Date: Fri 20-Nov-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: SHIRLE

Quick Words:

Genet

Full Text:

Genet Estate Offered By Meringolo And Thomas

(with 2 cuts)

By Rita Easton

RENSSELAER, N.Y. -- An on-site auction was held on October 3 by Robert

Meringolo of Westerlo, in association with Patrick Thomas & Partners, at the

former home of Citizen Edmund Charles Genet (1762-1831).

"The book is yet to be written about Genet," said Meringolo, who noted the

many events in US history in which Genet was involved.

Born to French nobility, Genet was Consul General to General George

Washington's cabinet from the French Republic; protege of Thomas Jefferson;

antagonist of George Washington; and author, inventor, statesman, confidant

and host of LaFayette.

He assisted Alexis DeToqueville in his definitive work, Democracy in America;

was a balloonist, canal builder, and dredger of the Hudson River; husband of

Cornelia Clinton, who was the daughter of George Clinton, a Revolutionary War

hero; and the first governor of New York State.

"[Genet] needs more written about him" Meringolo said. "He was active in many

things, including the Louisiana Purchase, he sponsored legislation for the

Erie Canal, and courted the friendship of Hamilton and Madison, who came to

his wedding."

The media, in full attendance, included three crews from Albany television

stations hoping to record the historic sale of the homestead, "Charlmont." The

house however, remained unsold, leaving only the contents to be auctioned.

"Rod Blackburn, former assistant curator at an Albany historical institution,

said that this was one of probably only five historic homes in the state in

private hands remaining untouched," Meringolo said.

Tents on the lawn accommodated an audience who enjoyed the warm fall day while

competing for the 300 lots offered. Mid-range items dominated the event, with

the starring three-piece lot, a pair of 17« by 17 inch samplers made in 1824

and one created 1823, in Stockbridge, all by the same girl, going to a

Stockbridge dealer at $6,750.

A pair of matching Nineteenth Century hanging chandeliers, unwired, 36 by 26

inches with gilded finish, each having eight arms, reached $2,600; a

Nineteenth Century, 31 inch high marble sculpture of a nude boxer realized

$2,100; a mercury gilded French clock signed "Brevete, Paris," standing on a

plateau, garnered $550; and a pair of period gilded bronze wall sconces,

initialed "B.N.," each having five arms, went out at $550.

A pair of 1840 signed astro lamps, each having etched globes, with missing

prisms, were broken into two lots and made $550 and $600, going to different

buyers; an early decorated dome box, 18 inches long, with floral decorations,

fetched $200; and a Chickering baby grand piano in mahogany, circa 1915, sold

at $900.

An Eastlake fainting couch reached $200; an oval oil on canvas of a bearded

man reading a book made $900; and a pair of wood turn-of-the-century urn knife

boxes, signed "Berkey & Gay," 26 inches high, were purchased at $1,600.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.