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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Antique Moon Drawing, William Chandler Original


Since I've always had a love affair with the moon,
I had to bid on this old picture at the auction yesterday!
The only information given was that it was turn-of-the-century.



I don't think it had ever been removed from the frame
or cleaned before.  It was filthy and didn't have a proper
covering on the back to protect it or keep dust out.
I took it apart and discovered that it
 was an original pastel drawing! 
The glass is old and wavy, which I love.   





I searched online a long time today to find out something
about it but came up empty handed.
Even the signature is a little hard to decipher.

**But finally, I've discovered it's a William Henry Chandler
original pastel!  He lived 1854-1928.
Similar originals sell for $300 to $500 
and I paid $15.  How about that!**


Also had to show you that Harry kept photo bombing my picture! ha.




71 comments:

  1. This is simply beautiful. One of those paintings that I could just look at for a long while. Where do you have this hanging in your newly-remodeled house?

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    1. Me, too! I love this style and the age of it. I hung it in the front foyer so I'll walk by it 100 times a day. :)

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  2. Oh Betsy...what a find. I think it will be so perfect for your foyer, and know you will find joy looking at it many times.

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    1. I know I will enjoy it! Wish I could figure out who that artist is...but he might not be famous so I may never know. Still....I love it.

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  3. what a beauty, its amazing, I would bid on this as well,

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    1. I only paid $15 for it, believe it or not. I found a very similar one online without a signature that was $975. ha.

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  4. Gorgeous top to bottom. And what's better than sharing the moonlight with one of your favorite guys. Sweet.

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    1. Absolutely! I may move it to my little nook in the kitchen, but I think it looks a little crowded in that spot, so we shall see. :)

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  5. This is so stunning. You know it is exactly my cup of tea too, so if you ever consider parting with it, it would have a very happy home here! But I'm sure you will treasure it. Love. Love. Love. Smiling at Harry.

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    1. Isn't it wonderful? It's so realistic...almost like looking out the window! I was shocked to find it was an original....so very cool! I'm so glad I didn't take a wet rag to the thing and smear it all up! haha...

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  6. that is a very cool purchase. Always nice to see Harry! He makes a fine photo bomber! Taria

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    1. Yeah, Harry just made it hilarious...he's such a character.

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  7. Oh no! Can you imagine if you had done that? Ack! I can't stop looking at it. And I think part of the draw is what you said - peering out the window. I am trying to find similar things online now. Don't you love the softness of it too? Like a fairytale. Beautiful.

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    1. I would have died! Hey, do me a favor...'google' William Henry Chandler Signature and see if you don't think it's a match?? He's the right era, style and I think the signature might be it!

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    2. It is incredibly similar. He may be the one. At first I thought it was Chesterson... or something similar. The only little thing is that on yours it trails slightly down at the end compared to the google one. But I bet that's it. His work is certainly similar in nature to what you have.
      http://www.aspireauctions.com/#!/catalog/48/244/lot/8464

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    3. And this one too... http://media.liveauctiongroup.net/i/15355/15473028_1.jpg?v=8CFD25EBE2035B0 - very similar.

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    4. Yes, the moon is almost identical in that first link!

      Look at this one...http://williamchandler.wordpress.com/#jp-carousel-20

      There are quite a few original pastels of his on ebay, so it's not unrealistic that I would have happened upon one. I just looked back at the auction photos and there was another one of his works, too! Guess the guys missed identifying those...wow!

      I only paid $15 for it!

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    5. Yes - your link looks like another variation on that piece - beautiful. But I prefer yours - something very mystical about it and the frame is gorgeous too.

      $!5??? Aieeeeeeeeee! Well, you have a real treasure there. I have always wondered how things like this, and other shop items you have had over the years, as well as ones I have purchased from you, find there way to your little neck-of-the-woods. Amazing.

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    6. It is kind of amazing. I'm feeling kind of giddy! ha.

      One more signature..this one is very similar to mine.
      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/48081-william-chandler-pastel-painting-unknown

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    7. Absolutely - looks like it exactly. I can feel your giddiness! I would be too. Such fun to discover something you love... and then to discover that it may be the real deal. My heart is pumping a little faster for you too... ha!

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    8. These are quite lovely too... but I like yours the best.

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/WILLIAM-HENRY-CHANDLER-ART-PRINT-ANTIQUE-/181579732863?pt=Art_Prints&hash=item2a46fed77f

      http://www.ebay.com/itm/William-H-Chandler-Impressionist-Pastel-Painting-Landscape-Sky-Trees-Listed-Art-/310488249336?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item484a8ab3f8

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    9. Hi Harry!
      Great painting....
      Enjoy your evening
      Cheers!
      Linda:o)

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  8. It is beautiful! Great idea to hang it in the foyer where you can enjoy looking at it.

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    1. I'm liking it there....perfect spot. :)

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    2. I came back this a.m. and enjoyed reading the dialogue between you and L.D. about the technique used. What a great purchase you made!

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    3. Larry is a retired art teacher, so I knew he would be helpful!

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  9. How pretty! I think you got this at a bargain..it is a wonderful find!

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  10. It is a wonderful painting. Color charcoal is called pastel and that is why there is glass over it. When I searched him I did see a very similar painting with a similar boat in a horizontal painting. This is a wonderful art work. I saw one place where they called him a pastel artist. You were good to figure out the name. Good job.

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    1. Took me all day, but finally stumbled upon it! How fun! Yes...pastels....I found that out quite by accident. haha....

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    2. My wife paints with pastels a lot. I have done some too. It is an old medium from the impressionist era with a few famous women and some men using it for their work.

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    3. It is a pretty technique. The moon and light just glows on that dark background. You should post some work...I'd love to see hers and yours!

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  11. I love this paint is amazing!
    But I love more Harry on the paint aw he is lovely
    Oh dear lol
    Love it:)

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  12. That is very well done indeed
    Now you always have the moon at your feed
    And who knows, could be rare
    Could have hit the jackpot at your lair

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    1. His originals sell for $300 to $500, I guess.
      The Mister said, "Will you sell it, then? Yes?"
      I said "No!
      I want to see that moon and it's glow"
      ha.

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    2. lol well if an extra 0 or two were there
      Then it be worth it at your lair

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  13. Lovely picture,I can't take my eyes from there

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    1. Me either...it's beautiful and kind of mysterious, isn't it? :)

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  14. What a fantastic and mesmerizing piece! It's absolutely lovely! You have such a good eye and I think this proves that point!

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    1. Thans, Jen.....sometimes the perfect thing is there and if you're lucky, nobody else thinks it's perfect. Ha.

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  15. After checking all the links above I would say that it is definitely a Chandler, probably worth about $16. If you send it to me I will get it checked out at "Dodgy Derek's Art Shop" in Wigan.

    It is a lovely picture, you were lucky to find it.

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    1. Ha...$16...I'm going to put it in my Will for you. Maybe by the time im gone it will be worth $17! Pretty nice for an old bean like me, don't you think?

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  16. It is an amazing picture, very atmospheric isn't it. I hope that you can work out who it is by, just so that you know! xx

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    1. Yes! I think we have that settled now....very fun!

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  17. Hi Betsy - well done .. and what a lovely moonscape - all the better now it's cleaned up .. and Harry ... well done young man - forever in your mother's digital world here ... I'm glad you've cleaned it up and given it pride of place ... enjoy your moon .. Hilary

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    1. Isn't that fun? The cleaning up part is my favorite. :)

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  18. Looks real good ~ love both the moon in the clouds and the reflection on the water ~ very nice to have on your wall and probably a snip at $15 ~ hope it is worth a lot more . . . very romantic type of painting . . . :)

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    1. Found a seller online that sells his originals for $300 to $500.....but Im not interested in selling. :)

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    2. Hey - I have first dibs! ;-)

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    3. Great that it's an original .. . . . . . :)
      Watch out for a Rembrandt next time . . . rofl

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    4. Sorry Suza, Betsy has willed it to me. I "bags" it first! Na-na-ni-na !

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  19. Beautiful. And yes, I imagine most of us will have noticed your love affair! Years ago I went to a beautiful exhibition in London of paintings by moonlight. The subjects were mostly well-known sites in Italy but all painted by moonlight. Absolutely lovely and quite different from all the usual day time views.
    Great bargain too!

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    1. That sounds absolutely wonderful! I would have loved to have seen that!

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  20. Wow, that's really beautiful! You "stole" it, too! Congratulations!

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  21. WHAT a find! I love the rowboat on the moon gilded water!

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    1. I know...that row boat is like a little surprise after taking in that beautiful moon.

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  22. An original? You are so lucky. It reminds me a bit of R Atkinson Fox prints that we collect but have never seen an original. Looking forward to seeing where you will display it.

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    1. Yes, an original! Nobody was more surprised than me when I took it out of the frame and got chalk all over my fingertips! Ha.

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  23. That could be on Antiques Road Show. I bet it is worth more to you now than you ever thought it would be. Especially when you walk by it 100 times a day.

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  24. Are you at all interested in selling this Chandler pastel? I collect these and love this one, great find.
    (rod.schulhauser@gmail.com)

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I'm serving coffee! Stay and chat!
And no awards, please! Your comments are my awards!