Sam Hyde Harris - Oil on Board - Signed and titled by the artist: Knarled (sic) Veteran P2914

We know his title is misspelled (it should be "gnarled"), but frankly we are charmed, and also aware that he was specially invested in this wonderful painting. And we can see why. It's very moving, and very beautiful. Board measures 20" x 24" and the frame is 28 3/8" x 32 1/4". At 14 years of age Sam Hyde Harris was already a successful commercial artist.  A 1903 letter of recommendation from Andre & Sleigh, stated that, “We have the pleasure in stating that Samuel Harris (aged 14 ½ years) has given every satisfaction during the 8 or 9 months he has been engaged in our Artists Department.” After moving to California with his family Harris got a job as painter of signs, billboards and hand-lettered show cards in 1906.  He developed a reputation for doing excellent commercial work and opened his own commercial art studio by 1914.  His commercial art business received a boost in 1920 when he was hired by the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company to work on their poster advert