Frank Godwin (photograph of artist) circa 1920s - James Montgomery Flagg Illustration (print)

This is a vintage, circa 1920s, photo of Frank Godwin, done most likely when he shared a studio with James Montgomery Flagg. The photo has been inscribed to fellow artist, Elliot Brewer, who in 1926 did a couple of prints for the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exhibition based on the work of Dan Smith.

I purchased this piece from Heritage as an original James Montgomery Flagg illustration inserted into Godwin's photo frame. It is definitely NOT an original, but a small print. I called this out to Heritage, but they would not own up to the error, only that they would accept it as a return. I ended up keeping the photo as the likelihood of finding another vintage photo of Godwin (the reason I bid on the lot in the first place) seems remote. Sadly, not the first time I've encountered "original art" in a Heritage auction that turned out to be merely a print.

Still, it's a rare treat to see a portrait of the artist as a young man..... as it were.