This spring, we had the pleasure of exhibiting at the inaugural Pennsylvania Antiques Show at Valley Forge. The show was a tremendous success, with strong attendance and activity, including several notable sales. This new annual antiques show celebrated America’s 250th anniversary and benefits nearby Historic Trappe. The experience was an encouraging reminder of the vitality […]
We are taking the opportunity to look back on our notable moments from 2025 while anticipating exciting things to come in 2026. We mark our success in the relationships we build and the wonderful objects we have the pleasure of handling. We began 2025 taking part in the “Focus Americana” booth at the Winter Show […]
Few may know that our business began as a bandbox collection when a six-year-old David Schorsch was gifted a Hannah Davis (1784-1863) example by his mother, Majorie “Peggy” Schorsch, a prominent dealer and collector throughout her life. A few years later, he acquired another example from his neighbor, and his collection—and later business—would grow from […]
The packet Telegraph was constructed by Calvin Turner (circa 1776–1849) in Medford, Massachusetts in 1816. The Telegraph was a 391-ton merchant vessel owned by Boston merchants William and Nathan Appleton, who were cousins. This portrait of the Telegraph was likely commissioned by the Appleton cousins to commemorate its launch. The impressive qualities of the ship, […]
Possessing a dramatic and hard-edged style, Sheldon Peck is regarded as one of the greatest American portrait painters in the folk tradition. These early portraits of James Miner (1805-1891) and Alma Wilmarth Miner (1809-1847) by Sheldon Peck are standout examples that we sold in 2011. In his portraits of the Miners, Peck uniquely incorporates the […]
We recently had the pleasure of visiting with some old friends—both human and inanimate—for the exhibition opening of “Valley Culture: Constructing Identity Along the Great Wagon Road” at Historic Trappe. Curated by our friend and colleague, the Pennsylvania-German scholar Lisa Minardi, whose titles include Director of Historic Trappe and Editor of Americana Insights, “Valley Culture” […]
by David Schorsch Rick and Terry Cicotelli came into my life in January 2003, when Rick visited our booth at the Winter Antiques Show, where he admired a paint-decorated signboard inscribed “HUDSON THE TAILOR.” Rick and I spent the better part of the afternoon discussing the merits and history of the sign, while simultaneously taking […]
January is a month for reflection and looking ahead. In that spirit, we are sharing twelve of our favorite pieces sold by us in 2023, a year in which we presented three major exhibitions with accompanying catalogs: An Eye For Excellence, flipbook, in January; By The People For The People: Fine American Folk Art, 1780-1940, […]
A patent dated March 2, 1852 begins with the following declaration: Be it known that I, George O. Donnell, of Shaker Village, in the town of New Lebanon, in the county of Columbia and State of New York, have invented a new and improved mode of preventing the wear and […]
Eileen Smiles Designs This past spring, Eileen Smiles launched a wallpaper and textile collection inspired by favorite works of American folk art that we have handled over decades of business. This new venture is the culmination of two years of research, designing, and planning, sustained by Eileen’s ingenuity, hard work, and the creative talents of […]