With another year come and gone, I thought this painting would be a nice reminder of how quickly the years pass. Everyone please have a safe and happy new year!
Jay Smith
"The Ages of Woman"
Oil on Canvas
c. 1920- 1930
30 x 26"
Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Ages of Woman
With another year come and gone, I thought this painting would be a nice reminder of how quickly the years pass. Everyone please have a safe and happy new year!
Jay Smith
"The Ages of Woman"
Oil on Canvas
c. 1920- 1930
30 x 26"
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Strange CDV Portrait in a Photographer's Studio
Here's a strange and unique CDV of a man's legs, hung over the prop molding in the photographer's studio, with a hat on one knee!
Sold through J. Cosmas Vintage Photography.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The First Commercially Available Match Book
Available at Cowan's.
Here's the auction house description:
Lot of 2, includes the match book itself, which is card stock, quite similar to those made today. It is printed card stock with advertising on each face and the paper match sticks themselves. Cover with Wholesale/& Retail/Dealer In/Cigars/Tobacco/Snuff & C/Cor. Front & Locust Sts./Columbia, PA., reverse with John Fendrich/Wholesale/Dealer In/Leaf Tobacco/And Manufacturer/Of/Fine Cigars, top fold has manufacturer's label with front portion missing printed surface, but originally reading Binghamtom Match Co./Binghamton, N.Y.. Interior of each match has printed Smoke The Tilly, and it has an inked inscription reading Given to Grandpa/Purple by John/Fendrich, with seven yellow-tipped matches remaining and 1" x 1.5" striking pad on interior of cover, 1.5" x 2.25" high. Lot also includes a cabinet card portrait of Elisha J. Purple with imprint of C.A. Sweet, Wellsboro, Pa.
The best guess for the 1st commercially printed all-paper match cover was that it was produced by the Binghamton Match Co. in 1893 or 1894 based on Joshua Pusey's invention. Earlier book matches are known from the 1850-80's, but these were substantially different from Pusey's patent. Diamond Match Co. sued Binghamton for patent infringement in 1894 and won.
Condition: As above, minor soil on cover, VG-.
(EST $800-$1000)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Obsession Cupboard
Wall cupboard covered with everyday observations spanning three decades, from the late 1930s to the 50s. A typical entry: "May 15, 1948 Caught 10 trout. Very cold. Rain. Poor day."
Available at The J Compton Gallery.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Charles Hart Penguin Sculpture
What looks to be a Charles Hart penguin just sold on eBay for $455.02.
Inspired by Admiral E. Byrd’s Polar Expedition in the 1930s, Hart once sold his penguin carvings on the road between Essex and Gloucestor, MA.
Nice to know that these are still out there in peoples' attics.
