Property from the Estate of Miss Betty Washington Whiting The following lots (502-521) descended through the Washington, Custis, Lewis and Butler families to the late Miss Betty Washington Whiting. This important group comprises a number of previously unlocated Washington owned objects, many of which were used at the President's residence in Philadelphia and/or at Mount Vernon. Some are clearly documented as being purchased by Washington, and others are more loosely associated. However, all have followed a line of decent through the family that supports the tradition that they were owned by or connected to George Washington. It is extremely rare that such a documented but unpublished group appears on the market, and this presents an exceptional opportunity to own an object from our first president and the father of our country.

AN INLAID MAHOGANY ARTIST'S PAINT BOX

LABELED T. REEVES & SON, LONDON, CIRCA 1790

Details

AN INLAID MAHOGANY ARTIST'S PAINT BOX
LABELED T. REEVES & SON, LONDON, CIRCA 1790
The label inscribed "Given by General George Washington to Nelly Custis, on her 15th birthday, March 31st, 1793"
3in. high, 14in. wide, 10¼in. deep

Lot Essay

George Washington's household accounts record the purchase of this box on March 18, 1793: "Pd for a box of paints for Miss Eliza Custis . . . 3.50." This box appears to contain its original watercolors and several collected objects. For more on artist's boxes and on T. Reeves & Company, see Nina Fletcher Little, American Art Journal (1980): 25-34.

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