Attributed to Richard Brunton (American, active c. 1800-1832) Coffin Family Register

Description:

Attributed to Richard Brunton (American, active c. 1800-1832)

Coffin Family Register Engraving with watercolor on paper depicting the vital statistics of Moses and Susannah Coffin of Boscawen, and Concord, New Hampshire and their eight children, c. 1813, the borders decorated with seasonal figures, potted flowers and birds, the initials "RB"in a circle at l.c., 9 1/2 x 6 1/4 in., in likely original molded wood frame.

Provenance: Ex Bertram K. Little and Nina Fletcher Little collection, sold with two other family records at Sotheby's sale 6526 lot 407, January 29, 1994, retaining auction lot sticker.

Note: Two of Nina Fletcher Little's typed paper jelly labels giving information about the engraver and the Coffin family are affixed to the reverse reading: "Family Register and book plate by Richard Brunton, itinerant engraver, working in Conn. from during the Revolution to his death on Sept. 8, 1831 in Groton, Mass. Made family registers, book plates, silver love tokens, View of Newgate Prison, momenti mori, broadsides, etc. Worked in Suffield, New Milfor(d),Enfield, & Newgate Prison where he was imprisoned for two years, 1799-1800." See Art in America, April 1951 for article. Also: "Moses and Susannah Coffin Boscawen, New Hampshire Engraved by Richard Brunton of Connecticut. Possibly bought from the artist in N.H., 1810-13."

Literature: A similar register is illustrated in The Art of Family: Genealogical Artifacts in New England, by Peter Benes, New England Historic Genealogical Society, p.61.
Estimate $1,000-1,500

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