American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts

Provenance: Estate of Virginia H. Knauer, Washington, D.C.

The bedstead was originally owned by Joshua Humphreys (1751-1838) of Haverford, Pennsylvania, ship yard owner and ship builder, sometimes called "The Father of the United States Navy." Humphreys was commissioned in 1794 to design six frigates for the newly formed United States Navy that would rival any European ship. Humphreys' design produced longer, broader, faster and more stable vessels and formed the core of the Navy during the War of 1812. The most famous of these six frigates was the USS Constitution or "Old Ironsides."

Joshua Humphreys (1751-1838) and Mary Davids (married January 18, 1776) and thence by descent.

James Curran, The Antiquarian, 1160 Passyunk Avenue and 1625 Pine Street, Philadelphia, Pa., in business about 1880-1940.

Acquired from James Curran by Dr. Frank Sullivan Hall (died 1953), Woodburn, Dover, Delaware.

Samuel T. Freeman & Co., Public Auction Sale: "The Dr. Sullivan Hall Collection of Rare and Early American Furniture and Furnishings, Dover, Delaware," June 17, 1953, lot 432.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm F. Knauer, Morelton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Literature: Delaware: A Guide to the First State. Delaware Federal Writers Project, June 1938, p. 190, which mentions the Humphreys' bedstead in the historic Dover house, Woodburn.