View of Harper’s Ferry, VA from High Street, Aug. 1862

Signed on front, “Coffin” and titled; also signed in full on reverse as “F.M.Coffin del., QMS 111th N Y S Vols…View from High Street.Aug- 62”. Mounted on card, 2 3/8 x 5 inches, a few glue stains, but overall in fine condition. Coffin worked in the 1850’s for Harper’s Weekly and also illustrated numerous books.

$1,200

Watercolor on paper, image size 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches on larger sheet; signed "F.T." below right lapel. Thompson painted in California for many years and died in Santa Barbara. This fine painting was accomplished about 1875.

POR

Miniature watercolor on ivory; 3 3/8 x 2 7/16 inches. Signed diagonally, "M.Emmet", right center. Early 19th century; excellent condition.

Included is an engraving identical to the miniature with the following legend below the portrait: "Engraved by E.Wellmore from a Painting by J.B.Longacre after an Original Miniature in the possession of John S.Fleming of Virginia". Some foxing on the engraving.

An extraordinarily fine example of what appears to be the lost miniature of Patrick Henry, an extremely rare subject in any form. According to the legend on the print, James Barton Longacre (1794-1869) created a painting after this very miniature.

Patrick Henry, one of the firebrands of the American Revolution, urged military preparedness. He is best known for his speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses in Saint John's Church, March 23, 1777 in which he uttered the immortal words, "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Sold

Miniature watercolor on ivory; 3 3/4 x 2 1/2 inches. Signed CL, "H.Strong".Also on verso, "Andrew Jackson, Prest. U.S.A., Hero of New Orleans, painted on ivory by H.Strong". Antique frame.

Note: A mid-19th century artist from Illinois, Howard Strong is best known for his portraiture. His portrait of Andrew Jackson is based on the work by James Barton Longacre, dated 1829. Longacre's portrait of Jackson first appeared in his The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans (1834-1839), which he worked on with fellow artist James Herring, and which is Longacre's most well known work. The original watercolor of Andrew Jackson is now in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. Other notable contributions of Longacre can be found in his portrait engravings in Sanderson's Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence (1820). Reference: Barber, James G. Andrew Jackson: A Portrait Study. Pp. 106-109.

$12,500

MINIATURE OF BOY WITH ENGLISH SETTER
Continental School (England, 1805 - 1810)

Miniature watercolor on ivory, approximately 5 x 4 inches. In later hallmarked solid silver frame with loop and chain. Picture of boy in blue coat, ruffled collar, and gold pants with his dog. Circa 1810; not examined out of frame.

$2,800

Miniature on ivory; 2 3/4 x 2 inches; original brass frame with ribbon at top

$350

Pair of oval watercolor miniatures on ivory, each 3½ x 2 inches, original fancy gold frames and leather cases. Although the paintings are french, the sitters are American- John Robert Wheaton (1770-1835) and his wife, Elizabeth Murray Wheaton (1763-1833).

Accompanied by a privately printed book, Four Miniatures, printed in Chicago, 1901 by a descendant of the sitters. Subtitled "Some Account of four Miniatures Owned by Amelia Bowden Guion, of Seneca Falls, N.Y..."

The two miniatures and the sitters are described as follows in the text which also explains why they were accomplished in Paris; first that of Elizabeth Wheaton, then of her husband Robert:

"This is a finely executed miniature on ivory encased in a heavy antique medallion frame of polished red gold....Elizabeth was born in Wells, Eng., April 17th, 1763. She was married in Alexandria, VA, from the house of her brother, John B.Murray at Christ Church, Nov.20th, 1793...This miniature, painted during her residence in Paris, is an oval, measuring 6 x 7.25 centimetres. Her portrait is full faced; her complexion is fair; she has brown eyes; her hair is also brown, curled, worn low on the forehead, and dressed high-as was the custon of the period- with tall head-dress of white ribbon; necklace and earrings of coral; white dress with high neck, open at the throat; long tight sleeves. The glass in front of the miniature is encircled by a narrow band of gold, and the back has a broad band of the same smooth red gold surrounding a braid of hair in three shades. The band is engraved with date of marriage, birth of two eldest daughters, and date of the painting (Paris, Aug.16, 1797)"

"Oval miniature on ivory of John Robert Wheaton, third son of Robert and Hannah Wheaton of Providence, Rhode Island...John Robert was born in 1770. He was married to Elizabeth Murray, Nov.20th, 1793...This portrait, like that of his wife was painted in Paris in 1797, and is similar in size and shape. His complexion is ruddy; his hair is dark brown; short on top of head, long at back; perhaps worn in a queue; smooth face; dark blue eyes. His cravat is in four folds and is tied in a small bow; no collar; white vest; blue coat with broad black collar and gilt buttons. The glass over face is surrounded by a narrow band of smooth red gold. The back has a broad band of shaded dark blue enamel [one crack in enamel only], bordered on both edges with narrow bands of plain gold. The center of the medallion back is filled with a braid of hair in four shades of brown, with a large floriated W in gold in the center". A copy of the small book describing these and two other miniatures (not present) will be provided to the purchaser of these fine miniatures.

$6,500