Ronald Searle: The Ref

"Football: The Beautiful Game" was an online-only auction held at Bonhams London on December 13. All the works related to a sport known here in the States as soccer. The sale featured works from Chris Beetles, Ltd.

The Ref is an undated work by Ronald Searle that looks to be from the 1950s. It was published in the Tribune, a democratic socialist newspaper based in London. The referee looks over his left shoulder for a possible infraction, whistle at the ready. His hanging right arm ends in what Searle referred to as a "medieval" hand in the Russell Davies biography. 

Ronald Searle
Bonhams London listing accessed December 6, 2023, seven days before the sale

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/166600970_ronald-searle-british-1920-2011-the-ref-28-x-16-cm-11-x-6-14-in?from=alert&utm_source=SavedAlert&utm_campaign=SearchAlert_20230912_B&utm_medium=email&utm_content=itemendingsoon

Ronald SearleBonhams London item description accessed December 6, 2023

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/29222/lot/44/ronald-searle-british-1920-2011-the-ref-28-x-16-cm-11-x-6-14-in/

Sold!

Note:  I don't follow what every other nation calls football and I don't keep copies of the Tribune in my home library. Still, I would like to hear from anyone who may chance to come across this work in its pages.

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