Gary Carter Oil Painting "The Fifth Ace" 1973 Original Western Saloon Ca Proof

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Description

1973 ORIGINAL GARY CARTER (CAA) OIL PAINTING — "THE FIFTH ACE"
Artist: Gary Lee Carter (American, 1939–2025 | CAA Member … Read more 1973 ORIGINAL GARY CARTER (CAA) OIL PAINTING — "THE FIFTH ACE"
Artist: Gary Lee Carter (American, 1939–2025 | CAA Member & 1986 President)

Title: "The Fifth Ace" (Also documented as "Ace in the Hole")

Date: Dated 1973–1974 (Canvas/Backing Inscriptions)

Medium: Original Oil on Canvas

Canvas Size: 20" W x 24" H

Framed Size: Approx. 27" W x 31" H

Provenance: Prominent multi-million dollar Southern Arizona estate collection.

ARTWORK OVERVIEW
Offered for sale is a compelling original oil painting on canvas by renowned Western fine artist and former Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) President, Gary Lee Carter. Titled "The Fifth Ace," this narrative work showcases a high-stakes saloon poker game illuminated beneath a single hanging overhead lamp.

Composition, Lighting & "Shadow Watchers": Carter’s narrative storytelling skill and mastery of dramatic chiaroscuro lighting are on full display. While the illuminated central table highlights four card players, hand-held aces, poker chips, and a seated woman, closer examination of the surrounding deep ambient shadows reveals subtle "shadow watchers"—including a spectating man with a mustache observing the high-stakes game from the dim background.

DOCUMENTED REAR PROVENANCE & HOLLYWOOD ILLUSTRATION CONNECTION
The original paper backing and reference label feature handwritten pencil notes identifying the title, artist attribution, date, and the specific models who posed for the scene:

Title & Artist Attribution: Inscribed "The Fifth Ace" and signed "By Carter" / "Gary".

Notable Model Identification — Famed Illustrator Connection: Included among the key saloon models identified in the scene is Reynold Brown (1917–1991). Brown was the legendary Hollywood movie poster artist and commercial illustrator famous for painting iconic original poster art for classic films such as Ben-Hur, Spartacus, The Alamo, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. Brown moved to Arizona in the 1970s and maintained close personal and professional ties with regional contemporary artists like Gary Carter.

Full Identified Model List:

Reynold Brown (Famed Movie Poster Illustrator & Artist)

Jacque Dowdall


Arnold "Putt" Puttemer (or Putnam)

Les Patman


Location Note: Set at the historic "Moby Bar" in Springerville, AZ.

Note: The artist's brush signature on the canvas edge is positioned under the original custom linen frame liner, as evidenced by the frame shop's reference label and rear backing annotations.

CONDITION REPORT
Painting Surface: Excellent original vintage condition. Features rich color density, strong paint film stability, and visible hand-painted impasto brushwork. No overpainting, structural damage, or canvas loss.

Frame: Housed in its original vintage rustic wooden Western frame with a cloth/linen inner fillet. Solid structural condition with light cosmetic age wear along outer wood edges.

Backing Paper: Shows expected vintage age, toning, tearing, and minor paper loss appropriate for an authentic vintage paper dust cover. Left intact to preserve historical pencil inscriptions.

PACKAGING & SHIPPING
This artwork will be packaged following archival fine art standards:

Glassine paper surface protection applied directly over the painting face.

Reinforced corner protectors and 0.75-inch rigid foam insulation boards sandwiching the frame.

Heavy-duty shipping container. See less