Mark Hill Auctions is delighted to offer a unique work by one of Tunbridge Wells' most famous and sought-after historic artists - George Smart, the 'Tailor of Frant'. 

George Smart (1774-1846) is recognised as one of the key figures within the history of English Folk Art. He lived and worked in the village of Frant, around 2 miles south of Tunbridge Wells. As well as offering tailoring services, he produced fabric covered dummy boards and pictures that he sold from shelves attached to the outside of his prominently placed house, 'Smart's Repository', on the main road through the village. His fame grew to the extent that he was included in tourist guidebooks of the time for visitors to Tunbridge Wells. In 1820, the same year he is first recorded as living and working in Frant, he sold works to His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and thus then considered himself 'By Royal Appointment'. 

Old Bright, the Frant postman, is arguably Smart's most loved character, as well as his most frequently depicted. Delivering post was Old Bright's second career - before this he was widely known locally in Tunbridge Wells as the 'Sweeper of The Walks', the name given to The Pantiles. This very early example contains all the marvellous detail associated with Smart's depiction of this popular character, from the buckles on the shoes to his leather satchel, the furry grey hair, tired demeanour, handwritten letters with their cryptic part-hidden addresses, and more.

This picture is illustrated and discussed on page 113 of the monograph book 'George Smart, The Tailor of Frant: Artist in Cloth & Velvet Figures', by Jonathan Christie, published by Unicorn in 2016. Author and noted George Smart expert Christie states that "...This Postman is considered the earliest known example of this subject by Smart. ... The historian and writer James Ayres knew this picture well and indeed described it as one of the earliest of its type. The metallic flags appear in later versions as does the clump of trees perched on top of the hill on the right."

Although there are no records of how many pictures or boards he made, and no idea of how much they cost at the time, it is thought that only around 100 of his works survive today - all in public or private collections. This is a very rare opportunity to acquire not only a work in superb condition showing Smart's most beloved local Kentish character, but also the earliest known example of him. 

Notable Collections & Exhibitions
• Compton Verney, Warwickshire - 2 artworks.
• Tunbridge Wells Museum, Kent - 10 artworks. 
• Scotney Castle, Kent - 1 artwork.
• 'British Folk Art', Tate Britain, London, 27th September 2014 to 14th December 2014 - 21 artworks by Smart exhibited.

To be sold in Eclectica II on 24th April 2025 with an estimate of £1,500-2,000.