Burning the candle at both ends, though, took its toll. Poor Phil was to die in 1903, aged only 39 – a legend within the heady world of illustration, popular journals and club society.

Showing Off
The club needed an exhibition to tell the world they'd arrived, and managed to organise one in their first year (1898) at the Modern Gallery in New Bond Street. The younger artists, in particular, sought publicity (frowned upon by Old Mother Langham) if they were to swim in the main stream of the illustration business. The show received glowing reviews from most of the quality papers of the day. It had contributions from the great John Hassall, Tom Browne and Phil May, along with many other of the big names in black and white illustration. But it wasn't just the exhibition that was attracting attention, for the club itself was becoming famous in bohemian society (and all those who aspired to it), through the writings of the popular journalists who competed to be invited as guests.
By the time of the fifth exhibition in 1900, the club was firmly established in the art world. The public loved these shows because they were so much more fun than the usual more conservative exhibitions.

A New Century
In 1908 Walter Fowler became president, succeeding Tom Browne, who created the original Johnnie Walker figure in beaver hat, quizzing glasses and riding boots, which made the whisky the biggest selling blend in the world. It was the first year the Chelsea Arts Club Ball was held at the Albert Hall (the very first ball the previous year was held at Covent Garden). It was to be a golden age of illustration and cartoons. Amongst the many artists, many of whom drew for Punch and other periodicals, were H M Bateman, who was later to develop his famous series of cartoons concerning the social gaffe, ''The Man Who…''; the legendary Starr Wood; Cecil Aldin, most famous for his portrayal of dogs, horses and hunting scenes; the brilliant Frank Reynolds.

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Interior view of the Wells Street premises, circa 1903

Invitation to Smoking Conversazione, 1904