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American & Southern | September 23, 2026

Wed, Sep 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
  2026-09-23 10:00:00 2026-09-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : American & Southern | September 23, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/american-southern-september-23-2026-23230
Important Maurice Prendergast watercolor, paintings by Kahn, Jacobsen, Redmond, Marin, Glackens and Koch; several Catesby bird prints; a Joseph Proctor folk art still life and a Fraktur collection; a Soap Hollow blanket chest, clocks by Samuel Mulliken and Anna Atkinson, the Kittredge Family high chest, a Dunlap family high chest, Hall Family chest on chest, Nathan Lombard sideboard, Seymour work table; a MESDA documented Petersburg VA Secretary and important VA paint decorated blanket chest. First editions including Mark Twain and a narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, and firearms. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
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Maria Howard Weeden Portrait of John Rutger and 3 books
Lot 29

Maria Howard Weeden Portrait of John Rutger and 3 books

Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
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$5,000
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(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; Private Collection, Nashville, Tennessee; Private Collection, Pennsylvania

Exhibited: 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; Private Collection, Nashville, Tennessee; Private Collection, Pennsylvania

good color, paper slightly toned, old mucilage adhesive verso, archival framingļ¼› 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.

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