Some accretion in lower right part of image. Two tears in upper part of painting (TL c.. 6cm; TR c.. 3 cm). One tear in area left on center. Two poke holes in area down from center. Two gobs of gum-like substance in BR area, as well as paint abrasio
Inscription on back: Deborah Hayward is from Kitimaat B.C. (Kitimaat means people of the snow). The design is of a killer whale, riding on his back is the King Salmon who guided the whale to fish
Surface is all together dirty. Numerous smudges and other surface accretions and is especially bad in the top horizontal register, which has multiple large smudges. Canvas is loose in the TL corner due to storage (another painting was leaning on it). T
Heavy accretion of dirt and smudges all over surface. Several water stains in areas BL, BR, TR, and just to the TR of center. Frame and canvas are skewed so that they are no longer square.
There is a 3cm tear in TR area of painting. Frame has plaster gild broken in various areas, especially along the left vertical arm. The finish on the frame is also worn off in various places.
Primary Support
canvas
Secondary Support
plexiglass, backing paper; frame - wood and plaster with gild
Residue of tape in area CB of glass. Frame has small abrasion marks on top arm.
Primary Support
paper
Secondary Support
mat, plexiglass, backing board; frame- wood
Inscriptions
Note attached to back: Cecil E. James came to Canada in 1914 from Manchester, England. He started studies in art at the University of Saskatchewan in 1928, and is now operating an art gallery in Saskatoon. He has painted Canadian scenes from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island, but most of his work is of the Canadian Prairies. One could safely say that his paintings are in private collections in almost every country of the world. To name a few principals possessing a James painting: The Archbishop of Canterbury; His Excellency, Governor-General Roland Michener; John Diefenbaker, former Prime Minister of Canada; The Canadian Embassy in Berlin; Mr. H.W. Sturdy, British Government representative; Saskatchewan Wheat Pool; Saskatchewan House, London; Dairy Pool; Colonel Sanders of Kentucky; Pioneer Grain Co.; The Hon. Jean Lesage; Saskatchewan Power Corporation; Saskatchewan Arts Board.
Crazing of varnish all over image, deeper alligator cracking in top middle causing distortions of paint surface (area 6 X 19 cm TL). Some paint abrasion along the frame on L side. Painting needs cleaning from dust. Frame has some minor cracks; as well
