Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) Maritime Collection Auction | Oct 31, 2021
Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) Maritime Collection Auction
On October 31, 2021, Hughes is thrilled to be auctioning a fascinating selection of nautical items from the personal collection of artist Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959). A celebrated California artist best known for his paintings depicting sailing ships at sea, Gleason was both an avid sailor and a collector of maritime artifacts and antiques. All items in the collection are from the Estate of Joe Duncan Gleason, by descent in the family.
Maritime Collection Auction
Date: October 31, 2021
In addition to the many maritime items, we are pleased to be auctioning two special paintings by Gleason - a unique two-sided sketch board with portraits of the artist’s wife on either side and a portrait of the artist’s young daughter.
Lot 22: Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) Oil on Board
In the portrait of Gleason’s daughter, she is appropriately wearing a sailor suit and there is a painting of a ship hanging on the wall behind her, a lovely personal touch.
Lot 21: Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) Oil on Canvas Portrait
For collectors of maritime and nautical artifacts or artworks by Duncan Gleason, the provenance is outstanding for these unique items. The Ship’s Figurehead and Railing includes a typed note stating that Captain Clarence Martin sent the piece to Gleason during World War II from Noumea, New Caledonia after salvaging them from a beached Schooner owned by a French Line.
Lot 9: Antique Ship Figurehead Joe Duncan Gleason Collection
Lot 8: French Line Ship Rail Joe Duncan Gleason Collection
The Brass Pedestal Binnacle was used on Gleason’s boat the "Iona" which he owned in New York, and includes a typed note and photograph of Gleason mending a jibsail with the binnacle in the background.
Lot 10: Brass Binnacle Compass Duncan Gleason Collection
U.S. Clippership “Flying Cloud” Model Ship in Bottle
Lot 12: U.S. Clippership Flying Cloud Model Ship in Bottle
President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) Signed Ship Passport
Lot 20: Pres. Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) Signed Ship Passport
1890’s Ship’s Compass From “Zephyr”
Lot 4: 1890s Ship's Compass From The Zephyr Joe Duncan Gleason
Model Ship Made By Artist
Lot 15: Joe Duncan Gleason (1881-1959) Model Ship
Lot Of Ship’s Rigging
Lot 6: Lot Of Ship Rigging Joe Duncan Gleason Collection
Group with Harpoon, oil lamps, and portrait of Joe Duncan Gleason. Paper label on lamp reads "WHALE OIL LAMP FROM THE "REKJAVIC" ONE OF THE FIRST STEAM-WHALE CATCHERS BUILD 1887".
Lot 1: Joe Gleason (1881-1959) Photo & Nautical Items
“Meteor” Double Sided Ship’s Sign
Lot 3: Meteor Double Sided Ship's Sign Joe Duncan Gleason
Nautical Knot Display designed and made by Alec Shadden
Lot 11: Nautical Knot Display Joe Duncan Gleason Collection
Antique Ship’s Wheel
Lot 7: Antique Ship Wheel Joe Duncan Gleason Collection
Artist Bio:
Joe Duncan Gleason (August 3, 1881 - March 9, 1959) was an American engraver, illustrator, and painter. Gleason was born in Watsonville, California was trained at the University of Southern California and the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art in San Francisco. A California native, Gleason spent most of his career in the State however lived in New York for ten years in his early career after spending time with the Art Students League of New York. Duncan exhibited at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (1924), the Arizona State Fair (1932), the California Palace of the Legion of Honor (1945) and the Golden Gate International Exposition (1939). Duncan Gleason painted murals in the Hotel Clark and for Gardena High School (Los Angeles). Gleason married Dorothy Ferguson, and they had two daughters. He died on March 9, 1959 in Glendale, California, at age 77.
This fascinating collection offers a slice of Gleason’s inspirations and passion for maritime culture.