iPad Apps: History Lessons on the iPad

What's wrong with this picture? It's pretty daunting to think about what our forefathers achieved with a quill pen and a bottle of ink, isn't it?

Top iPad apps to teach kids about government and US History

Edward BIDDLE (1738-1779) uncle of Richard Biddle, a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1738; entered the provincial army as an ensign in 1754, promoted to lieutenant and captain, and served until 1763, when he resigned; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Reading, Pa.; member of the State assembly 1767-1775, serving as speaker in 1774; member of the provincial convention held at Philadelphia in 1775; again a member of the State assembly in 1778; Member of the Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775; died at Chatsworth, near Baltimore, Md., September 5, 1779; interment in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Baltimore, Md. via

Drayton Hall Circa 1738 - Charleston SC

I didn't visit Drayton Hall the one and only time I was in Charleston. I must go and see this wonderful place. The 360° online tour is wonderful -- take it here. It really makes you feel as if you are there.

first image

Deer Boy by James Edward Deeds Jr.

James Edward Deeds, Jr. 1908-1987 -- Extraordinary American Outsider Artist. Read more about him here and don't fail to watch the video.

Red, White and Blue Porch

Are you gearing up for July 4th yet? via

The Doryman by N.C.Wyeth 1933

I love this oil on canvas and am happy Wyeth succeeded in passing on his artistic talent. In his studio, in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, N.C. taught three of his five children and two sons-in-law to paint. via

The Real Sitters for Grant Wood's American Gothic

I love this photo of the couple who posed for Grant Wood's American Gothic. He looks exactly like the painting because of his bald head. Her curly hair style makes her a little bit harder to recognize but the face is the same. via
~~~Happy Valentine's Day~~~

John Crump House - Williamsburg | Before and After Restoration

An 18th century house shown before the turn of the 20th century. I photographed this image from one of my books on Colonial Williamsburg.

The same house after restoration. You have to see the before picture to be able to fully appreciate the after photo, don't you? Such a labor of love.

Early American Children

Sturtevant J Hamblin (American artist 1817-1884)

I've always love folk portraits by this artist. Let's pretend these youngsters are dressed in their Christmas finery. via

Scrimshaw Double Heart Mourning Jewelry Circa 1807

A lovely memorial for a departed loved one. "Beauty and youth in vain to these you trust For youth and beauty shall be laid in dust."

~~~via~~~

The American Museum in Britain

Queen Kapi’olani’s Fan Quilt, early twentieth century, Hawaii.

The American Museum in Britain: The only museum of Americana outside the United States, the museum was founded to bring American history and cultures to the people of Britain and Europe. I've never been there, have you? I love that eye-dazzling red and white Hawaiian quilt. 

American Silver Nutmeg Grater

I've never seen an antique American Silver nutmeg grater in this classical urn form. From the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Details here. 

Paul Revere Teapot

American silver teapot by Paul Revere, Jr. 1734-1818 in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Americana week is upon us in New York with auctions at Sotheby's and Christie's and of course the Winter Antiques Show at the Park Avenue Armory. Will you be going?

Miss Liberty Standing Proud on July 4th

Enjoy your Liberty today. I scanned this image from an old Life Magazine. The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

• Crown: There are 25 windows in the crown which symbolize gemstones and the heaven's rays shining over the world.
• Rays of Crown: The seven rays represent the seven seas and continents of the world.
• Chains: Chains and a broken shackle are at the Statue's feet and cannot be seen from below. This symbolizes the Statue as a goddess free from oppression and servitude.
• Tablet: Represents a book of law.
• The tablet reads in Roman numerals July 4, 1776, the date of American Independence. (JULY IV MDCCLXXVI)

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Portraits from My Garden | Laura Coombs Hills

Portraits from My Garden from Antiques & Fine Art magazine:
Laura Coombs Hills (1859-1952) was born on September 7th in the prosperous and thriving seacoast city of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Last photo: A Young Laura Hills. Courtesy of the Historical Society of Old Newbury. Click on the link to read more about this talented American artist.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Paint Decorated Antique Cupboard

I love this cupboard. The exuberant paint decoration is so special. Photographed from one of my books; I can't even remember which one right now. That salmon color would be perfect here in the cottage. I like the combination of closed doors and one open shelf. Nice.

George Washington by Gilbert Stuart

The finest and best and most reproduced portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. Read the interesting history behind it.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Antique Wash Boards

Wash or Scrubbing Boards by unknown artists. American, circa 1840-1870. Left to right: carved and doweled pine, carved fruitwood, pine and wire, carved and doweled pine. Private collection.

Scrubbing boards were found in every laundry room in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century America. Soiled clothes were soaped and then rubbed against the ridges of the board, which stood with its legs in a tub of wash water. The fruitwood board second from left is of one-piece construction, all of the other boards are jointed.

I never tire of looking at beautiful antique utilitarian items from everyday life in America, handmade to last. I'm sure these would be wonderful to touch as well. Years of scrubbing clothes by hand would have left the wood very smooth and the hands very rough. We have it so easy, don't we?

Photographed from one of my large coffee table books: America's Traditional Crafts by Robert Shaw.




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Ammi Phillips Double Portrait Auctioned For $782,500

Two children, a dog, and a cat; what could be better? A 43" x 40" oil on canvas folk art portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865) of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and his older sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865), circa 1852, sold for $782,500 (includes buyer's premium) at Christie's in New York City on January 22, 2010.

Rare Double Portrait by Ammi Phillips (1788-1865)
The lead highlight of the Americana Week sales is an exceedingly rare, full-length double portrait of Theron Simpson Ludington (1850-1922) and His Older Sister Virginia Ludington (1846-1865) by the prominent 19th century American portrait artist Ammi Phillips (pictured page one, center; estimate: $300,000-500,000).
Unknown among Phillips works until earlier this year, this dynamic, even humorous portrait of two young siblings has been passed down through generations of the Ludington family of Goshen, CT until the present day. Phillips was commissioned sometime around 1852 to paint the family’s members, which included formal portraits of the children’s parents, Theron Daniel Ludington (1826-1900) and Eleanor Bailey Ludington (1826-1863), also to be offered in the sale (estimate: $12,000-18,000).
The full-length double portrait of the children is unusual for its departure from the conventional poses Phillips typically employed in his formal single portraits. Here instead, in a moment of playfulness and insight into the sibling’s relationship, the artist depicted the younger boy leaning away from his older sister to hug the shaggy dog by his side, while a small grey cat bites at a single strawberry that has fallen from the bunch in Virginia’s hand. While hundreds of single portraits by Phillips survive today, only a small number of full-length double portraits of this type are known to exist – a measure of rarity that is sure to attract collectors.

The buyer was Atlanta, Georgia, dealer Deanne Levison. I remember when she worked at Israel Sack in New York. Christie's photo, listing information. The good things always command high prices. This would be lovely above my fireplace.

Take care of your antiques and they will take care of you."




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Rare Queen Anne Stool Auction

A QUEEN ANNE CARVED WALNUT COMPASS-SEAT STOOL PHILADELPHIA, CIRCA 1750

Auction: 21 - 25 January 2010 at Christie's New York, Rockefeller Plaza Pre-auction estimate $300,000/500,000.

The mate sold at Sotheby's Sept. '08 for $5,234,500.

The 56th Annual Winter Antique Show at the Park Avenue Armory is the flagship event for Americana Week in New York City. Patrons, dealers, and customers flock to the auction houses also. The circa 1750 Philadelphia Queen Anne Stool in the first and second photos is the piece to watch at Christie's. Do you think Albert Sack will buy this one too? Wouldn't it be wonderful if these two fine period stools ended up together once again? Fingers crossed.

"Take care of your antiques and they'll take care of you."




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.

Elijah Boardman Portrait by Ralph Earl

Ralph Earl (American 1751-1801) portrayed the richly dressed dry-goods merchant Elijah Boardman (1760–1823) in his store in New Milford, Connecticut. His right hand rests on a counting desk protected by green cloth secured with brass nails. The books on the shelves include the three-volume set of Dr. John Moore's Travels, two volumes of Shakespeare's plays, John Milton's Paradise Lost, a volume of Samuel Johnson's dictionary, and the London Magazine for 1786. Through the open paneled door to the right, bolts of plain and patterned textiles, including one with a prominently displayed British tax stamp, invite inspection and tell the viewer how Boardman earned a living, just as the books in his desk and the letter in his hand speak of his learning and cultivation. Don't you think he's hot? Such a handsome 18th century gentleman!
source




Click orange square to subscribe via feed reader or email.