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Sale 73
Lot 36
[Nixon, Richard M.] Presidential and U.S. Flag From the Nixon Oval Office, Both flags are 81 inches wide by 66 inches high. They hung in the Oval Office during President Nixon's administration. They were given by President Nixon to Jack Kennaley, who worked for Pepsi-Cola and handled the Pepsi contract for the White House during the administrations of nine Presidents: Franklin D. Roosevelt through Ronald Reagan. Kennaley was given many items by occupants of the White House. An 8 x 10 inch color photo of the flags hanging in the Oval Office accompanies the flags.
In addition to the U.S. flag, the flag of the President of the United States is exhibited in the Oval Office. It consists of the presidential coat of arms on a dark blue background and is often displayed by the President in official photos, flown next to the coffin of the President in official funeral processions, and flown on the President's motorcade.
The flags are housed in fiberglass frames. They are not on site but are located in a western state. The buyer is responsible for arranging pick up and delivery. This may be a unique opportunity to obtain such historic mementos from the Oval Office.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 20,000
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Lot 71
[Washington, George] "George Washington at the Battle of Trenton," c. 1800, After John Trumbull, Oil on paneled and cradled board, 25½ x 35 in., attributed to Adolph Ulrick Wertmuller. In gold-gilt frame, 34 x 45 in. This is a copy of the celebrated portrait of Washington by John Trumbull, commissioned by the city of Charleston, South Carolina in 1792. Washington is portrayed heroically as the Commander-in-Chief of American revolutionary forces; in fact, the citizens of Charleston thought the general was portrayed too heroically and refused to pay for the painting. Trumbull kept it until 1806 when members of the Society of the Cincinnati in Connecticut gave $500 to Yale University to purchase it.
It is believed that this painting was acquired in Sweden by Ira Nelson Morris (1875-1942) while serving as minister plenipotentiary to Sweden during the presidency of Woodrow Wilson. Wertmuller (1751-1811) was born in Stockholm, Sweden. He studied in Stockholm, Rome, and Paris and was elected as a member of the Royal Academies of Sculpture and Painting in Paris and Stockholm. As the first court painter to King Gustaff III of Sweden, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Marie Antoinette (now in the Nationalmuseum at Stockholm). In 1787 he painted "Danaê and the Shower of Gold," his most famous picture. He came to Philadelphia in May 1794 and Washington is said to have given him a single sitting for the portrait which was engraved by H.B. Hall for Irving's Life of Washington. Wertmuller returned to Stockholm in 1796 to settle personal and financial affairs and stayed until 1800, when he moved back to America and married Betsey Henderson, granddaughter of the Swedish painter Gustavus Hesselius (1682-1755). Wertmuller became an American citizen in 1802 and enjoyed life as a farmer on a farm along the Delaware River at Naamann's Creek, 20 miles south of Philadelphia. Ira Nelson Morris; Parke-Bernet Galleries Inc., New York, Jan. 12, 1963, lot 156; Sotheby's New York, June 19, 1981, lot 22; Christie's, June 16, 1999, lot 180, cost was $52,900 + $8,000 for frame.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000
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Lot 73
[Washington, George] "The Lansdowne Portrait," c. 1830, After Gilbert Stuart, by Sanford Mason, oil on canvas, 30 x 48 in.; in custom-made, period, gold-leaf frame 43 x 49 in. Signed by the artist. The full-length portrait shows Washington dressed soberly in a black velvet suit, his right hand outstretched. At his left side is a dress sword, signifying a democratic form of government. There are numerous symbols in the portrait, from the background with the Doric columns, the storm clouds at left ceding to a rainbow at right, to the books representing Washington's leadership, to the silver inkwell with Washington's coat of arms, and the table leg shaped like the Roman fasces, a Roman symbol of power and authority. Stuart noted that Washington's clenched-teeth expression came from a set of false teeth which he had recently inserted.
The original Lansdowne portrait by Gilbert Stuart was commissioned in April 1796 by wealthy Pennsylvania senator William Bingham and was given as a gift of appreciation to British Prime Minister William Petty FitzMaurice, the second Earl of Shelburne and first Marquess of Lansdowne, who supported American independence. It now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, which purchased it for $10 million.
Sanford Mason (1798-1862?) was born in Rhode Island. He began as a sign painter, then turned to portrait work around 1824. He opened a studio in Boston about 1826 and exhibited at the Athenaeum in 1827-28, then returned to Providence. He spent most of the 1830s in Boston and Lowell, Mass, and from 1842-47 was in Philadelphia, after which time he went back and forth between Boston and Philadelphia. His son was the artist William Sanford Mason (1824-64). Ex Claude Harkins Collection. Purchased from a private collector during the late 1990s for $80,000, plus $5,000 for frame.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000
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Lot 79
[Washington, George] "Washington Crossing the Delaware," c. 1874, After Emanuel Leutze, Oil on canvas, 39 x 27 in.; in gold-leaf frame 48 x 35 in. Signed "W 1874", this painting is attributed to Thomas Worthington Whittridge for the Philadelphia Centennial in 1876. Whittredge (1820-1910) was a student of Emanuel Leutze's at the Düsseldorf Academy in Germany while Leutze was painting "Washington Crossing The Delaware," finished in 1850 and now hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In fact, Whittredge was one of the art students Leutze used as a model for figures in the painting; he supposedly served as the model for George Washington and also for a steersman. The painting depicts Washington standing stalwartly in the prow of a boat, leading his ragtag Continental Army troops across the icy Delaware in a surprise attack on Hessian troops quartered at New Jersey. The defeat of Johann Rall's Hessians was a psychological turning point in the Revolutionary War:
As a young man in Cincinnati, Ohio, Whittridge painted landscapes and portraits. After studying in Europe for ten years (1849-1859), he returned to America and became a prominent member of the Hudson River School of landscape painters, becoming friends with other artists of that group, including Albert Bierstadt and Sanford Robinson Gifford. Whittredge was president of the National Academy of Design from 1874 to 1875 and was a member of the selection committees for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and the 1878 Paris Exposition. Whittredge's paintings hang in major museums, as well as the White House. Purchased at Christie's, New York, Jan. 10, 1998, lot 1485, for $40,250. Mr. Harkins spent an additional $7,000 for conservation and framing.
Estimated Value $35,000 - 45,000
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Lot 82
[Centennial Flag] 13 Star Flag in Very Rare 5-3-5 Star Pattern, 1876 Centennial flag with 13 stars in 5-3-5 pattern and 13 stripes. Wool bunting, machine sewn, 53 x 34 in. Framed to 58½ x 41¼ in. The two painted-over stars are a mystery. Perhaps the family who owned it lost two sons to war.
Dr. S.R. Goody, fabric expert, examined this flag in July 2008. A copy of her report is available to interested parties.
Purchased from Monroe Post No. 87 American Legion, Ohio. The flag descended through seven generations of the Coulson family from Philadelphia. Thomas Coulson was a weaver in Philadelphia in 1876 and probably made this flag. Ex Claude Harkins Collection.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000
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Lot 94
Archive of Col. M.T. Donohoe Tiffany Presentation Sword, This Tiffany sword belonged to Union Brevet Brigadier General Michael T. Donohoe. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Donohoe (1838- 1895) was commissioned Captain to "C" Co. New Hampshire 3rd Infantry in August 1861, and was promoted to Colonel of the 10th New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment ("Irish Regiment") in August 1862. He was severely wounded at Ft. Harrison, Virginia on September 29, 1864 and was brevetted Brigadier General, Volunteers, March 13, 1865 "for gallant service in the field." Along with the sword, in its original wooden case, this archive contains Donohoe's silver and leather flask, six Civil War date letters and documents, a photograph of Donohoe in uniform, his certificate of membership in the Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by U.S. Grant, and a printed shield with Donohoe's service record.
1) Tiffany & Co. sword is 38¾ inches, with a slightly curved single-edged blade, which is 31 inches. Engraved "Collins and Co., Hartford Conn." just above the blade on one side and "Palmers & Bachelders Boston" on the other. Silver spiral grip and quillon terminating in an eagle. The scabbard is silver with gilt braiding. "Tiffany & Co." banner is just below the lip; below, inscribed on gold overlay is "To Col. M.T. Donohoe By Morritz"; on the other side is an eagle bearing a shield. Overlay has recurring floral designs. Both sides have "US" at the bottom; there is also a shield on one side and a fancier "US" design on the other. Some tarnishing to silver. The sword is housed in its original wooden box.
2) Group of six letters: a) a 6-page detailed report from Col. Donohoe, Hdqtrs 10th Regt., Fort Connecticut, near Suffolk VA, 2 May 1863, on the operations of the 10th New Hampshire "since the first day of April while the enemy has been threatening Suffolk"; lots of detail.; b) letter to Donohoe from Edward M. Cullen (letter is secretarial), Col. 96th NYV, quoting an extract from Cullen's official report on the assault of Fort Harrison, crediting much of their success to Donohoe's gallant action in advancing the skirmish line "from Aikins Landing to the fort"; c) letter to Donohoe from the NH Adjutant General's Office, 18 Oct. 1864 about Donohoe's request for a 30-day furlough after being shot in the thigh at Ft. Harrison: "I was very sorry to hear that you had been 'clipped' as you term it, but then you still live and you are well aware that they are honorable scars…." d) letter to Donohoe, who was recovering from his wound, from Albert Sanborn, Chafins Farm, 10 Nov. 1864, about losses suffered by the 10th ("We 'went in' to 'win or lose' and we lost"), reporting the the 96th and 92nd NY Vols lost their colors, and with details on casualties; e) copy of a letter from Bvt. Maj. Gen. George J. Stannard, 11 Mar. 1865, highly recommending Donohoe for promotion due to his actions at Fort Harrison, with a glowing endorsement by Maj. Gen. Edward Ord; and f) a document signed by Secretary of War E.M. Stanton, War Department, Washington, 5 June 1865, advising Donohoe that the President has appointed him "for gallant conduct in the field, a Brigadier General of Volunteers, by Brevet…." All but one (the first) of these letters and documents were laminated years ago to preserve them.
3) Leather and silver flask engraved "Fort Harrison. / Va / Sept. 29th1864" on one side and "A Token of Gratitude" on the other.
4) Decorative certificate of membership in The Society of the Army of the Potomac, signed by U.S. Grant as president of the society and by Horatio C. King as secretary, 24½ x 19 in. In original 28¼ x 23 in. frame.
5) 7 x 9 in. (sight) framed photograph of Donohoe as an older man in uniform holding his Tiffany sword by his side; in 11 x 13 in. frame.
6) 15 x 22 in. vividly-colored print in the shape of a shield with Donohoe's service record with the 3rd and 10th New Hampshire Volunteers, in original 26½ x 33½ in. frame: "Capt. Co C. 3rd NH Vols Aug. 14, 1861; promoted Col. 10th NHV July 8, 1862, Fredericksburg; In command 3rd Brig. 3d Div. 9th A.C. during Siege of Suffolk and affair at Hill's Point; On detached service Eastern VA; In charge of recruiting rendezvous Concord, N.H.; Operations of the Army of the James from Deep Bottom to Capture of Virginia; In command of skirmish line at Ft. Harrison, Sept. 29, 1864, horse shot in the morning, wounded in the thigh in the afternoon; Bvt. Brig. Gen. USV for gallant conduct at Ft. Harrison; Entry into Richmond; Mustered out June 26, 1865." Passed down through the Donohoe family; the present owner obtained it from a descendant. A discovery piece, it has never been at auction.
Estimated Value $15,000 - 25,000
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Lot 149
Pisarro, Camille (1830-1903) Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter; the only artist to exhibit at all eight Paris Impressionist exhibitions, from 1874 to 1886. Autograph letter signed ("C. Pissarro"), 1 page, in French, 4½ x 7 in., Eragny-Barincourt, 4 May 1898. To another founder of Impressionism, fellow artist Claude Monet:
"My dear Monet - I learned from Durand that you're planning on having an exhibition this month at George Petit's gallery; it would be very nice of you to let me know the opening date, since I'll have to leave here at a moment's notice, I would be very sorry to miss this opportunity to go and see your works.
My exhibition will take place around the middle of June at Durand's gallery.
I hope, my dear friend, that you will have good reason to be satisfied with your work and that you will show us works worthy of your Cathedrals.
Friendly regards to Madame Monet. Your old comrade C. Pissarro." In a postscript, he writes, "And how are Jean and his wife? Give me his address in Rouen."
Eighteen of the pictures from Monet's series "Morning on the Seine" (begun in 1896 and completed in 1897) were shown at the Galerie Georges Petit in 1898. It is to this exhibition--certainly worthy of Monet's Cathedrals-- that Pissarro refers.
Art dealer Paul Durand-Rue (1831-1922) was the most important art dealer of French Impressionism. He provided both moral and financial support for the artists, purchasing and promoting their pictures.
Estimated Value $10,000 - 15,000
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Lot 216
Mercury Program, 1961, USN Mk IV, Mod 3, Type 1 Pressure Suit and Helmet., This green USN Mk IV high altitude, full pressure suit was made by B. F. Goodrich. It includes the helmet, full neck ring and a pressure gauge on the thigh. A gold USN patch on the chest and right shoulder plus a US Navy patch (blue) on the left shoulder. The integrated cloth shoes are included (the gloves are omitted). Some zipper and rubber faults as would be expected, but the suit is in overall very good condition.
By the early 1960s, the US Navy had progressed through a series of developmental models of the full pressure suit that would ultimately take final form in the Mark IV, Model 3, Type 1, a production suit which US Navy aircrew wore on high altitude flights during its cold weather operations.
Regardless of the success of the A/P22S-2 suit and its modifications in Air Force use, it remained to the US Navy's cooperative program with the B. F. Goodrich Company and pioneer suit designer Russell Colley to solve some important problems concerning mobility and full pressurization. One of the most important developments was an aneroid suit controller that maintained suit internal pressurization at precisely 0.24 bar. The Mark series of US Navy full pressure suits which followed culminated in three models of the final Mark IV suit, which went into production in 1958 as standard high altitude issue for US Navy squadrons. The Mark IV, Model 3, Type 1 suit featured various enhancements in fit and ease of donning, as well as substantially improved pressurization control. It would go on to be selected as the basic foundation of NASA's early earth-orbital suit (the original Mercury prototype suits were specially reworked Mark IV suits).
Included with the suit is its matching gold helmet, complete with clear and sun visors, US Navy decal and earphones (H-143/AIC, ROANWELL CORP). There is a soft circular pad at the top inside the helmet that reads 2528, AG8475-521-6082-LF50, Mk4-mod I-TYPE 1. The label on the back of the helmet reads B.F. Goodrich, USN. On the left is a decal that reads RESCUE 1. PUSH BUTTON AFT, 2. LIFT VISOR. The helmet appears to be in excellent condition.
This is a unique opportunity for the astute collector to acquire one of the iconic early space suits. (A similar USN Mk IV, Mod2, Type 1 suite sold for $7,200 in sale 52.).
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000
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Lot 390
*/(*)
1861-63, 1¢-90¢, 8 different, o.g. (63, 76, 68, 78, 71) or without gum (others). All are fresh. 68 and 71 creased. Otherwise Fine to Very Fine.
Scott 63, 65, 76, 68, 69, 78, 71, 72; Catalog Value $10,215.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000
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Lot 453
Bass Guitar Signed by Paul McCartney, Hofner Icon-B left-handed bass guitar signed by PAUL MCCARTNEY across the center of the pickguard with a silver marker. The signature was obtained on February 8, 2006, outside of Ago Restaurant in Los Angeles. Extremely rare and desirable. Accompanied by a COA from Frank Caiazzo.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000
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Lot 575
Lady's Diamond, 18K White Gold Ring, Centering one marquise cut diamond, weighing 1.03 carats, prong set in an 18k white gold mounting deocorated by 16 invisible set princess cut diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 1.50 carats, gross weight 9.90 grams.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500
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Lot 624
Complete Psittacosaurus Dinosaur, Psittacosaurus is a very important dinosaur that lived between 120-130 million years ago in Liaoning Province, Central Asia. Psittacosaurus is important as being the oldest ancestor of the famous horned dinosaurs such as Triceratops. Psittacosaurus did not have horns but did possess a horned beak and bony Jugals (back of the upper jaw) which are characteristic of only ceroptopsian (horned) dinosaurs. Psittacosaurus is the most studied of all dinosaurs because it is known from all stages from hatchling to adult. With eggs about 3 inches long, the hatchlings were about 6 inches long. Even though Psittacosaur nests contained no more than 24 eggs, an adult Psittacosaur over 4 feet long was found fossilized with more than 65 juvenile Psittacosaurs none larger than 19 inches long suggesting that baby Psittacosaurs were kept in their nesting area as they grew from 6 inches to as much as 19 inches in length and were protected and probably fed by adult Psittacosaurs. This 11 inch long baby Psittacosaur is the smallest mounted dinosaur ever offered at auction and consists of at least 85% real bone, missing only the small delicate neural spines along the back and tail and the rib bones which were reconstructed. The great preservation of the small delicate bones occurred because this dinosaur was instantly buried under volcanic ash over 120 million years ago, a sort of dinosaurean Pompei. The all important 3-D skull is 1.5 inches long with no distortion and all of the matrix completely removed from inside the skull and with some real teeth on both the upper and lower jaws. This small complete dinosaur has been repositioned in a natural looking display of the bones atop a 15 x 9 inch faux rock and would make an excellent desk or even wall display.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,000
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