Painting attributed to Thomas Moran and a Navy Motion Picture Camera among rare items in August 30 auction

EJ’s Auction & Appraisal’s quarterly catalog auction features collectibles and fine art

GLENDALE, Ariz. (August 6, 2019) – An oil painting attributed to the famous landscape artist Thomas Moran and a vintage Motion Picture Camera believed to have been used by the Navy are among some 40 rare and high-end collectibles that will be auctioned at 6 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, August 30 at EJ’s Auction & Appraisal, 5880 W. Bell Road, in Glendale, on the northeast corner of 59th Avenue and Bell Road.

The framed oil painting, “King’s Canyon,” measures 43 ½” high x 31 ½” wide and is attributed to Thomas Moran (1837-1926). A family heirloom for 60 years, the painting was first purchased by Hugh Meinhardt in 1959 from the Paul Metcalf Art Gallery in Los Angeles and shipped to Quincy, Illinois. His daughter, Carlene Meinhardt Geisler, inherited the painting in 1966 and kept it in her personal collection until she passed in 2004. The painting was then bequeathed to Carlene’s daughter, Sharon Geisler Cushman, and her cousin, Nell Sue, and shipped to Cushman’s home in Mesa, Arizona.

“Thomas Moran was renowned for capturing the grandeur of the Old West in his paintings,” said Erik Hoyer, owner of EJ’s Auction & Appraisal. “It’s exciting to think we may have an original Moran here in our auction house. The provenance is very strong…the original tag from the Paul Metcalf Gallery is still attached to the back and leads me to believe this is an original Thomas Moran. The painting, age of canvas, signature and overall construction of the frame look period, but the art world will need to make their decision on the authenticity of this wonderful work of art.”

Hoyer is also excited about the vintage Mitchell 35mm #492 Model GC Navy Motion Picture Camera that dates back to 1943.

“John McIndoe, the actor from the 1970s television show, The Bugaloos, has had this camera in his collection for over 40 years. He purchased it from renowned special effects electrician Kenneth Strickfaden, who purchased it from RKO Studios. It’s a really cool piece of history, especially because this particular camera model was used by the Navy,” he said.

McIndoe, a Sedona resident, thinks he paid about $500 at the time for two cameras.

“I liked to collect funky things, and I was fascinated with the camera’s history. I was also impressed with the solid engineering,” McIndoe said, adding that he gave one of the cameras away many years ago.

Hoyer consulted with two Mitchell camera experts who confirmed through prior sales records through mitchellcamera.com that the camera was delivered to the United States Navy on March 13, 1943.

The GC serial #492 has a matching serial number inside the camera body verifying itself as all original. A serial #581 marked inside the lens turret designates the L base of the camera to have come from another government issued camera in 1952. The camera also has an equipment box stamped from RKO Studios with extra lenses and camera equipment inside.

A free preview for the special catalog auction is set from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, August 28 through Friday, August 30. The live auction will begin promptly at 6 p.m. on August 30. Online bidding is also available.

For details, or to learn about EJ’s weekly Saturday auctions, visit www.ejsauction.com or call (623) 878-2003.

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