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Lot 166: James Bard (American, 1815-1897), "Side Wheeler 'United States' 1852"

Est: $55,000 USD - $85,000 USDSold:
Keno AuctionsStamford, CT, USSeptember 24, 2011

Item Overview

Description

James Bard (American, 1815-1897)
SIDE-WHEELER "UNITED STATES", 1852
Inscribed and signed lower right "Picture Drawn & Painted by James Bard NY 1852 / 162 Perry St."
Inscribed lower left "Built by Thomas Collyer, 1852 / Engine Built by Morgan's Works N.Y."
Oil on canvas
44 x 65 in.

Provenance: Purchased from Samuel L. Lowe, Jr. Antiques, Newton, Mass., Jan. 1983

Literature: Peluso, A. J., Jr., The Bard Brothers: Painting America Under Sail and Steam (1997), p. 47, illus. full page color; Cutler Carl C., Queens of the Western Ocean (1961), p. 291; Lyttle, William, M. and Holdcamper, Forrest R., Merchant Vessels of the United States 1790-1868 (1975), pp. 218-219; Heyl, Erik, Early American Steamers (1953) Vol. I, p.p. 57-58

Other Notes: The notes of Elwin M. Eldredge (1893-1965), Bard collector when it was fashionable to ignore them, indefatigable steamship historian-archivist, intimate of Antonino Jacobsen, are contradictory, confusing, and misleading concerning United States. Eldredge sold his collection to the Mariners Museum in 1940. His notes, in the museum's archive collection of steamboat history, painstakingly and laboriously compiled over a lifetime spent well before the digital age, are still an invaluable resource. Much of it was gleaned from contemporary primary sources that were, quite frankly, confusing to begin with even in their own era.

The Eldredge notes intertwine United States (1,900 tons) built by William Webb at New York in 1847 with United States (1216 tons) built by Thomas Collyer in 1851, also at New York. The notes compiled from snippets of information contained variously in customhouse records, and newspapers such as The New York Herald, and Illustrated London News, and ˆThe New York Times give the impression that a single vessel existed in two places simultaneously. However, subsequent research has distilled this misinformation, and has provided us with an accurate picture of the vessel built by Thomas Collyer, and immortalised by James Bard.

Launched September 15, 1851 as Bienville, but documented as United States on January 19, 1852. Thomas Collyer, New York, New York was her builder. Morgan Iron Works, New York, New York supplied her machinery. Built of wood, she measured 237' x 34' x 21', 1216 tons. United States was powered by a vertical beam engine with a bore of 60 inches, and 12 foot stroke which drove her paddle wheels. Jones & Johnson of New York purchased her (she flies the firm's house flag in her portrait). The firm renamed her United States, and scheduled her to sail between New York and New Orleans. However, the rush to California, supplemented by the return of thousands of forty-niners to lead their families into the "promised land," scotched the scheme.

Jones & Johnson, in partnership with Davis Brooks & Co., organized the New York & San Francisco Steam Ship Company. The partners hoped to cut in on one of the most profitable enterprises of its era, with an annual return on investment that ran as high as 30% annually, The Pacific Mail Steamship Company. William Aspinwall founded the company in 1848 to execute a contract to carry mail from the Isthmus of Panama to the newly-annexed territory of California. The J & J, D. B. & Co. plan was to run in opposition on both the Atlantic and Pacific side of the isthmus. United States (portrayed by Bard in U. S. Mail livery in her portrait), Union, Cortes, Yankee Blade, and Uncle Sam ran between New York and Chagres (present day Colon). Panama and San Francisco sailed on the Pacific branch of the line.

Passenger lists on the 2,000 mile run from New York to Chagres averaged 600 to 900. A vessel owner of the period was heard to say that he would have his steamer "carry enough passengers to break her back." This assertion is not surprising given that through fares, New York - San Francisco, were I- Cabin $315; II - Cabin $200; Steerage $100 at the time.

The rivalry with the Pacific Mail S. S. Co. ended in February 1853 when the New York & San Francisco S. S. Co. sold its Pacific steamers to the former company, and at the same time agreed to disband its service in opposition on the Atlantic. Jones & Johnson retained United States.

As evidenced in the New York Herald of May 9, 1855 "The steamship United States arrived at Sandy Hook on the 8th of May, 1855, from Havana in three days and 23 hours. The United States was a small steamer in comparison with those now built for the same route.," and Illustrated London News, January 21, 1854 "There were three arrivals from California -viz. -, the United States and California at New Orleans, the latter with 1,167,000 dollars; The Illinois at New York, with the mails and passengers of the wrecked steam-ship Winfield Scott, and 1,250,000 dollars." The foregoing shipping notices is evidence that United States was still employed on the New York to Chagres run, and that she called at intermediate ports, Havana and New Orleans to provide frequent and increasingly popular service for former patrons of the wind packets.

On October 10, 1855, in need of an overhaul and new boilers, United States was sold for nearly $150,000 to Spanish interests who put her under Spanish registry and renamed her Mexico. The 1858 American Lloyds' Registry of American and Foreign Shipping lists United States as Mexico (No. 2). Her official number is given as 84. The register confirms that she was built by Thomas Collyer in 1851. Her hailing port is listed as Havana. However, the column for her managing owners and consignors is blank. This is her last official listing, and to date nothing further is known of her fate.

The largest number of Bard pre-civil War commissions can be attributed to the Collyer brothers: George, Thomas, and William. Between them they launched more than 100 barges, lighters, sloops, schooners, yachts, and steamboats. Reputedly, Thomas commissioned a Bard portrait of every major vessel that he built. Thomas Collyer died in 1863, and the driving force behind the business died with him. Bard lost an important source of income.

"REMININCES OF THE WORK OF THOMAS COLLYER AND THE BIG FLEET WHICH HE CONSTRCTED "which appeared in The New York Times September 20, 1886 describes this remarkable man. His brother George B. Collyer remembered him thus. "Yes; he was called the 'lightening ship builder,' and justly, too, for he used to turn out vessels of all descriptions in the shortest imaginable time. Sometimes he would receive an order for a vessel and in six weeks it would be launched and ready to proceed to sea."

Thomas Collyer was one of Bard's steadfast builder clients, and United States was most probably done for him. Collyer had to be pleased, yet again, for it was a handsome Bard by any measure, with an uncommon sea and sky, all in a bold statement size.

Artist or Maker

Condition Report

the painting has been lined with aluminum and has some small dots of inpaint to the right of the boat; fine line work in the clouds and sky. One small 1/2" repair to the left of the boat; some alligatoring in the water


Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to the client. We are offering our professional opinion. We attempt to submit condition reports in the description. However, 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. Keno Auctions shall have no responsibility for any error or omission regarding an item's condition.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will help arrange shipment, at buyer's expense

Auction Details

Important Paintings, Furniture, Decorative Arts and Jewelry

by
Keno Auctions
September 24, 2011, 10:00 AM EST

Marriott Stamford Hotel & Spa 243 Tresser Blvd., Stamford, CT, 06901, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

27.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$29,999$1,000
$30,000$49,999$2,500
$50,000$99,999$10,000
$100,000+$25,000

Conditions of Sale

Participation in this auction is subject to and governed by the following contractual terms. Each prospective buyer is deemed to have reviewed, understood and accepted these conditions of sale and participation in the auction in any manner (in person, by telephone, by written bid or on-line) will constitute an acceptance of these conditions of sale by the participant.

BEFORE THE SALE

Condition
Every item offered for sale will be sold subject to the actual condition of the property at the time of the sale (generally referred to as "as is"). Prospective buyers are permitted and strongly encouraged to thoroughly examine any property before the auction with the understanding that there is no representation or warranty of any kind concerning the condition or any of the physical aspects of any items offered for sale. Catalogue descriptions or verbal statements are offered as opinion and shall not constitute a representation or warranty or assumption of liability of any nature whatsoever.

Registration before Bidding
Prospective buyers who wish to bid in the saleroom can register online in advance of the sale, or can come to the saleroom approximately 30 minutes before the start of the sale to register in person. A prospective buyer must complete and sign a registration form and provide identification (possibly including a check acceptance form) before bidding.

Absentee Bidding
Reasonable efforts will be used to carry out written bids delivered to us before the sale for the convenience of prospective purchasers who are not present at the auction in person, by an agent or by telephone. If written bids for identical amounts are submitted for the same lot and are the highest bids on this lot at the auction, the property will be sold to the person whose written bid was received and accepted first. Execution of written bids is a free service undertaken subject to other commitments at the time of the sale and there shall be no liability for failing to execute any written bid or for errors and omissions in connection with any written bid.

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Telephone bids will be accepted on lots with a low estimate of more than $2,500, no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the commencement of the sale and only if capacity allows. Arrangements to bid in languages other than English must be made well in advance of the sale. We will use reasonable efforts to contact prospective purchasers to enable them to participate in the bidding by telephone as a free service, however there will be no liability for any failure or for any errors or omissions in connection with telephone bidding.



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Please register for online bidding at Artfact.com. Reasonable efforts will be exerted to place on-line bids in the saleroom. However there will be no liability for any failure or error in the placement of such bids.

AT THE SALE

Terms of Bidding
The auctioneer has the absolute and sole discretion to refuse any bid and to advance the bidding in any manner. The auctioneer also has the right to withdraw any lot, and in the case of error and dispute (whether during or after the sale) to determine the successful bidder, to continue the bidding, to cancel the sale or to reoffer and resell the property. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer will be the purchaser. In the case of a tie bid, the winning bidder will be determined at the sole discretion of the auctioneer. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has final discretion to determine the successful bidder or to reoffer the lot in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, the sale record of the auctioneer is conclusive.

Participation in the auction may be disallowed for any reason. A bid is an offer to purchase and by making a successful bid, a bidder is accepting personal liability to pay the purchase price, plus the buyer's premium, all applicable taxes and all other applicable charges.

Bidding Increments
The auctioneer will commence the bidding at any level and in increments considered appropriate. Bids will be sought in increments selected by the auctioneer who will have the absolute discretion to select any increments for any lot (and the discretion to vary the increments in the course of the bidding for any lot). However, generally speaking, the increments will depend upon the low estimate for the lot. Thus for example, for lots having a low estimate below $1,000, bids will be sought at increments of $50. The normal pattern for bidding increments will be as follows:

Low Estimate Increments
< 999 $50s
$1,000 - 1,999 $100s
$2,000 - 4,999 $250s
$5,000 - 9,999 $500s
$10,000 - 29,999 $1,000s
$30,000 - 49,999 $2,500s
$50,000 - 99,999 $10,000s
> $100,000 at auctioneer's discretion

These increments may vary during the course of the auction at the discretion of the auctioneer.


Estimates
Pre-sale estimates are provided to encourage competitive bidding. These estimates may not be relied upon as any predictions of the selling price and may not be considered to be any opinion or representation regarding the value of the property. Keno Auctions shall not be responsible or liable for any difference between a pre-sale estimate and the actual selling price for any lot.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all lots are offered subject to a reserve, which is a confidential minimum price set by the seller below which the lot will be not be sold. The reserve will not exceed a given low pre-sale estimate at the time of the auction. Regardless of whether there is a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid and withdraw any lot for any reason. In order comply with the seller's reserve on any lot, the auctioneer may open bidding by placing a bid on behalf of the seller. The auctioneer may bid further on behalf of the seller (i.e. a bid "from the book" held by the auctioneer) up to the amount of the reserve by placing consecutive bids or by placing bids in response to other bidders. If a lot is not sold, the auctioneer will announce that fact (normally by stating that the lot has been "unsold" or "passed").

Property of Keno Auctions / Guarantees
Should Keno Auctions own any lot in whole or in part or have a financial interest in any lot equivalent to an ownership interest, the catalogue will clearly identify any such property as the Property of Keno Auctions. From time to time, a lot may be offered for which a guaranteed minimum price or an advance secured by the consigned property has been given to the seller. Such property will be identified in the catalogue with the symbol * next to the lot number.

AFTER THE SALE

Successful Bids
Keno Auctions is not able to notify successful absentee bidders. While invoices are sent out by mail after the auction we do not accept responsibility for notifying you of the result of your bid. Buyers are requested to contact us by telephone or in person as soon as possible after the sale to obtain details of the outcome of their bids to avoid incurring unnecessary handling charges.

Buyer's Premium
A buyer's premium will be added to the hammer price of each lot and is payable as part of the total purchase price (comprising the hammer price, buyer's premium and any applicable taxes). The buyer's premium is 24% of the hammer price.

Sales Tax
Unless exempted by applicable law, all purchases are subject to the 8.375% sales tax of the City and State of New York. Any buyer claiming exemption from sales tax must have the appropriate documentation on file with Keno Auctions prior to the release of the property.

Payment
Buyers are expected to pay the full amount due (comprising the hammer price, the buyer's premium and any applicable taxes) the day of the auction. Please note that Keno Auctions will not accept payments for purchased lots from any party other than the registered buyer.

Lots purchased may be paid for in the following ways:

(i) bank checks
(ii) checks
(iii) cash (up to $7,500)
(iv) money orders (up to $7,500)
(v) travelers checks (up to $7,500)
(vi) Pay Pal (up to $10,000)

Bank checks and personal checks should be made payable to Keno Auctions. Checks must be drawn on a US bank and payable in US dollars. In order to process your payment efficiently, please quote sale number, invoice number and client number with all transactions. Buyers not known to us who wish to write a check must complete a bidder registration form and check acceptance form no later than two business days preceding the auction.

Remedies for Non Payment
If a buyer fails to make payment in full in good cleared funds, Keno Auctions shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to exercise anyone or more of the following rights or remedies (in addition to asserting any other rights or remedies available by law):

(i) to charge interest at a rate of 1.5% per month;
(ii) to charge $50 for any dishonored check;
(iii) to hold the defaulting buyer liable for the total amount due and to commence legal proceedings for its recovery together with interest, legal fees and costs to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law;
(iv) to cancel the sale;
(v) to resell the property publicly or privately on any terms;
(vi) to pay the seller an amount up to the net proceeds payable in respect of the amount bid by the defaulting buyer;
(vii) where several amount are owed by the buyer in respect of different purchases, to apply any amount paid to discharge any amount owed in respect of any particular transaction, whether or not the buyer so directs;
(viii) to reject at any future auction any bids made by or on behalf of the buyer or to obtain a deposit from the buyer before accepting any bids;
(ix) to exercise all the rights and remedies of a person holding security over any property in our possession owned by the buyer, whether by way of pledge, security interest or in any other way, to the fullest extent permitted by the law of the place where such property is located and in this regard the buyer will be deemed to have granted such security to Keno Auctions which may retain such property as collateral security for such buyer's obligations;
(x) to take such other action as may be deemed necessary or appropriate.
If the property is resold as described above, the defaulting buyer shall be liable for payment of any deficiency between the total amount originally due and the price obtained upon resale as well as all costs, expenses, damages, legal fees and commissions and premiums of whatever kind associated with both sales or otherwise arising from the default. If any amount is paid to the seller as described above, the buyer acknowledges that Keno Auctions shall have all the rights of the seller, however arising, to pursue the buyer for such amount.


Collection of Purchases
We shall be entitled to retain items sold until all amounts due to us have been received in full in good cleared funds or until the buyer has satisfied such other terms as we, in our sole discretion, shall require.

Packing, Handling, and Shipping
The removal of purchased property is entirely the responsibility of the buyer. Accordingly, packing, handling and shipping arrangements for any purchased lot is at the entire risk and cost of the buyer. Where we may suggest other handlers, packers or carriers if so requested, we do not accept responsibility or liability for their acts or omissions.

Failure to Collect Purchases
Where purchases are not collected from the auction premises, whether or not payment has been made, Keno Auctions will remove and store such property in any manner and by any means that it deems appropriate. Keno Auctions will not be responsible or liable for any damage caused as a direct or indirect result of the removal and storage of such property.

In the event that the property is removed from the auction premises by Keno Auctions, the buyer will be charged for 120% of the actual packing and shipping cost incurred in transporting the property and a daily storage charge of 1.5% of the purchase price of the property (commencing on the day following the completion of the auction). At the option of Keno Auctions the property may be transferred to and stored at a bonded warehouse and the buyer agrees to pay all the transfer and storage expenses and accepts all risks of loss or damage. Keno Auctions will only release the items after payment in full has been made of transportation, administration, handling, insurance any other costs incurred, together with all other amounts due to us.


Warranty
Except as specifically described in this particular condition, Keno Auctions makes no representation or warranty of any kind as to the accuracy of any description of any lot and any information regarding any subject including quality, authenticity, medium, size, date, importance, rarity, provenance or historical relevance. Any statements made in the catalogue or at the sale or in any invoice or in any other writing shall not be deemed or constitute any warranty, representation, statement of fact or assumption of liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Keno Auctions will warrant the accuracy of any statement or information set forth in BOLD type in the catalogue description of the lot, unless clearly and conspicuously modified prior to the bidding on the applicable lot. This warranty regarding the information in bold type shall exist for a period of five (5) years from the date of the auction and is given solely to and strictly for the benefit of the original purchaser of record at the auction. It may not be transferred to any third party. Furthermore, the exclusive remedy of the original buyer in the event of any inaccuracy not otherwise excluded herein shall be a refund of the hammer price and buyer's premium actually paid by the buyer for the lot at the time of the sale. Keno Auctions and its consignor shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages incurred or claimed under this warranty.

The warranty does not apply if:

(i) a written claim supported by a written report by a recognized expert in the applicable field is not delivered by the original buyer to Keno Auctions before the expiration of five (5) years from the date of the sale; or
(ii) the catalogue description was consistent with the opinion(s) of generally accepted scholar(s) and/or expert(s) at the date of the sale; or
(iii) the only method of establishing any inaccuracy in the warranted information is by means or processes not generally available or accepted at the time of the auction sale or by means and processes at the time of the auction sale that could have caused damage to the lot or could have caused loss of value to the lot; or
(iv) there has been no material loss in value of the lot from its value had it been in accordance with its description in the Bold type; or
(v) the property is not returned to Keno Auctions in the same condition as on the date of the auction sale.

Governing Law
These Conditions of Sale and the rights and obligations of all participants hereunder, shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The buyer and any agent for the buyer shall be deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the state courts of, and the federal courts sitting in, the State of New York.

Shipping Terms

Auction House will help arrange shipment, at buyer's expense