W. H. (Billy) Conn Print with personal inscription (To Alice, Happy Christmas from Billy Conn)

W. H. (Billy) Conn – Vintage Print – Inscribed “To Alice – Happy Christmas from Billy Conn” – Belfast Artist


A charming vintage print by the Belfast artist William H. “Billy” Conn (1895–1973), one of Northern Ireland’s best-known illustrators, cartoonists and black-and-white artists.

The print depicts a beautifully detailed Irish rural lane leading to a whitewashed cottage beneath mature trees, executed in Conn’s distinctive pen-and-ink style with fine cross-hatching and atmospheric detail. The image carries the printed W. H. Conn signature within the artwork.

What makes this example particularly appealing is the original handwritten inscription beneath the image:

“To Alice – Happy Christmas from Billy Conn”

The dedication appears to have been personally written by Billy Conn, giving the print an attractive personal connection to the artist.

Billy Conn enjoyed a distinguished career in Belfast. He worked as a commercial artist for W. & G. Baird Ltd., later joining the Belfast Telegraph as an artist and illustrator. He exhibited at the Ulster Arts Club and the Royal Hibernian Academy, and became well known for his illustrations, cartoons and finely executed landscape drawings.

Presented in a quality vintage frame bearing an old label for:

The Gallery
15 Mill Street
Newtownards

Interestingly, this is the same Newtownards gallery/framer found on another period artwork from the collection, suggesting both pieces were framed or sold through the same local gallery.

Details

Artist: W. H. (Billy) Conn (1895–1973)
Vintage print from an original pen-and-ink composition
Printed artist’s signature within the image
Original handwritten dedication:
“To Alice – Happy Christmas from Billy Conn”
Period framed
Reverse bears The Gallery, 15 Mill Street, Newtownards label
Ready to hang
Good vintage condition

Billy Conn remains an important figure in Northern Irish illustration and graphic art, and this is a particularly attractive example with a personal inscription that adds charm and provenance beyond the standard edition.

Ideal for collectors of Irish art, Belfast artists, Ulster history or vintage Irish prints.