American & Southern | September 23, 2026
Wed, Sep 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Lot 29
Maria Howard Weeden Portrait of John Rucker and 3 books
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sold for
$16,000
Sold Price excludes BP
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 |
(American/Alabama, 1847-1905)
John Rucker, illustration for the poem "Easy Living", signed lower left, "Howard Weeden", watercolor on paper, sight, 13-5/8 x 10 in.; gilt wood frame, 23-1/2 x 19 x 1-3/4 in.; together with three books, Howard Weeden, Bandana Ballads (1899) (x2), Shadows on the Wall, The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (1962)
Provenance: Purchased from the artist by Nashville mayor, William E. McCarthy; Descended through McCarthy family; Purchased from the McCarthy family in 1990; A Nashville, Tennessee Collection
Exhibited: Tennessee Centennial and International Exposition, Nashville, Tennessee, May. 1, 1897 - Oct. 30, 1897.; The North Carolina Museum of History, "Southern Impressions, Paintings from the James-Farmer Collection", Raleigh, North Carolina, Dec. 11, 2015- Jul. 4, 2016.
Note: Maria Howard Weeden knew John Rucker, painted this portrait, and used the illustration for her poem "Easy Living". John Rucker lived in Huntsville, Alabama and shined shoes. He was known to be a talented singer and dancer and went on to join Al Field's minstrel show, where he had a long and successful career.
Almost identical rendering of the same subject illustrated in: Howard Weeden, Bandana Ballads (1899), p. 91.; Howard Weeden, Shadows on the Wall, The Life and Works of Howard Weeden (1962), p. 59.
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Purchased from the artist by Nashville mayor, William E. McCarthy; Descended through McCarthy family; Purchased from the McCarthy family in 1990; A Nashville, Tennessee Collection
good color, paper slightly toned, old mucilage adhesive verso, archival framing； frame with light wear at corners Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
