O THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE Anne Gilbert Theorem Paintings Unique American Folk Art Chances are you’ve seen theo rem paintings at antique shows and wondered what they were. These highly stylized still life paintings, usually of baskets of fruit and flowers, at first glance are reminiscent of the decorative motifs found on the backs of early Hitchcock chairs. And well they might be. The Hitchcock chair designs from 1820 to 1830 used the same stenciling techniques. During the time the stencils, were cut from many pieces and put together in different arrangements. Later a single stencil was used on Hitch cock chairs. The most common theorem paintings are of baskets of fruit and flowers, but some very intri cate theorems depicted land scapes and portraits. The land scapes show a separation of the different parts, put together to form a single subject such as a house or tree. Sometimes a free hand painting completed the painting. The word “theorem” means stencil. Stencils have been used to decorate everything from 19th century hatboxes to floors, linens and walls. However, it is the still life theorem paintings that were hung on walls, instead of conven tional paintings that collectors of r v Friday. May 4 - 9 00 AM - Approx 200 coaches, carnages, 2-wheel carts, sleighs (all catalogued) & approx 800 lots of catalogued horse related books, periodicals & so on, framed pictures and prints, fine appointments including harness, carriage lamps, driving & coaching whips, and many other good quality items Saturday Field Sessions start at 9'oo AM with tour to five auctioneers selling at the same time in various sections of the field Over 200 horse drawn vehicles expected to include farm and commercial wagons; 2 & 4-wheel carts and pleasure carnages, marathon and competition carriages; sleighs m varying styles and types, running gears, and so on Horse drawn farm machinery, carriage & wagon parts, poles, shafts; primitive & blacksmith tools, new & used tack, English & western saddles & western memorabilia; harness & harness parts, rosettes, horse & pony blankets & many, many items too numerous to mention. Saturday in one of the tent sessions. Trailer load from tack shop liquidation including English made, new merchandise of bits, blankets, English clothing; Jeffers English bridles; hunt whip lashes, old black hardware in wooden cigar boxes & so on. Also Buckaroo type western bridles, reins, scabbards, breast collars; shoeing chaps & much more. SPECIAL CONSIGNMENT (Selling on Sat.); Approx. 22 NEW SADDLES including makers, such as Thornhill, Eisers, Pro Trainer and so on. Close contact; dressage; combination A/P jumping; Thornhill event, sev. western saddles; & other Jumping saddles; Thornhill leadline w/stirrups & leathers Saturday - 12-30 PM - Trucks & Trailers - 1996 Ford Dually Pick-up truck, diesel, crew cab; Goose-neck horse trailer, and other carnage & flat-bed trailers. HORSES - Spotted draft horse mare, 15.3 h; pair of driving horses. -k ★ ¥ , is! faxtmiM. 1«c. Paul Z. Martin, Jr. President Auctioneer Roger Spencer - Auctioneer Patrick Morgan - Auctioneer Americana look for. When they come to auction, prices can range from $BOO to more than $B,OOO. Recently, several velvet painted theorems were sold at auction for more than $BOO each. Most were unsigned. The earliest known types of theorems were painted on furni ture in the 17th century by Dutch settlers in the Hudson Valley. They used a technique known as Grisaille a gray wash. Grisaille still life paintings were done on paper in shades of gray. Because of their fragility they are scarce and costly. In part because they were difficult to make. Unlike the later colorful theorems, Grisaille have a very primitive quality In America, theorem paintings seem to have originated in New England. Many of the paintings were cut from heavy paper and done by housewives and young women in academies. For the velvet theorems a firm, white cot ton velvet was stretched and pre pared like a canvas. Theorems on velvet were pop ular from 1800 to the 1860 s. Until recently, they were unpop ular with collectors who associat ed them with the tacky velvet paintings sold to tourists in the 19605-19705. They still sell for half of the price for watercolor theorems. The more complex and unusual the design the higher the price. Martin Auctioneers, Inc. - Celebrating 30 years * 1971 -2001 lflartiiB ir s IMMIh Ammißml AnMzitlom off <Csainrfca|g®», Steiglhs <& i^tlapue® Friday, May 4 & Saturday, May 5, 2001 Back at Lebanon Fairgrounds, Lebanon, PA Martin Auctioneers, Inc ♦ 12 North Railroad Avenue • P.O. Box 99 • New Holland, PA 17557 Phone: (717) 354-6671 • Fax: (717) 354-8248 PA-AY-00144L • CA-879 PA-AU-0001863L • NC Lie. #4626 Auction Site Phone: 717-228-2828 Week of sale only! martinauctioneer@supernet.com For more information regarding this auction or an auction of your own contact Paul Z. Martin, Jr. or Shirley Morgan at (717) 354-6671 Absolutely No Private Sales On Auction Grounds! The stencil designs were care fully arranged then filled in with watercolors or oils. Other times, depending on the talent of the artist, the stencils were done free hand from instruction books. PUBLIC AUCTION JOHN M. HESS AUCTION SERVICE INC. HOUSEHOLDS & COLLECTIBLES APRIL 23, 2001 2:00 P.M. Location: Wolgemuth Auction Center 109 N. Maple Ave., Leola, PA 17540 FURNITURE: (7:30 P.M.): Secretary’s Desk, Grandfather’s clock. Waterfall bedroom suite, modem sofa and loveseat combination, Everett piano (very nice), Maytag washer - 2 years old, Kenmore dryer, Art Deco glider sofa & chair, china closet, ornate brass floor lamp and other lamps, pine entertainment center, double box spring & mattress (2), dining room suite with hutch & 6 chairs - nice. HOUSEHOLD/COLLECTIBLES: Early stemware, tools, limoges “Bridal Bouquet” dish set with serving pieces, Homer Laughlin china. Smith & Mosier glass, copper bottom pots & pans, toys - Super Return Space Skyway (in box), Remco Tuff Boy 6 (in box), Structo car carrier, FP walking toy. MANY household items and col lectibles still to be unpacked! Approx. 200 box lots to be sold at 2:00 p.m. Terms: Cash or PA Check with ID. Check out our web page for more pictures: www.hess-auction.com. John M. Hess (AU-003484-L) Auctioneer Phone: (717) 733-8192 or (717)656-2947 1 T John M. Dennis & Bob ® Wolgemuth AUCTION SERVICE INC ' Friday’s catalogued sessions are closed HOWEVER, good clean consignments for Saturday accepted until start of the auction at 9 00 AM Horse drawn vehicles and wagons in all price ranges from $lOO and up. Approx. 500 will be sold in the two days, pony, horse and draft sizes, in varying conditions from new, restored, museum quality, onginal and some in rough condition. Something for everyone! TERMS & CONDITIONS: CASH, TRAVELERS CHECK, CERTIFIED CHECK, MONEY ORDERS, U.S. FUNDS ONLY. Personal or business checks accepted only with a current bank letter of guaranteed payment made payable to Martin Auctioneers, Inc. NO EXCEPTIONS! This currently dated letter must be presented at time of registering for a buyers number. Sorry, No Credit Cards'! BUYERS PREMIUM: • 6% ON ALL ITEMS SELLING FOR $l,OOO & OVER (PER ITEM) • 10% ON ALL ITEMS SELLING UNDER $l,OOO (PER ITEM). BUYERS: All merchandise must be paid by end of sale day and removed from the fairgrounds by Noon on Sunday, May 6, 2001. RECEIVING TIMES - WEEK OF AUCTION Tuesday, May 1 -12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM PLEASE NOTE: Field gate will not open until 12:00 Noon. Wednesday, May 2 - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Thursday, May 3 - 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Friday, May 4 & Saturday May 5 - 8:00 am until start of auction AUCTION SITE TELEPHONE Starting Tuesday, May 1 st 717-228-2828 Clues; Collectors prize velvet (Turn to Page 829) PUBLIC AUCTION HISTORIC !! BEAVER CREEK MANSION MAY 18 - 19th John C. Gamaldi, Jr. Estate 6890 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA (Old Route 22) Friday 5 PM Household Goods/Fumiture Saturday 9 AM Antiques!!! Saturday Noon Real Estate! SAVE THIS DATE! Too mam antiques for one days auction! Doll Collection • Gun Collection Coin Collection, Art Collection Fabulous Furniture (Including Hepplewhite) • 2000 Nissan Maxima (John only drove it 30,000 miles) Great location for a "Bed & Breakfast”! Real Estate consists of beautiful 20 room lime stone mansion on approx. 3 acres +/- featuring 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 3 fireplaces, formal liv ing/music room, 2.5 story great-room with fire place, balcony and stain glass windows throughout, stone gazebo, wrap around limestone front porch, brick rear patio. Real Estate Terms: 10% down certified funds day of sale balance due on or before 45 days. Open House Dates: Mon., April 16th 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Sat., April 28th 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Sun., May 6th 1:00 to 3:00 or by appointment. Call. Check our web page for more pictures: www.hess-auction.com or watch for full listing May 5 TW John M. Hess (AU-003484-L) Auctioneer Phone (717) 733-8192 or (717) 664-5238 Dennis & Bob Wolgemuth
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers