Topic starter
09/03/2012 11:54 pm
Mrs. Marie Groffel, of St. Louis, has asked me to convey that she has two Ralph Law paintings available for sale. The subjects are the Eagle Packet Company steamboats BALD EAGLE and SPREAD EAGLE. Marie is asking $2500. per painting, but is also amenable to negotiating a price with the right buyer. Serious inquiries can be phoned to Marie at 314.469.0704.
Marie is the widow of John Groffel, a St. Louis businessman who purchased the Str. MISSISSIPPI at auction from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1963. He also partnered with the late Arthur Krato in owning the RIVER QUEEN, formerly the CAPE GIRARDEAU/GORDON C. GREENE. After a brief stint as a tourist attraction opposite Hannibal, Missouri, Groffel sold the MISSISSIPPI in 1966 to Frank Pierson who took her back to St. Louis to become the BECKY THATCHER. The RIVER QUEEN sank above the Eads Bridge in December, 1967 and was scrapped in early 1968 after salvage attempts proved futile.
Topic starter
27/09/2012 5:32 pm
Just had a delightful phone chat with Marie Groffel, who asked me to announce to the steamboat world that she is willing to "negotiate" on her price for the two Ralph Law steamboat paintings.
If interested, give Marie a call at 314.469.0704.
Thanks!
07/11/2013 5:03 am
need some information about this painting
we have this old painting on a cotton canvas board 16 by 20 inches.
it has no signature
on the side of the steamboat is painted ss packet eagle. does anyone have any idea what year that may have been or any information. so far i can not find anything about it. we live in Pennsylania USA
appreciate any information
Thanks kindly
bbbarlow
07/11/2013 3:45 pm
Maybe Ralph Law did it when he was 10.
08/11/2013 3:07 am
Not too bad for a 10 year old
08/11/2013 4:03 am
betty b barlow;32454 wrote: we have this old painting on a cotton canvas board 16 by 20 inches.
it has no signature
on the side of the steamboat is painted ss packet eagle. does anyone have any idea what year that may have been or any information. so far i can not find anything about it. we live in Pennsylania USA
appreciate any information
Thanks kindly
bbbarlow
The name of the boat is EAGLE, and she is what is known as a sidewheel packet. Way's Packet Directory list five sidewheel EAGLEs. Capt. Way reports that the EAGLE built in 1861 at Wheeling had her stacks aft of the pilothouse, so this could be the boat in the painting. For awhile this EAGLE ran in the famous Louisville and Cincinnati trade. On November 8, 1871 she sank after making contact with a rock near the Newport, Ohio landing.
As far as putting a value on the painting, perhaps a visit to "The Antique Roadshow" might be of some assistance.
08/11/2013 8:20 pm
Yes, a real artist. Unfortunately, it is apparently unsigned. If it was painted by an adult, it would be in the primitive category. Delightful in its own little way. But without a name, its value is very questionable. Speaking of art, will be in your neck of the woods tomorrow looking to paint a mountain scene for some friends who have a cabin somewhere around Breck, which has nothing to do with steamboats as far as I know.
09/11/2013 4:13 am
ss eagle packet
thanks kindly for the information you have sent me- I greatly appreciate it. when do you think this steamboat was made.thanks for taking time to do that for me.
sincerely
bbbarlow
09/11/2013 4:20 am
ss eagle packet
thanks kindly for reading my post and appreciate it very much.for answering it.
we live in white oak,pa. and you as a artist might be interested in our majestic tree that is over 300 years old.about 16 feet around.
(george washington and general braddock slept under)
located in our yard
sincerely
bbbarlow
09/11/2013 4:04 pm
betty b barlow;32463 wrote: when do you think this steamboat was made.thanks for taking time to do that for me.
sincerely
bbbarlow
She was built during 1861 and sank on November 8, 1871.