: A cache of paintings discovered in a locked and hidden closet
during building renovations were in the spotlight at the most
recent Gustave White auction of fine art on Wednesday, August 24.
Mike Corcoran, principal for the Newport, R.I.-based auction
house, related that the collection of paintings, prints and
frames had been unearthed from a closet that had been hidden
behind some shelving in the now defunct Wiseman's Art Store, a
Newport institution since 1888 that permanently closed its doors
more than 50 years ago.
The top lot of this brief sale was an unadvertised painting by
American Impressionist Abbott Fuller Graves (1859-1936). The
painting, which had a tear in the center of the canvas, depicted
a bouquet of flowers and was clearly signed by the artist, along
with a dedication to "Marian Bissell by Abbott Fuller Graves." It
opened with a left bid of $5,000, and quickly escalated to its
selling price of $9,200, hammering down to Newport art dealer
Bill Varieka, who coincidentally operates his business from the
site of the original Wiseman's.
This rather large scale oil on canvas - it measured a
substantial 24 by 36 inches - was punchy and dramatic. By
American artist Marshall Johnson (1850-1920), it sold to a
customer at the sale for $4,025.
Varieka bought several of the lots offered throughout the day
including the original carved and gilt "Wiseman's Art Store" sign
for $575. He also went home with the robust painting of an European
gentleman, in a fancy wig, and a fabulous frame, for $1,265, and
also a Belle Epoque-style oil on canvas depicting of a woman in a
fabulous period hat for $1,725.
One big disappointment for this sale was the John Lafarge
watercolor, which turned out to have a "questionable" signature.
As Mike Corcoran got ready to sell it he announced to the waiting
crowd, "The validity of the signature is in question. I said its
by John Lafarge, and I should have said it was signed John
Lafarge." Still, there was interest and two crossing left bids
caused it to sell for $4,600. After the sale was completed, Mike
Corcoran revealed that a $14,000 bid had been left for the lot.
A nicely painted small scale watercolor by H.A. Dyer sold to the
floor for $517. A small G.W. Whitaker (1841-1916) landscape with
lush green trees went for $1,150. A crisp and bright watercolor
by Reynolds Beal (1867-1951), of a circus wagon seemed like a
good deal selling for $1,265.
More goodies from Wiseman's: this really clean and untouched
oil on canvas depicting sheep in a field realized $3,450.
Two whaling prints by Benjamin Russell were sold. One opened
at $400 and sold to Massachusetts art dealer Craig Keenan for $690,
the second also went his way, selling at $460. Richard Donnelly, a
Barrington, R.I.. dealer who specializing in marine material, paid
$460 for a sperm whaling print. An unsigned set of drawings by
William Trost Richards brought $690.
A crisp oil on board depicting a Catskill landscape really took
off with it selling quickly to Newport collector Jay Wiebel. A
large and impressive canvas of sailing ships at sea by Marshall
Johnson was another lot to do well, bringing $4,600.
This was a small sale focusing entirely on fine art, and good
frames. There were some good buys to be had, with a wide range of
art presented.
For more information call Gustave White Company at
401-841-5780.
