This remarkable collection of six original paintings, believed to be the work of renowned American artist A.B. Frost, once adorned the walls of a grand mansion in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The mansion was owned by Frank M. Vandling, a prominent Postmaster General of the late 19th century.
These extraordinary pieces are referenced in a newspaper article in The Scranton Tribune on July 7, 1900, describing the Vandling home with “walls being entirely covered by tapestry, and paintings of hunting scenes. The work was done by a well-known New York artist and is complete in interest both from the beauty of execution and the excellence of subject. Several of the pictures are the spirited clever ones by Frost.”
Each piece in this collection was masterfully painted on muslin, showcasing hunting and animal scenes that epitomize the genteel sporting life of the East Coast during that era. Separated in the mansion by mahogany columns and detailed molding, the paintings vary in size and were likely painted off-site with specific wall measurements provided to the artist. A unique number was placed on the reverse of each painting that is believed to correspond to a specific wall location in the room. Due to this unique installation method, no artist signatures have been discovered. It is speculated that signatures may have been placed at the bottom of each painting or on one lone piece, but were subsequently concealed by ornamental mahogany panels and trim and possibly removed during the extraction process.
The paintings were removed from the mansion before its demolition, preserving a unique slice of American artistic and cultural history. This feature adds to their individual allure, charm and historical significance.
Arthur Burdett Frost (1851-1928), a Pennsylvania native, was celebrated for his illustrative works, particularly in capturing sporting scenes for Winchester. He worked with well-known publishers in New York, including Harper & Brothers, where he collaborated with illustrators such as Howard Pyle, E. W. Kemble, Frederic Remington and C. S. Reinhart.
Frost’s illustrations appeared in prominent magazines such as Harper’s Weekly, Punch, and Scribner’s. His passion for hunting, shooting and golf frequently influenced his work. In recognition of his contributions to American art, Frost was posthumously inducted into the Society of Illustration Hall of Fame in 1985.
Measures 40 inches wide by 57 inches tall. This beautiful painting depicts a sportsman woodcock hunting with a shotgun, in a woodland setting with his pointing dog ready to retrieve. This piece closely resembles A.B. Frost’s original Shooting Ducks from a Blind, which is part of his 1895 publication Shooting Pictures, Charles Scribner’s Sons Binding of the Portfolio booklet. It also appears on page 173 in The Sporting Art of Arthur Burdett Frost by Colleen F. Storey, James A. Casada, Ph.D. and Charles Wechsler. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure. Small ¼-inch hole, center 7 inches from bottom.
Measures 28 inches tall by 7 feet wide. This beautiful painting depicts a sportsman with a shotgun with two pointers ready to flush a quail from the brush before them. This piece closely resembles A.B. Frost’s original Quail – A Dead Stand that is part of his 1895 publication Shooting Pictures, Charles Scribner’s Sons Binding of the Portfolio booklet. It is also shown on page 170 in The Sporting Art of Arthur Burdett Frost by Colleen F. Storey, James A. Casada, Ph.D. and Charles Wechsler. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure. Overall in great condition.
Measures 41 inches wide by 56 inches tall. This beautiful painting depicts a sportsman reloading his shotgun, with his pointer ready for his command. This piece closely resembles A.B. Frost’s original cover sketch for his 1895 publication Shooting Pictures, Charles Scribner’s Sons Binding of the Portfolio booklet. It also appears on page 145 in The Sporting Art of Arthur Burdett Frost by Colleen F. Storey, James A. Casada, Ph.D. and Charles Wechsler. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure.
Lot 748: 1900’S ORIGINAL LARGE MUSLIN TAPESTRY PAINTING HUNTING HOUNDS CHASING A BIG BOAR
Large painting measures 56 inches tall by 9 feet wide. This beautiful large painting depicts 12 hounds chasing down a large boar. This field scene with fence and large rocks was depicted in several other works by A.B. Frost. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure.
Lot 749: 1900’S ORIGINAL LONG MUSLIN TAPESTRY PAINTING TWO PANEL “SHOOTING DUCKS FROM A BLIND”
First panel painting measures 18 inches tall by 11.5 feet long. Second panel measures 18″ tall by 35″ long. This section of the painting was along the top of the wall that moved around the corner. This beautiful painting depicts a marsh scene with a sportsman aiming at a flock of ducks from his wood boat. Smaller section features a flock of birds flying in and nesting in a tall grass field. This piece closely resembles A.B. Frost’s original Shooting Ducks from a Blind, which is part of his 1895 publication Shooting Pictures, Charles Scribner’s Sons Binding of the Portfolio booklet. It also appears on page 164 in The Sporting Art of Arthur Burdett Frost by Colleen F. Storey, James A. Casada, Ph.D. and Charles Wechsler. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure.
Lot 750: 1900’S ORIGINAL MUSLIN TAPESTRY PAINTING OF LARGE RED STAG DEER RESEMBLES “THE BULL ELK”
Measures 29 inches wide by 57 inches tall. This beautiful painting depicts a large, 13-point red stag at full stance. This piece closely resembles A.B. Frost’s original The Bull Elk that is pictured on pages 60 and 190 in The Sporting Art of Arthur Burdett Frost by Colleen F. Storey, James A. Casada, Ph.D. and Charles Wechsler. Part of the Vandling mansion wallpaper collection.
Condition
Tapestry does show remnants of glue as used for wallpaper on the back. Color is fading due to age and exposure. Holes on the left bottom corner from where the thermostat in the home was installed. Top right panel, 3 inches x 29 inches, which had been stapled on, was a second piece that was divided by a corner. Overall, in good condition.
AUCTION PREVIEW DETAILS & BIDDING PROCEDURES FOR A. B. FROST PAINTINGS
Online pre-bidding is currently underway for these incredible paintings at Guns.RichmondAuctions.com. Bid online, by phone or in-person on November 16th at the Richmond Auctions gallery in Greenville, South Carolina. The paintings and all other auction items are available for preview on Thursday, November 14th from 10 a.m. to 5 p/m. Eastern. For additional information or to request a private viewing, please contact Seth Meredith at 336.382.6313.