ELDRED’S FEATURES AN 1840S FULL-PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE, A BLANCHE LAZZELL WOODCUT AND CROWELL CARVINGS 

AT THE FALL AMERICANA, DECORATIVE ARTS AND PAINTINGS AUCTION, NOVEMBER 16th & 17th

East Dennis, Mass. – An 1840s full-plate daguerreotype, a Blanche Lazzell white line woodcut and an impressive collection of A. Elmer Crowell bird carvings and decoys are some of the highlights in a diverse selection of offerings slated for Eldred’s Americana, Decorative Art and Paintings auction, scheduled for November 16 and 17, 2012. 

The exceptional daguerreotype, which depicts four uniformed men standing before two crossed American flags, was discovered in the Freeman Cobb homestead in Brewster, Massachusetts. Freeman Cobb, primarily known for establishing stagecoach lines in Australia and South Africa, was born into a seafaring family in the small town on Cape Cod, and this piece, having descended in the family, is believed to depict Cobb. Based on early interest, it is expected to surpass its conservative estimate of $5,000-$7,000. 

Eldred’s will auction more than 275 works of art over the two-day sale, most notably “Four Boats”, a white line print by Provincetown artist Blanche Lazzell, one of America’s first abstractionists and a pioneer of the white line woodcut technique. Bolstered by current market interest in modern prints, Eldred’s sold a Lazzell print this summer for $106,200. “Four Boats” is estimated at $50,000 to $70,000. Also part of the sale is a rare double-sided woodblock by fellow Provincetown woodblock artist Ada Gilmore Chaffee, early 20th Century Provincetown works by Henry Hensche and Ross Moffett, “Lobster Fishermen” by Emile Albert Gruppé, a White Mountain scene by Harrison Bird Brown, a 19th Century Chinese painting of the “Wild Pigeon” off Hong Kong attributed to Hin Qua and a dramatic naval battle scene by Thomas Buttersworth, Sr.

A life-sized Curlew, two Greater Yellowlegs and a Killdeer are the featured lots from outstanding private collections of finely carved decorative birds and decoys by master carver A. Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) of East Harwich, Massachusetts. Many in the group exemplify Crowell’s unique “wet on wet” painting technique, which gives the plumage a distinct softness and realism, and the shorebirds in particular achieve a lithe sculptural quality. It is one of the most impressive groups of Crowell carvings Eldred’s has had the pleasure to auction in recent memory.     

Other standout lots in the more than 1,100 being offered include a 38-star U.S. Parade flag commemorating the Centennial, a “Jonah and the Whale” mechanical bank, a “King Kong” movie advertisement, an 18th Century Delft garniture set, a silver tea urn purportedly similar to one owned by Abraham Lincoln, and a selection of fine musical instruments including a 1967 Fender Telecaster and a 1953 Gibson Les Paul. 

An illustrated catalog and online bidding is available at www.eldreds.com and www.artfact.com. The preview will be held on Thursday, November 15th from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., and the days of the auction from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The auction will begin both days at 10:00 a.m. EST. Eldred’s is located at 1483 Route 6A, in East Dennis. For more information about this or any upcoming auctions, please call (508) 385-3116 or visit www.eldreds.com.