[From the Community Collection, a public trust in Agincourt, Iowa]

McLENNAN, Margaret Munro Stratton [1911–1995]

“Star of India — San Diego”

late 1930s

oil on metal cigarette case / 4.5 inches by 5.75 inches

Margaret McLennan (née Stratton) created one of the more unusual pieces in the Community Collection: a sailing ship painted on the cover of a metal cigarette box. “The Star of India” was built in 1863 at Ramsey, on the Isle of Man and like many 19th century sailing ships, it has a long and varied career, which ultimately led to its restoration and berthing in San Diego, where she must have seen it.

The box comes to the collection for a source who wishes to remain anonymous, claiming the case was won in an illicit poker game during the Depression, also implying that the removal of clothing may have been involved.

[#996]