Welcome to my Blog

by admin on July 12, 2010

Hi – I am James Craig, author of Frank Vining Smith: Maritime Painting in the 20th Century. Please feel free to ask any question related to my new book.

Thanks for coming by !

James A. Craig

{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

jacqueline mc aneney September 12, 2010 at 12:37 am

i have a painting by frank vining smith. largeship with new york shipping stamp on back of frame

Liz Pretorius September 26, 2010 at 12:07 am

I am a member of the Whitman Ma Historical Commission and society. I just saw that you had a book signing in Hingham for your book on Frank Vining Smith. I wish I had seen the site earlier I would have attended. As you must know Frank Vining Smith is a decendant of the Whitman Family that our town is named for.
Would you be interested in speaking at a Whitman Historical Society meeting? If so, is there a fee?
Thank you for your time.

admin September 26, 2010 at 5:43 am: Hi Liz,

I am the admin for this site, I just forwarded this comment to Liz Riviere, the woman who handles for Jim Craig. She will be in contact with you this week,

Best

Kit Latham

Reply

Miriam Carter October 12, 2010 at 2:31 pm

Dear Ms. Latham,
My mother would like to telephone or write to James Craig with a question about an Othmar Hoffler painting. What is the best way for her to contact him?
Thank you,
Miriam Carter

Kevin Williams December 12, 2010 at 6:45 pm

I have a painting by Frank Vining Smith entitled caught in the act. Any information on this art would be appreciated. thank you Kevin Williams

Eric D. Bradlee January 14, 2011 at 2:59 pm

James,

I wanted to attend your lecture last night in Hull but was unable due to a last minute conflict. I own a Frank Vining Smith original oil that my grandmother left me. Unlike many of the pieces I have seen of his work on websites, where the colors are bright and the ship is at full sail at sea, this one has more muted colors and the sails are dark hues. The sea is calm and glassy and the ship appears to be near land as other smaller vessels can be seen in the background.

I see you are from Gloucester. My gandparents owned a home on Good Harbor beach, the second one in on the private beach section. For many years they owned Salt Island. The City of Gloucester kept raising the taxes on the island and my Grandfather finally cautioned the city that if they raised the rate one more time, he would donate the island to the city. They did and he did.

Please tell me where I can purchase your book.

Thanks,

Eric Bradlee

Patricia January 29, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Hi James,
I have a painting by Frank Vining Smith..I picked up at Estate sale a few yrs ago..
I liked the frame that is why I purchased it until I got it home and oh my what a treasure.
The women was 88 yrs old, told me her Mother purchased it for her Fathers office who owned a lumber co,it is numbered..
do you have an idea on how I can I can sell it…I live in So Ca.
Thanks Pat

Dennis August 15, 2011 at 12:37 am: Hi, have you sold the painting? If not, shoot me an email.

Thanks, Dennis

Reply

steve bochetti March 16, 2011 at 4:55 pm

I have a painting signed Fr. Smith and dated 1905. I was told it was Frank Smith when I purchased it 20 years ago. It is of a single man with a turban and small bongo in his hand, looks like pastel.

Was Mr. Smith doing that kind of portrait in Africa or the Middle East around that time?

Also, did he sign with Fr. Smith at that time?

Robert Moniz April 21, 2011 at 12:44 am

Did Frank Vining Smith do a painting of the clipper ship Andrew Jackson? I have an old poster entitled The Andrew Jackson, but the name of the artist has been cut off and the painting does not appear to be signed. It looks to me like one of his paintings.
Thank you.

Bill Sarni May 1, 2011 at 7:36 pm

A friend has a large F.V.S painting “Winter Gale” about 4′x2′ her fmily got directly from Frank. She needs to sell. Her parents worked with Frank in Hingham. Can you help with finding the best buyer location. She needs to move into assisted living home very soon.
Bill

Dennis August 15, 2011 at 12:38 am: Hi,
Has she sold the painting yet? If not, shoot me an email.

Thanks, Dennis

Reply

Dennis August 15, 2011 at 12:40 am

I’m looking for any original Frank Vining Smith. Please contact me via email if you have one that you need or want to sell.

Thanks, Dennis
luvmysue at yahoo.com

kathy November 9, 2011 at 1:37 am

I bought a poster at auction signed Frank Vining Smith in the lower right corner. It also says G P 2358 Litho in USA. Can you tell me something about it. Thanks

Fran January 13, 2012 at 3:32 pm

My mother recently gave me an old painting that origianlly belonged to my grandparents, they lived in Cohasset, MA. To me the signature looks like Frank Vining Smith and it is of a schooner ship and it looks like there is a sister ship in the background. It does not have a date that I can see. I’m curious how I can find out if it is an original Frank Vining Smith and if it is, how much it’s worth.