I have a watercolor painting by Chuck Queener, depicting Phill Hill in his 1961 Ferrari. Signed by Phil Hill, with the following text; "To Henry Best Wishes". Anyone with an idea, who is/ was this Henry.
Phil's friend "Henry"... Man, that's a wide open question.... Mr. Queener posts here..... Phil does not.
I bought the painting at an auction in Paris 1986/87. I enclose two photos. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
That's VERY nice.....congrats! Thanks for posting it.....I had never seen that print before, I'm a big fan of Mr. Queener's work....
The painting and print you show was done for Club Ferrari France in 1981. The club and Jess Pourret organized a tribute to Phil honoring the 20th anniversary of his World Driving Championship. I had been to this private circuit that housed the world's finest (at that time) collection of Ferraris and Bugattis in the village of Le Pui near Aubusson, South West of Paris, several times and Phil was well aware of my visits. Jess had this idea to honor him and we set the wheels in motion. Alma Hill, Richie Ginther, Jesse and Nancy Alexander with son Jess and Dean Batchelor along with over 300 members of the club made the trip to Pierre Bardinon's Mas du Clos. The print is of Phil's unsuccessful French GP in 1961. The one you have was not signed to Henry Manney but to a Ferrari Club member. I believe there were only 300 prints made by stone engraving not by offset process like most posters. Value is what ever the market will bare but I would put it at $500 to $800 US. The original painting is in the Mas du Clos collection. Chuck Queener
This is really something, to get the story behind the painting, and on top of it, by the artist himself. I do really appreciate that.
+1 Thanks Chuck for taking the time to post your information. It really IS something to hear directly from the artist. I love your work seen in the various auto magazines from the 80's (Road & Track, Automobile, etc.). -F
That's really amazing to have the artist actually give you all that information! The power of the internet....... Thanks for that Chuck. -Chris
Chuck Great to hear from you here. I've loved your art for many years - maybe you can give us a brief history, and show us your first Ferrari piece? Thanks Nathan
Chuck how did you get hooked up with Motor Trend magazine? You also did a story about a Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Spyder for the the December 1971 issue. A young Chuck Queener can be seen at the wheel of the open red Ferrari convertible. The special $25,000 Ferrari was delivered to order through Hollywood Sport Cars. Amazingly Ferrari produced the car in only 10 weeks for the customer! CH
His website is up, and many of his prints are still available. He's widely published in R&T and other books about Ferraris... Chuck is cool... Bardinon is cool.... Phil Hill is cool... Mas Du Clos is cool..... This thread is COVERED in coolness!!!! LOL!
You might consider taking that to a professional Art Framer to confirm all the matting materials used are museum quality, and acid free... Jus' sayin'..... I would if it were mine, maybe add an outer front mat....;D
Nathan, My first "Ferrari piece" was for the Miami Herald news paper in 1961. I was in high school in Miami Beach and a friend's father worked for the paper. The new rear engine Ferraris were coming to Sebring and I was asked to draw the new car for the sports section. The original is signed and dated by Mr. Ferrari. some time later Ferrari also sent me the 1960 Yearbook which was a total shock. In fact my mother had thrown it in the trash thinking it was junk mail. The original is in a private collection. Don't ask why I sold it. Artists sell anything they can. I don't have a copy of the drawing which was not smart. Thanks for the compliments. Chuck Queener
CH, I had been working at the Jim Russell school at Willow Springs and my girl friend lived a block from some guy named Phil Hill. I'd first met Phil in 1967 when Rich Busenkell, who owned Phil's old 250 MM, and I did a drive-by in a 250GTO. We stopped in front of his garage doors which were always open and Phil came out. I had gotten to know him during the next few years and Motor Trend was doing story on him and he asked me to proof read it for my opinion. During that time I meet the editor, Eric Dalquist, and he offered me a job in the art dept. There I met John Lamm. We did a lot of Ferrari stuff because I was president of the FOC then. Any way I then went to Road & Track and a few months later we swapped Mike Knepper for Lamm and the rest is ... Chuck Queener
Thanks Tex. This is a quadruple negative of "coolness" which cancels out any possibility of being "cool". I think that's something Miles Davis, who was a big Ferrari fan, might say. Not counting the F word. Chuck
LOL! You'd agree, about the framing materials though....can't be too careful. Interesting, about the printing technique, as well....
Dear Sports (Ferrari) Fans, It occurred to me that I should mention a new book John Lamm and I have just finished for David Bull. The content takes many of the Road & Track Salons Phil and John did and puts them between two covers using many new photos. It's along the same lines as FerrarI: A Champions View. There is only one Ferrari, a 246S, in this edition. The book's working title is Phil Hill: A Driving Life and will be launched at the 15th Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance next March. Order yours today!!! Chuck Queener
I'm selling the same watercolor. New, never framed. + a 2nd one depicting a 250GTO from the front side. Pls PM.
