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Olin Travis (1888-1975) Mr. Fowler Oil Millionaire Olin Travis (1888-1975)

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:32,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Olin Travis (1888-1975) Mr. Fowler Oil Millionaire Olin Travis (1888-1975)
<b>Olin Travis (1888-1975)</B></I><BR>Mr. Fowler Oil Millionaire Van Texas 1930<BR>Oil on canvas<BR>30 x 25in.<BR>Signed lower right: <I>Olin Travis</B></I> (with turtle monogram)<BR>Attached verso: <I>Exhibition label from Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Olin Travis, Texas Master, Exhibit No.16</B></I> <BR><BR>Jed Clampett and The Beverly Hillbillies was a 1960s fictional invention of Hollywood, but this painting depicts a real Jed Clampett borne out of Texas' oil boom days.<BR><BR>Oil was struck on Elisha Fowler's farm in Van, Texas, ten days before the great stock market crash of 1929. Mr. Fowler, then 67 years old, was a poor farmer who became an instant millionaire. The remarkable thing about Mr. Fowler's newfound wealth, indicative of the Texas pioneer spirit, is that Mr. Fowler never changed his humble ways and simple life.<BR><BR>Lured by the excitement of an oil boom so close to Dallas, Olin Travis traveld to Van, Texas in 1930 as the country slipped into depression. Travis recorded that Mr. Fowler never changed his frugal and hard working ways. In spite of his wealth, Mr. Fowler continued to raise chickens and sell the eggs in town for 10 cents per dozen. The oil boomtown that became Van, Texas, did not have adequate housing for the oil workers, so Mr. Fowler rented the extra room in his house for 50 cents per night.<BR><BR>The companion piece to this painting is titled "Boomtown," and hangs in the Dallas Petroleum Club to this day.<BR><BR>Source: Sam Blaine, Olin Travis biographer1 Items <BR><BR><B>Condition Report:</B> Excellent condition, lined canvas, very minor inpainting, new hand-carved gold-leaf frame in excellent condition