Eric Parker (1898-1974) painting- 1920s/30s - Sexton Blake?

Original artwork by Eric Parker (1898-1974), paint on paper attached to board, measuring approx 16 x 10.5 inches The artwork seems to be watercolour or gouache but I could be wrong.

Parker is well known for drawing the earlier covers for the long running British detective pulp Sexton Blake Library. This piece could have been published as one such cover or perhaps was a try out, or possibly was used for something else entirely. In the additional images I have also shown a picture of a Depression era cover from Sexton Blake Library #174 (1929) by Parker which has some similarities.

The painting has some foxing/spotting.