William Bradford (American, 1823-1892) The Whaleship Speedwell of Fairhaven Outward Bound off Gay Head, 1853. Unsigned. Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in., in original ornate gilt-gesso frame; accompanied by the Speedwell's daybook, kept by Benjamin J. Gibbs, Master, dated from September 1, 1857, through February 5, 1861, the ship's final voyage. Condition: Minor retouch. Provenance: Descended in the family of Captain Benjamin J. Gibbs, the ship's first and only master. Exhibitions: William Bradford Sailing Ships and Arctic Seas, New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, Massachusetts, May 22-October 26, 2003. Literature: Exhibition catalogue William Bradford Sailing Ships and Arctic Seas, by Richard C. Kugler, New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2003, p. 91, plate 4. Note: In depth discussion of this painting by Richard Kugler in letters to the Gibbs family accompanies the lot. According to the Ship Registers of New Bedford, Massachusetts, vol. II, 1851-1865, p. 243, the Speedwell was "built at Fairhaven, 1853, 475 49/95 tons, length 122 ft. 4 1/2 in., depth 16 ft. 4 in., two decks, three masts, square stern, no galleries, a billethead." The entry goes on to list all of the owners of the vessel.
William Bradford (American, 1823-1892) The Whaleship Speedwell of Fairhaven Outward Bound off Gay Head, 1853. Unsigned. Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in., in original ornate gilt-gesso frame; accompanied by the Speedwell's daybook, kept by Benjamin J. Gibbs, Master, dated from September 1, 1857, through February 5, 1861, the ship's final voyage. Condition: Minor retouch. Provenance: Descended in the family of Captain Benjamin J. Gibbs, the ship's first and only master. Exhibitions: William Bradford Sailing Ships and Arctic Seas, New Bedford Whaling Museum, New Bedford, Massachusetts, May 22-October 26, 2003. Literature: Exhibition catalogue William Bradford Sailing Ships and Arctic Seas, by Richard C. Kugler, New Bedford Whaling Museum, 2003, p. 91, plate 4. Note: In depth discussion of this painting by Richard Kugler in letters to the Gibbs family accompanies the lot. According to the Ship Registers of New Bedford, Massachusetts, vol. II, 1851-1865, p. 243, the Speedwell was "built at Fairhaven, 1853, 475 49/95 tons, length 122 ft. 4 1/2 in., depth 16 ft. 4 in., two decks, three masts, square stern, no galleries, a billethead." The entry goes on to list all of the owners of the vessel.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
