New York Club Sells Sargent Portraits

According to the New York Post, the need of a facade restoration at a New York club has led to disposing of two paintings by noted portrait artist John Singer Sargent. A painting by the artist of the actor Lawrence Barrett was sold privately earlier this year and one of 19th-century actor Joseph Jefferson will soon hit the auction block, consigned by the venerable Player’s Club. Founded in New York City by the noted 19th-century Shakespearean actor Edwin Booth, the Player’s Club is located at 16 Gramercy Park. Its interior and part of its exterior was designed by architect Stanford White. The club sold a portrait of Booth, the brother of the man who shot President Lincoln, in 2000. Some notable members over the years include Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Stanford White, Nikola Tesla, John Barrymore, Gregory Peck, Walter Cronkite, Kevin Spacey, Judy Collins, Rue McClanahan, Angela Lansbury, Tony Bennett and Jimmy Fallon. According to Wikipedia while about 1000 members are needed to keep the club running, its rolls following a recent membership drive amounted to only 625.