"American Cup Race 1885"

Original oil on board painting by Frederick Tordoff. Signed lower right and titled verso. Overall size in gold and black nautical style frame 25 by 35 inches. Condition: excellent, no restorations.

This painting depicts the second race of the 1885 America's Cup between Puritan of Boston's Eastern Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron's challenger; Genesta. It took place on September 16th; 1885 over a 20 mile course starting at the Scotland Lightship off Sandy Hook; New Jersey. Several spectator vessels are shown on the water; including; between the two racers; a large excursion tug flying the burgee of Boston’s Eastern Yacht Club in support of Puritan. Puritan won the race.

Frederick Tordoff
American
1939 - present
Frederick Tordoff was born in Whitley Bay, on the northeast coast of England. The area has a rich maritime heritage and Fred sketched the local scenes and landmarks.

After a stint in the Royal Air Force, Tordoff studied Marine Radio and Electronics at the Kingston-Upon-Hull College. Hull had a thriving school of marine art, and after visits to art galleries and the Hull Whaling Museum, Tordoff was motivated to paint the keels, sloops and whale ships that plied the waterways in the great age of sail.

Tordoff joined the Cunard Steamship Company as a Radio & Electronics Officer and traveled the world. He continued to paint during these long sea voyages, and eventually began to exhibit his work at local art groups and galleries in northern England.

The artist currently resides in New Jersey and continues to specialize in marine and sailing subjects, including the Hudson River and the Nantucket and New Bedford whaling fleets.

His paintings are in collections in throughout Great Britain, Europe and the United States.