More on that Geiszel watercolor

In the previous post I pictured a watercolor of a surf caster fishing near a sand dune and attributed it to Margaret Malpass Geiszel. Further consideration indicates that it may in fact more likely be the work of her husband, John H. Geiszel (1892-1973 or '74, Philadelphia, PA), listed in Davenport, Mallett, etc. Educated at the Pennsylvania Museum and School (now the Philadelpha Museum of Art) and a member and past-president of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, Geiszel was a well-known teacher but apparently not a prolific artist. His work is said to be held in public and private collections, but seldom comes up for sale.

I was able to find signature examples of both John and Margaret. All examples of Margaret's signature include her initials, M.M. The only example of John's signature that I have yet found is from an oil painting, but the form of the letters, especially the G, strongly resembles the signature of this little watercolor, and indicates that it may more likely be by his hand than by hers.

Margaret Malpass Geiszel

John H. Geiszell

The watercolor in question...

Taking into account that the different media have to be handled differently, I think you'll agree that the similarity is clearly seen. Of course, what's also clearly seen is the similarity between Margaret's and John's signatures... So at this point, it's still an attribution, but I'm prepared to attribute it to John.

Is this drawing by Roland H. Clark?

Maybe? Probably not? I don't know. It's well done, the signature is very similar (but is that middle initial really an H?), the date is right, but the subject matter is not at all typical. Still, artists have been known to dash off personal works for friends or family, or sometimes just for fun, that have little or no similarity to their "important" work.

Here's another one. Is this watercolor by Margaret Malpass Geiszel? Maybe... but I don't know. This one too is well done, the style is right, she worked in watercolors, the scene could easily have been found on the nearby New Jersey shore, and the signature is very similar but it lacks the MM that she usually used.

Both of these are recent acquisitions, both stand up well on their own, but can either of them be confidently attributed? Probably not by me, but maybe someone better equipped will come forward to buy them, or maybe they will simply be bought and enjoyed by someone who really isn't concerned about the identity of the artist.

And now for something completely different-- a mid-century industrial work station chair, completely original, well-used but not abused, with an adjustable seat height and back height. It might have been for a sewing machine operator, or someone who worked at a parts assembly bench, but what attracted my eye was it's anthropomorphic quality. I see a funny little creature standing there, looking out at me.

That's the fun of this business of collecting stuff, whether for ourselves or for others. There are unanswered questions, mysteries, and even the occasional intentional misconception and the smile that accompanies it.

Outdoor Antiques Show May 28, 2011, in Madison, CT

It looks like I will be showing on the first outdoor Antiques Show of the 2011 season on the Town Green in Madison, CT, next Saturday, May 28, 2011. I'll be bringing a half dozen pieces of "stick wicker", Art Deco wicker from the 1920-30s. You won't often find a whole sun porch full of stick wicker for sale in one place at one time...

A chaise, two lounge chairs each with a magazine rack arm, an ottoman that can double as a low table,

and a pair of end tables!

The weather forecast is good, a little humid maybe, but a high in the 70s and any showers holding off until late in the day. Still, it's a good idea to get out early. Early Buying admission is between 8-9 AM. Regular admission is from 9-4, and unless stormy weather chases us out earlier, all 70+ antique dealers will be there right up until the end.

Want to save a dollar? Click here to get the discount coupon from the Madison Chamber of Commerce web site, good for a dollar off one or two regular admissions. Just print it and come on down.

What else might you see in my stand? A few recent finds shown in earlier blog posts, the prancing horse weather vane will be out for its maiden showing, the anatomy charts, the skirted trefoil top table, and some other pieces that haven't been seen here, bamboo and faux bamboo, maybe a piece or two of fancy Victorian wicker, and an assortment of interesting yet affordable smalls from the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries.

 

See you in Madison!

Still Raining After All These Days

We get the feeling that we've missed all of Spring, except April, and that when this rain finally stops and the overcast lifts we will find ourselves in mid-Summer. It will be better than this, but I really wouldn't mind enjoying some Spring.

Of course, three inches of rain last week isn't enough to stop the hunting expedition, and I managed to turn up a few neat things...

A set of six hand-painted, frosted juice glasses that I thought would make a nice addition in an upcoming Garden Show, but my wife seems to think they'll make a nice addition right here at home... So it goes.



An appliqued linen pouch, from the 1940s I think, about seven inches square. I've seen small mats of this nature from time to time, but this is the first pouch that I've come across.

And how about a sheet iron weathervane in the form of a horse. I don't think this has a whole lot of age, maybe 40 to 60 years, but probably not more. It was made to either be supported on a rod like any proper weathervane or mounted flat on a wall... it actually has the mounts built on the back side, which is what leads me to believe that it's not as old as we wish it were. But it has a great look, and the surface is right, not the result of artificial aging. It's been around for a while, but will not cost an arm and a leg like the antique vanes of this ilk.

That's it for now. I really have to get some tomatoes transplanted while I can-- before Summer goes the way of Spring.

A Rainy Day

A rainy day, but things are looking up. My shoulder may not require a surgical repair after all. I've been directed to physical therapy instead, started last week, and we'll see what things look like in another month or so. No surgery and a quicker return to the show circuit would be good. Missed all of Brimfield, and I was told it was a good one, but there will be more.

So here's the other medical chart. This one is American, c. 1918...

And a 6 foot tall step ladder, c. 1900, labeled Paris Manufacturing Co., S. Paris, Maine. Still sturdy enough to be used as a ladder, it much more likely will end up being used in a store display. It's past owner (or owners) were painters-- that much is quite obvious, but who would want to erase such a provenance.

It will be a while before I'm back on the show trail, but when I am, you'll see these and other new finds there on the ground instead of on the screen. Nothing big and heavy for a while, but that's okay, too.

Is Spring Finally Here?

Well, it seemed like it a couple of days ago.

Although it's been some time since I posted here, it's not like nothing has been happening. I started off the new year by slipping on an icy Boston sidewalk and tearing my rotator cuff. Then, of course, I spent the next ten weeks shoveling snow, which probably didn't help it any. Bottom line is that I now am facing a surgical repair which will keep me off the show circuit probably all summer, perhaps into the fall.

Of course, that's not quite the same as saying I don't get out any more, only that the things I'm apt to bring home are smaller, or at least lighter...

For example:

A ca. 1905 Wicker Tea Cart

A ca. 1900 or earlier English Anatomy Chart

A ca. 1885 Trefoil Top Table with ebonized legs and a crocheted, ribboned, and fringed skirt

That's hardly all there is... there's another Anatomy Chart, American, ca. 1930, of the Skeleton, at least a half dozen pieces of ca. 1930s Art Deco style Stick wicker, pencil drawings and drypoint etchings, and lots more.

For all practical purposes I'll be forced to simply sell most things from my web site or other online venues, although I certainly hope to be back out on the field as quickly as possible. Might even have some things out on the porch of the Vermont house again...

CharlesGardinerAntiques.com

...on Dig Antiques

...on eBay

Winter Is Coming

I've been busy the last couple of months, just not in the antiques business, buying or selling. I had hoped to do a show in New Hampshire today, but by the time I knew for sure that I'd be free, there was no longer any space available. So it goes.

Even without spending a whole lot of time searching for "new additions" I've managed to come up with a few neat things over the last eight or nine weeks-- nothing important, mind you, just some neat stuff.

 A 19th century silversmith's gutta percha Christmas Ornament Mold.

 A complete woven bagface, probably Anatolian.

 A late 19th/early 20th century Bamboo Book Shelf.

 A wagon Neck Yoke in old paint.

A string of Simulated Pearls, circa 1920.

Like I said, nothing important, just fun stuff to be able to offer once I get back on the show circuit, probably next year...

Even here in New England (we're told to expect 1-3" of snow tomorrow) there's plenty of opportunity to buy and sell good stuff. In Milford, NH, Jack Donigian presents the Milford Antiques Show EVERY Sunday from October 17, 2010, until March 27, 2010. In Concord, NH, Trisha McElroy presents a monthly Antiques Show on the first Sunday of each month until April 10, 2011. In Portsmouth, NH, Nan Gurley presents seven Antiques Shows on a somewhat irregular schedule, Sundays or Wednesdays, between now and April 13, 2011. In Bath, ME, Polly Thibodeau presents the Bath Antiques Shows on the second Sunday of each month, from now until April 10, 2011. And in Plymouth, MA, Lisa Davis will be presenting the winter "indoors" version of her very successful summer market, the Sandwich Bazaar, on the first and third Wednesdays from November 17, 2010 until April 6, 2011. These shows are, for the most part, "short and sweet" affairs, so plan to get there early.