Mark Lawson Antiques Announces the Discovery in a Schenectady Home of an American Masterpiece

Mark Lawson, proprietor of Mark Lawson Antiques & Auctioneers, Inc., announces the discovery of an important American oil painting lost since 1917 that could be worth a small fortune. The masterpiece, from a local Schenectady home, is by American painter Edwin Lord Weeks, (1849-1903). Extensive research has revealed that the painting, titled “Lake at Oodeypore, India” was originally in the collection of George A. Hearn, renowned American art collector and one of the founders of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Paintings of similar size by this artist have sold for more than $500,000.

This very important piece of American art will be offered for sale at an upcoming auction of fine arts, furnishings, and jewelry in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, November 15, at 6 p.m. A preview exhibition of the items offered will be held the same day from noon until 5:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center in downtown Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Also of special interest at the auction will be the items from the estate of Guy McAfee, originator of the moniker “the strip” for the Las Vegas Main Street and founder of the Golden Nugget Casino. Featured will be a massive gold nugget necklace given by McAfee to his wife, Hollywood starlet June Brewster McAfee, on the day the Golden Nugget Casino opened in 1946, and estimated to sell for $10,000 to $20,000.

A fully illustrated auction catalog with high-quality images may be viewed on this web site. Other inquiries may be directed to Mark Lawson at (518) 587-8787.