Working on this beauty today, a massive oil on canvas by Eric Sloane, N.A. The fact that it is on canvas helps to identify the date of creation as pre-1950, and the subject matter suggests an even earlier date of creation. The title is charming, written in Eric’s hand underneath his signature, lower left: Overhead Years Ago. A cleaning, re-varnish, and restoration of the amazing mid-century modern frame, and this one will be ready for a new owner.

I’m biased, but the Eric Sloane Museum has to be one of the most charming museum buildings/campus in the Northeast (and that is saying something!).
Here is a photo, taken c. 1980, of the museum building. Notice that the “shed” on the north side of the museum has yet to be constructed, the very structure we are going to transform into a well-lit and welcoming hands-on classroom in 2023. Photo used by permission, from Wil Mauch’s Aware: A Retrospective of the Life and Work of Eric Sloane..
To learn more about the Friends of the Eric Sloane Museum and our mission to assist in the preservation and interpretation of the Eric Sloane Museum and its collection, see www.friendsoftheericsloanemuseum.org. While you’re there, please consider making a donation online to our new hands-on classroom project.

A good morning to work with Frank @skorframes to develop a plan for framing a recent arrival of an original Eric Sloane. Skor frames are works of art in themselves, lovingly handcrafted. Sloane knew the founder, Walter Skor, in the mid-1960s and the two collaborated on a frame design that Eric used exclusively from c.1968 until his death in 1985. I can’t recommend Skor more highly – they have a variety of frame styles to choose from and Frank can customize most any one to your needs: www.skorframes.com.

Looking out towards the Kent iron furnace from within the always charming Noah Blake cabin.

I was so very grateful and pleasantly surprised to have been honored with this framed original Eric Sloane remarque to “Jim” (my first name), given to me by the board of the Friends of the Eric Sloane Museum for my service. Scott Sheldon built the frame by hand, it is marvelous. And I must admit that, in nearly 25 years purchasing, restoring, selling, and authenticating works by Eric Sloane, this is the first time I have seen a remarque to “Jim”!
It has been my honor to shepherd our group from idea to full fledged activism in support of Eric Sloane and the museum he founded. Thank you!

Happy 4th of July from “The Committee of the Two Erics”! That is Eric Hatch on the left, and Eric Sloane on the right.
“…the Let Freedom Ring project envisioned by the two men, who met as ‘The Committee of the Two Erics’ to promote an idea born from a radio interview Eric Sloane gave in July of 1962. During that interview, Sloane spoke of the early American tradition of ringing bells in celebration of the nation’s independence instead of the more modern fireworks displays. Listeners responded enthusiastically to the idea, and “The Committee of the Two Erics” began an article and letter writing campaign that ultimately led to a joint congressional proclamation (77 Stat. 9441), adopted 26 June 1963 to have bells rung in public buildings across America in commemoration of the nation’s independence.”
– From Wil Mauch’s Symbols of American Spirit: 50 Years of the Eric Sloane Museum

Cloud gazing moment at the Eric Sloane Museum this past Saturday.

Happy 4th of July from “The Committee of the Two Erics”! That is Eric Hatch on the left, and Eric Sloane on the right.
“…the Let Freedom Ring project envisioned by the two men, who met as ‘The Committee of the Two Erics’ to promote an idea born from a radio interview Eric Sloane gave in July of 1962. During that interview, Sloane spoke of the early American tradition of ringing bells in celebration of the nation’s independence instead of the more modern fireworks displays. Listeners responded enthusiastically to the idea, and “The Committee of the Two Erics” began an article and letter writing campaign that ultimately led to a joint congressional proclamation (77 Stat. 9441), adopted 26 June 1963 to have bells rung in public buildings across America in commemoration of the nation’s independence.”
– From Wil Mauch’s Symbols of American Spirit: 50 Years of the Eric Sloane Museum

Happy 4th of July from the Friends of the Eric Sloane Museum! Eric Sloane had published “The Sound of Bells” in 1966.
It was an outgrowth of his research and efforts to promote the ringing of bells – along with his friend and fellow author Eric Hatch – on the 4th of July:
“…the Let Freedom Ring project envisioned by the two men, who met as ‘The Committee of the Two Erics’ to promote an idea born from a radio interview Eric Sloane gave in July of 1962. During that interview, Sloane spoke of the early American tradition of ringing bells in celebration of the nation’s independence instead of the more modern fireworks displays. Listeners responded enthusiastically to the idea, and “The Committee of the Two Erics” began an article and letter writing campaign that ultimately led to a joint congressional proclamation (77 Stat. 9441), adopted 26 June 1963 to have bells rung in public buildings across America in commemoration of the nation’s independence.”
– From Wil Mauch’s Symbols of American Spirit: 50 Years of the Eric Sloane Museum

No less royalty than the “Queen of Hardware of Great Britain, 1969” was a distinguished guest at the 1969 opening of the Eric Sloane Museum!
From Wil Mauch’s “Symbols of American Spirit : 50 Years of the Eric Sloane Museum”.
We will be posting some history of the museum and how it came to be, leading up to the July 2, 2022 celebration to be held on the grounds of the Eric Sloane Museum in Kent.

“…the ‘Queen of Hardware 1969 Great Britain’, seemingly very popular during the tour of the {Eric Sloane} museum judging by contemporary press photos, especially with one gentleman in particular. Sadly, both of their names went unrecorded.”