Fast Digs: Posing for the Englander Painting

In 1896, a painter with the surname of Englander was finishing up a monumental painting depicting the finish of a bike race. A story in the March 26, 1896 (vol. 16, no. 22) edition of Referee and Cycle Trade Journal made mention of the mural while talking about some of the local Los Angeles racers who were depicted in the work. Among those racers were Will Jenkins and the Burke brothers - Dave and William. In the story, Jenkins is described as "one of the pioneers of racing in the southwest," where he was popularly known as "Pinto," or "Pinto the Paleface."

In southern California, where "the continuous riding season has produced many fast riders, and bicycle racing has been going on every month in the year for many years," Jenkins made his mark. In 1892 he rode the first pneumatic-tired bicycle brought to the southern part of the state, an Ormond with Bartlett tires. His first race, Jenkins reminisced, was at Hazard's Pavilion in Los Angeles during the "roller skate craze." Jenkins was one of three starters and finished 2nd in the half-mile exhibition. There was one record that Jenkins was particularly proud of (unsubstantiated) - having raced in every event, on road and track, that had taken place in southern California since 1891. 

As for the painter and painting, there is little additional information; the story notes that it was an "heroic sized painting" depicting Jenkins and the Burke brothers, Herb McCrea, Shefski of Salt Lake City, Canby Hewitt and Casey Castleman. A photograph shows the two Burkes setting pace for the race on tandem, Dave in the pilot seat and Will as stoker, with Jenkins racing alongside, all posed for the painting which is described as "nearly finished," and "attracting much attention locally on account of its size as well as its originality." The seven riders depicted "have all made reputations to be proud of and were painted from life, full size."

Unfortunately there is no further information on where the painting was being made, what happened to it, or even who the artist was. Nor have I seen information anywhere else. All we seem to be left with is the posed photograph of Burke, Burke and Jenkins: