James Bard (1815-1897)

Inscribed, signed and dated Picture Drawn & Painted by James Bard. 1853, 162 Perry St, New York, l.r.

James S. Hall, Brooklyn, New York, October 21, 1924;

C.K. Johnson, Greenwich, Connecticut;

S.G. Rains, New York, March 1925;

Americana and Decorative Arts: The Property of the New-York Historical Society, a sale at Sotheby's, sale number 661, January 29, 1995, lot 241

Catalog, Vol. I, p. 18, no. 57;

Anthony J. Peluso, The Bard Brothers Painting American Under Steam and Sail, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York, 1991, checklist, p. 167

Relined; restretched; original stretcher and new frame; scattered in paint in water (3 in. vertical on left), sky, and through flag Francis Skiddy; 1925.108.
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 hull of this steamboat was built in 1848 in New York City by George Collyer and the engine by Joseph Cunningham & Co. of New York. She measured 322 feet in length, 38 feet in breadth and 11 feet in depth. She was built for day line service between New York and Albany. But in 1851, before the vessel was finished, she was sold to James McCullough and launched as the General Taylor. Renamed Francis Skiddy for the Hudson River run between New York and Albany, she was one of the largest and fastest passenger steamboats of her time.  She was sold in 1853, and in 1857 became the property of the New Jersey Steam Navigation Company. In 1864, she was wrecked in the Hudson below Albany, while trying to avoid a tow near Staat's Landing.  Another version of the painting is in the Mariner's Museum, Newport News, Virginia. The Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York owns a painting of this vessel by Bard dated 1859.