From the American West to Bucks County: Freeman’s December Auction Brings Rare American and Pennsylvania Impressionist Art to Market
On December 7, Freeman’s Philadelphia saleroom will showcase the American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction, featuring a diverse selection of 19th- and 20th-century American art. Highlights include Alexander Phimister Proctor’s bronze Pursuit of the King of the Herd, illustrations by N. C. Wyeth, modernist works by George Bellows, and a premier group of Pennsylvania Impressionists, led by Daniel Garber’s Sumac Lane.
Lot 10 | Alexander Phimister Proctor, Pursuit of the King of the Herd, conceived 1914, cast c. 1917 Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
Adam Veil, Vice President, Head of the American Art department says, "Coincident with the firm's recent rebrand, my colleagues and I are delighted to do what Freeman's has always done well: orchestrate auctions of high-quality American art and honor our company's rich history of scholarship, expertise, and world-class client service. The December 7th American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists auction promises each of these in equal measure."
Alexander Phimister Proctor: Mastery of the American West
The top lot of the sale, Proctor’s Pursuit of the King of the Herd (Lot 10, estimate $200,000–300,000), is a celebrated bronze capturing a high-drama buffalo hunt. Proctor worked with Nez Perce rider Jackson Sundown, nephew of Chief Joseph, to perfect the poses and anatomical details, producing a sculpture that balances kinetic energy with compositional precision. The hunter leans across his mount as the bison charges, freezing a climactic moment in time. This work exemplifies Proctor’s command of form and narrative in Western sculpture.
Lot 47 | Albert York, Girl in Rowboat Estimate $80,000 - 120,000
Albert York: Blending Simplicity and Quiet Unease
Albert York’s Girl in Rowboat (Lot 47, estimate $80,000–120,000) demonstrates the artist’s spare yet highly intentional approach. Broad brushwork, subtle palette choices, and pared-down forms create a serene image that conceals a quiet tension: the rowboat rests on grass rather than water, gently challenging perception. The painting blends Impressionist leisure with Modernist self-consciousness, inviting viewers to reflect on materiality, illusion, and the subtle complexities of existence.
Lot 64 | N. C. Wyeth, At the door of their little cabin, he kissed her, 1911 Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
N. C. Wyeth: Narrative and Illustration Mastery
N. C. Wyeth’s At the door of their little cabin, he kissed her (Lot 64, est. $70,000–100,000) is a quintessential example of the artist’s narrative skill. The Brandywine Museum of Art holds a proof of this image, printed on tissue and inscribed in pencil, in which the engraver’s hand is visible in delicate areas such as the windowpanes, the chicken, and the door frame. The present lot, formerly in Wyeth’s studio, depicts a tender moment of romance in a rustic prairie setting and was created for Clarice Vallette McCauley’s prize-winning short story The Prairie (published February 1912 in The Delineator), capturing love and resilience amid the challenges of frontier life.
LEFT TO RIGHT Lot 104 | Daniel Garber, Sumac Lane, 1928 Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Lot 118 | Morgan Colt, The Canal Boat, c. 1915-25 Estimate $60,000 - 100,000
Pennsylvania Impressionists: A Premier Selection of Landscapes and Light
The auction concludes with a standout group of Pennsylvania Impressionist works, including Daniel Garber’s Sumac Lane (Lot 104, estimate $120,000–180,000). Painted from a hilltop in Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania, the scene captures the quiet rhythm of rural life and Garber’s masterful handling of winter light. Morgan Colt’s The Canal Boat, c. 1915–1925 (Lot 118, estimate $60,000–100,000) is the largest known oil by the artist and one of his most ambitious compositions. Painted in the studio due to a chronic heart condition, the work captures a cinematic view of the Delaware River, with a barge, horses, and a figure at the stern brought to life through shimmering brushwork and sunlit reflections. Colt’s sudden death in 1926 and the loss of many of his works make this luminous river scene a rare and significant example of his Pennsylvania landscapes. Additional highlights include Edward Willis Redfield’s Homestead (Lot 128, estimate $120,000–180,000) and John Fulton Folinsbee’s Shad Fishermen (Lot 109, estimate $10,000–15,000). Together, these works reflect the depth and enduring appeal of Pennsylvania Impressionism, a field where Freeman’s has long cultivated expertise and a discerning audience of collectors.
Additional Auction Highlights
· Lot 89 | Milton Avery, Oxcart | Estimate $100,000 – 150,000
· Lot 12 | William Trost Richards, Rolling Surf, 1900 | Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
· Lot 55 | Jessie Arms Botke, Peacock on Fountain | Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
· Lot 110 | John Fulton Folinsbee, Shad Fishermen No. 2, c. 1938 | Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
· Lot 116 | Fern Isabel Coppedge, Pigeon Cove, c. 1920s | Estimate $50,000 – 80,000
· Lot 9 | Alfred Jacob Miller, Schim-a-co-che (High Lance), Crow Chief | Estimate $40,000 – 60,000
· Lot 77 | George Bellows, Risley's Pig House, 1924 | Estimate $40,000 – 60,000
Sale Preview
The auction will be on view at Freeman’s Philadelphia gallery, 2400 Market Street, from December 1–6, 10 AM – 5 PM. Private previews on December 7 are available by appointment.
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 16 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.