- SOUTH CAROLINA DOCUMENTSapproximately
SOUTH CAROLINA DOCUMENTSapproximately 30 pieces, late 18th to late 19th century, numerous land deeds, many for Spartanburg and surrounding counties; hand drawn maps, one showing Cyprus Pond, thought to be near Orangeburg; notary appointment from 1894 signed by Governor Benjamin Tillman; reprint of The Carolina Spartan: Special Edition from April 30, 1865 telling of Stoneman's Raid; personal writings, marked "Novels and Romances"; various receipts and bills; bank letter with postally cancelled cover for Bank of Anderson, largest 14 x 17 in.
Provenance: Private Collection
Condition:
considerable wear, foxing, stains (red dye in places), folds, tears, paper losses, separations
- GROUP OF 13 FURNITURE REFERENCE BOOKSSouthern
GROUP OF 13 FURNITURE REFERENCE BOOKSSouthern Furniture, 1680-1803, The Colonial Williamsburg Collection by Ronald Hurst and Jonathan Prown, Williamsburg: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in association with Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1998; American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection by J. Michael Flanigan, Washington: National Gallery of Art distributed by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1986, personalized and signed by Linda Kaufman; John and Thomas Seymour: Cabinetmakers in Boston, 1794-1816 by Vernon Stoneman, Boston: Special Publications, 1959; A Supplement to John and Thomas Seymour: Cabinetmakers in Boston, 1794-1816 by Vernon Stoneman, Boston: Special Publications, 1965; The Furniture of Charleston, 1680-1820 by Bradford Rauschenberg and John Bivins, Jr., Winston Salem: Old Salem, Inc. (MESDA), 2003, three volume set with slipcover; other various titles
Condition:
most with light rub from normal usage, occasional fraying, foxing, or other incidental wear; Seymour titles by Stoneman with slightly loose bindings
- AN EXCEPTIONAL BOSTON FEDERAL FIGURED
AN EXCEPTIONAL BOSTON FEDERAL FIGURED SATINWOOD AND MAH...Boston, attributed to the shop of Thomas Seymour 1800-1810, the oval top edged with barber pole inlay and the flat oval surface with alternating
mahogany and satinwood rays, all centering an inlaid crotch satinwood oval; this above the baluster and urn shaped standard supported by the
tripod base of arched spider legs ending in spade feet, 29-1/2 x 16-1/8 x 24-1/8 in.
Notes: Many candle stands survive from Federal Boston, but arguably only two nearly identical examples rival the quality of this example. One
is in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston collection (see Randall, American Furniture in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston , pages 142-143 no. 108), and one in Stoneman’s John and Thomas Seymour , no. 202. The candle stand is also related to the great demilune commode by Seymour, also in the collections of the Museum in Fine Arts Boston.
Condition:
accompanied by a condition report from Robert Mussey associates, 2006. The report indicates that “overall, the stand is in superb condition with only minor repairs and very minor veneer and stringing problems.” See detailed report. There is some slight lifting to the veneer on the top. The stand is richly colored and presents beautifully.
- A RARE AND IMPORTANT BOSTON FEDERAL
A RARE AND IMPORTANT BOSTON FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY PED...circa 1800, one of only three known, and the only example in private hands, attributed to the shop of John and Thomas Seymour, the three section desk in highly figured mahogany, the pedimented top section with hinged fall front surrounded by an inlaid plinth and urn finial, the tambours finely inlaid with bellflower chains and opening to reveal a blue green fitted interior, fitted with its original baize lined writing surface, the case sides with original brass carrying handles, the lower section with hinged lid with inlaid edge opening to the original blue baize lined writing surface, over three graduated doors each fitted with exceptionally rare original cobalt blue enameled pulls, on inlaid legs with pierced and carved knee returns, 66 x 37-1/2 x 27-1/2 in.
Exhibited: Concord Antiquarian Society; The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 1958-1984
Literature: illustrated in Vernon Stoneman, John and Thomas Seymour Cabinet Makers in Boston 1974-1816 , pages 88 and 89.
Note: Only two other examples of this remarkable pedimented tambour desk form are known to survive from Federal America, and to our knowledge this is the only example still in private hands. The first is in the collections of The White House (see attached). The other example descended in the Proctor family and sold at Sotheby's in 1972 and the famous Lansdale Christie's sale, and subsequently to the collection of George and Linda Kaufman. (See Flanigan, American Furniture from the Kaufman Collection , plate 84). Examples without the pediment include a labeled Seymour example at the Winterthur Museum (frontis of Mongomery’s book on Federal Furniture at Winterthur, scan attached). The example offered here is distinguished by its dramatic and rare cobalt blue enameled drawer pulls, which are original to the desk. Extensive research including microscopic finish analysis executed by Susan Buck subsequent to the sale have clarified that the pediment is also from the Seymour shop. Copies of the examination report and the finish analysis results accompany the desk.
Condition:
accompanied by an extensive condition examination report from Robert Mussey Associates, March, 1998 (attached) as well as microscopic finish analysis by Susan Buck. The knee brackets are replacements, there is warping correction to the fall board on the pediment, finial is replaced and there have been typical scattered veneer patches and repairs and other minor repairs. Mussey notes that in keeping with other works by John and Thomas Seymour, the pediment may have been added 10 to 15 years after the desk was made. He notes that “I have examined approximately eight pieces of furniture, all originally two part secretaries made in the Seymour shop, but which have third sections added on the finished mahogany uppercase tops.... Their construction and details of veneer, inlay and construction are also clearly the product of the Seymour shop.”
- SARGENT FAMILY FEDERAL INLAID BURLWOOD
SARGENT FAMILY FEDERAL INLAID BURLWOOD AND SATINWOOD WO...Boston, attributed to John and Thomas Seymour, 1800-1810, top in finely grained burlwood veneer surrounded by Greek key banding, rich, exuberant satinwood drawer facings and case sides, dovetailed drawers with tropical exotic hardwood secondary, one side with pull out work bag, finely turned and reeded legs with brass casters, 29-3/4 x 20 x 15-3/4 in.
Literature: Robert D. Mussey Jr., The Furniture Masterworks of John and Thomas Seymour , pg. 294-295
Note: This exceptional table is arguably the best Boston Federal work table in private hands. It was discovered at the Palazzo Barbaro in Venice, having been transported there in the mid 19th century by Daniel Sargent Curtis and his wife, Ariana Randolf Wormeley Curtis, as part of the furnishings for the 60-room palazzo on the Grand Canal in Venice. Ariana was the granddaughter of Elizabeth Derby Preble, a niece of Elias Hasket Derby of Salem, thus linking this table to two of the most important families of early Boston - the Sargents and the Derbys. It is possible the table may have descended through the Derby family, as Ariana Curtis was the only surviving member of the Preble family. It is the mate to a table at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (accession no. 1990.172). The sister table is illustrated in Vernon C. Stoneman, A Supplement to John and Thomas Seymour, Cabinetmakers in Boston , 1794-1816, catalog no. 49. Robert Mussey notes in his catalog entry for this table in The Furniture Masterworks of John and Thomas Seymour that, in addition to surviving extraordinarily well, the table is “even rarer in being one of a pair, the two being different only in their hardware pull patterns. The veneers on the tables are cut from the same flitches of veneer and placed identically on the various surfaces. The numerals “N1” and “2” (on this table) are inscribed in chalk on the matching drawer bottoms, indicating the tables were made in the Seymour shop at the same time.” The table offered here and its sister table at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, rank among the finest surviving examples from Federal Boston.
Condition:
Robert Mussey notes in the catalog entry for this table in The Furniture Masterworks of John and Thomas Seymour that "the table has survived extraordinarily well, with virtually no repairs except refinishing." Mussey also notes the table retains its original bag slide mechanism intact, a rare survival; top with some minor abrasions with some possible color retouch and some areas of wax drip, minor warping and one edge crack to top, typical checking to figured veneers, brasses probably original (no plugged holes), small areas of dents and distress at lower center skirt
- RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY CABINETMAKERS
RARE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY CABINETMAKERS JOHN SEYMOUR, SR....Portland, Maine, surety bond dated March 16, 1790 and bearing signatures of cabinetmakers John Seymour and John Seymour, Jr., also signed by William Haggett, principal on the bond, 12 x 7-3/4 in., framed 20-1/4 x 15-3/4 in.
Note: This document is illustrated in A Supplement to John and Thomas Seymour by Vernon Stoneman, No. 75, page 103. According to the author, this document bears the only authentic signatures of John Seymour and John Seymour, Jr. and thus will present a means of authenticating their signatures. It also establishes them as cabinetmakers active in Portland in 1790 and prior to John Seymour's move to Boston in 1794.
Condition:
mild toning, creasing, light staining, discrete repairs at fold intersections not affecting overall eye appeal, appears laid down on paper, not removed from frame for examination
- § PATRICK HERON C.B.E. (BRITISH 1920-1999)
BRUSHWORKS
§ PATRICK HERON C.B.E. (BRITISH 1920-1999)
BRUSHWORKS NO. 8, 1998-99 11/38, numbered, stamped with Patrick Heron Estate Stamp, and signed in pencil by Katherine Heron and Susanna Heron (to reverse), etching on paper43.75cm x 58cm (17.25in x 22.75in), unframedNote: From The Brushworks Series of 11 etchings printed by Hugh Stoneman.
- (6) VOLS. NATURAL HISTORY, GARDENING,
(6) VOLS. NATURAL HISTORY, GARDENING, FINE BINDING The Annals of Horticulture and Year-Book of Information on Practical Gardening, Houlston and Stoneman, London, 1846, engravings, color frontispiece (spine incorrectly says 1945); with, The Gardens of England, 2 vols.: Midlands & Eastern Counties and Southern & Western Counties, "The Studio", London, 1908, b&w photos and color plates; and with, The Riverside Natural History, 3 vols.: Crustacea and Insects, parts 1 and 2, and Lower Vertebrates, color frontispieces, engravings throughout; largest: 12"h x 8.5"w
- GEORGE STONEMAN, 1868 CONSTABLE APPOINTMENT
GEORGE STONEMAN, 1868 CONSTABLE APPOINTMENT LETTER George Stoneman (New York, 1822-1894) signed and unframed appointment letter for the position of constable in the state of Virginia. The letter is signed by Stoneman while he was a Major General on December 2, 1868. Approx. h. 9.75", w. 7.625".
- FOUR CURRIER AND IVES CIVIL WAR BATTLE
FOUR CURRIER AND IVES CIVIL WAR BATTLE SCENE PRINTS Hand-colored lithographs, 19th century, to include "The Battle of New Bern, NC, March 14, 1862," "General Stoneman's Great Cavalry Raid, May 1863," "Battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, May 5, 1862," and "Great Battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn, Jan. 2, 1863," in uniform framing.
- (96) MILITARY AND POLITICAL CIVIL WAR
(96) MILITARY AND POLITICAL CIVIL WAR ERA CDV'S, PLUS (28) UNRELATED GEM TINTYPES The CDVs' backmarks, when present, are generally for E. Anthony, yet sometimes they credit Brady's Portrait Gallery. Many of the mounts are unmarked, yet have penciled identification of the subject. These have been verified whenever possible.
The collection is as follows:
(10) Politicians: George Washington (2), Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln and His Cabinet, Stephen A. Douglas, Hamilton Fish, James A. Garfield as a Union general, Rhode Island Governor Willian Sprague in uniform.
One (1) Brady marked CDV of New York's martyred Col. Elmer Ellsworth.
(51) Identified Union Generals as follows: Anderson, Auger, Banks, Buell, Buford, Casey, Corcoran, Couch, Curtis (Samuel), Doubleday, Dwight, Foster, French, Gilmore (inscribed), Grierson, Halleck, Heintzelman, Hooker, Hunter, Kearney, Kelly, Lander, Lyon, McDowell, McClellan, Meade, Mitchell, Morell, Newton, Palmer, Pleasanton, Pope, Reno, Rosecrans, Schenck, Segwick, Sheridan, Sherman (Thomas), Sherman (William T.), Sigel, Slocum, Smith (William), Stahl, Stevenson (Thomas), Stone, Stoneman, Sykes, Thomas (Lorenzo), Tyler, Warren, Weber, Wool.
(7) Naval Portraits: Admiral David Farragut (2); Commodores Boggs, Davis, Foote, Rogers, Stringham,
(6) Lithographed Union Commanders: Col. Baker, Benjamin Butler, Admiral Dupont, General Franklin, Col. W. R. Lee, General McCall.
(5) Confederates: Jefferson Davis; Robert E, Lee (3); General John Hunt Morgan.
(18) mostly military CDVs, some sitters named.
Plus, a specialized collection gem tintypes showing unknown civilian sitters, late 1860s - 1870s, all ages and both genders, the portraits housed in an embossed leather album. There is some duplication of images.
- MASSACHUSETTS FEDERAL THREE-PART SECRETARY
MASSACHUSETTS FEDERAL THREE-PART SECRETARY DESKImportant Massachusetts Federal mahogany three-part secretary desk, ca. 1805 , attributed to the shop of John and Thomas Seymour, this highly sophisticated desk featuring an array of satinwood panels and inlaid edges, with square tapering legs and bellflower chains, with spade feet, 81" h., 35 3/4" w. Purportedly found in Ireland after having been brought there in the early 19th c. by the Galloway family. Illustrated in Stoneman, A Supplement to John and Thomas Seymour: Cabinetmakers in Boston 1794-1816 No.15, 81" h., 35 3/4" w . Provenance: David Stockwell 1967. Provenance: A New York Collector.
Condition:
Pulls replaced. Overall very good condition with some small scattered inlay losses.