Horses in a Landscape

$7,000. - 10,000.

Inscribed Property of George W. Bilbo

Executed c. 1910 when J. F. Stephens was listed in the Creston, Iowa, city directory, this work features the artist’s trademark sign on the left side noting “No Hunting Allowed. Property Geo. W. Bilbo.” Bilbo was a noted cattle farmer in the Creston area, but in the May 24, 1907, issue of Wallace’s Farmer, Bilbo advertised “Imported and Home Bred Draft Stallions and Mares for sale.” In the 1910 and 1911 volumes of the Iowa Book of Agriculture, published by the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Bilbo has registered several Shire horses, a couple of French draft horses, and seven to eight Percherons. Most likely this work depicts those listed. In the November 25, 1916, Des Moines Tribune, an ad stated, “FOR SALE – 160 Acre Farm, Three miles from Creston,
Union County, Iowa. Rolling land, fairly well improved, half in grass and pasture; has all been plowed. Good house, barn, and outbuildings; small orchard; plenty of water; close to school and church. Price $90 per acre, easy terms. For particulars, address Geo. W. Bilbo, Creston, Iowa.”
While Bilbo can be found owning other land and more cattle after this time period, this is mostly like the farm depicted here.
Special thanks to Genevieve Baird Lacer for her research into J. F. Stephens and this lot.