Catalogue of The late Mr. John Hunter's Extensive Collection of Ancient and Modern Pictures Removed from his Gallery and Residence at Hunter's Island, Westchester Co.: To be Sold at Auction by Henry H. Leeds & Miner at their "Dusseldorf Galleries,"

THE CATALOGUE OF NATION'S FINEST PRIVATE COLLECTION OF OLD MASTER ART

[HUNTER, John, businessman and art collector (1778-1852). HENRY H. LEEDS & MINER, AUCTIONEERS. Catalogue of The late Mr. John Hunter's Extensive Collection of Ancient and Modern Pictures Removed from his Gallery and Residence at Hunter's Island, Westchester Co., N.Y. To be Sold at Auction by Henry H. Leeds & Miner at their "Dusseldorf Galleries," No. 548 Broadway (Next door to Tiffany & Co., Co.'s), on the Evenings of Wednesday 17th, Thursday 18th and Friday 19th January, 1866, at 7 o'clock each evening. They may be viewed on and after Tuesday, January 2, at the Galleries as above. Catalogues can be obtained...[wrapper-title]. 8vo, original wrappers printed in gold, pp. 70. New York: John Polhemus, Printer, 109 Nassau Street [1866].

John Hunter was a Columbia graduate who took over his father's auction and commission business, becoming an American "merchant prince. Hunter's art collection was considered "stunning,"...the best such collection ever assembled during the infancy of our young Republic," according to a long article about Hunter and his art collection online in Historic Pelham, Thursday, March 10, 2016, by Blake A. Bell former town historian of Pelham, NY. Blake says, "The auction of John Hunter's massive art collection was a highlight of the year in 1866. The collection was billed as the largest and finest such collection ever exhibited or offered for sale in the United States. John Hunter began assembling his collection as early as 1800 and collected most of the paintings before 1835...The collection sold at auction consisted of 373 'ancient and modern oil paintings' including a number by masters..." Notes about the artist accompany many of the entries. At least one painting was not authentic. Hunter's supposed Raphael, "Madonna and Child with John the Baptist," the only "Raphael" listed in the catalogue, and titled therein as "Madonna and Infant Savior," is now attributed to either Giambettino Cignaroli (1706-70), or his half brother, Giuseppe Cignaroli (1727-96), and hangs in the McMullen Museum of Art at Boston College. It was sold to Hunter as authentic, then sold again to wealthy Bostonian Peter Charon Brooks. The catalogue says "This picture was considered by Mr. Hunter as the most valuable in his collection. It was purchased in Paris during the three days revolution, and was taken from the palace of Charles X. No doubt has existed to its originality, and it is probably the only picture by the great master in this country."-#292, p. 57. The New York Times published long pieces on sales results following each session. Blake contributed interest biographical articles about Hunter to Historic Pelham, 2005-2007. Two or three corners little curled, else nearly fine. OCLC locates one copy (Ringling Museum of Art, Florida). There is also a copy at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 84664