Freeman’s Martin Estate Auction Achieves More Than $1.3 Million Amid Enthusiastic Bidding

Freeman’s achieved outstanding results on November 3 with Pride of Place: Works from the Estate of Sydney F. and Sharon B. Martin – Part II, realizing
more than $1.3 million against a pre-sale low estimate of $840,000. Spirited bidding propelled numerous works beyond their pre-sale estimates, with 29 of the 30 paintings offered finding buyers during the auction and the final lot selling shortly thereafter. The auction achieved a 124% sell-through rate by value. Leading the sale was Edward Willis Redfield’s Spring Veil, which realized $364,800, more than doubling its low estimate.

The strong results underscored continued enthusiasm for Pennsylvania Impressionism and the enduring appeal of works by artists associated with the New Hope School. The auction drew strong attendance in Freeman’s Philadelphia saleroom, with active inperson bidding contributing to the lively atmosphere. Three of the auction’s five highestselling lots were by Redfield, while paintings by George William Sotter also attracted significant competition, including one work that more than quadrupled its low estimate.

The auction marked the second installment of works from the distinguished collection of Sydney F. and Sharon B. Martin, whose lifelong appreciation for the artistic heritage of Bucks County informed their discerning approach to collecting. Early and dedicated collectors of Pennsylvania Impressionism, the Martins assembled an exceptional group of paintings celebrating the landscapes, communities, and changing seasons of Pennsylvania and the Delaware River Valley. Their collection brought together important works by leading regional artists, including Daniel Garber, Edward Willis Redfield, George William Sotter, and Walter Emerson Baum.

“The results are a testament to both the extraordinary quality of the Martins’ collection and the continued strength of the market for Pennsylvania Impressionism,” said Adam Veil, Vice President and Head of Department, American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists. “The competitive bidding we saw across the sale, particularly for works by Redfield and Sotter, reflects the enduring appeal of these artists and the remarkable legacy the Martins created through their passion for collecting.”

Auction Highlights
Lot 29 | Edward Willis Redfield, Spring Veil, c. 1928
Sold for $364,800

The auction’s top result was Edward Willis Redfield’s Spring Veil (c. 1928), which sparked competitive telephone bidding before selling for $364,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $150,000–250,000. Among the artist’s largest canvases, the monumental painting captures the Delaware River Valley in full bloom through vigorous brushwork and a vibrant palette. Its significance to Redfield is underscored by his decision to retain the work throughout his lifetime, as well as its extensive exhibition history, including at the James A. Michener Art Museum.

Redfield’s Winter in New Hope achieved $153,600. Depicting a snow-covered Bucks County village bustling with activity, the painting captures the charm of a winter morning through Redfield’s bold brushwork and vibrant palette.

Matching that result was Daniel Garber’s Stockton (1922), which realized $153,600. The sun-drenched composition captures a leisurely summer afternoon along the Delaware River, with figures playing croquet on a lawn overlooking the village of Stockton, New Jersey. The painting has an extensive exhibition history, including at the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Two atmospheric winter scenes by George William Sotter also drew considerable interest. Mill-Spring Valley realized $96,000, approaching its high estimate of $100,000. The evocative landscape depicts a fieldstone mill and winding stream beneath a starfilled sky, with the warm glow of farmhouse windows illuminating the snow-covered scene.

Sotter’s A February Night generated particularly spirited competition, ultimately realizing $89,600 against an estimate of $20,000–30,000—more than four times its low estimate. The intimate oil on Masonite captures the quiet beauty of a winter evening, with illuminated windows offering a striking contrast to the darkened landscape.

Additional highlights from the collection included:
• Lot 10 | Edward Willis Redfield, Winter on the Farm (Farbotnik Farm), c. 1935-
1940 | Sold for $96,000
• Lot 21 | Daniel Garber, The Studio, 1922 | Sold for $96,000
• Lot 15 | George William Sotter, Clouds over Bucks County, Nocturnal, and Night Scene (Three Works) | Sold for $32,000
• Lot 30 | Mary Elizabeth Price, Still Life with Lillies and Foxgloves | Sold for $19,200
• Lot 22 | Walter Elmer Schofield, After the Storm (Cornish Cove), c. 1941 | Sold for $16,640

About Freeman’s
Freeman’s is a premier American auction house offering services in multiple categories including fine art, jewelry, design, books and manuscripts, furniture, decorative arts, antiquities, couture, and Asian works of art. With 15 regional locations nationwide, the firm provides auctions, appraisals, private sales, and art advisory services, connecting clients to the global art market. Freeman’s strives to bring art, history, and design to life by connecting people with extraordinary objects through exceptional service and expertise.