W. COSLAND HAS PROVIDED A GLIMPSE OF HISTORY - LIVING NOW FOR ME
I have posted images of two, large, mid to late 1800's oil paintings, on stretched canvas, I recently purchased from a charming little antique shop in the City of Orillia. They were both painted by a British artist by the name of “W. Cosford.” We know he was an accomplished artist, as we have found several auction houses that have sold his work in recent years, but when, what year and season, he came to Canada, are the clues for one of those historic mystery-capers we love here at Birch Hollow. He was painting in the 1870's, in England but whether he journeyed here earlier, or later, is a bit of a mystery. The paintings and framing give the appearance of the 1860's to 1880's. There appears to be a birch bark canoe in traverse, in this landscape depiction. We’re not at all sure of the location.
It’s at this time of the rolling year that I have to escape the office environs, at the old homestead, and run amuck through antique shops, auctions, flea markets, church bazaars, and yard sales. Since eighteen years of age, I’ve been an antique “nutter.” For our honeymoon, Suzanne and I travelled to Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia, and I was nearly divorced on the spot, when I refused to leave the vintage print shop. As a book collector / dealer, this little cranny of history was a literal paradise of paper, ink and printing press. I’d warned Suzanne, before we got married, that life with an antique collector / writer, would be challenging....the household always cluttered with history of one kind or another. Today she does credit me for being honest, at least,...... as we had to move ten or so art works, just to mount the two giant Cosford paintings. Actually, Suzanne loves art as much as I do, and these two images are mood setting pieces for sure. Considering that her family were amongst the earliest pioneers in Muskoka, and my family were United Empire Loyalists, being surrounded by Canadiana is never a hardship. Only when we have to sell-off some pieces, to afford exciting new acquisitions, does regret enter the experience. The “I want it all,” passion is hard to deal with. No, I’m not a hoarder. I’m neater!
Sitting with these two compelling landscapes, in the old glow of a flickering oil lamp, listening to the wind howling across The Bog, this past weekend, made these scenes seem very real indeed.....to the pioneer period we both study and adore. I could hear the wind sweeping across the lakelands depicted by Cosford.....and feel the chill of the April stormscape, and sense the loneliness to the settler, looking out of that cabin door at such a vast wilderness, ......and its unforgiving climate. It is indeed pleasant then, to sit here, by the hearth, and celebrate the comforts of this modern homestead.
You can view the other W. Cosford painting by clicking onto my “Gravenhurst” blogsite. I will be out on the antique hustings more frequently now that the yard and flea market season has rolled around. Seeing as I’ve worn down my fangs anyway, over the past six months of local government watching, it’s time to rejuvenate the heart and soul of the antique hunter. I get stronger and more determined with each find. So far, the pickings are great! I’ll let you know in future blogs.....which will be a little less aggressive and prolific for the next six months, just how we’re doing out there......and what constitutes a truly “big find.” I’m writing an antique hunting column for a new publication, known as The Arrow, published in the Almaguin Region, if you’re up that way this summer.
