Attributed to William Howard Yorke (American, 1847-1921) Portrait of the American Clipper Ship HELEN CLINTON Captain Stephen C. Spra gu

Description:

Attributed to William Howard Yorke (American, 1847-1921)

Portrait of the American Clipper Ship HELEN CLINTONCaptain Stephen C. Sprague, Master. Unsigned, vessel identified on stern and pennant. Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in. Condition: Small paint loss above pennant.

Provenance: Sprague family descent, then purchased by the consignor at W. Torrey Little's auction in Marshfield, Massachusetts, Labor Day, 1970, which auctioned articles from the estate of Captain Sprague's granddaughter Edith Sprague. The painting offered here is accompanied by a framed newspaper article from the (Quincy, Massachusetts) Patriot Ledger giving an account of spirited bidding on Captain Sprague's sea chest (lot 252 in this auction) by an "unknown gentleman" (who earlier in the auction purchased this painting and was reported to be a dealer),and a Dr. Willis of Marshfield, who was anxious to keep Sprague seafaring memorabilia in town.

Note: According to the Record of American Shipping, American Shipmasters Association, the ship Helen Clinton was built in Boston at the Quincy shipyard in 1863, the owner was S. Mauren. She was a double-deck ship, weighed 700 tons, 190 x 37 ft. From 1863 to 1864 she carried cargo from New York to San Francisco. An advertising card for the Helen Clinton and Captain Sprague's personal bible which is inscribed on the back page "Stephen C. Sprague/Marshfield, Mass. on board the Ship Helen Clinton/Bound to Boston July 23, 1871 from Newcastle Eng." accompany the lot.
Estimate $20,000-25,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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