[Americana] Trumbull, John. Engraved Admission Ticket for the American Academy of the Fine Arts

(New York, 1818). Engraved "Patron's Ticket" to the American Academy of the Fine Arts, signed by John Trumbull as President, and Secretary A. Robertson, and issued to James Ferguson De Peyster. Printed on thick card; spotting. 3 1/16 x 4 3/8 in. (78 x 111 mm). Cowdrey, American Academy of Fine Arts and American Art-Union, p. 69

Lot includes a copy of the Catalogue of Paintings & Engravings Exhibited by the American Academy of the Fine Arts. May 1820...The Sixth Exhibition. Second edition. Original limp self-wrappers; toned and foxed.

A rare patron's admission ticket to the American Academy of Fine Arts in New York--one of the first American schools dedicated to fine art. Founded in 1802 by Edward and Robert R. Livingston, the Academy (first called The New York Academy of the Fine Arts) was conceived as a salon that would foster the cultivation of American art and artists, specifically in the classical style. It was not until the tenure of New York City's mayor De Witt Clinton, who assumed the Academy presidency in 1813, that the institution began to flourish. From 1817-36, American painter and Revolutionary War officer John Trumbull (1756-1843) led the institution as its president, where he became known for his unyielding conservatism and adherence to the classical style. In 1825, younger artists, disaffected with Trumbull's teachings, formed a splinter academy, the National Academy of Design, which still operates today. Due to dwindling students, the American Academy closed in 1841.

James Ferguson De Peyster (1794-1873) was a scion of one of Old New York's most prosperous families, and the eldest son of American merchant Frederick De Peyster (1758-1834) and Helena Livingston Hake (1773-1801). He served as a Captain in the War of 1812, and subsequently established himself as a successful merchant in New York City, where he specialized in the cotton trade.

Rare. We are unable to locate another ticket in the available auction records. Furthermore, we can locate only two other examples, in the John Trumbull collection at the Smithsonian Institute, and at the Frick.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

James Ferguson De Peyster, thence by descent in the family

To request further details about this lot, please email booksmanuscripts@freemansauction.com

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

darrenwinston@freemansauction.com 267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] Trumbull, John. Engraved Admission Ticket for the American Academy of the Fine Arts

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] Trumbull, John. Engraved Admission Ticket for the American Academy of the Fine Arts

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