Description:

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Receives 19th C. NY Lithograph From French-Speaking Admirer

A 19th-century French hand-colored lithograph, "Vue de New-York prise de Weahawk [View of New-York taken from Weahawk]," handsomely presented with a dedicatory inscription to American financier John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874-1960) from an unidentified French admirer. The signed and dated inscription is located on the mat at lower right and reads, translated: "To M. John D. Rockefeller junior, / To assure him that our thoughts / as well as our wishes, go always / towards him and his / 30-12-29 André Houmaral (?)." The actual size of the lithograph is 11" x 7.625" while the overall framed size is 16.75" x 14.375" x .875."

The lithograph by Isidore Laurent Deroy (1797-1886) after Jacques-Gérard Milbert (1766-1840) depicts a woman walking behind a blue cart in the foreground, with the urban skyline seen in the distance. The work title and associated artists' names are printed along the bottom margin. An early paper label from "Frederick Keppel & Co. Inc / Rare Engravings and Etchings, / No. 16 East 57th Street, New York" is located on the frame paper backing verso. Additional notations on the label include "No. L 7277" (probably referring to estate inventory numbers) and "2 Hall" (probably indicating where the lithograph was displayed within one of Rockefeller's residences.) Expected wear including minor paper wrinkling. Matted and framed behind glass in its original ebonized and gilt frame. The print is somewhat loose in the frame, which has some isolated scuffs. Not examined out of the frame.

The identity of Rockefeller, Jr.'s devotee cannot be confirmed, but it is possible that André Houmaral (?) was a French-speaking associate whom Rockefeller, Jr. had met sometime during his philanthropic career. Rockefeller, Jr. had retired from lucrative directorships at Standard Oil and U.S. Steel by 1910 in order to devote himself full-time to charitable giving. Proverbially generous, Rockefeller, Jr. donated more than $530 million to various causes over the course of his lifetime. His interest in the arts inspired his patronage of various French historical sites like the Palais de Versailles, Palais de Fontainebleau, and Reims Cathedral. In 1924, for example, Rockefeller, Jr. donated $1 million to restoration funds for Versailles. He followed up three years later with an additional $2 million donation. In 1936, Rockefeller, Jr. was awarded the Grand-Croix de la Légion d'honneur to acknowledge his significant contributions to preserving French patrimony.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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June 28, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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