The day after my birthday earlier this month, Jeff and I went to breakfast together and headed to Carlisle to find some birthday goodies at one of my favorite antique stores – Bedford Street Antiques. I had a few things I was going to keep an eye out for, but I really just wanted to find something that made my heart flutter and would be a memorable present. I used to spend my birthday money on clothes or little things here and there, but I’ve decided that each year, I’m going to spend it on something special that I would likely keep for years if not decades. I have several birthday presents that are some of my favorite things – an ironstone cake stand, a custom leather art bag, an antique watercolor box, and Jeff even got me a tattoo for year 39. I had picked up a few fun art supplies that weren’t specifically for my birthday, but I waited to open them on my birthday (I’ll share those in another post), but it’s always fun to go on an outing that includes a yummy meal and good company.
While Jeff is good company, I usually prefer to go to antique stores with my mom who will encourage me when I want to buy something. Well, you work very hard. Go for it! Jeff, on the other hand, will make another kind of comment. Oh good, another piece of ironstone. I was thinking we needed another pitcher. But, he does sometimes surprise me and this was one of those occasions. (I think it’s because it was my birthday and he didn’t want an unhappy birthday girl.)
Anyway, I picked up a few things like Civil War-era flatware (naturally), a picnic basket, an artist’s mannequin, and an old frame. Then, I spotted a stunning antique oil portrait in a chunky gold frame in a beautifully curated booth. I loved just about everything in the booth and, against my expectations, the prices were very good. Usually, a booth with quality, 100+-year-old antiques will be priced higher than those with vintage bits and bobs picked up in auction lots, but you really never know. I expected the portrait would be out of my birthday budget, but I leaned in and looked at the tag. It was $400 for a sizeable, original oil portrait painted in 1901. I knew with 99.9% certainty the painting was going home with me, but I did need to give it some thought. I was planning on spending $200 or so and had already picked out some things I wanted to buy. This wasn’t outrageous, but it was more than I had in mind to drop on this outing.
I voiced my love for the portrait to Jeff (who didn’t really get it) and told him that I knew it was underpriced and it was a special piece. I would regret not buying it. Instead of commenting on our lack of need for the oil painting, he said, “I totally trust your gut feeling about this sort of thing. It’s usually right. Let’s keep walking around and think about it.”
As I was walking around, I found it almost impossible to focus on anything else. I am a very paranoid shopper when it comes to antiques and, even if I am the only person in the store, I am sure someone is going to come in, make a beeline for the booth, and buy the painting while I’m pretending to weigh buying it when I really am thinking about where I’ll hang it in our house.
We headed back to the booth after looking at the second floor and Jeff helped me get the painting off the wall and carry it to the counter. Not only was it very well priced at $400, but it was 15% off, so I got it for $340. I was thrilled. A portrait of this size, age, quality, and condition will usually fetch over $1000.
I carried my new mister around the house to find the perfect spot for him. I liked the idea of hanging him prominently over the fireplace in the living room, but he was just a bit too tall for that space. He’d look good on one of our bedroom walls or in the dining room, but I want him to be seen and enjoyed by all, so he got an honored place in the foyer. I like that I can see the painting from the kitchen and everytime I walk to the front door, the studio, or back down the hallway.
I don’t know if that’s his permanent spot, but he looks good there until I find a place I like him better.
Happy Birthday to me, indeed! It’ll be a favorite piece for a long time.
Sometimes portraits can look creepy or something about the structure of the face is off, but a skilled artist rendered this one.
I tried to discern the signature, but I haven’t been able to make it out. The date is clear, though, 1901. I’ll keep looking at the signature and maybe it’ll click one day. It would be fun to find out who the artist is. Unfortunately, there isn’t a label on the back either.
Should we name him? What does he look like?
96 Responses
He looks like a Henry.
I think he’s a Henry, too.
Henry is what first came to mind, too!
I was surprised to see that other people’s first choice was Henry!
He looks like his name is Sumner!
Albert. He looks like a caring man, not mischievous just dependable.
Wade he is a handsome.
He looks like a William to me. Also I like that he is looking towards the front door! He will greet guests as they enter! He looks handsome, welcoming and friendly.
Always look forward to your blogs, you’re a great story teller! “Henry” or Alistair is very handsome.
He is stunningly handsome. Avery Talmage Marian. He can have your first name as his last♡
Thaddeus
He has very sensitive eyes. He looks like our German landlord when he was young. His name is Lukas Eigstler.
I think he is a kind and dignified Alexander! I feel like I could write a story about him. There is a purpose for him landing in your house…the fun will be in finding it!
Bernard
I love the frame looks like its in very gpod condition for its age ! Do you think it’s gold leaf ?
I wonder if you had it professionally cleaned if the signature would be more legible?
Augustus
I don’t know his first name, but really think it should be Uncle … something. He looks like he would be your favorite uncle.
i agree. Uncle-
Bedford
It looks Like President Ulysses S Grant
I thought so too!
Love him – great find.
He looks like a “Sennett” to me😁
Yes it does look like President Grant!
He looks noble yet humble.
Love it! What a terrific find.
Albert T. Astor, born April 16, 1864. He’s the 8th cousin twice removed of John Jacob Astor. He married Agnes nee Tinmore on January 14, 1897. Their’s was not a love match, but rather an arranged marriage to seal the merger between their family businesses. Even though they weren’t in love when they married, Agnes and Albert grew to love each other very much. They had four children, Alice, Theodore, Jacob and Celia. The two youngest children were twins, and Agnes almost died while giving birth to them. The doctor recommended for the sake of her health that they not have any more children. Albert, devastated by the idea that he had almost lost his beloved Agnes moved to another bedroom to assure her ongoing health. Sadly, three years later, Agnes convinced him to return to there bedroom as she could not stand to be apart from him. Later that year, Agnes became pregnant again, and both she and their baby died in childbirth.
Albert was inconsolable and withdrew from society. He left all of his business interests to his eldest son, and set up a trust for his other three children. His daughter, Alice, took care of him for the rest of his life. She never married. Theodore and Jacob both married well, and gave Albert several grandchildren. Celia, the most affected by her mother’s death, went to live with her maternal grandmother, where she became an accomplished pianist.
Albert lived quietly, rarely leaving the home he had shared with Agnes. He always spoke of her beauty and kindness to anyone who would listen. He passed away peacefully in his and Agnes’s bedroom 23 years after her passing.
Yes! Besides a name. He needs a story. Love this.
After a European tour where his parents met Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, his mother who was very impressed with the Royal couple decided the name Albert was a perfect name for their second boy. The first boy, of course, was named after his father.
What a lovely story!!!
Is this true? I’m curious because, if there was a portrait of him, then surely they would have had a portrait painted of his wife!
There was indeed a portrait painted of his wife. Throughout the years, although he never wanted the portraits separated, they did end up getting separated and sadly, no one knows what became of Agnes’s portrait. (This is all purely fictional.)
Loribeth, you are a clever story teller. Thanks for the smiles.
You’re very welcome.
Beautiful!!
Perfection!
Oh my goodness – that’s Melanie and Ashley from Gone with the Wind !
Whatever his name it would fun to give him one and make up a back story for him – and share it with us !
His name is Oscar.
Benjamin Robert Shaw.
He is clearly Everett.
Theodore Chesterfield
Benjamin…he looks like a Benjamin to me. ❤❤
The first name that came to me was Robert.
I thought Robert seemed “proper” for him also.
When I saw the portrait, I immediately thought “Reginald”
Me too!
Edward Jay Pierce… EJ to those close to him .A very handsome man.
Rupert
William Edward
I just had a very favorite uncle pass away. His name was John. He was masculine, ruggedly handsome, hilarious and kind. This man in the painting reminds me of him. So my pick is John. 💙
I think he’s a Fitzwilliam! Lovely portrait and I’m sure there’s a story there!
That frame glows! Gorgeous!
Richard Wellhofer
My first thought was the British show “ Mr. Selfridge”. Jeremy Piven played Harry Selfridge, founder of the department store. The character looks much like this man.
My first choice is Graham and second is Alistair. But I loved the story above. We all need to spend more time with our imaginations.
He looks like a Morgan.
He is handsome and mysterious. Perhaps a Thomas? I wonder why his family let him go.
I like Rutherford. A beautiful find
He looks like an Edmond to me!
Marian, where is Eulalie?
What a beautiful painting! I think he is Edward or Augustus (or, maybe, Uncle Edward Augustus Parsons).
I’m certain he is a Carlisle. I’ve known his family for years.😂
“She” is packed away (we will be moving soon.) We were in CO for the birth of a second grandson 13 years ago. At an antique store I found a picture of a lovely woman, which cost $5.00. I’m sure someone wanted the frame, but not the portrait. I had an antique frame, and we had a mat cut to fit her picture. I named her Aunt Agatha Esmeralda. Not a beautiful name, but it just seemed to fit her.
He looks like the man on Miss Scarlett and The Duke. So call him The Duke!
That is exactly what I was thinking!!
John Thomas Rutherford
Bedford Street Antiques is my favorite shop and Mary does a great job keeping the shop stocked with great items from her renters
Rutherford Wendell Harrison born September 12, 1862 😃
Ben. He looks like a Ben.
What a wonderful find! I hope you can make out the artist’s name. Perhaps you might find out who the subject is if you do. In any case, he is very handsome and is worthy of a good name and a great story! He looks very much at home in the foyer. Happy Birthday!
He looks like his name must surely be Sinclair McAllister!
Perhaps if Antiques Roadshow comes your way, you could take him to find out who the artist was and who the gentleman was. I would think he was some type of prominent businessman or important person in the community.
I looked at some of my calling cards and I liked… Vincent P Bowman.
Gabriel
Dear Marian,
Your “new man” is an extraordinary remembrance of your birthday as well as the fun celebration with your Jeff.
Playing off two other suggestions, I hope he becomes Uncle Marian!
Hugs, Diney on Mercer Island
Definitely an Antique Road Show candidate. Love the portrait and the frame.
He’s a Dude….
For some reason I immediately thought of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Perhaps you might call him Garth, after the books’ illustrator Garth Williams.
Hi Marian,
I did a little Google search and I found this information.
Is there an app to identify oil paintings?
Go to the Apple or Android app. store to download SMARTIFY. Open the app. and hold your phone’s camera up to a portrait to “scan” the work of art.
SmARTify | National Portrait Gallery – Smithsonian Institution
Edward, uncle Edward !
It is indeed a lovely painting. Not quite a Sargent, but calmly dark and deep and manly. Wow, I sure hope you can find out WHO this guy is.
Very handsome man and the painting is in incredible condition. I think he looks like an Edward.
Since he greets your guests, and in keeping with your German heritage, how about Herr Will Kommen? 😉
Uncle Percy
He has found a perfect home!! You picked the perfect wall. Could the shop owner or booth owner give any clue where it came from, prior owner?
I wondered if his bowtie could provide some clues …. found this:
“All presidential events, diplomatic galas, and royal affairs are white tie gatherings. You should wear a tuxedo. A men’s suit does not suffice, even if you have a very formal one. You should wear a tuxedo shirt and a bow tie.”
What name would your boys and their modern day friends give him?
I vote for Edward.
Marian, I found myself giggling often reading this post.
And whatever you decide to name him, I know it will be a noble one. He is very handsome.
Nice! I’m sure your husband is glad you didn’t hang it in the bedroom!
I’m excited for your new painting! What a wonderful artist this person was.
As an artist myself, it’s very exciting to find another artist’s work and be very confident that it’s a good buy for you to make. Congratulations!
My husband and I stopped birthday exchanges years back because we’re trying to be minimal so our children aren’t burdened when we pass. Your posting brought back wonderful memories of when we would search for just the right gift. Now we go out for a nice meal.
Did you ask the dealer if they have any idea who the picture coud be? I have a civil war barrister book case that belomged to a General from Vermont. The dealer couldntremember his name. grrr. Have you tried looking at the signature with a loop?
He looks like Ulysses S. Grant to me, his face is very kind looking, his eyes are very nicely done especially.
William Henry Roberts…
Everyone wants to name him! 🙂 I thought he looks like a Jefferson to me (as his first name).
He looks like a Samuel to me!
My sister has a similar painting of an unknown gentleman, and she calls him the Governor.
He’s your handsome, never married, forlorn from a lost love, wealthy and generous, kind and soft spoken, and often mysterious, Uncle Robert Langford Parson.
He operated a book store and imported unusual books. He was known to occasionally teach an underprivileged child how to read.
His books helped him not fall into his “spells of despair and mental turmoil”, which occasionally plagued him.
There were no books containing love stories in his shop. He died asleep in his bed, while holding his diary. It was reported to have held many secrets, but sadly, was lost during the closing of his estate and store. After his death, the shop remained abandoned and deteriorated. It eventually was consumed by fire. The townspeople claim, the flames sounded like a sobbing man.