6: BEN DEDEK (1896-1973) SEABOARD AIRLINE ILLUSTRATION

Benjamin J. Dedek (1896-1973)
Seaboard Airline Streamliner 4022 (1947)
This painting shows the first of eleven F3 locomotives that General Motors delivered to Seaboard Air Line (the term 'air line' referring to the purported straightness of the railroad, not the ability to fly) in 1948. The locos were numbers 4022 through 4032 and they were delivered in this color scheme. Seaboard's first Diesels were more brightly colored in a lighter shade of green with lots of yellow and red. It is likely that by the time it ordered these locomotives in 1947, Seaboard had decided the bright colors weren't worth the trouble, at least on its freight locomotives.

The original tempera and watercolor on paper depicts a two-unit locomotive pulling red cars through a subtropical Southeast landscape with palm trees. The work is signed lower left by Ben Dedek, head of the General Motors Electro-Motive Division styling department in the early years of the Silver Age streamliner era.
Measures 20 x 26 inches.
Very good condition, noting some discoloration in the yellow cigar band stripe.
Provenance: The Fred Roniger Estate Collection.
$500 - $5,000