PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Freeman’s November 12 auction of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts will feature, by direct descent in the Pinckney family, an important Portrait of Major General Thomas Pinckney (1750-1828) of Charleston, South Carolina, circa 1820, by the artist/ inventor Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1828) (Lot 99; $60,000-100,000). A lawyer, planter, military leader and politician, Pinckney served in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. He was a Governor of South Carolina, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and served as Minister to Britain, and special envoy to Spain-negotiating the important Treaty of San Lorenzo. Pinckney is shown in uniform wearing the insignia of the Society of the Cincinnati of which he was a founding member and 4th President General.
SALE HIGHLIGHTS
Also coming to auction by direct descent in the Franklin family is a Benjamin Franklin owned chart of the Gulf Stream, Remarques Sur la Navigation de Terre-Neuve à New-York afin d'éviter les Courrants et les bas-fonds au Sud de Nantucket et du Banc de George, circa 1783. (Lot 4; $20,000-30,000). Benjamin Franklin (1705-1790) and his cousin Timothy Folger produced the first chart of the Gulf Stream, published in London in 1768. Franklin had this chart translated into French and printed in Paris by George-Louis Le Rouge. This is almost certainly one of a group of Le Rouge's Chart of the Gulf Stream brought to Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin upon completion of his role as minister plenipotentiary to France in 1785.
Another highlight is a hand-colored, engraved folding Map of the United States with the contiguous British and Spanish Possessions Compiled by the latest and best authorities, Philadelphia, by John Melish, 1816 (Lot 83; $15,000-25,000). Melish (Scottish/ American 1771-1822) is considered the first accurate American map maker. The map was one of the first attempts to represent the territory beyond the Mississippi river, and to depict the country from coast to coast. It is one of only 100 of the 5th state or version.
Folk carvings include a carved and painted Carousel Giraffe by Carl Adolph Schneider (Germany) first documented to have been used in the 4-abreast carousel at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis in 1893 (Lot 256; $10,000-15,000) and a carved and painted Carousel Jumper attributed to the workshop of Charles W. Parker (1864-1932) (Lot 253; $3,000-5,000), and dating from 1902-1906. Other large carved items in the November 12 offerings are tobacconist figures and barber poles.
“For collectors, this sale offers portraits and maps of historic significance, groups of small decorative objects, and exceptional examples of regional furniture forms. With more than 330 lots spanning collecting areas like William & Mary, Spanish Colonial, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Federal, Classical, Aesthetic, and Native American, there is something for everyone.” —LYNDA CAIN, Vice President and Head of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts
NOTEWORTHY COLLECTORS & COLLECTIONS
Several important collectors are represented in the sale. The first, Dr. Luther W. Brady (1925-2018) of Philadelphia, a renowned radiation oncologist, professor, and supporter of the visual and musical arts, was an avid collector of Historical Blue Staffordshire. A selection of plates, platters, bowls, covered tureen and stand decorated with various Philadelphia views, and the rare ‘Arms of Pennsylvania’ platter, (Lot 157; $15,000-25,000 ) are included in the auction.
A second collector, Hans U. Jahn (1935-2019) of Charlottesville, Virginia, had interests ranging from early lighting, silver, brass and lacquered tobacco and snuff boxes, glass ware, basketry, transfer-decorated Staffordshire with American views, early copper and iron ware, carved American folk canes and Scrimshaw to South and Central American silver. His collection is represented throughout the auction with estimates ranging from $800-1,200 to $4,000-6,000
The third collector, Clement Hungerford Pollen, (English, 1869-1934) an English gentleman, spent many years in the American and Canadian West. Pollen collected bead and quillwork garments and accessories made by the Ktunaxa Nation, and documented his work and travel with photographs, memoirs and correspondence. By descent in the Pollen family this collection will be offered as a single lot. (Lot 333; $30,000-50,000)
