North American Decorative Art

Etching Mark Catesby, Anas Bahamensis (The Ilathera Duck) Chrysanthemum &c T93. Wonderful print by the “Founder of American Ornithology”, Mark Catesby, from his 18th century monumental Natural History, the first natural history of American flora and fauna. A later small edition etching original hand coloring. Plate imprint on the paper. Later frame, back unopened. This is one of the finest natural science prints...

Wonderful pair of fan shaped late 18th century American Federal period lintels or over doors with exquisitely detailed carving. The distressed painted surface adds a lot of character...

Rescued from an estate outside of Boston, MA this antique arch top transom window adds an architectural feast to your space. The window has its original...

A mounted banded fluorite Slab specimen Polished to one side and mounted on a carved wood base imitating a rock formation. Approx. H 6 1/4 in.(16 cm.) x W 8 in.(20.3 cm.) x ...

A matching pair of 18th century Italian gold leaf distressed fragments with sculpted linen canvas flowers, plaster, oils, wax, ash on wo...

An attractive pair of colonial American mid-18th century oil on canvas portraits. The detail and rendering of the paintings is of extremely fine quality. Highly contrasted figures against the dark backgrounds references the earlier work of Caravaggio and Rembrandt. One such American artist who particularly employed this technique in the late 1760s and early 1770s was John Singleton Copley...

- A touching handwritten love letter by one of the most legendary outlaws of the Old West, Frank James The letter, dated July 7, 1883, was written by James to his wife whilst he was in jail in Gallatin, Missouri. He was awaiting trial for murder and robbery of the Rock Island Line train at Winston, Missouri, in which the train engineer William Westfall and a passenger Frank McMillan were killed. Having spent a year in custody, James' trial began on August 20, and lasted just three days, before the jury returned a resounding verdict of 'not guilty'. The tender love letter reveals James to be both highly romantic and highly literate. Although he lived much of his life as a violent outlaw, he had been raised as a preacher's son surrounded by books, and during his youth developed a love for the works of Shakespeare. James was said to always carry a book in his saddle bag, even when he was on the run from the law, and he shared this passion for literature with Ann throughout their 40-year marriage. Here's the text in full: "My dear wife, "Your dear letter of the 1st was handed to me not exceeding an hour ago. It arrived here on the third, at least it is as marked. Now I sent foreword .. in this manner. There are very few men in this world that care anything for their wives, that they naturally suppose that all men are alike. "How badly they are deceived. If there is anything on this earth that is half as dear to me as my wife I have failed to find it. You are everything to me and the only living human being that has ever possessed my whole love, my entire confidence, the only one that ever will and I feel as that love and confidence will never be abused. "I have lived as I think to see all my fondest hopes realised. Long years ago I hoped and prayed that god would give me a true woman for my wife and i feel as if he has done so and anyone who has had a chance for happiness in this belief is more fortunate than the possessor of a thousand worlds. "I am trying to pass the time reading and writing - I regret that I am deprived of your beauty and I am writing to suffer that I have no visitors as told you in last. "Enclosed I send you an editorial from the trenchant pen of Rob M Yast that I think a grand effort. "I suppose you remember the circumstances of Jarvis shooting Englehart. Yast talks of love and forgiveness & Jarvis has shown that he possessed both - as also has Yast. He’s shown himself to be a true friend of me and mine. "Yast seems a man of most liberal whims. I dare say nine out of every ten would say that they would not forgive Jarvis for what he has done. Yet if it is the means of reclaiming ... I don't think he will ever regret it. "Regarding mamma, this may not be interesting to you but it has been to me. I had a letter from ma today, she feels disappointed as you did not visit... "I supposed it was useless to ask you again so will end further requests. I also had one further service. she also sends her kindness in regards to you and asked why you did not write. Please write her and let her know I will write Monday again. "When you write, write me care of Sherriff - I don’t think he will read them. "He has not opened any of my letters for a long time and if he should that would be better than not to get them so long after they’re written. I will kiss you both good night - write often your loving Ben/ f**k it is raining hard at this time." James autographs the letter as 'Ben', a protective alias that he used when writing to his loved ones. The single page letter, with text on both sides, measures 203 by 126mm, with fold creases and bleeding of ink in some sections. A remarkable piece of history, which offers a personal insight into one of the Old West's most legendary figures. About Frank James: Frank James (1843 – 1915) was a U.S Civil War Confederate guerrilla and notorious Old West outlaw. Together with his younger brother Jesse James...

Pair of American oil on canvas portraits in the original floral gilt frames and stretchers. South Carolina, Late 18th century. Signed Dr. Anthony Hemingway on re-verso.

Pair of American carved wood and gesso gilded wall brackets with demi-lune molded edge and carved Oak leaf floral motif. Dealers please call for ...