Important Historic Americana | October 17, 2024
Thu, Oct 17, 2024 10:00AM EDT
Lot 1173
David Augur Manuscript Letter, MONEY is the ROOT of ALL EVIL
Estimate: $1,000 - $3,000
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
David Augur (1790–1864)
19th century, Connecticut or Vermont, ink, pencil, and watercolor on blue paper, complimentary but rambling letter to a friend, Elihue J. Miller, possibly intended to be a stencil for embroidery, "embroidered work" at top right, mentions of Middletown and Middlefield (Connecticut), bold emphasis on "MONEY is the ROOT of ALL EVIL", sight 10 x 7-3/4 in.; framed 13-1/2 x 10-1/2 in.
Provenance: Private New England Collection
Note: David Augur (1790-1864) was a schoolteacher and artist in Marlboro, Vermont. He was the son of Justus Augur of Marlboro, Vermont, and his second wife, Abigail Spencer. David Augur was probably born in Connecticut, where his half brother Allen was born. The family moved to Middlefield, CT, by 1784. Their move from Middlefield, CT to Marlboro, Vermont, occurred sometime between 1790 and 1810. Examples of Augur's work are rare with perhaps only 30 known examples, but two copybooks containing 13 to 15 paintings each were known in 1968. His letters are often long, rambling, and pedantic and are written as a teacher might instruct a child. He frequently wrote on the proper technique of writing. Each letter has penciled lines using a straight edge or ruler to promote neatness.
source: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?museum=&t=objects&type=exact&f=&s=decoration&record=950
Similar works appear in the American Folk Art Museum:
https://collection.folkartmuseum.org/objects/6761/a-fictitious-letter-by-david-augur-to-samuel-i-seculator-fr
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Private New England Collection
good overall, some bleeding of color in bottom right corner (possibly as made), unsure of mounting, not removed from frame for examination
