Barry Wilkinson: Austria -- 1914 Graf Und Stift

Artist: Barry Wilkinson
1923 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1984
Image Size: 9 by 10.75 inches
Overall Size: 11.5 by 13 inches
Medium: Water Color on Hot Press Illustration Board

In 1914, the sleek Graf und Stift automobile had a rendezvous with history that changed the course of civilization. Built by the Graf and Stift company -- which had its origins with the Graf brothers thriving bicycle business -- the car was one of the luxury automobiles the company built for a prestigious clientele. Among the famous people who sought after the Graf und Stift cars were members of the Austrian Imperial Court. Sadly, in 1914, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by Serbian nationalists as they rode in their Graf und Stift automobile pictured. Soon, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia ... and World War I was underway. Following in the tradition begun early on, after the Great War, the Graf and Stift company built strictly big-engined and luxurious cars, with the exception of the 2-liter VK. Of special interest was the SP8, known as the Austrian Rolls Royce, which was built to order for only accepted customers. The company, however, could not sustain itself on these special sales and the last SP8 was built in 1938. The company then built the six-cylinder Citroën and the German Ford V8, the Grafford, under license. The beautiful Graf und Stift depicted in this artwork is now in the Military Museum in Vienna, to forever recall the part it played in Austrian history and the history of the world.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Europa Cover for the Austria 6S Europa stamp issued May 4, 1984.

Artwork Copyright © 1984 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB09159

US$ Price: $950.00

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