Description:

JOSEPH B. SMITH
New York/New Jersey, 1798-1876
The steam/sail vessel The Electric Spark off New York.

Signed lower right "Smith". Accompanied by the ship's Bible used by Capt. John Graham.

  • Provenance:
    Private Collection, Cape Cod.

    Notes:
    The Electric Spark, 184 feet long, was originally built as a clipper ship in Medford, Massachusetts by Hayden and Cudworth. Launched November 17, 1855, she was owned for her whole career by Thatcher Magoun & Sons of Boston. Her various captains included Laban Howes of Dennis and Brewster, and Asa Lothrop of Hyannis. Though most of her voyages were around the Horn to San Francisco, she had several voyages around the world. She had one 116-day trip to San Francisco, but her other voyages were much slower due to lack of contrary winds.

    During one trip she lost men overboard in a storm, and on another the crew mutinied and locked the captain in his cabin. Unbeknownst to the mutineers, he survived on the food in his cabin and reappeared when the ship arrived at port.

    She was lost off the coast of Ireland in September 1869.
  • Dimensions: Oil on canvas, 24" x 40". Framed.
  • Condition: Some evidence of over cleaning.

    The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

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Shipping

Pick up or shipping arrangements must be made within seven (7) days of the close of the auction.
All items must be removed from our facilities within fourteen (14) days of the close of the auction. No items will be released until payment has cleared.


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STORAGE FEES
All items remaining after 14 days may be subject to a $5/per item/per day storage fee. No items will be released unless storage fees are paid in full. Items remaining more than thirty (30) days from the close of the auction may be sold for the buyer's account minus auction and storage fees.

September 24, 2025 9:30 AM EDT
South Yarmouth, MA, US

Sandwich Auction House

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000