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Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026

Tue, Jun 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
  2026-06-23 10:00:00 2026-06-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/collection-of-elbert-h-parsons-jr-huntsville-alabama-june-23-2026-22678
Original surface and vibrant color define Bert Parsons’ well-documented collection, assembled over decades. Highlights include a Stirewalt miniature painted blanket chest, an 1823 dated Prussian blue blanket chest made in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC, with family history, an early Virginia documented painted apothecary cabinet, and a New England Fancy red-painted Windsor bench, as well as metalwork, pottery, Staffordshire, paintings, and six objects from the landmark 2004 “American Fancy” exhibition. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
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Rare Documented North Carolina Blue Painted Blanket Chest Dated 1823
Lot 37

Rare Documented North Carolina Blue Painted Blanket Chest Dated 1823

Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
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$15,000
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probably Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, dated 1823, vivid Prussian blue paint with cream highlights, front with cartouche inscribed "Martha Maulden was / born Aug. 19, 1823", interior with till, three short drawers, boldly formed bracket feet, cut nail construction, yellow pine throughout, 30-3/4 x 50-1/2 x 23-3/4 in.

Provenance: Sumpter Priddy, Alexandria, Virginia, July 2001 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $20,000); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

Literature: This chest is published in Robert E. Winters, Jr. (ed), North Carolina Furniture, 1700-1900 (Raleigh, 1977), p. 35; June Lucas, "Paint-Decorated Furniture from Piedmont North Carolina", American Furniture (Chipstone Foundation, 2009), pp. 104-105, figs. 25, 27 and 28.

Note: Martha Cassandra Mauldin was born in Stanly County, North Carolina, on August 19, 1823/24, the daughter of Benjamin Mauldin (1795-1877) and Mary Cagle (1799-1828). She married Christopher Columbus Foreman (1828-1890), who was identified as a hatter in the 1850 Federal Census for Stanly County. By 1857, Foreman was instrumental in the founding of Silver Springs Baptist Church, where he was the first pastor. Martha died on August 22, 1879.

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Sumpter Priddy, Alexandria, Virginia, July 2001 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $20,000); From the Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

in fine condition with original blue and white paint with typical areas of wear and loss； hinges replaced and latch off but present； lacking pulls； surface chip to top of proper right front foot 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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