Frank Godwin - Railway Worker Specialty Illustration

One of two pieces I recently picked up. Godwin most likely did this piece as part of a series of ads for the Southern Railway Company. Both of these are inscribed to Harry A DeButts who was born into a railway family working his way up the ranks (with a brief diversion during WW I in the US Marines as a Browning heavy machine-gunner) and eventually became the president of the Southern Railway Company. I don't know where Godwin and DeButts paths crossed, but Godwin's interest in railroads (he built a four foot steam engine locomotive at one point) could certainly have been the connection between the two men. Lots of character in the features and brush work on this piece. Very large image on heavy board.