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Lot Essay
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Sir Louis Bernhard Baron (1876-1934) was the oldest son of Bernhard Baron. Orpen painted Sir Louis in 1926, Bernhard Baron in 1927 and Sir Edward Baron, possibly Sir Louis' brother, in 1930. All were one time heads of Carreras, the cigarette manufacturer. These commissions may have been dear to Orpen's heart as the artist was a heavy smoker, and their company manufactured his favourite brand of cigarette, Piccadilly No. 1. He even produced an 'unsolicited' testimonial, as a skit on the 'His Master's Voice' logo. It comprised a drawing in which he featured Mr Funny, his dog, which was not totally unlike Nipper, the HMV dog. Entitled Carreras, His Master's Scent, Orpen states the following: "'Unsolicited Testimonial' (and unpaid for!) Dear Sirs, for thirty years I have smoked Virginia cigarettes - but never have I tasted any of them so good as your Piccadilly No. 1. Yours truly William Orpen".
Sir Louis Bernhard Baron (1876-1934) was the oldest son of Bernhard Baron. Orpen painted Sir Louis in 1926, Bernhard Baron in 1927 and Sir Edward Baron, possibly Sir Louis' brother, in 1930. All were one time heads of Carreras, the cigarette manufacturer. These commissions may have been dear to Orpen's heart as the artist was a heavy smoker, and their company manufactured his favourite brand of cigarette, Piccadilly No. 1. He even produced an 'unsolicited' testimonial, as a skit on the 'His Master's Voice' logo. It comprised a drawing in which he featured Mr Funny, his dog, which was not totally unlike Nipper, the HMV dog. Entitled Carreras, His Master's Scent, Orpen states the following: "'Unsolicited Testimonial' (and unpaid for!) Dear Sirs, for thirty years I have smoked Virginia cigarettes - but never have I tasted any of them so good as your Piccadilly No. 1. Yours truly William Orpen".