Loading Spinner
Don’t miss out on items like this!

Sign up to get notified when similar items are available.

Lot 30: ALFRED JACOB MILLER (American, 1810-1874)

Est: $20,000 USD - $40,000 USDSold:
Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLCBedford Village, NY, USMarch 25, 2018

Item Overview

Description


'Caravan en route' [Stewart's caravan]
pen, pencil and ink wash on paper
h. 7-1/4 w. 13-3/4 in. overall: 12-1/2 x 18-3/4 in.
circa 1837, inscribed 'Caravan en route' in pencil lower left, framed

Literature: Alfred Jacob Miller: Artist on The Oregon Trail, edited by Ron Tyler with a Catalogue Raisonne by Karen Dewees Reynolds and Wiliam R. Johnston, Amon Carter Museum, 1982, catalogue No. 60F, p.214

A retired British army captain and Scottish nobleman who lost his inheritance to his brother, Sir William Drummond Stewart sought escape from his Old World surroundings and the thrill of the Western hunt was the perfect solution for a “bored veteran”* in his position. He had stumbled across Alfred Jacob Miller’s newly-established studio in New Orleans, and, impressed with what he saw, invited the young artist on a six-month excursion to the Rocky Mountains. There they would attend the great annual rendezvous of fur trappers and traders, “one of the true spectacles that the West had to offer”*, an event thatStewart, having attended several years prior, wished to document by bringing along an expedition artist. By this time (1837) only two other American artists had seen the frontier first-hand—George Catlin and Karl Bodmer—and neither of them had ventured as far west as Miller would. Having yet to receive a commission of this size, Miller eagerly accepted Stewart’s offer and joined the caravan on their journey into the frontier, likely following what would become The Oregon Trail as they made their way to the Rocky Mountains.

The expedition gave Miller a lifetime's worth of source material that he would use for the rest of his career. Utilizing his trailside sketches, he would create finished works in his studio decades later, often producing multiple iterations of the same scene. This is the case with this particular sketch which is related to at least seven other known works by Miller, each showing a caravan receding into the distance in a great arc starting with riders in the lower right corner. Six of these show Stewart at the center conspicuously seated on his white horse—a feature that is notably absent from the current sketch. Miller’s multiple versions are often difficult to arrange in chronological order, but Stewart’s absence in the current work may suggest an early date of 1837, especially since it shares other similarities with other known trailside sketches, including the sheet size, the use of ink wash, and the later annotation in the lower left corner. The sketch has most in common with an oil the artist completed around 1850 (sold at Sotheby's in New York on 11/29/2012, lot 55), “one of the few oil paintings that Miller finished of the prairie scenes”*.

*Ron Tyler ed. Alfred Jacob Miller: Artist on the Oregon Trail, Fort Worth, Texas, 1982

Artist or Maker

Payment & Shipping

Accepted forms of payment: Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Buyer pays all Shipping/Packing costs.

Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC has no in-house shipping department, but works with several known and reputable local, national, and international 3rd party shippers. Some of these shippers are supplied with our catalogue prior to the auction and can give you a quote based on lot information. We encourage you to investigate the cost of shipping before bidding online. Once you have contacted a shipper and agree to their terms, Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC will facilitate delivery to, or pick up by your shipper of choice at no extra charge to you. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC shall not be liable for any damage or loss an item may incur as a result of this service.

Recommended Shippers:

Somers UPS Store (#3271)
108 Village Sq.
Somers, NY 10589
p. (914) 277-8700
f. (914) 277-4145
store3271@theupsstore.com

Glen Ascher
Katonah Shipping & Business Center
282 Katonah Ave.
Katonah, NY 10536,
914-232-1500
katonahship@optimum.net

The Packaging Store, Jan & Tom McNerney (owners),
375 Fairfield Avenue, Building #5,
Stamford, Ct 06902,
p. 203-329-0301, f. 203-329-8570,
high927@aol.com

Gary J. Feller
Navis Pack & Ship
540 Grant St.,
Bridgeport, CT 06610
203-335-7447
gary.feller@gonavis.com

Louis E. Mitchell
The UPS Store 0706
65 High Ridge Rd
Stamfort, CT 06905-3800
203-356-0022
store0706@theupsstore.com


If you are unable to collect your items on the day of the auction, as outlined in our terms and conditions, Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC will be required to relocate those items to a storage facility. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC shall not be liable for any damage or loss any item may incur as a result of this service. Once an item has been removed from the auction hall and placed in storage it may take up to 3 weeks to be accessed for shipping.

Auction Details

March 2018 Estate Auction

by
Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLC
March 25, 2018, 11:00 AM EST

608 Old Post Road (Historical Hall), Bedford Village, NY, 10506, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

27.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$199$10
$200$499$25
$500$999$50
$1,000$2,999$100
$3,000$4,999$200
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$29,999$1,000
$30,000$49,999$2,000
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$299,999$10,000
$300,000$499,999$20,000
$500,000+$50,000

Butterscotch Terms & Conditions of Sale

1. ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS" - ALL SALES FINAL - and neither the auctioneer nor any consignor makes any warranties or representation of any kind or nature with respect to the property, and in no event shall they be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty, of description, genuineness, authorship, attribution, provenance, period culture, source, origin or condition of the property and no statement made at the sale, or in the bill of sale, or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty of representation or an assumption of liability.

2. RESERVES - Some of the lots in this sale are offered subject to a reserve. The reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the consignor and Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC below which the lot will not be sold. In most cases, the reserve will be set below the estimated range, but in no case will it exceed the estimates listed. A representative of Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC will execute such reserves by bidding for the consignor. In any event and whether or not a lot is subject to a reserve, the auctioneer may reject any bid or raise not commensurate with the value of such lot.

3. SALE - Except as provided in paragraph 2 above, on the fall of the auctioneers gavel or verbal declaration of the same, the highest bidder as determined by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the case of a disputed bid, the auctioneer shall have sole discretion in determining the purchaser and may also, at his or her election, withdraw the lot or reoffer the lot for sale. The auctioneer shall have sole discretion to refuse any bid, refuse to acknowledge any bidder, nullify bids before or after their execution, rescind any sale, or eject any person from The Auction premises. In the unlikely event of a loss of internet or phone connection we reserve the right to cancel or discontinue the auction.

4. BUYER'S PREMIUM - Except for property purchased online via liveauctioneers.com or invaluable.com, a premium equal to 22% of the final bid price will be applied to each lot sold, to be paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The buyer's premium on property purchases via Liveauctioneers.com or invaluable.com will be in an amount up to 27% of the final bid price. Any bidder that plans on spending in excess of $100,000 is advised to make arrangements with the accounting department at least five (5) days in advance of the sale, as a deposit may be required to participate.

5. PAYMENT - Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC accepts Cash, Cashier's Checks, Certified Checks, Money Orders, Wire Transfers† and Personal Checks‡. The purchaser agrees to pay Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC a handling charge of $50 for any check dishonored by the drawee. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC may impose, and the purchaser agrees to pay, a weekly interest charge of 5% of the full invoice price of any lot or item lot not paid for within thirty (30) days of the date of sale.
† Wire transfers will only be accepted for invoices totaling $1,000 or greater. Buyer is responsible for any fees associated with payment via Wire Transfer.
‡ Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC may, at their discretion, if prior credit has been established with Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC or if a bank authorization has been received guaranteeing a personal check, accept personal checks. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank.

7. COLLECTION - Merchandise may be collected in-person for two (2) calendar days following the auction. Any items not collected within two (2) calendar days will, at the risk and expense of the buyer, be moved to a secure storage facility, and will be made available for collection by appointment only no sooner than eight (8) calendar days following the auction. Packing and loading are the responsibility of the buyer, though Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC may offer assistance, it will not be held liable for any damage resulting from such action. Butterscotch Auction Gallery will not be held responsible for any damage or missing items following the sale.

8. SHIPPING - Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide a list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing exports from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots.
8a. Unless prior arrangements have been made, any item(s) left with Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC for more than thirty (30) calendar days following the date of sale shall be subject to a $10.00 per lot per day storage fee.

8b. Unless prior arrangements have been made, any item(s) left with Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC more than ninety (90) calendar days after the auction shall be considered abandoned and will be resold at auction to off-set storage fees. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC is not obligated to notify the winning bidder that the abandoned item(s) will be resold at auction.

9. BREACH - If the purchaser breaches any of its obligations under these Conditions of Sale, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price of all items for which it was the highest successful bidder, Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC may exercise all of its rights and remedies under the law including, without limitation, (a) canceling the sale and applying any payments made by the purchaser to the damages caused by the purchaser's breach, and/or (b) offering at public auction, without reserve, any lot or item for which the purchaser has breached any of its obligations, including its obligation to pay in full the purchase price, holding the purchaser liable for any deficiency plus all costs of sale.

10. LIABILITY - In no event will the liability of Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC to any purchaser with respect to any item exceed the purchase price actually paid by such purchaser for such item.

11. SALES TAX - All purchases made within the state of New York are subject to a New York State Sales Tax of 7.375% unless the purchaser possesses a valid NYS tax exemption number. Exemption numbers from other states are acceptable as long as they are accompanied by a business card or letter head. Dealers, museums, and other qualifying parties can apply for a NYS exemption number prior to the auction by contacting the NYS Tax Department, Sales Tax Exempt Organizations Unit, WA Harriman Campus, Albany, NY 12227.

12. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS - Bidding on any item constitutes your acceptance of these Terms & Conditions of Sale and all other terms printed within, posted, and announced at the time of the sale whether bidding in person, through a representative, by phone, by internet, by absentee bid, or by any other means.

13. LEGACY - Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC and its consignors make no warranty or representation, expressed or implied that the purchaser will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights to any lot sold. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC expressly reserves the right to reproduce any image of the lots sold in this catalog. The copyrights in all images, illustrations and written material produced by or for Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC relating to a lot, including the contents of this catalog, is, and shall remain at all times, the property of Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC and shall not be used by the purchaser, nor by anyone else, without prior written consent.

14. JURISDICTION - These conditions of sale shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. The buyer/bidder agrees that any suit for the enforcement of this agreement may be brought, and any action against Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC in connection with the transactions contemplated by this agreement shall be brought, in the courts of the State of New York or any federal court sitting therein. The bidder/buyer consents to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waives objections that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such suit.

15. VALIDITY - No invalidity or partial invalidity or unenforceability of any provision provided herein shall affect or impair the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.

Condition Reports

Condition reports are provided as a courtesy to bidders. The absence or inclusion of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Requests for condition reports can be made via telephone at 914-764-4609 or via email at info@butterscotchauction.com. Any condition statement given is presented as the opinion of the person reporting and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC shall have no responsibility for any errors or omissions in condition statements.

Condition report requests sent to Butterscotch Auction Gallery LLC via e-mail (info@butterscotchauction.com) will be responded to by adding information or photographs to the online catalog. E-mail requests will not always be responded to by return e-mail. Please make requests as early as possible since merchandise is not readily available for additional photos, measurements, etc. until we set up for preview. We cannot take photos or answer questions 24 hours before an auction begins.

Shipping Terms

Buyer pays all Shipping/Packing costs.

Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC has no in-house shipping department, but works with several known and reputable local, national, and international 3rd party shippers. Some of these shippers are supplied with our catalogue prior to the auction and can give you a quote based on lot information. We encourage you to investigate the cost of shipping before bidding online. Once you have contacted a shipper and agree to their terms, Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC will facilitate delivery to, or pick up by your shipper of choice at no extra charge to you. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC shall not be liable for any damage or loss an item may incur as a result of this service.

Recommended Shippers:

Somers UPS Store (#3271)
108 Village Sq.
Somers, NY 10589
p. (914) 277-8700
f. (914) 277-4145
store3271@theupsstore.com

Glen Ascher
Katonah Shipping & Business Center
282 Katonah Ave.
Katonah, NY 10536,
914-232-1500
katonahship@optimum.net

The Packaging Store, Jan & Tom McNerney (owners),
375 Fairfield Avenue, Building #5,
Stamford, Ct 06902,
p. 203-329-0301, f. 203-329-8570,
high927@aol.com

Gary J. Feller
Navis Pack & Ship
540 Grant St.,
Bridgeport, CT 06610
203-335-7447
gary.feller@gonavis.com

Louis E. Mitchell
The UPS Store 0706
65 High Ridge Rd
Stamfort, CT 06905-3800
203-356-0022
store0706@theupsstore.com


If you are unable to collect your items on the day of the auction, as outlined in our terms and conditions, Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC will be required to relocate those items to a storage facility. Butterscotch Auction Gallery, LLC shall not be liable for any damage or loss any item may incur as a result of this service. Once an item has been removed from the auction hall and placed in storage it may take up to 3 weeks to be accessed for shipping.

Buyer's Premium

22% (in-house)
27% (online)