LAURA KNIGHT R.A., R.W.S., R.E., R.W.A., P.S.W.A. | Richard Bonelly, the Clown; Whimsical's Last Year at Olympia; Mr and Mrs Whimsical Walker and Buffer; Circus Horse Waiting to go into the Ring

one inscribed l.l.: Richard Bonelly; and signed l.r.: Laura Knight; another signed, inscribed and initialled l.r.: Laura Knight/ 'Whimsical's last year at Olympia'/L.K. /70 odd years in the "business"!; another signed, inscribed and dated l.l.: Laura Knight/ Mr & Mrs/ Whimsical Walker/ and 'Buffer'/ 1923

Mr and Mrs Whimsical Walker and Buffer and Circus Horse Waiting to go into the Ring, Christie's, South Kensington, 6 December 1990, lot 2 and 25; Whimsical's Last Year at Olympia, Phillips, London, 18 September 1990, lot 88, where purchased by the present owner

Richard Bonelly, the Clown; - this drawing does not appear to be laid down and is curling slightly at the edges. There is a horizontal crease to the sheet, approximately 1.5inch from the lower edge. There are small creases to the top right and bottom right corners and various small creases along the top edge of the sheet. There is a small tear 0.5inch in the centre of the left edge and another similar small tear at the centre of the right edge. There are few spots of foxing close to the lower edge and the paper is a little dirty overall. Whimsical's Last Year at Olympia; Circus Horse Waiting to go into the Ring - the sheets for these drawings are flat and although the papers are a little time-stained there are no obvious condition issues. Mr and Mrs Whimsical Walker and Buffer; there is a small area of staining to the right of the dog but otherwise this drawing is in the condition of the picture above. FRAMES All are contained in matching black-painted wood frames with clean mounts and under glass.
"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."

Knight met and befriended the popular clown 'Whimsical Walker' in the 1920s when he was working for Bertram Mill's and Carmo's circuses at Olympia in west London. Thomas Walker (1851-1934) made his first appearance in 1865 and subsequently worked in England and America. In 1886, he appeared by royal command before Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle. As one of the drawings in this group testifies, Walker appeared in pantomimes and circuses for seven decades. In 1928 Knight painted an oil of Whimsical Walker and his Buffer, which shows him with his circus dog or 'buffer' and there is also a watercolour version (Sotheby's, Sussex, 5 May 1992, lot 282).