William A. Coulter (1849-1936)
Maria E. Smith At The Golden Gate 1881
Oil on canvas, 31 1/2" x 48" (43" x 59" overall)
signed lower right "W.A. Coulter SF 1881"

The painting depicts the ship "Maria E. Smith" departing the Golden Gate, with Seal Rock at the left.
The S.F. based ship was famous for its "triangle-trade" runs bringing lumber from the Pacific NW to Australia, then coal from Australia to Hawaii, then sugar cane to S.F. for the Spreckels.

The painting is accompanied by the original brass ships bell, the San Francisco-purchased sextant
(Louis Weule & Co.) as well as the memorial cup from its demise in Mazatlan in 1904.

The painting is from Coulter's best period (1881), and has remained in the family of the ship's owner since it was painted.  Additional information regarding the ship's career and demise are found in several period newspaper articles describing the ship.

The painting is in excellent original condition with no inpainting or overpainting of any kind.
Included is the original 1880s American gilded period frame.

 

From the book "Hall Brothers Shipbuilders" by Gary M. White; 2008 Arcadia Publishing.

The ship's identifcation flag and hull nameplate.

 

The original brass ships bell, inscribed "Schooner Maria E. Smith 1881-1904"

& the San Francisco-purchased sextant (Louis Weule & Co.)

 

The memorial cup from its demise in Mazatlan in 1904, purchased by the ship's
captain and his wife just after the ship was run aground for a total loss.