Hindman – The Donald F. Moylan, M.D. Collection of American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts, Part I
November 3
Cincinnati
Ben Fisher, 312.447.3270 benfisher@hindmanauctions.com
www.hindmanauctions.com

CINCINNATI — Hindman Auctions will offer nearly 350 lots from the 50-year Americana Collection of Donald F. Moylan MD on November 3 at its Cincinnati saleroom. The contents of the auction are wide-ranging, and include outstanding examples of formal and painted furniture, folk art carvings, paintings, needle work and an especially strong representation of American folk portraiture. This will be the first of two sales devoted to the Moylan collection with a second auction planned for the first quarter of 2024.

“We’re delighted to bring Don’s collection to market,” said Ben Fisher, Hindman’s vice president of American furniture, folk and decorative art. “It’s a testament to the passion, curiosity and keen eye of a committed collector.”

Moylan, of Birmingham, Mich., began collecting seriously around 1971 when he married his wife Holly. “Holly’s best friend’s dad was a senior vice president at Chrysler and had a house full of antiques. Holly became interested, and then she gave me the bug,” Moylan recalled. Soon they were regulars at various Michigan venues such as Margaret Brusher’s famed Saline market, the Liggett show in Grosse Point and the Greenfield Village show. Not long after they began planning vacations east to hit the show circuit in New England, Philadelphia and New York. Their trips east brought them into contact with legendary dealers like John Walton, Marguerite Riordan, Nathan Liverant and a host of others. For about 10 years Moylan was a partner with Michigan dealer Bob Ketelhut and ventured onto the show circuit himself.

Folk paintings captured Moylan’s imagination early on, and the auction is filled with great portraits and vernacular paintings of all types. “I was drawn to these people and the artists who painted them. I was especially fascinated by the subjects’ faces, their dress, their often poorly painted or out of perspective hands. They just spoke to me,” Moylan said. Notable is a pair of portraits of New York Sheriff Thomas Crook and his wife Hannah ($3/5,000), boldly signed on the verso of the canvas “Painted by Mrs. R (uth). W(hittier). Shute July 9, 1834.” Additionally, there are three portraits by Ohio artist Jasper Miles (1782-1849), works by Erastus Salisbury Fields (1805-1900), John Brewster (1766-1854), John Blunt (1798-1835), Zedekiah Belknap (1781-1858), several portraits from Prior-Hamblen school artists and a host of other pictures by unidentified artists.

Many objects in the collection are accompanied by great stories. A William and Mary red-stained mule chest ($3/5,000) is a perfect example. Moylan recalls visiting John Walton, the legendary Connecticut dealer and seeing the chest in the foyer. Walton, who was ill and upstairs in bed, called down to his wife Mary, “Tell Moylan to buy that chest, and if he doesn’t, to never come here again!” Naturally, Moylan bought the chest.

Over the years, the collection became Moylan’s consuming passion. He visited large and small shows throughout the Midwest and the East, buying what he liked, but collected with discrimination. One day a close friend, Jim Rutkowski, was visiting and surveying Moylan’s collection of refinished furniture, asked “Are you happy with your collection?” Moylan confessed, “No, not really,” and was given advice he followed for the rest of his collecting career: “Buy things with great surface, great patina and learn to trust your judgement.” This was later reiterated by John Walton but not as gently: “Moylan, you’re the dumbest person in the world. Buy only condition, condition, condition.”

Moylan traveled widely but out of the way country auctions in Michigan were a favorite haunt.

“Michigan — especially the southern half, proved to be a bonanza for great finds,” said Moylan. About 60 percent of the collection was found in the Wolverine state, though Don is quick to point out he purchased objects from 34 states and four countries.

One great find, and maybe Don’s favorite object in the auction is a vernacular weathervane whose directionals consists of two quintessential Midwestern objects — an apple shovel and a hayfork mounted on a turned newel post ($6/8,000).

“To me, this is not only a great piece of vernacular art, but also an object that speaks volumes about the Midwest — hard work, modesty and pride of circumstance. The folks who made this obviously couldn’t afford a pricey copper vane, but nonetheless wanted something they could mount on their barn to make a statement.” Originally found in a barn in Stanton, Mich., the piece passed through the hands of dealers Doug Wyant, Don Walter and David Good before finding its way to a place of pride in Moylan’s home.

Another great Michigan find is a rare, sulfur inlaid and ink-decorated money box of Masonic interest ($1,5/2,500). A tour-de-force of the use of sulfur with pen and ink detailing, another box by the same hand is curated at the National Heritage/Scottish Rite Museum. The box curated at the institution bears a date of 1861, suggesting the Moylan box was made around the same time.

The Moylan collection also includes an outstanding selection of formal and vernacular furniture. A strong group of painted blanket chests include a rare Pennsylvania example tied to a group made at “The Forks” in Centre County ($3/5,000), a fine Soap Hollow chest ($8/12,000), and an outstanding sponge decorated five-drawer blanket chest in vibrant blue paint ($4/6,000). A pair of vibrant painted African American chests are of note, including one signed by its owner.

The natural question after nearly 50 years of collecting is “why sell now?” Moylan’s response: “I have four grown children and seven wonderful grandchildren. I want to enjoy them now like I enjoyed building my business and my collection. Our family has owned an island in the Caribbean for many years, and it’s time to escape the Michigan winters and hang out in the sunshine!” Any regrets? Things you should have bought but didn’t? “You know, I only regret that it took me so long to figure out to develop my taste and that there were times I should have stretched. But I finally learned, and hope that others will now enjoy taking care of the great things I was able to collect!”

Bidding for the November 3 auction will begin at 10 am ET and will be available live at Hindman’s Cincinnati saleroom, via absentee bid and telephone, and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room.

Hindman’s Cincinnati salesroom is at 5030 Oaklawn Drive. For information, 513-871-1670 or www.hindmanauctions.com.