Grueby Faience & Tile Company

John D. Pearmain, ca. 1916
Henry Ford, March 1924

Overall in very good condition. As seen in the catalogue illustrations, the tiles with wear, abrasions and occasional losses consistent with age and weathering from being hung outdoors. There are a few scattered old cracks and losses to the some of the perimeter edges of the tiles adjacent to the wood frame. The tiles on both sides of the sign appear to be set into concrete, which is applied with a thin layer of grouting. The grouted surface appears to have been reapplied in the past, and shows discoloration and losses in isolated areas. The outer black-painted wood frame is replaced, and shows some light wear and a few scattered areas of paint losses. There are two large iron hooks (approximately 4 ½ inches high, not shown in the catalogue illustration) attached to the top edge of the sign which extend through the wood frame. These hooks appear to be original and show wear and corrosion consistent with age and weathering. There are some areas of discoloration and transparent brownish streaks to the tiles (more prevalent on the reverse side of the sign), which appear to be from the iron hooks above. The sign is double-side (designed to be seen on the road from both sides), and the side not illustrated in the catalogue illustration is set with the identical tiles. A professional photograph of the alternate side of the sign is available (please feel welcome to contact the department to receive this digital image). A unique and charming pictorial tile composition by Grueby with an extraordinary well-documented history.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The invention of the automobile enabled residents of Boston and other cities to escape the urban landscape and take day-long excursions into the country.  Subsequently, small businesses emerged along highways in these rural towns to serve these day travelers.  In 1916, John Pearmain opened the Nobscot Mountain Farm in South Sudbury, Massachusetts for use as a tea house.  The building, dating from 1730 and formerly known as Hager House, was relocated by Pearmain from the neighboring town of Marlborough.  As a functional farm, Nobscot Mountain sold fresh fruit picked from its orchards and tea in its dining area adjacent to the hearth.  The farm's double-sided roadside sign, comprised of 108 tiles executed by the Grueby Faience & Tile Company, advertises the welcoming hearth, a kettle of tea and local fruits available through the saleroom.  It is probable that the sign was designed by John Pearmain's sister-in-law, Nancy Brush Pearmain, who was an artist in the area affiliated with The Society of Arts and Crafts. 

Two period photographs are presently known which show the Grueby tile sign suspended from a tree in front of the Nobscot Tea House.  The first, sold as ephemera with this lot, is a photograph taken by a honeymooning couple dating to 1921.  The sign is also documented in the 1924 article that appeared in The Boston Sunday Globe citing the sale of the farm to Henry Ford.

In 1924, Ford purchased Nobscot Farm and some nearby properties in Sudbury, including the noted Wayside Inn, the subject of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poetry.  After the farm was purchased by Ford, the location of the sign was unknown until it was re-discovered in the early 1990s and acquired by the present owner in 1993.  This offering presents the collecting community with a rare opportunity to acquire a unique pictorial tile work by Grueby with a richly documented history.