Description

Description: This pencil drawing portrait by Herrin of a debonair C. Aubrey Smith is signed by the cricketer-turned-actor at the bottom. Smith wears a monocle, a trim moustache, and a slight smirk in the portrait.

C. Aubrey Smith (1863-1948) was an English Test cricketer who later became a stage and film actor, acquiring a niche as the officer-and-gentleman type. He starred in numerous Hollywood films throughout the 1910’s to the 1940’s including Wee Willie Winkie, The Prisoner of Zenda, and Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca. In 1932, he founded the Hollywood Cricket Club and created a pitch with imported English grass. He attracted fellow expatriates such as David Niven, Laurence Olivier, Nigel Bruce (who served as captain), Leslie Howard and Boris Karloff to the club, as well as, local American players. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1938 and was knighted by George VI in 1944 for services to Anglo-American amity.

M. H. Herrin (1897-?) was a noted portrait artist and autograph collector. He was known for creating portraits of prominent people and then having those people sign their portraits. Herrin also did several Time magazine covers.

Overall 11 7/8″ x 9 3/8″. Item #A01859

Condition: Tipped to a stiff sheet of paper, all edges “framed” with a textured tape, a light vertical crease, generally good condition with a neat, bold signature.