11-07-201011-07-2010
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsBoston MA
2524BBoston
November 7, 2010 11:00 AMCalender
639

Scrapbook with c. 1820s Paintings and Sketches

Sell one like this
$47,400$40,000
Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2524BLocation: BostonDate / Time: November 07, 2010 11:00AM

Description:

Scrapbook with c. 1820s Paintings and Sketches, America, early to mid-19th century, the scrapbook containing several watercolor, ink, and graphite paintings and sketches, including a depiction of a native American buffalo hunt in winter, one showing a gentleman in a sledge pulled by three dogs, after an engraving by A. Doolittle, inscribed "Ann T. Foot-painting Fort Brady 1824," an ink sketch of and titled "Fort William" (crossed out) then inscribed "Southeast view of Fort Douglas, Red River," a watercolor painting titled "Entrance of the Red River, with a view of an Indian encampment," an ink wash sketch titled "View of Fort Douglas, from Point Douglas," a graphite sketch of a profile of an Indian titled "Gen'l Black Hawk," signed "By Mrs. A.T. Foot"; graphite depictions of two characters and inscription of the poem "Coal Black Rose"; also a few floral still lifes, one of which was signed "Ann T. Foot," and numerous clippings of articles, poetry, fashion plates, and woodcut images, some with hand-coloring, taken from contemporary periodicals.

Note: This scrapbook was compiled by a member or members of the family of U.S. Army surgeon Lyman Foot[e] (1796-1846) and his first wife Ann Treadwell Platt Foot (1803-1832),and his second wife Mary Morris Cooper, who was born at or near Cooperstown, New York, (m. Lyman Cooper, September 12, 1836). Dr. Foot was stationed at many U.S. forts and military establishments throughout his service as is evident by the locations of the different birthplaces of his seven children with his first wife Ann. One of the forts he and his family were stationed at early in his career was Fort Brady, which was built in 1822 on a ten-acre site facing the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The fort was established to bring an American military presence to the region, to assure Americans worried about armed British encroachment from Canada.

We can conclude from the painting of the sled in the scrapbook, which is inscribed "Ann T. Foot-painting-Fort Brady-1824," that the family was at the fort within two years after it was built. Two of their children were born there: Ann, born in August 23, 1824 (d. September 18, 1825),and Isaac, born September 23, 1825.

Estimate $7,000-9,000

Keywords

A.T. Foot, Fort Brady, Fort Douglas, Red River, Ann Treadwell Platt, Ann Treadwell Platt Foot, United States Army, Mary Morris Cooper, surgeon, Cooperstown, United States, Isaac