A basic guide to Identifying Authentic Highwaymen Art

The hobby (and business) of Highwaymen Art collecting is at an all time high, and prices can reach into the thousands of dollars for old Florida art that once sold from the sides of cars, or were peddled door to door or business to business for less than thirty-five dollars each!

The Highwaymen artists used discarded pieces of “masonite” and “upson” board from construction sites as their canvas. That will make older pieces easier to identify, as the 'canvas' is like a thick, heavy piece of construction board, often rough around the edges, where pieces were cut into makeshift canvases.

Frames were made from pieces of wood moulding that were also salvaged from construction sites. The frames were cut so that they angled up, and were often left unpainted giving the apperance a "shabby chic" look. Some frames had gold or copper paint haphazardly wiped or brushed onto the frame.

Signatures were generally done with the same pallet knife that was used on the painting, although the end of a brush handle was sometimes used. You will even find signatures signed with a "ball-point" pen (Al Hair comes to mind).

The landscape techniques the artists used, was to paint with the use of a “pallet knife”, as well as brushes. This gave the painting a thick applied layer effect and gives their paintings some “dimensionality” as opposed to the “flat” look of most paintings. Many of the “Highwaymen” used this technique and then used that same “pallet knife” to scratch their names into the painting.

The paintings themselves where usually done in bright, bold colors, and were paintings of old Florida scenery. The most well-known of the Highwaymen paintings show storm tossed oceans with waves crashing on the beach and palm trees bending in the wind, or graceful Poinsianna trees highlighted by a sunrise or sunset. Those scenes of Florida's natural beauty and grandeur were brought to life by artists such as Harold Newton and Alfred Hair.    

Sellers will often show the signature and close-up shots of the painting and frame, making it relatively simple to identify. There should also be a picture of the back of the painting as it is generally obvious as to whether “masonite” or “Upson” board was used. Paintings done on “Upson” board generally indicate an “older” (pre-1970) piece and will bring a higher price. If you should be looking to purchase a "Highwayman" on eBay, VERIFY THE SELLER ...

Over 100,000 paintings (and that figure is sometimes estimated to be as high as 200,000) were completed between the 1950's and 1970's. There were various themes presented from oceans and lakes, to trees and fields, to old homesteads and more. The more unique Highwaymen works may feature people or animals as part of the painting. Some of the more popular artists to look for would include: Sam and Harold Newton, Alfred Hair, R.A. McLendon, Robert Butler, Mary Ann Carroll (the only woman of the group) and James Gibson. Keep in mind that all “Highwaymen” art is collectible, some works are just more expensive than others.