Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Monday, December 9, 2013

The 1790 Folk Art Carved Stone Inkwell of Cato Freeman


The 1790 Folk Art Carved Stone Inkwell of Cato Freeman, an African-born man who lived in New York, fought in the Revolutionary War as a patriot and died in 1828.

Sold for $2,100.00 (w/o premium) at Rago Auctions.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Painted Plaster Bust of George R. McFarlane

Sold for $3,450.00 at Cowan's, November 17th, 2004.

Auction house description:

McFarlane was a prominent citizen of Hollidaysburg, Pa. McFarlane was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Women's Medical College, upon moving to Blair Co. he became the editor of the Democratic Standard and Huntington Gazette in 1839, also built and owned a foundry west of Duncansville, Pa., making railway wheels and other items; served as a Judge in Blair County from 1846-48, president of Blair Co. Protection Mutual Fire Insurance Co., member and officer of the Hollidaysburg I.O.O.F. An accident at his foundry, in which a large piece of metal fell on him caused his death in 1852, and this plaster is likely a death mask remodeled to appear to be done from life.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Folk Art Portrait Plaques

Two 19th or early 20th century carved walnut oval plaques, with raised rope carved edging, and carved portraits of a gentleman and a lady, 9 1/2" x 8".

Sold for $500.00 (w/o premium) at Willis Henry Auctions, February, 2006.

Tintype Angels


Available here and here.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Circa 1900 McKinley & Roosevelt Campaign Banners


Auction house description:
McKinley & Roosevelt: A Spectacular Matched Pair of 1900 Campaign Banners. These colorful hand-painted banners certainly rank among the very best surviving political display pieces of that rich era. Their provenance is equally impressive: They were originally one of the "stars" in the collection of pioneering hobbyist Art Schofield, who served as APIC secretary during its first incarnation in the 1950s. They then passed to legendary collector Kenton Broyles, in whose custody they remained until sold by Heritage in our November 2007 Americana auction. In that sale they drew heavy bidding, selling for $13,145, against a catalog estimate of $5000-7000. Each banner is signed by artist B. J. Hasper, Belfast, New York. Each measures 35" x 50", with their scalloped edges a unique and attractive touch. Condition is excellent, with a hint of very minor water staining noted for accuracy. The most recent owner has had the banners professionally linen-backed at some expense in order to make them more stable for handling and display. This offering presents a rare second chance to acquire this wonderful pair! Estimate: $7,000 - $9,000.

Available at Heritage Auctions.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Corn Stalk Man

Available here.

An Important 19th Century Lynching Photo



Circa 1880's cabinet card of the lynching of two black men. The men are identified on the back as Miley Lee and John Risby.

Available here.

Portrait of a Revolutionary War Soldier


Seller's description: Revolutionary war soldier Arnold Rogers with hat - Tin-Type, measures  1 15/16 x 3 1/8 in.  Nice condition. Hand written in pencil along bottom of matting says "Arnold Rogers (I think it says Arnold) Revolutionary Soldier owner of the old gun, Joseph and your great-great grandfather".

Available here.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013

Early 20th Century Folk Art Paintings


Two early 20th century folk art paintings by the same hand.

From the auction house description:
This painting is one of a few folk art landscapes executed by an unidentified artist who worked in the Lake Champlain areas of Vermont, New York State, and Quebec. One work is illustrated on the dust jacket of Folk Painters of America, by Robert Bishop (E.P. Dutton, New York). Another work is held in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum collection. 

Provenance: Walters-Benisek, purchased in 1996.

The Vermont Farm Landscape sold for $35,000 (w/o premium) and the House by the Railroad Tracks went unsold with an estimate of $8,000 - $12,000 at Skinner.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Beautiful Loser

Early folk art carving of a strange faced boy. An antecedent to the contemporary work of Margaret Killgallen, Barry McGee and Chris Johanson.

Available at Anonymous Works.