Rare Original Winslow Homer Oil Painting "Christmas Belle" Sleighing scene by Winslow Homer Start Price USD 50,000.00 Current Price USD 50,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, June 27, 2008 End Time Monday, July 07, 2008 Location Memphis, Tennessee See more about ' Rare Original Winslow Homer Oil Painting' Description Do to many request i am offering this painting one LAST  time. and yes this is the last time so if as many of you have said, you wanted to buy this painting NOW is your last chance so BID if you want it. I will also consider a partial trade of a 1969 dodge charger in show condition or partial trade on a brand new 2wd gas Dodge Pickup contact me if you are interested? We are offering this painting at a unbelievably low opening bid. and This IS a NO RESERVE auction. Which means the winning bidder receives this beautiful piece of history. But  "DO NOT BID, IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT". We will provide FREE shipping world wide, But any insurance will still be the winning bidders responsibility.  So "Welcome" to our auction, up for bid is a true gem. This Oil Painting was aquired by my family from an estate sale 25 years ago, and  we have done 20 yrs of research on it. The painting is in oil on canvas and measures 24"x 36" and is framed in its org. Black stained wood frame with gold leaf. and is signed by the artist  WH  (Winslow Homer)  just as Homer signed over 70% of his works.           I personally have spoken with many experts on Homer and they share our belief that this is indeed his work. Our research on this Painting has envolved over 20 years of study of all of Homers works., During our research we came across a lithograph by Homer entitled "Christmas Belles 1869 .that was published in "Harpers weekly" a newspaper at which Winslow Homer was a lithographer. This lithograph shows the same sleigh scene as "our" painting but with a few differences. I have provided a copy of "Christmas Belles"  but it is not of the best quality. The people we spoke to are art researchers , and professional restorators of paintings of this era. They told us that this painting was painted approx. around 1858-1862 do to the age of the canvas and type of stretchers used, as well as paint pigment samples tested.         Through more research we found that Homer attended the National Academy of Design in NY, from 1860-1862. Where at that time he had an instructor named "Frederick Rondel" that taught Homer the use of bright colors such as reds and yellows in a painting to draw the eye of the viewer around the painting.  Rondel a famous artist himself had used this technique in his own works. And as you can see, it is evident in our painting as well. Some Homer experts believe that "The Sharp Shooter "1862" was his first Oil. However we have found many that believe our painting might very well be one of his first as well ,do to the dates?  There is no way to prove this for sure,because as I was told by the experts they cannot pinpoint any painting exactly yet. But the dates are there. It is my personal opinion that this is indeed by Homer and I base that on 20 years of  my study on Homer and his work. Please, you can check with your local Library they will have books on Homer that have better copies of  Homers works and a better photo of "Christmas Belles" So that you may judge for yourself! What we do know for a fact is, that "our" painting was painted in the late 1850s to around 1861. and the lithograph "Christmas Belles" is "verified " as being done by Winslow Homer, and was published in Harpers Weekly in 1869. Plus we have found that Homer was known for doing the drawings and paintings well before he used them later for his lithographs. And that "Christmas Belles 1869" was published well after the time experts have told us our painting was done.  So you be the judge!        I have also included another of Homers  lithographs ,of another sleigh scene. As I was told by some "so called experts" that Homer never did any sleigh scenes! But  here are three sleigh scenes documented as his works!  and I also found he did another "oil painting " of a sleigh scene (Over The Hill) .So , Homer did do sleigh scenes! enough said, So if you are looking for a very nice, mantle size, painting by one of the foremost artist of our time, then here is your chance to own a great piece of American History for a fraction of what you would pay at the big auction houses.      NOTE: We are proudly offering this painting on E-bay exclusively and would like to thank everyone at e-bay for there help and support. We stand behind 20 years of research on this painting. And firmly believe it truely is by Winslow Homer himself. However that said, this painting has never been sold at auction before and has remained in a private collection all of its life.Thus it has NOT been Authenticated by the ""powers that be""! So PLEASE if you DO NOT feel as we do, that this work is by Homer then please do not bid, We are offering this painting in good faith and I assure you it is NOT a copy made to look like an original. i am a 13yrs vet law officer and a 25yr art major, Plus a 20 yr student of Homer's work So. I have studied Homer exclusively for more than twenty years and know his "Homers" art as well as anyone, My mother is getting older and has charged me with selling this painting for her. She asked that i find it a good home where it can be given the care it needs. And as you can see from the photos , the painting was repaired in the past,  as I stated we aquired this painting 25 yrs ago and had it repaired by professionals about two months after purchasing  it, The repairs were nessasary do to it hanging above a fireplace most of its life ,as did most painting of this size, it suffered many yrs of soot and had a few poker holes ,where it had fallen off the mantle at one time, However the signature area did not recieve damage, and the initials are visible W imposed over the H on the sleigh the same way it is signed in "Christmas Belles",  This is a very pleasing and beautiful painting. and will make a great addition to someone collection. So we are offering it at a fraction of its worth, Homers paintings have brought in the two to three millon range, However we wanted to give everyone a chance to own this truely great piece of art . I want to thank you all for looking at our auction and wish you all the best of luck in being the winning bidder. PAYMENT  Will be expected within four days of auction end. By either **PayPal  or  Bank Wire Transfer** . We will gladly provide shipping world wide, but "insurance" is the sole responsibility of "buyer". NOTICE: The painting does have a small amount of flaking at the very bottom edge but is not in the area of the signature and easily repairable.This is common on oil painting of this age. Painting is currently located in a Temperature controlled Bank Vault in Memphis, Tenn.  We advise using an insured carrier for transport. The painting will be properly crated and released to the winning bidder shipper, after funds are verified and a carrier has been arranged. Thank you On Jun-07-08 at 13:53:22 PDT, seller added the following information: NOTE:  To answer  a few questions:  1.If you are "Interested" in this painting then "BID"on it! There will be NO copies of any kind allowed of the painting, no negatives made, scans, or photos! DO NOT ASK, We have been honest about the painting and trust you to be the same about buying it! so "BID" if you want to own it, dont if you do not. This is "NOT" a auction for a chance to test it. You are bidding to buy it, Thank you and have a great day! and Good Luck! 2. No, this is not a copy, it is an original oil painting done approx. 1858-1862. 3. Yes, the Lithograph "Christmas Belles" is "verified" as being done by Homer, and was published in "Harpers Weekly" in 1869. and our painting WAS painted prior to the lithograph. 4. No, this painting has never been sold at any auction house.  5.Yes, There is something written on the back of the painting but we haven't been able to make it out do to it being under years of soot and stains, but it was written on there during the time this painting was done thats for sure, I made out one of the words that appears to be Xmas but cant make out the others. Keen eye there ebayer!  6. Auction will not be ended early,  and is a NO RESERVE auction so Bid to win! Winning bidder will receive this fine Painting for thier collection. NOTE:  Your identity will be kept private. I also reserve the right to sell this item locally.On Jul-07-08 at 07:05:35 PDT, seller added the following information:Hello, I want to thank all of you for your interest in our painting, for those of you that are wanting this fine peice of art. please place your bid before auction end because as i said, before this is the last time i am listing it.  Good luck to you all and have a great day. Place a Bid!