Wells M. Sawyer Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Wells M. Sawyer Art Value Price Guide

Sep. 14, 2023
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (Washington, D.C./Florida/Iowa, 1863-1961), Distant view of the Capitol., Oil on canvas, 16” x 20”. Framed 22” x 26”.
Est: $700 - $1,000
WELLS MOSES SAWYER Washington, D.C./Florida/Iowa, 1863-1961 Distant view of the Capitol. Signed lower right "Wells M. Sawyer".
Eldred's
Jun. 13, 2023
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863 - 1961) American
Est: $800 - $1,200
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863 - 1961) Watercolor on Paper, Signed & Titled "The New And Tthe Old Miles" , Measures (11 x 9 inches) w/frame (19.5 x 16 inches) Wells Sawyer was born in Iowa, the son of Moses C. Sawyer (b. 1838) and Helen Sawyer (b. 1838). His father became a well-to-do merchant, and by 1870 had moved his young family to Keithsburg, located in Mercer County, Illinois. Later the family returned to Iowa to live in Keokuk, the town which Sawyer would always associate with his childhood. Young Sawyer studied with a number of important artists, including John O. Anderson, Howard Helmick (1845-1907), and John H. Vanderpoel (1857-1911). By 1884 he had set himself up as an artist in his native Iowa, advertising in the Iowa Gazetteer and Business Directory that year. In the 1890's, with his career beginning to take off, he began work for the Federal Government as an illustrator with the United States Geological Survey and later with the Bureau of American Ethnology.
Cutler Bay Auctions
May. 20, 2023
WELLS SAWYER (1863-1961) Shoreline, Oil on canvas, 17 1/2 x 27"
Est: $1,500 - $2,000
WELLS SAWYER (1863-1961) Shoreline, Oil on canvas, 17 1/2 x 27"
Bakker Auctions
Nov. 03, 2022
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (Washington, D.C./Florida/Iowa, 1863-1961), Landscape with gate, bridge and distant house., Watercolor on paper, 9.75" x 13.5" sight. Framed 15.5" x 23.5".
Est: $200 - $300
WELLS MOSES SAWYER Washington, D.C./Florida/Iowa, 1863-1961 Landscape with gate, bridge and distant house. Signed lower left "W.M. Saywer".
Eldred's
Mar. 27, 2022
Three American Watercolor Paintings
Est: $600 - $800
A collection of three watercolors to include 1) SAWYER, Wells Moses, (American, 1863-1960): Riverfront house with chickens in yard, signed lower right, 10" x 14" , framed 17.75" x 21.75". 2) "The Stone Wall", landscape with tree and wall, signed E. Taylor lower right, sight size 12.75" x 11", famed 20.25" x 18.25". Toning and foxing. 3) Portrait of Clement Gray bowers in front of Chilton, the ancestral home of Charles S Chapman, Morristown, New York, unsigned but most likely painted by Chapman, sigh size 10.5" x 12", framed 18.5" x 19.5". Toning, foxing, spot upper right.
Amero Auctions
Jul. 10, 2021
Wells M. Sawyer Twilight Shore Scene with Lighthouses.
Est: $400 - $600
Wells M. Sawyer (Iowa, DC, Florida, 1863-1960), signed lower left. Oil on canvas, 12 x 18 inches.
Casco Bay Auctions
Feb. 20, 2021
Wells M. Sawyer (American, 1863-1960), Oil on Canvas Board
Est: $100 - $150
Signed lower left. Size: 14 x 14 inches. Weight: 1/2 lb. Condition: Some wear at corners. Biography from the University of Florida: Wells Moses Sawyer was born on January 31, 1863 to Moses Calvin Sawyer and Helen Jane Cass Sawyer in Keokuk, Iowa. Sawyer acquired a law degree in 1882, but he never practiced law. While studying law in Chicago, he began pursuing his career as an artist when he took art courses under John Vanderpoel at the Art Institute of Chicago. Sawyer had several types of employment throughout his life including working as an illustrator for leading newspapers such as the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Tribune, and later in life he held the secretaryship of the Trustee Securities Company. Sawyer's position as a Paleontologic Draughtsman for the U.S. Geological Survey office in Washington D.C. enabled him to join Frank H. Cushing's Pepper-Hearst Expedition to Tarpon Springs and Key Marco in Florida in 1896. A controversial aspect of the expedition regarded the artifacts that the archeologists and diggers removed from the pre-historic mud mounds in the region. Upon their removal, the artifacts quickly faded and deteriorated in the sunlight. Consequently, Sawyer's original photographs and sketches of the artifacts made soon after the digging became even more important to the artifact documentation and historical significance of the expedition. Sawyer married Kathleen Bailey upon returning from Florida, and they subsequently had two children, Helen and Bailey (Bill). The family lived in New York, but later in life Sawyer retired due to health issues and moved to Spain with his wife. They traveled throughout Europe, as well as in Central and South America. Sawyer began to sketch and paint more in his retirement, and he had many exhibitions in both Spain and the U.S. Sawyer and his wife made a final move to Sarasota, Florida, in 1944. He continued to show his artwork in Spain, Mexico, England, and the United States, and was a member of the Art Students League, Salmagundi Club, and the American Watercolor Society. He died on March 21, 1960.
Elder's Fine Art & Antiques
Feb. 20, 2021
Wells M. Sawyer (American, 1863-1960), Oil on Canvas Board
Est: $100 - $150
Signed lower left. Size: 16 x 12 inches. Weight: 1/2 lb. Condition: Some wear at corners. Biography from the University of Florida: Wells Moses Sawyer was born on January 31, 1863 to Moses Calvin Sawyer and Helen Jane Cass Sawyer in Keokuk, Iowa. Sawyer acquired a law degree in 1882, but he never practiced law. While studying law in Chicago, he began pursuing his career as an artist when he took art courses under John Vanderpoel at the Art Institute of Chicago. Sawyer had several types of employment throughout his life including working as an illustrator for leading newspapers such as the Chicago Daily News and the Chicago Tribune, and later in life he held the secretaryship of the Trustee Securities Company. Sawyer's position as a Paleontologic Draughtsman for the U.S. Geological Survey office in Washington D.C. enabled him to join Frank H. Cushing's Pepper-Hearst Expedition to Tarpon Springs and Key Marco in Florida in 1896. A controversial aspect of the expedition regarded the artifacts that the archeologists and diggers removed from the pre-historic mud mounds in the region. Upon their removal, the artifacts quickly faded and deteriorated in the sunlight. Consequently, Sawyer's original photographs and sketches of the artifacts made soon after the digging became even more important to the artifact documentation and historical significance of the expedition. Sawyer married Kathleen Bailey upon returning from Florida, and they subsequently had two children, Helen and Bailey (Bill). The family lived in New York, but later in life Sawyer retired due to health issues and moved to Spain with his wife. They traveled throughout Europe, as well as in Central and South America. Sawyer began to sketch and paint more in his retirement, and he had many exhibitions in both Spain and the U.S. Sawyer and his wife made a final move to Sarasota, Florida, in 1944. He continued to show his artwork in Spain, Mexico, England, and the United States, and was a member of the Art Students League, Salmagundi Club, and the American Watercolor Society. He died on March 21, 1960.
Elder's Fine Art & Antiques
Jan. 24, 2021
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960) American, W/C Spain
Est: $350 - $400
Information verso. Signed lower left "Wells M. Sawyer" Watercolor on paper. Figures in the foreground. Sawyer was a long time resident of Florida. Sight: 12 x 8 1/2 in. Overall: 20 x 16 in. Please note that all sales are final. No refunds will be given under any circumstances. Location B
Sarasota Estate Auction
Nov. 15, 2020
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960) American, W/C Spain
Est: $500 - $700
Information verso. Signed lower left "Wells M. Sawyer" Watercolor on paper. Figures in the foreground. Sawyer was a long time resident of Florida. Sight: 12 x 8 1/2 in. Overall: 20 x 16 in. Please note that all sales are final. No refunds will be given under any circumstances.
Sarasota Estate Auction
May. 10, 2020
Wells M Sawyer (1863-1960) American, Oil on Panel
Est: $1,000 - $2,000
Attractive village hillside scene by Wells Moses Sawyer, an Iowa-born artist who had Sarasota and Florida connections. He was an artist and anthropologist and noted for being the photographer on the Pepper-Hearst Expedition, which explored the dwellings of the mound-builders along the Gulf Coast of Florida in the 1890's. He was educated at the University of Florida and became a draughtsman for the U.S. Geological Survey office in Washington, D.C. By 1931 he was painting landscapes and historical buildings, and relocated to Florida in 1944. He settled in Sarasota and helped found the Sarasota art colony. His son-in-law was another Florida artist, Jerry Farnsworth. The Pepper-Hearst Expedition went to Tarpon Springs, then Key Marco, in 1896 and explored the mounds or middens created by prehistoric peoples who lived on oysters and shellfish from the Gulf waters. Key Marco was part of current-day Marco Island, just below Naples in Florida, and Sawyer was vital to the success of the expedition. The painting is signed in the lower left and has a beautiful gilt frame. The overall size is 18 3/4 x 22 13/16 in. wide and the sight size is 11 1/2 x 15 1/2 in. wide.
Sarasota Estate Auction
Nov. 09, 2019
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1961)
Est: $300 - $500
DESCRIPTION: Wells Moses Sawyer (American 1863-1961). Watercolor on paper. Andalusian Farm. Signed "Wells M. Sawyer" lower right. Double matted in wood frame. Plaque to frame. MEASUREMENTS: Sight 14-1/2" x 18-3/4". Overall with frame 24-1/4" x 30-1/4". CONDITION: Undulation. Not examined outside of frame.
Cordier Auctions & Appraisals
Mar. 11, 2018
WELLS M. SAWYER (AMERICAN, 1863-1961) AUTUMN SUN OIL ON CANVAS 20 X 16 INCHES (5
Est: $300 - $500
Wells M. Sawyer (American, 1863-1961) Autumn Sun Oil on canvas 20 x 16 inches (50.8 x 40.6 cm) Signed lower left: Wells M. Sawyer HID04901242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 10, 2016
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960) Landscape depicting a village in pathway. Mounted in a gilt frame. Sight: 12 inches height, 16 inches width. Overall: 19 inches height, 23 inches width. Provenance: From a Private Collection of Prestigious Sarasota,
Est: $600 - $1,000
Landscape depicting a village in pathway. Mounted in a gilt frame. Sight: 12 inches height, 16 inches width. Overall: 19 inches height, 23 inches width. Provenance: From a Private Collection of Prestigious Sarasota, Florida Resident. S: 12"H x 1"W
Peachtree & Bennett
Nov. 12, 2016
Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960)
Est: $600 - $1,000
Landscape depicting a village in pathway. Mounted in a gilt frame. Sight: 12 inches height, 16 inches width. Overall: 19 inches height, 23 inches width. Provenance: From a Private Collection of Prestigious Sarasota, Florida Resident. S: 12"H x 1"W This item is located in Sarasota, FL 34231. PICK UP: Sun – Tuesday, November 13 – 15, 10AM - 2PM. SHIPPING: Items can be transported to our Atlanta, GA showroom for a fee. Jewelry: $10/ea. Artwork & Furniture: $20/ea. Please email auctions@peachtreebennett.com to make arrangements. NOTE: ALL ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED BY NOVEMBER 16, 2016.
Peachtree & Bennett
Sep. 24, 2016
Wells Moses Sawyer, Florida, Iowa, DC (1863-1961)
Est: $250 - $400
Wells Moses Sawyer, Florida, Iowa, DC (1863-1961), oil on canvas landscape of a brook with a house in the background, signed ll "Wells M Sawyer", 20" x 16", old gold probably original frame,
The Cobbs
May. 16, 2016
In the manner of Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1961), oil on board depicting desert mesa at dawn, rocks are illuminated while t...
Est: $100 - $200
In the manner of Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1961), oil on board depicting desert mesa at dawn, rocks are illuminated while township and factory smokestacks are still concealed in shadow, no visible signature, unfinished sketch of house and clock verso, overall craquelure, patch verso corresponding to isolated paint bulging UR, not examined out of frame, ss: 11 3/4" h. x 15 3/4" w.
Winter Associates, Inc.
Mar. 15, 2016
WELLS M SAWYER WATERCOLOR ON PAPER OF A TOWNSCAPE SCENE FRAMED
Est: $250 - $350
Wells Moses Sawyer (AMERICAN/DC/FLORIDA/IOWA, 1863-1961) watercolor work on paper depicting a town alley scene. Signed "WELLS M. SAWYER" to lower left. Mounted in a wooden frame with matting behind a glass screen. Measures approx. 16" height x 11" wide + 4" mat & frame.
Gulfstream Auction Gallery Inc.
Oct. 25, 2014
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (AMERICAN 1863-1961) Under the
Est: $600 - $800
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (AMERICAN 1863-1961) Under the Bridge, oil on canvas 50.8 x 33 cm (16 x 20 in.) signed lower left
Shapiro Auctions LLC
Sep. 14, 2014
WELLS M. SAWYER (American, 1863-1961) Against the Sky O
Est: $200 - $300
WELLS M. SAWYER (American, 1863-1961) Against the Sky Oil on canvas laid on board 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 25.4 cm) Signed lower left: Wells M. Sawyer Titled on label verso THE JEAN AND GRAHAM DEVOE WILLIFORD CHARITABLE TRUST EXHIBITED: Salmagundi Club, New York, "Thumb-Box Exhibition," n.d.
Heritage Auctions
Mar. 24, 2013
Wells Moses Sawyer
Est: $200 - $300
Wells Moses Sawyer (District of Columbia/Florida, 1863-1961) TWO ON A FALLEN PALM, SARASOTA, FLORIDA, circa 1944-61 watercolor, unframed, signed lower right H11" W14 1/2" Provenance: Estate of Henry Bertram Moog, Jr., Atlanta, Georgia
Charlton Hall
Sep. 01, 2010
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1960)
Est: $600 - $800
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1960) Winter at Snug Rock signed 'WELLS M SAWYER' (lower right) oil on board 16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm.) Painted circa 1936.
Christie's
Aug. 31, 2010
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1960)
Est: $600 - $800
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1960) Winter at Snug Rock signed 'WELLS M SAWYER' (lower right) oil on board 16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm.) Painted circa 1936.
Christie's
Aug. 21, 2010
Wells Moses Sawyer, (American, 1863-1961), artisan's workshop, watercolor, 10" x 14"
Est: $150 - $300
Wells Moses Sawyer (American, 1863-1961) artisan's workshop watercolor signed lower right. Extremely well exhibited during his long career, Sawyer first began showing in the early 1890's with a variety of groups in D.C. In 1893 his work was included in the World's Columbian Exhibition held in Chicago. In 1894, his work was accepted for the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Annual Exhibition with many more exhibitions to follow. 10" x 14"
Ripley Auctions
Jun. 20, 2010
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (American, 1863-1961). SPRING LANDSCAPE, signed lower left. Oil on canvas.
Est: $800 - $1,000
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (American, 1863-1961). SPRING LANDSCAPE, signed lower left. Oil on canvas - Framed, 16 in. x 20 in.
Sloans & Kenyon
Feb. 06, 2009
WELLS MOSES SAWYER (American, 1863-1961) "IN THE AUTUMN".
Est: $400 - $600
Oil on canvas fall scene shows three figures on a grassy lawn area in front of a red Victorian house with trees and buildings beyond. Signed lower left "Wells M. Sawyer". Titled on reverse of the original gilt frame which is "as is". SIZE: 20" x 16". CONDITION: Craquelure, good. 9-95687
James D. Julia