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While they’re still confirming this, Weschler’s Auctioneers and Appraisers believe the sale of Alma Thomas’ painting has set the highest auction record ever for a deal in the DC metro area. The painting was estimated at $500,000 from his $300,000, and in the end he was sold for $1.25 million ($1,487,000 including buyer’s premium).
Called “Glimmering Dew on Spring Flowers”, the painting was created in 1968 and was inspired by Thomas’ beloved garden. Signed “AW Thomas”, dated ’68 lr, additionally he is signed by Alma W. Thomas and inscribed 1530 15.th St. NW, numbered 3B on the back.
Recently, more attention has been paid to Thomas’ legacy and place in the history of the Washington Color School, and his talent ties with Howard University, particularly in teaching and artistic production. The painting was given a fairly low (albeit accurate) value for estate purposes in 2001. Shipper’s mother, Eileen Shanahan, knew that Thomas was a collectible artist, but she had no idea how big her legacy had grown in recent years.
Portrait of a Lady (Alma Thomas), 1947, by Laura Wheeler Waring. Wikipedia.
The piece was purchased by Shanahan in 1968 or 1969. Weschler said her daughter came home from school and she remembered seeing the painting hanging on her mantelpiece until her death in 2001.
For those unfamiliar with her, Shanahan was a second-generation Washington native who graduated from Old Central High School (now Cardozo) and George Washington University. During her time at GWU, Shanahan became the first female editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Hatchet. Later she became a reporter for the Journal of Commerce and later for the New York Times. Shanahan served as press secretary for Joseph Califano during the Carter administration and was founding editor of the Congressional Quarterly’s magazine, Governing. Throughout her life, she appeared on shows like ‘Meet the Press’ and ‘Face the Nation’. She was also a panelist at the 1976 presidential debate.
tagAlma ThomasauctionsCardozoEileen ShanahanGWU Howard University Washington Color School Weschler’s “Glowing Dews on Spring Flowers”
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