Undated Plaque, Dr. William Nye Swift at the Helm. By James Earle Fraser. Bronze. Extremely Fine.
21.25 inches x 25 inches. Mounted to a custom contemporary wood frame with plate-rail style presentation. Total dimensions as framed are 24.75 inches x 26.75 inches. The frame exhibits slight roughness including drill holes are the four corners from a past mounting. Likely a one-off personal commission. Fraser's name was stamped into the bronze, at the lower left, curiously as J EARL FRASER Sc., leaving off the final E from his middle name. Dr. William Nye Swift was a Harvard College graduate of the class of 1877, who continued on to earn his M.D. in 1881 from the same school. His father owned whaling ships and as of 1877, he planned to join his father's business, so it is clear that the sea was dear to him, explaining the theme. Instead, he entered medical school and charted a different course. At Harvard, he was involved in many clubs, including the Hasty Pudding Club, of which he served as both vice president and president. He was also treasurer of the Weld Boat Club. His family was related to the Hathaways, among other New England families, which is notable as a family name connected to James Earle Fraser's 1903 bas relief of Horatio Hathaway Brewster, also included in this sale. It might be that the recognition Earle received from the Brewster portrait directly tied to this commission. Swift died at New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he was a prominent citizen, in 1911. It is likely this plaque was accomplished by that time. Due to the size and nature of this lot, additional shipping charges apply. Please call 800-458-4646 for more information.
From Sotheby's sale of September 25, 1992, lot 174.