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Freeman’s continues to show the popularity and strength of the Pennsylvania Impressionism market during its December 5 auction

Pennsylvania Impressionism was the star of Freeman’s American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction on December 5. There were multiple world records set throughout the day, and the section devoted to the collection of Virginia and Stuart Peltz had a rare white glove results. In all, the auction achieved $5.15 million, solidifying the growing success of the market.Daniel Garber (1880-1958), Sycamores, September 1923. Oil on canvas, 52 1/8 x 56 1/8 in., signed bottom right: ‘Daniel Garber’. Estimate: $300/500,000 SOLD: $390,600

Raphaël Chatroux, head of sale, says, “There was a lot of interest in the sale. In particular, the important section from the collection of Virginia Peltz. It was all Pennsylvania Impressionist works, but very academic and very well known because they were collected early on.” The Peltzes began collecting in the 1980s and decided to purchase one painting by each of the New Hope School artists. Every one of the paintings had never appeared at auction, only adding to the history of the works. They achieved a combined $1.4 million during the sale with several becoming auction records.Edward Willis Redfield (1869–1965), Abandoned Road, ca. 1925. Oil on canvas, 28 x 32 in., signed bottom right: ‘E.W. REDFIELD’; titled and signed upper stretcher verso. Estimate: $120/180,000 SOLD: $352,800

Fern Isabel Coppedge (1883–1951), December Afternoon (Carversville), ca. 1924-25. Oil on canvas, 30 x 30 in., signed bottom right: ‘Fern I. Coppedge’; signed, inscribed with artist’s address and titled upper stretcher verso: ‘4011 Baltimore Ave/Philadelphia PA’. Estimate: $80/120,000 SOLD $226,800

Highlights from the collection included Daniel Garber’s Up the River, Winter (est. $150/250,000), which sold for $252,000; Fern Isabel Coppedge’s December Afternoon (Carversville) at $226,800 against an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000; and Coppedge’s Snowy Country Side (Lambertville) at $163,800, which bested its estimate of $60,000 to $100,000. Two record setters were Morgan Colt’s Butcher Wagon (est. $40/60,000) at $100,800 and Kenneth R. Nunamaker’s River Road at Centre Bridge (est. $60/100,000) at $201,600.Stevan Dohanos (1907–1995), Tying Flies, Saturday Evening Post cover, 1950. Oil on Masonite, 25 7/8 x 20 1/8 in., signed bottom left: ‘Stevan Dohanos’; signed and inscribed with date: ‘March 4, 1950’. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $25/40,000 SOLD: $252,000Outside of the collection was the top earner of the auction: Daniel Garber’s Sycamores (est. $300/500,000), which sold within estimate at $390,600. According to Chatroux, the work was one of the largest that Garber ever made. Another exciting moment in the sale came in the broader American art segment when Stevan Dohanos’ Saturday Evening Post cover Tying Flies (est. $25/40,000) sold for more than 10 times its low estimate at $252,000—a new auction record for the artist. “It was a very nice piece that came from a private California collection. They had an emphasis on illustration art.” says Chatroux. He adds that being a Post cover and fresh to the market helped drive the price. —

Top 10 Sales
Freeman’s, American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists, December 5, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)

Artist Title Low/High Est. SOLD
Daniel Garber Sycamores $300/500,000 $390,600
Edward Willis Redfield Abandoned Road $120/180,000 $352,800
Stevan Dohanos Tying Flies $25/40,000 $252,000
Daniel Garber Up the River, Winter $150/250,000 $252,000
Jamie Wyeth Saltwater Ice $200/300,000 $226,800
Fern Isabel Coppedge December Afternoon (Carversville) $80/120,000 $226,800
Kenneth R. Nunamaker River Road at Centre Bridge $60/100,000 $201,600
Edward Willis Redfield Country Road Winter $100/150,000 $189,000
Fern Isabel Coppedge Snowy Country Side (Lambertville in Winter) $60/100,000 $163,800
Edward Willis Redfield Sleighing by the River near Centre Bridge $120/180,000 $138,600