1886 – 1941). Foster was known for his hunting and fishing paintings but also painted the 20th Century Limited for the NYC. Here’s a link to some of his artwork https://americangallery20th.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/william-harnden-foster-1886-1941/

I heard that the original hung in the Mopac’s president office. It wasn’t there in the 1970’s so I can only assume it is hanging in a former MP’s senior officer’s home. I have no idea when he painted the original for the Mopac but the plaque places this framed print after the MP-IM merger in May 1917.

If I were to guess I say these were made after L. W. Baldwin became president of the railroad in 1923 to advertise the Sunshine Special. The Mopac did take delivery of a more modern Pacific locomotive in 1921 (6440-6444) and one would think they’d would have chosen the latest design for the painting but I remember a conversation I had with Mike Adams back in the 1970’s and Mike said the painting was made from an Iron Mountain photograph (pre-1917) which would explain 6434 being on the headend of the train. The Mopac did issue a later modernized version of this painting by having a artist add a bell to the smoke box front, centering the headlight on the smoke box and numbering the engine 6615. This was issued the same time as the framed colored prints seen of scenes in Mexico, the Alamo, the Royal Gorge and the Mopac’s General Office. I’m guessing these were issued in the late 1930’s judging by the automobiles in the photos. The painting I have hangs over the fireplace in our family room.

These aren’t rare as I’ve seen several in antique shops over the years both the glass framed prints and the version with the realitic brush strokes. Quick google search will turn up a few on ebay for bid too.

Welcome others to weigh in on thoughts when this painting was reproduced by the Mopac.

[princessclyne69]

Mine is in Wichita, didn’t have a chance to photograph it since I bought it the day before we left (long story). I was concerned that it was a little faded, but what would you expect for an object that’s as old as that house. At all events, I think the painting probably never was much livelier colors than this.

RG7

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