Art and Antiques: Global reach of Gilroy's iconic Guinness toucan

Artwork by John Gilroy features in the collection among almost 1,500 lots at Victor Mee's sale, writes Des O'Sullivan

Guinness for Strength ad by John Gilroy featuring a sculpted man after Henry Moore at Victor Mee.

If you frequented Irish pubs in the rare old times the gleaming advertising mirrors that surrounded you then are valuable collectible items now. In terms of cost at auction they trump objects including original artworks by John Gilroy from a valuable Guinness collection which highlights three days of sales by Victor Mee next week.

The English artist John Gilroy (1898-1985) who worked with SH Benson — Britain's largest advertising agency — created the iconic toucan and what is now instantly recognisable art for Guinness featuring the zookeeper and animals enjoying the black stuff. Such is the global reach of this art that you could safely say that Gilroy was here, there and everywhere as well!