 |
|
 |
 |
Signed
"Saville" and dated 1890, these were the only clues on this
fantastically detailed oil on canvas painting. It was purchased in
Montana at an estate auction and the buyer had no idea where the scene
was located. After some research though the Colorado Historical
Society and various train collectors, Antiquerz determined that this was
painted at a place named "Castle Gate" in Carbon County, Utah. See the
following photo for a comparison! Although the artist was not
listed the painting was sold for $2600.00 on eBay.
|
|
(Marilyn Blaisdell)
|
Although
the
first Cliff House in San Francisco was a modest structure built in 1863, the guest
register bore the names of U.S. Presidents as well as prominent San
Francisco families who would drive their carriages out to the ocean for
recreation. This first structure was destroyed by
fire in 1894. Antiquerz was able to link a signed (unlisted
artist) 1890s oil painting to the above scene captured by photography. Once
identified it was commissioned to a large auction house back east to
bring considerable profit.
|
|
|
|
| Few
searches have been as exciting as this one, nor are the clues usually so
visible. One of two small drawings was signed and dated on
the back: "From the Diary of Colin M. Ingersoll, 1847-8."
After a brief search, it was determined that the artist, Colin M. Ingersoll, was born in
1819. He was a clerk of the State senate in 1843; secretary of the
legation at St. Petersburg, by appointment of President Polk, in 1847
and 1848 and was Acting Chargé d’Affaires in 1848; elected as a
Democrat to the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses (March 4,
1851-March 3, 1855); resumed the practice of law; adjutant general of
Connecticut 1867-1871; died in New Haven, Conn., September 13, 1903.
Colin married Julia Pratt, daughter of another highly visible political
figure (Zadock Pratt of New York) in 1853 (one of the drawings is
addressed to Miss Julia Pratt). If you are interested in more
information about these drawings, contact
Antiquerz. |
(return to Services)
|
