Samuel F. B. Morse

LOT 88 PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF PHILIP AND CHARLOTTEHANES SAMUEL F. B. MORSE 1791-1872 ALEXANDER CALDER oil on canvas 30,000—50,000 USD measurements measurements 30 by 25 in. alternate measurements (76.2 by 63.5) Painted circa 1820. PROVENANCE Private Collection, Washington, D.C. Eunice Chambers, Hartsville, South Carolina Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1967 EXHIBITED New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Painter:Samuel Finley Breese Morse, 1932 New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University Art Gallery, American Artfrom Alumni Collections, April-June, 1968 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Reynolda House, Museum of AmericanArt, Self-Image: The Portrait in American from Copley to Close,August 2006-January 2007 LITERATURE AND REFERENCES William Kloss, Samuel F.B. Morse, New York, 1988, p. 59,illustrated CATALOGUE NOTE Samuel F.B. Morse, famous for his invention of the telegraph andco-founder of the Morse code, was also a highly accomplishedpainter. The son of a New England minister, he graduated from Yalein 1810 and embarked on his artistic career. He traveled to Londonin 1811, and studied historical painting which was then consideredthe highest form of artistic expression. Morse's time in London wastransformative as he experienced the appreciation and encouragementbehind the arts that was lacking in America. Morse returned to America in 1815 and set up a studio in Boston,Massachusetts. Although he was attracting attention as an artist hewas not profiting financially. From 1817 to 1819, Morse traveledextensively to find work and spent his winters in Charlestown,South Carolina. Word spread of his artistic talent and he wassubsequently commissioned to paint portraits of leading citizens.Morse was eventually introduced to Alexander Calder, (1771-1849)the well-established cabinetmaker and builder. Calder was born inScotland and eventually moved to Charlestown by 1796. Not only washe famous for his fine cabinetry and furniture making, he was alsoa shipbuilder and business owner. Morse's portrait speaks toCalder's powerful name and status that had spread throughout theSouth. "In Morse's fine portrait, Calder is a confident, upright,unaffected Scotsman. His ruddy-skinned, heavy-lidded face shinesout atop a powerful torso clad in a dark green jacket and crispwhite stock and collar. The rather arbitrary bold red swatch ofdrapery at the right makes an effective counterpoint to the darkjacket, while the aquamarine sky touched with rose lends a quietnote of approaching evening." (William Kloss, Samuel F.B.Morse , 1988, p. 62)

LOT 424 SAMUEL F. B. MORSE 1791-1872 THOMAS ADDIS EMMET (1764-1827) 5,000—15,000 USD measurements 30 in. by 25 in. Description painted circa 1820. unlined; appears to retain original frameand stretcher. A paper label attached to the stretcher states:Thomas Addis Emmet (1764-1827) Irish painter, lawyer, andAttorney-General for the state of New York, 1812. Received from TheNew York Law Institute through Miss Lydia Field Emmet, 1946. oil on canvas PROVENANCE Emmett was Attorney General for the State of New York and a goodfriend of Hugh Maxwell (see following lot). On his death in 1873,Maxwell left this portrait and his silver vase to the New York LawInstitute. EXHIBITED The Smithsonian Institution, The National Portrait Gallery,Washington, D.C. CATALOGUE NOTE Throughout his legal career. Thomas Emmet was involved inquestions of constitutional and international law, and appearedoften before the Supreme Court of the United States, arguing beforeJohn Marshall, who presided as Chief Justice from 1801-1835.Acommemorative pillar for Emmet was erected at St. Paul's Church onlower Broadway in New York City. For further information on Emmet, see History of the Bench andBar of New York, Volume II, New York History Company, NassauStreet, 1897, pp. 319-320.

Lot 295 Attributed to Samuel F.B. Morse (American, 1791-1872) portrait of dolley madison (1768-1849) Oil on canvas, framed. 28 3/4 in. x 23 in. (sight) PROVENANCE: Estate of Virginia H. Knauer, Washington, D.C. Exhibited "A Man Full of Trouble" Tavern and the Paschall House, 125-127 Spruce Street, Society Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Samuel T Freeman & Co, Public Auction, February 2, 1950, lot 338. Lot is accompanied by bill of sale. Estimate $10,000-15,000 In 1844, Samuel Morse invited Dolley Madison to be present at the first public demonstration of his electric recording telegraph. With wires strung between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, the former first lady knew that her cousin, wife of U.S. Representative John Wethered, was present at the other end. She sent the first peronal message to her cousin, "Message from Mrs. Madison. She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered." Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.