An antique oil on canvas landscape of a distant snow capped mountain range framed by bright late autumn foliage, 15 1/2" by 30" (21 1/2" by 35" in likely the original frame), signed in red at lower right by artist ADELE BRACY and dated there what appears to be 1898 or 1896 (or, in that vicinity towards the earlier side). This is apparently a copy by a talented amateur of an image well-known in the mid 19th century...

Naive, or slightly primitive, almost folk art painting of clapboard 19th century style buildings next to an inlet of the sea, signed at lower right by artist Martha Crosmer. I see a listing for an artist by that name, born 1909, deceased 1995, last known address in Monrovia in Southern California, with earlier roots to Montana, but this painting does not resemble the desert plein air works that artist apparently painted...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a lonely rutted dirt track in the California desert, 16" by 20" (21 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed), signed at lower right by artist Helen Hausman. I think the painting probably dates to the 1950's or very early 1960's. It is very dirty with yellowed varnish and grime. A cleaning would work wonders.

A 30" by 40 1/2" work on canvas, featuring a large barn in a tawny presumably California landscape, an early car housed interestingly in the structure, signed at lower right by noted Utah-born, western American artist DONAL JOLLEY (1933-). Jolley was born in Zion National Park, Utah, and settled in Rim Forest, California, high in the San Bernardino Mountains, in 1970. He remains there, creating watercolors and the occasional oil or acrylic work. Jolley showed a very early affinity for drawing...

Oil on board painting of autumnal trees, (California sycamores?), hazy mountains in the distance, unsigned, circa 1930's or 1940's. The work measures 9" by 12" and 11 5/8" by 14 1/2" in old probably original frame. The lack of a signature frustrates an effort to identify this talented artist, who might well be listed. The ornate frame is in good condition save for a missing chip at upper left. Painting is a bit soiled consistent with its age...

Antique oil on canvas of cherries on a table top, 8" by 11 3/4" (11 1/2" by 15 1/2" as framed), signed indecipherably at lower left; name could be W C Hammond, Hammons, or Higgins, or? The work is in the tradition of American 19th century still life and likely dates to about 1880. Some very old patches on the reverse attest to old battle scars the painting acquired in its some 150 years of existence...

A fine example of California plein air art by listed woman artist MARY MAISON (1886-1954), unframed, 16" by 20", signed at lower right. The work is painted directly on wood panel. Image is of a high mountain, like Mt. San Jacinto or Mt. San Gorgonio near Palm Springs, seen in early spring when snow remains on the summits as the desert blooms far below. The former Mary Cox was born in Bethlehem, PA and studied art in Paris and Philadelphia...

A large unframed oil, 34" by 46", unsigned, a vintage mid-century work ***AFTER*** a DEAN CORNWELL (1892-1960) painting which was executed in 1953 for a New York Life Insurance Co. calendar, in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the incorporation of New York City. The painting is meticulously painted and I contacted auctions dealing with illustration art to see if it might be a study for the finished work...

A vintage portrait painting of a red-haired, middle-aged lady in circa late 1930's to 1940 style hat, 13" by 10", (22 1/2" by 19" framed), signed at lower right by listed Southern California artist BERTHA TOWNSEND COLER (1865-1948). The painting, oil on canvas laid on Masonite, exudes a very spontaneous, free, sketchy feeling that is quite appealing, demonstrating the skill of the artist...

A classic old landscape with figures, old structures and feathery trees, somewhat in the Old Master tradition, but created in the mid 19th century, likely in New York, by an unknown yet obviously accomplished artist. The oil on canvas, unframed, measures 24" by 32 1/4". On the reverse are two canvas stencil stamps, one from London, (G. Rowney & Co.), one from New York (Goupil & Co., 289 Broadway)...

Oil on canvas painting of a pinkish jug and blue-green vase on a neutral background, 15 1/2" by 11 1/2" (17 1/2" by 13 3/4" framed in light wood) signed at upper left "K Petersen". The impressionist work is skillfully painted though I do not see any information on the artist. Condition is excellent---ready for display.

Oil on pine wood panel, 6 1/2" by 8 1/2" (11" by 13" in old frame), unsigned, the subject figures in a clearing surrounded by feathery trees, a tiny brush stroke also indicating the presence of a scampering dog accompanying the small party. A charming old antique work in the Hudson River tradition; disappointing not to have found a signature, but I would think the artist listed. The painting has normal old light soiling, and the frame has some edge chips missing in a few places...

In the style of masters like William Harnett, John F. Peto, Otto Kaye and others, this is a painting of an ink bottle, old style fountain pen, pipe and matches, stamped envelope and calendar, signed at lower right "Roy Fay". The letter, in the trompe l'oeil" (French for "fool the eye") tradition, is addressed to himself, in "Pasadena, Cal", and is interestingly postmarked in Kansas...

Oil on board landscape, unsigned, the subject a panorama of red rock cliffs and distant butte, likely in Arizona, or possibly Utah, the scene framed by tree at right. The work has some age, a guess would place this circa 1955 to about 1965. Certainly it is good enough to have been painted by a listed artist. The condition is acceptably good. There is a little moisture warp (not stained, just a warp) from possible past storage perhaps in a garage setting, and the back of the board is rough fr...

Oil on canvasboard circa 1960 painting of a variety of flowers in a ceramic yellow vase artistically placed on a textile with another ceramic vessel nearby, signed at lower left "Betty Way". The work, which measures 24" by 18", also bears a label on the reverse with the artist's name and address in Springfield, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. To date I have not located a known artist by this name. A Betty Way of Harrisburg, PA was a newspaper circulation manager. There might well be ...

Oil on panel painting of pink desert mountains and flowering dunes in the foreground, 16" by 20" (25" by 29" in wood carved frame), signed in the paint at lower left with a signature that appears as "Bo W(xxxxxxx)". The circa 1960 oil is by an artist who certainly must have been familiar with the palette knife California desert scenes, with rich impasto, of John Hilton (1904-1983). The style and feeling is similar. The painting could benefit from a cleaning, after fifty years. A gold frame ...

Oil on canvasboard painting, 14" by 18" (17 1/2" by 21 1/2" in simple wood frame), signed on the reverse by artist James E. Carson of Andover, Massachusetts and titled there "Lobster Cove". This is a peaceful scene, most likely of the Lobster Cove near Annisquam and Gloucester, MA, but I see there is also a Lobster Cove in Maine. Regardless of the exact location, this is a classic scene of New England, captured by a talented artist. There is a listed illustrator by this name but I cannot dete...

Oil on canvas painting of pears and glass vase with flowers arranged artistically on white and striped cloths, signed at lower right and again on the reverse side of the canvas by listed American woman artist SUSAN CROOK INGERSOLL (1908-). The unframed work measures 22" by 18" and is in very good condition, with just a bit of stretcher bar show-through. Colors are vivid and rich, and the modernity of the arrangement is striking. To a certain extent, there is some resemblance to the naturalism...