Description:

The Saucelito Ferry painting was composed by James Bard in 1877. He was known all across the eastern seaboard for his intricate and beautifully decorated representations of famous ships built in the late 19th century. The description of the vessel was provided by Harold S. Sniffen.

Harold S. Sniffen, the Curator of Prints at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia wrote a letter on August 4, 1950 to Florence Donnelly, from the Independent Journal , which uncovered the history behind this magnificent steamboat:

"The Saucelito was built by John Englis at Brooklyn, NY in 1877. The Vertical beam engine was built by Fletcher and Harrison, NY. Although built in NY, her timbers were sent to the Pacific Coast in a sailing vessel and put together in California. She was built for the San Francisco and Saucelito Valley Line and cost $150,000. She was burned February 24, 1884 while lying at her wharf at Pt. St. Quentin"

Related History:

James Bard was considered a folk artist. He was self taught, using templates of famous paintings of steamships which incorporated his childhood affection of toy boats. James partnered with his twin brother John on almost all of James’ early paintings. At the age of twelve in 1827, the Bard brothers were recognized as impressive painters from their artistic rendition of the steamboat Belona. This painting marked the beginning of their careers as ship painting contractors.

James and John Bard worked very closely together with shipbuilders to artistically represent their nautical achievements. The Bard brothers received commissions to accurately and precisely characterize the ship’s romantic aura and proclaim the ship’s significant technological achievements.

The accuracy to which the brothers painted was remarkable, as well as their ability to combine practical and artistic elements to each painting. The Bard brothers produced a variety of works from racing yachts to commuter ferries to schooners which added to their appeal and reputation. Many historians consider the Bard brothers, primarily James, to be at the top of the ship painting industry during the heyday of maritime artistry.

One of James’ more famous works, The Saucelito Ferry, was commissioned by Benjamin C. Terry who built the ferry in 1877 in Brooklyn, New York. The ship was assembled, under Terry’s supervision, in Marin County, California. It is not certain whether James went to California to compose the painting or stayed in New York, satisfied with his visionary expertise. However, it can be said that his canvas painting of The Saucelito was just as detailed and exquisite as the rest of his works.

James Bard’s Saucelito, was an incredible representation of the passenger ferry that transported hundreds of Marin County residents to and from San Francisco. He glorified The Sauselito and gave it a striking character with such an impressive degree of intricacy that modern eyes are shocked to see its flawless detail. The significance of this painting is in its ability to convey a time in history that could only be captured on canvas, by which Bard’s beautiful artistry so valiantly accomplished. The nautical and technological advancements changed the maritime industry as railroads and cameras were gaining prominence; yet, Bard’s paintings are timeless representations of the maritime world that only oil on canvas can truly capture. The Sauselito Ferry is not only a painting of a distant relative of the ferries that sail today, but a glorification of Marin’s rich historical roots.

The Marin History Museum’s mission is to collect and preserve significant artifacts that represent key events or people from our past. The importance of Bard’s Sauselito has been established, but often the primary source itself is worth experiencing, as a facet of Marin’s maritime history.

Without the support of Marin residents in making object donations and monetary gifts that help support these collecting goals, the Marin History Museum would not be able to sustain the award winning programs and educational services we provide. Thanks must once again be extended to friend of the Marin History Museum, Jeff Craemer, for enabling the acquisition of these Supreme Court documents.

For more information about helping the Marin History Museum collect and preserve its collection objects by making a gift to the museum, please call 415-454-8538 or email info@marinhistory.org

Adopt a Wish!

The following important collections projects have been delayed until funds are available to complete them. Donations of any size may be targeted specifically to these goals by identifying them in the memo space on your check.

1. The Marin History Museum has more than 20,000 objects and 200,000 photographs in its collections. The Collections Manager has set aside 8 antique photographs, 6 modern silver images, and five artifacts that are in urgent need of conservation repair. From $350 to stabilize an 1850's Daguerreotype photograph to $10,000 for the parts and restoration of the Museum's 1904 Curved dash Oldsmobile. Monetary donations of any amount are gratefully encouraged.

2. The Marin History Museum is attempting to complete several education programs, including trunk shows, which are miniature traveling exhibitions delivered to local school classrooms by volunteer docents. Trunk shows supplement in-school curriculum content with objects and stories from Marin County's past. A number of objects are still needed, and are available in local antique stores or from online sellers. The estimated cost to complete these programs is approximately $400.

3. One of the most active areas in our Novato Collections, Library and Research Facility is the historic map collection. More than 488 rolled maps are held in less than ideal conditions. Maps, especially authentic mid 19th century ones, are extremely delicate paper objects that require special handling and archival storage to keep, them safe. The Collections manager has developed a long-term preservation plan for the most important of these artifacts but lacks the resources to implement it. The first phase can begin with a contribution of $1,500 towards this goal.

If you are able to assist with any of these wishes please contact our Collections Manager Doug DeFors at 415-382-0770 ext. 5#, or email doug@marinhistory.org.

Questions?