Sold for $5,080

Benjamin Russell (American 1804-1885) Watercolor on Paper “Stern View of the Vessel Milo, a Whaler Out of New Bedford,” circa 1830, the Milo on the high seas with two vessels on the horizon and storm clouds, initialed lower left B.R.

4 7/8 in. x 7 1/8 in. Overall 10 ¾ in. x 13 ¾ in.

January 19, 1969 letter written by Robert R. Newell of the Whale House Gallery: “Starbuck lists only one vessel named Milo as a New Bedford whaler. Her first voyage was in 1830 – important since it conforms with her design, lines and particularly the stern treatment. She made 8 whaling cruises and in 1863 under Captain Jonathan C. Hawes, she sailed to the North Pacific where she was captured and bonded for $46,000 by the Confederate steam raider Shenandoah – June 1865. She was sent to San Francisco and then returned to New Bedford. Starbuck lists her as “sold out 1872.” This is very important in relation to B. Russell since “sold out” meant sold out of the Whale Fishery. It does not mean abandoned, condemned or laid up. Someone bought her and not for whaling so there is a good chance your Milo is the same vessel only refitted for merchant service. Also the date, 1872, coincides with B. Russell for many of his paintings were made around this time.”

Original correspondence pertaining to the Milo watercolor accompany this lot: Robert R. Newell – Whale House Gallery January 19, 1969;  M.V. Brewington – The Kendall Whaling Museum, June 24, 1969; A. Paul Winfisky – Peabody Museum – October 12,1988