| Press Contact: | Stephen Fletcher, Director | Catherine Riedel, Director |
| American Furniture & | Marketing & Public Relations | |
| Decorative Arts | Skinner, Inc | |
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978-779-6241 ext. 228 |
978-779-6241 x231 |
AMERICAN FURNITURE & DECORATIVE ARTS
TO BE OFFERED AT SKINNER JUNE 6TH IN BOSTON
BOSTON, Mass. - May 14, 2004 – www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses, will host an auction of American furniture and decorative arts on Sunday, June 6th, in Boston. The sale will begin at 11 a.m. and will include nearly 600 lots. The extensive array of fine and unusual offerings includes several distinguished private collections, portraits by Rembrandt Peale and Gilbert Stuart, selected 17th, 18th, and early 19th century formal and country American furniture, early American naïve portraiture and historical documents, and a 1959 Ted Williams game uniform.
Collections
Among the highlights in the auction is an extraordinary private New England collection of American pewter, including several rare forms and marks, assembled over twenty years under the guidance of John Carl Thomas. Examples from this uncommon collection include a three-quart flagon by Thomas D. and Sherman Boardman of Hartford, Connecticut (lot 126, $4/6,000), another three-quart flagon by Boardman & Hart of Hartford, Connecticut (lot 127, $4/6,000), and a quart mug by Jacob Whitmore of Middletown, Connecticut (lot 128, $3/5,000), about which Thomas commented in 1997, "This quart mug by Jacob Whitmore is one of the finest 18th century Connecticut mugs I have seen, and perhaps the finest by this maker… both metal and mark are in superb condition, and make this particular mug a key piece in identifying others." This signed note accompanies the lot. Of a plate by Thomas Danforth II of Middletown, Connecticut (lot 146, $2,5/3,500), Thomas notes, "Very early work of Thomas Danforth II, Middletown, Connecticut, circa 1760-70… The Thomas Danforth flat rim plate is one of the finest pieces of 18th century flatware I have ever had the pleasure of handling!"
In addition, Skinner is pleased to present the impressive and important American clock collection of avid horologist Alfred Cossidente, M.D. This collection numbers over 30 lots, and includes a Gothic mahogany "Candlestick" double steeple wagon spring shelf clock by Birge and Fuller of Bristol, Connecticut, c. 1845 (lot 3, $3,500), and a Gothic double steeple fusee shelf clock by the same maker, c. 1845-50 (lot 102, $1,5/2,500). Also offered are two Gothic rosewood acorn shelf clocks by Forestville Manufacturing Company, J.C. Brown, Bristol, Connecticut (lots 104 and 105, $4/6,000 and $2,5/3,500 respectively). Dr. Cossidente was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) for 60 years, possessing the very early membership number of 342. Also featured in the auction is the collection of Marion and Oliver W. Deming, who, over the course of more than 60 years, acquired an extensive array of furniture, decorative arts, and New England folk portraiture.
Portraiture
The auction offers a rich selection of folk art portraiture. Examples include Portrait of the Dibble Twins, 1839, a work from the Deming Collection attributed to Joseph Goodhue Chandler, the twins in pink dresses, holding hands, one with a kitten and the other with a small basket of berries (lot 84, $30/50,000). Other portraits of children include the American School Portrait of Louise Hyde, an engaging piece showing the child holding an apple to her chest with her right hand as she shyly pulls a drape to her side with the left (lot 179, $12/15,000). Also offered are an American School Portrait of Three Children, 1835-45, presumed to have been painted in the Hudson River Valley area of New York (lot 26, $15/25,000), and Portrait of a Girl in a Red Dress by C. Murdoch (lot 196, $6/8,000).
Significant miniature portraits include a group of three portraits by Justus DaLee of members of his family, accompanied by seven letters written by the artist in Chatauqua County, New York between 1837 and 1871, and the family record of the DaLees and Demings (lot 100, $20/30,000). In the seven letters written to his family included in this lot, Justus DaLee writes about his family, his wife, and his children, and about his life as a painter and the times in which he was living. He laments his scarcity of money, and the difficulty of making a living as an artist, as well as detailing the fact his work habits could not include painting at night, as candlelight was insufficient. In one letter, he wrote, "Troy, Dec. 17 1837, I am pursuing my daily avocation with all diligence and have generally as much as I can do - days short, weather cold… I labor under several disadvantages - the days as I before hinted are short. I cannot paint in evenings, neither can I paint steadily… on account of restless weary sensations produced by too long sitting; I find Amon [his son] assisted me greatly by painting the dresses…my price is ½ with frame and all… but many who are knowing to my doing them cheaper." Other passages speak of the difficulty of being away from home, which was necessary in order to find his painting commissions, and of his efforts to find employment to supplement his income. Portrait miniatures in the auction also include Miniature Portrait of Miss Stevens by Edwin Plummer (lot 32, $8/12,000).
Important offerings also include a Portrait of George Washington attributed to Rembrandt Peale. This attribution, made by Peale scholar Carol Eaton Soltis, of Radnor, Pennsylvania, is based on this painting's being a very close and diligent copy of Charles Willson Peale's 1772 George Washington, currently in the collection of Washington and Lee University, suggesting the artist had direct access to the 1772 work. Both works measure 50 x 40 inches (lot 95, $12/18,000). Additional highlights feature two portraits attributed to Gilbert Stuart, presenting Colonel Thomas Dawes and his son Judge Thomas Dawes, Jr. (lots 97 and 98, respectively, $10/15,000 each). Both works were deaccessioned from the New Bedford Whaling Museum - Old Dartmouth Historical Society, New Bedford, Massachusetts; proceeds from their sale will benefit the acquisition and conservation funds.
Furniture
Three centuries of American furniture will be offered, including a late 17th century Massachusetts low-back chair (Essex County, Massachusetts, 1665-95), descended in the consignor's family, from the home of deacon Nathaniel Whipple on the Main Road, Hamilton, Massachusetts. Family genealogy accompanies this lot (lot 37, $1/1,500). Also of particular note is lot 94, a Queen Anne Massachusetts walnut inlaid high chest descended in the family from Thomas Cheever ($30/50,000). A wealthy tanner, Cheever built the first mill on the Saugus River, in Saugus, Mass., and was a representative in 1726 and 1727. He built the Cheever home, with its pillars and acres of land, an estate befitting a gentleman of wealth and position which still stands. Thomas Cheever's son Abner (1726-1796), who continued to operate the mill and tanning business, also served as a Saugus Constable and Justice of the Peace and was the second owner of this lot. Subsequently, his son, Abijah (1760-1843), owned this piece. Abijah studied with the well-known Dr. John Warren at the Massachusetts General Hospital after graduating from Harvard University and Harvard Medical School. He served as a surgeon during the American Revolution. Family letters indicate Abijah was an active participant in the Boston Tea Party.
Other offerings include a Federal academy painted tiger maple work table, c. 1820, which will be sold together with a watercolor, pencil, and ink portrait, "Imogine," by Hannah Stone Brown of Newbury, c. 1825. The two pieces descended in the consignor's family from the portrait's painter, who, according to family history, decorated the table as well. Private academies for teaching art to young women existed in Newbury and Boston. Mrs. Brown of Newbury advertised her school for young ladies as offering instruction in "plain needlework, embroidery of all kinds, painting on wood, silk or paper, flowers, figures, landscapes, transparencies, and the new much admired art of drawing and shading in durable ink," according to Girlhood Embroidery American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850 (Betty Ring, New York, 1993, vol. 1, p. 123). It is likely Hannah Stone attended the Newbury School of Mrs. Brown and learned the art of painting, drawing and shading in durable ink that we see in this work table (lot 1, $10/15,000).
Decorative Arts
Highlighting decorative arts in the sale is an exceptionally beautiful yarn stitched wool bed rug, made by Lucy Lathrop of Lebanon, Connecticut in 1804, a piece stylistically similar to other bed rugs made in that area. A genealogy record accompanies the lot, which descended in the family of Lucy Lathrop (lot 85, $50/75,000). Other important offerings include lot 18, a late 18th century New England stenciled cotton bed cover. This bed cover was previously sold at Skinner on June 16, 1990, and according to a note once pinned to the spread, it was "Made by Anna Cooper in the Year 1775 at Williamsport, Massachusetts. Cloth is hand woven by her and coloring is made of mineral and vegetable materials made by her as she refused to pay price and duty on the dyes and paint used and imported." The piece is expected to realize $12/15,000. Additional highlights include a floral crewel-stitched embroidered needlework pocketbook dating to 1740-90 (lot 20, $6/8,000), a silk and linen needlework sampler made by Lucy Parham of Tyngsboro, Mass. in 1822 (lot 195, $4/6,000), and a Federal inlaid mahogany veneer table box (lot 31, $3/5,000).
Ted Williams Uniform
Skinner is giving baseball fans nationwide, and Red Sox fans in particular, perhaps the greatest chance to "play ball" in a major auction, as the June 6th auction offers a very rare and highly collectible #9 Red Sox uniform, 1959, worn by the late great Ted Williams, believed by many to be the greatest hitter in the history of the game. The uniform (lot 125), complete with shirt and pants, is estimated at $80/120,000. It belonged to an ardent Red Sox fan, Dr. Robert (Bob) Jedrey, a retired internist and native of Gloucester, Massachusetts, who, while a young man in medical school, was given the uniform as a gift by one of his father's friends, Al Oliver. Oliver was then a superintendent for Braves Field at Boston University, where the Boston Braves played. Jedrey later loaned the uniform to the Sports Museum in Boston in 1993, where it has been on display for the past 11 years.
Says Dr. Jedrey, "What makes this uniform particularly special is the year - 1959 - a very significant point for Ted Williams fans. He was 40 years old, in his twilight years as a ball player, and experiencing the slump of his career, with a .254 batting average. Just two years before, Williams was at the top of his game, hitting .388. He went to Red Sox management demanding that they cut his pay in light of his declining performance. The interesting thing is that the following year, 1960, Williams hit a .316, and ended his career on a high note."
Additional Highlights
Additional highlights in the auction include a collection of historical documents relating to American history, including broadsides, muster roles, lottery tickets and, of particular interest, an Amos Doolittle engraving, A Display of the United States of America, To the Patrons of Arts and Sciences in all parts of the World…, c. 1788-89. Doolittle copied James Tranchard's portrait from the Columbian Magazine of 1787, a simple three-quarter profile of Washington in uniform, with an inaugural "Heraldic Eagle." In later states, Washington's profile was changed to resemble that created by Joseph Wright (lot 95D, $20/30,000).
Previews and Special Event
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 2nd and Thursday, June 3rd, 12 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 4th, 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 5th, and 8 to 10 a.m. Sunday, June 6th. On Friday, June 4th, there will be a gallery walk featuring Stephen Fletcher, director, and Martha Hamilton, specialist, of Skinner's department of American Furniture and Decorative Arts, who will discuss highlights of the upcoming auction. Reservations are limited for the event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. All those interested in attending should R.S.V.P. to 617-350-5400.
Catalogue Information
Illustrated catalogue #2242 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information on the auction, auction preview times, and the gallery walk, visit Skinner's website at www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.
About Skinner:With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a full-service auctioneer and appraiser of antiques and fine art. Regularly seen on the PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, Skinner is one of the nation’s leading auction houses. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographica, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.