RZM Fine Arts and Antiques Inc: Ask the Appraiser

Good afternoon to you Jon. My husband and I look forward to your column each week because we get to see so many interesting things. Hopefully you can help me with this painting. A brief history for you about its origin. My grandmother was a member of the original Pascack Women’s Club in the 1930s through the 1950s. The painting I’m inquiring about was purchased at a fundraiser for that organization sometime in the 1930s. As you can see, it is a beautiful painting with soft colors. All I know is that it is signed by Frances Keffer, and it is supposed to represent a house somewhere in the Pascack Valley area. I’d love to know where! Are you familiar with this artist? If so, what value might this painting have? I’m not interested in selling it just yet, but I want to know more about it. 

Susan A. 

 I certainly have the privilege each week to answer people’s questions regarding their family treasures and heirlooms. Susan, you indeed have a treasure. First, allow me to give you a bit of information on the artist. Frances Keffer (1881-1953) is a very well listed American artist. She was born in Des Moines, Iowa and studied at the Pratt Institute. Somewhere around 1920 she moved to San Diego, California. She was an art teacher there and appears to have divided her time between San Diego and Hillsdale, New Jersey. She was a member of several prominent art associations including The Salmagundi Club in New York City, of which I am also a member. Hence, the reason I am quite familiar with her work. As a matter of fact, several years ago I sold a beautiful landscape painting by this artist. It was a scene of the Great Lawn in Central Park. Frances Keffer’s work has been offered at various auctions multiple times, with realized prices ranging from $200 USD to $1,125 USD, depending upon the size and the medium of the work. Since 2010 the record price for this artist at auction is $1,125 USD. It was for a painting titled “Carolina Hills” sold at Christies, New York in 2014. Something else regarding your painting. The painting depicts a Jersey Dutch house on Tappan Road in Old Tappan, New Jersey. I was able to do a bit more research on this particular painting and found out that it was originally given as a gift to the Pascack Women’s Club in 1931. It was then sold at a local fundraiser. So, to sum it all up, you own a painting by a well listed American artist, and this beautiful oil painting depicts a local historical home. I would also like to bring to your attention that the art market for listed female American artists has increased substantially in recent years. Therefore, it is my opinion that if this painting were to be sold locally and of course properly advertised, it would sell in the range of $1,500 USD to $2000 USD. One last thing, I can’t help but notice the original carved wooden gilt frame. Great carving work and quality. Something else that would increase the painting’s value. I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful painting with the readers and me. It is wonderful to see local treasures, such as this painting.