Joseph and Esther Koch lived in Ohio (Akron if I am not mistaken). They discovered Ocracoke many years ago, sometime after World War II. Joe was an artist, and he made many pencil sketches of Ocracoke village, the beach, and colorful island characters. He signed his drawings "Jo Ko."
Here is one of his drawings of Blackbeard the pirate (available as a postcard from Teach's Hole Pirate Shop):
In the 1960s Joe and Esther purchased property on School Road (where Deepwater Theater and Books to be Red is located today) and on the corner of School Road and Highway 12 (where Spencer's Market is today). Health concerns kept the Kochs away from Ocracoke for the last 25 years or so. Over the years they sold all of their island property. Esther died a number of years ago. Joe died in March of this year, just short of his 105th birthday.
You can read a little more about Jo Ko here: http://www.ocracokecurrent.com/27093.
By the way, I don't remember ever seeing one of Joe's drawings with a goat in it, but maybe it is not an Ocracoke scene. Or perhaps it is. There were still semi-wild goats roaming on Ocracoke "down below" (on what is now National Park Service property) when Joe first discovered the island.
Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is a list of a few traditional Ocracoke Island recipes. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news052112.htm.
Just try researching Ocracoke without finding the journal...I dare you! That's how I discovered it several years ago-- and I'm so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteI lived in a very cool place owned by JoKo my first summer on the Island. It was a old trailer surrounded by a huge screened cage. It has lots of shade and a washing machine, which I was told was quite valuable. Deepwater replaced it, but it will always be my first memory of Ocracoke lodging. I felt lucky to have stayed there.
ReplyDeleteI recently came into possession of 4 drawings of lighthouses and they are signed JoKo. Do you think these could be his?
ReplyDeleteI certainly think so. He always signed his drawing JoKo.
DeleteI have a print of the 'Whittler' in original plastic with silver insert "Whittler 39C
ReplyDelete"The carved Gulls,
Soar over the endless seas,
In the mind of the dreamer."
Exclusive JoKo Print of the OUter Banks, Sold only in N.C.
Does anyone know anything about it? I have been unable to find info on the net,
I am pretty sure that is a drawing of Wilbur Gaskill sitting on the porch of Corky's store, but I would have to see it to be sure.
DeleteThanks for your info! Here is more. Could be the same guy...just different location.
DeleteHe is sitting on a bench on a pier, with several gulls in the air, wearing a ball cap, carved duck body & full duck beside him, rolled up shirt sleeves, baggy pants, socks & shoes...looking down carving.
I do appreciate anything anyone knows. Thanks
I could be wrong about the location. It's been some time since I've seen that drawing, If you send a digital image to me (piphoward at embarqmail dot com) I will tell you what I know about it.
DeleteI was friends with my Nieghbor from across the street and she gave me a painting she said her and her husband bought from a young painter in Austria of a mountainous beautiful scene the. She recently passed at the age of 93 the painting she picked up was signed JoKo I wonder if it is the same artist. Please contact me @ rubin.sanchez@gmail.com it would be interesting to show it off.
ReplyDeleteI would be surprised if this were the same JoKo. If you get a chance to upload the painting to the Internet, please leave another comment here, and I will take a look at it.
DeleteMy husband recently came into possession of a sketch by Jo Ko called 'Last Survivor'. Can you tell us anything about this drawing? We haven't been able to find it anywhere or any information about it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI don't recognize that title, but if you send me a copy of the picture maybe I can identify it for you. Please send it to info@villagecraftsmen.com. Put "For Philip" in the subject line.
DeleteI have 4 I got at a thrift store sign by Jo Jo...1st heading home 2nd harvest time.3rd alright ride 4th waiting for the mail...please let me know if this sounds like his work....
DeleteI am not familiar with any of those titles. I would have to see the drawings to know if they were by JoKo.
DeleteI have 2 of jo ko 's pensile drawing's the Pirate one standing up with holding blade "do you know the value"?
DeleteI'm curious , I found a jo ko pencil drawing in an abandoned house. Not really sure if it's worth money but it definitely is a real drawing. Its got two signatures. It's a picture of a man standing next to a crab or fish shack right off of the water.
ReplyDeleteContact me at ross15thompson@gmail
DeleteContact me at ross15thompson@gmail
DeleteI found 2 framed sketched of Jo Ko "Long Last Look" and "shipwreck" can you tell me anything about them
ReplyDeleteI don't know enough about the titles of Jo Ko's drawings to know which scenes these sketches depict.
DeleteI have 2 framed JoKo drawings my father bought years ago. I think they are real drawings not prints. I dont want to unseal them to find out. Anyone versed in this subject?
ReplyDeletewhat is a pensil drawing worth of the pirate by jo ko's
ReplyDeletewhat is the value of a original pensile drawing of scareface worth from the 1950's?
ReplyDeleteDonna, I'm sorry I can't help, but I really don't know.
DeleteI have a drawing by JoKo also, it is an Amish man caught in a summer shower
ReplyDeleteAre these (Camden’s Place, Pioneers Cabin) Jo Ko drawings worth anything?
ReplyDeleteAre these (Camden’s Place, Pioneers Cabin) Jo Ko drawings worth anything?
ReplyDeleteThe titles are not familiar to me. And, frankly, I do not have any idea of the current value of JoKo's drawings.
Delete