I HAVE A NEW OBSESSION, COLLECTING 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN MASTER PORTRAITS! I LOVE THE LOOK OF A BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT HANGING ON MY WALL WHICH REMINDS ME OF LIFE WAY BACK WHEN. PORTRAITS WERE DONE BACK THEN LIKE PHOTO'S OF TODAY. TRUE AMERICAN MASTERS ARE VERY HARD TO FIND, BUT IF YOU PUT THE WORK IN AND SEARCH LONG AND HARD, YOU SOMETIMES ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND THOSE GEMS TO ADD TO YOUR COLLECTION. I HAVE MINE IN MY LIVING ROOM UP ON MY WALLS. I OFTEN LIGHT THE CANDLES NEXT TO THEM OR THE FIREPLACE WHEN I AM ENTERTAINING. I ALSO LIKE TO SIP COFFEE OR WINE AND JUST ADMIRE THEM! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH AND ENJOY THE HUNT OF FINDING THOSE RARE AMERICAN BEAUTIES FROM DAYS GONE BY....ESPECIALLY THE CIVIL WAR ERA WHICH MY GREAT, GREAT, GREAT, GRANDFATHER SERVED FROM MARBLEHEAD....WHAT LIFE MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE HERE IN MARBLEHEAD DURING HIS TIME IN THE WAR WITH HIS FAMILY LIVING ON LINDSEY ST. THE PORTRAITS SHOWN HERE ARE FROM SAMUEL MOON...1805-1860. AND THE OTHER IS A PHINEAS STAUNTON , BOTH ARE AMERICAN MASTER PAINTERS WHO HAVE MANY OF THEIR WORKS IN MUSEUMS IN NY AND PENN. BOTH ARE IN THEIR ORIGINAL GILTED FRAMES. I HOPE TO PASS ON FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY FOR ANOTHER 200 YEARS TO COME. ENJOY...PATTY P
