PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Maureen and John Boyd sold a large collection of artwork, rare books and antiques from the Connecticut home of descendants of J. Alden Weir. Leading the collection was a portrait by Weir of his first wife, Anna, with her dog, which sold for $25,300. Dozens of paintings and etchings by the artist were sold as were paintings and etchings by friends of the artist. Weir’s collection of Japanese woodblock prints were sold, along with boxes of reference books on the subject.

Several members of the Weir family were artists and all were represented. Weir’s father attended West Point, and his father-in-law was an important ordinance officer prior to the Civil War. As a result, the sale included numerous pieces of military ephemera including a manuscript copy of Col. John Fremont’s court-martial, a signed Lincoln discharge order, a rare 1765 book on the French and Indian War and more. The Weir family were dedicated fly-fishermen, and the auction included fly-fishing books and equipment, and an assortment of other items, including a carved Haida pipe, Oriental porcelains, and more.

A complete review on the auction will follow in an upcoming edition.