John Steven Dews

Both original canvases. Both works appears in very good overall condition, clean and ready to hang. Under ultraviolet light there appear to be no signs of retouching. Held in matching gilt plaster frames.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Shamrock V was commissioned by Sir Thomas Lipton, owner of Lipton Tea, to challenge in the America’s Cup for what would be his fifth and final time. It was designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built at Camper and Nicholson Shipyard in Gosport, England. She was the first J-Class to be built in the U.K and won fifteen of twenty-two regattas prior to crossing the Atlantic for the America's Cup, representing the Royal Ulster Yacht Club. She raced hard against the New York Yacht Club's competitor, Enterprise, skippered by Harold Vanderbilt and equipped with then the world's first lightweight durlaumin mast. The drama of the competition is superbly and beautifully depicted in the present paintings but Shamrock V was ultimately defeated by Enterprise. 

More recently, Shamrock V was relaunced to wide acclaim in 2001, where she joined Velsheda (see lot 76) in the Lymington Cup Regatta on Christcurch Bay, Lymington - the first J-Class event held on British waters in sixty five years.