JAMES BARD (New York, 1815-1897), Portrait of the steamer Thomas Collyer., Oil on canvas, 25.5" x 45.5". Framed 29" x 49".

About Auction

Live

Americana Week: The Hersey and Singh Collecti...

By Eldred's

Jul 23, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-07-23 09:30:00 2025-07-23 09:30:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Americana Week: The Hersey and Singh Collections https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/eldreds/americana-week-the-hersey-and-singh-collections-19967
The Peter and Judi Hersey Collection of Hingham, Massachusetts History and the Collection of Arun and Barbara Singh. Eldred's info@eldreds.com

View Full Catalog (208)

• Lot Description
  JAMES BARD
  New York, 1815-1897
  Portrait of the steamer Thomas Collyer. Signed and dated lower right "Drawn and Painted by James Bard N.Y. 1850". Inscribed lower left "Built by Thomas Collyer".
  Oil on canvas, 25.5" x 45.5". Framed 29" x 49".
  
  Provenance:
  Alvin and Claude Bisnoff Collection.
  Marguerite Riordan Antique Furnishings & Works of Art, Stonington, Connecticut, 1999.
  The Collection of Arun and Barbara Singh.
  
  Reference:
  J. & J. Bard: Picture Painters by A.J. Peluso, Jr. (N.Y.: Hudson River Press, 1977), p. 21, 108, 122.
  The Bard Brothers: Painting America Under Steam and Sail by The Mariner's Museum in collaboration with Anthony J. Peluso, Jr. (N.Y.: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1997), p. 70.
  
  Notes:
  The Thomas Collyer, 123 feet in length, was launched in New York City in 1850. Her first homeport was Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where she sailed the Chesapeake Bay as far south as Norfolk, Virginia. In 1886 she moved to Brunswick, Georgia and was renamed "City of Brunswick". She was stricken from the records in 1896.
  
  Thomas Collyer, for whom this steamer was named, and his brothers George and William had a reputation for building some of the fastest inland steamboats in America. The brothers built and then sold several namesake vessels, but this appears to be the earliest one Bard painted.
  
  The figures on deck are likely the Collyer brothers and members of their family, including some of their children. The proud pennant flying off the stern of the vessel, and the sun peaking through the delicate clouds to shine its light upon it, probably indicate how important the Collyers were as clients to Bard -- there are at least 30 Bard portraits of Collyer vessels.
  
  Twins John and James Bard were born in New York City. They were only 12-years-old when they painted their first picture, "Bellona". They worked together through the 1830s until at least 1849, the last year they jointly signed a painting.
  
  John died at age 41, but James prospered alone, painting several important ships and maintaining a client roster of noted ship builders and operators.

  Condition

  Relined. Although the painting presents well under natural light, UV examination reveals restorations at the bottom edge of the painting, but very little elsewhere. No other obvious damages.
  
  The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 
• Shipping Info

  • SHIPPING: We require prompt payment and removal of your purchases as stated in Paragraph 12 of our Conditions of Sale. Arrangements to pick up or ship your purchases must be made within seven (7) days from the close of the auction. All items must be removed from Eldred's facilities within fourteen (14) days of the close of the auction. All items remaining after fourteen days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining over thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees. SHIPPING OF PURCHASES Shipping is not included in the purchase price. Eldred's is happy to help coordinate and recommend shipping agents. PICK-UP OF PURCHASES If you plan to pick up your purchases, please call ahead and we'll make every effort to have your items ready. Items in this auction may be located at an outside storage facility, so please call ahead.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	26.00
    $500,000	10.00