Merrill’s Auction Gallery – Americana & Fine Arts Estate Auction
Friday, August 16, 2024
137 James Brown Drive, Williston, VT
www.merrillsauction.com

Merrill’s Auctioneers and Appraisers is pleased to offer items from the estate of Hester Fearing Black (1933-2023) of Stowe. VT, the daughter of George Richmond Fearing, Jr. and Vera Whistler Howell Fearing. Many objects descend from George R. Fearing (1839-1920) president of the Knickerbocker Club during the Gilded Age. and builder of “The Orchard” one of the oldest Newport. R.I. mansions, as well as other consignors, to mclude Early American Furniture, Paintings, Prints, Books. Photographs, Civil War material. Oriental mgs, Glass. China. Silver, Jewelry, & Accessories.
This sale features an important watercolor seashore landscape “The Sea Grey & Silver” by James McNeil Whistler. descending directly in the Whistler family with accompanying family history. Of note is an important early 20th c Russian painting of 3 women and a baby by Philip Andreevich Maliavin (1869-1940). Also of interest is a life size bronze sculpture of a young horse “Pecos” by Canadian sculptor Joe Fafard (CA 1942-2019).
This sale also features an important archive of letters to Mrs Sarah Fisher Ames (1817-1901, sculptress of busts of Abraham Lincoln & Civil War Battlefield Nurse), including a Jan 5, 1865 letter from President Abraham Lincoln to the Surgeon General “The bearer of this. Mrs Ames, wishes to go anywhere she can to minister to our wounded, and I shall be glad for you to give any facilities you can, consistent with the services”, also letters from Generals, Cabinet members, & authors, including Oliver Wendell Holmes, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, & John Greenleaf Whittier.
The sale also offers a fantastic pair of 18th c Chinese cache pots decorated with horses, a fine 18th c portrait of a young girl by Francois Hubert Drouais (Fr 1727-1775), & three large sporting watercolors of grouse by A Lassell Ripley (1896-1969).
Preview in person THURSDAY, August 15th from 1 to 6 pm, & FRIDAY, August 16th from 8 am until 9:30 am sale time, or by prior appointment. Please review our catalog through our online selling platforms – LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable. & AuctionZip. Payment can be made with a credit card over the phone, secure billing provided for online purchases. Our third party shipper can use UPS & USPS package delivery. A list of private earners is available for larger items, and curbside pick-up is easily arranged.
James Edward Fitzgerald (AM 1899-1971) Coastal Scene
Francois Hubert Drouais (FR 1727-1775) Portrait of a girl
Exceptional Pair of 18th c Chinese Cache Pots
Mrs. Sarah Fisher Ames Civil War Era Archive – Abraham Lincoln Letter
Portrait of Julia Whistler (1825-1875) Decending in JAM Whistler Family
Fine Louis XV 18th c Bureau Plat Writing Desk
Qing Dynasty Chinese Silk Robe
Philippe Andreevich Maliavin (RU 1869-1940) o/c “Three Babas”
10 CT Yellow Sapphire & Diamond Ring
James McNeil Whistler (AM 1834-1903) w/c “The Sea Grey & Silver”
Fine Inlaid Georgian Hepplewhite sideboard
1 of 3 Aiden Lassell Ripley (AM 1896-1969) Two Grouse
Erwin Wurm (AM 1954-) A Fountain for Arthur Rimbaud
95 pcs. Kirk Repousse Sterling Silver Flatware
Joe Fafard (CA 1942-2019) Pecos. Life-Size Bronze Horse
5.24 CT Natural Ruby & Diamond Ring
Murray Grant (Kenya Contemporary) Chyulu Bronze Bull
BID ONLINE, IN PERSON, BY ABSENTEE BID, OR PHONE BID, AND SIGN UP FOR EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS ON OUR WEBSITE:
WWW.MERRILLSAUCTION.COM
TERMS: Major credit cards, wire transfer, cash, or approved check.
All Items Sold As Is with No Implied or Expressed Warranty.
MERRILL’S AUCTIONEERS & APPRAISERS
Specializing In Estate & Antique Auctions – Three Generations Selling Since 1931
Mailing Address: PO Box 558, Williston, VT 05495
Consignment Auction Gallery: 802-878-2625 • e-mail: info@menillsauction.com