Lot 190: Anglo-American School 19th century Steamship

Attributed to Edgar Parker
(1840-1892)

portrait of the steamship 'ontario'

Signed and dated, 'E Parker 1881', lower left, oil on canvas, framed.

H: 26 1/4 in. W: 41 1/2 in. (sight)



PROVENANCE:

NOTE:
The 'Ontario' was the first vessel of the American Steamship Company sailing between Boston and Liverpool was built at the shipyard of George W. Jackson, Jr. situated on the Merrimac River in Newburyport, Mass. The American Steamship Company was incorporated by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1863 with an authorized capital of $2,000,000. The incorporators being Edward S. Tobey, Amos A. Lawrence and James M. Beebe, all of Boston. Edward S. Tobey was elected president.
The keel of the Ontario was laid in January 1866 and she was launched the following November, in the presence of Edward S. Tobey, James M. Beebe, James C. Converse, Samuel D. Warren, Hamilton A. Hill, Hon. Alexander H. Rice, Ezra Farnsworth, Harrison Loring, and about 10,000 spectators.