HUDSON, NY — Works by Ralph Eugene Cahoon, Jr. and Thomas Chambers blew past their high estimates at Stair August 1. Many of the items in the sale came from two prominent estates: financier and philanthropist Richard P. Mellon and insurance executive Henry B. Holt. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.

Cahoon (1910-1982) was an American artist and furniture decorator, known for his whimsical and folk-art style paintings. He grew up on the New England coast and loved sailing, so maritime themes became a big element in his work. The Everglades Club came from the Mellon collection and bore a sturdy $10,000-$15,000 estimate, owing to the entertaining subject matter rendered in classic Cahoon fashion. Bidding began at $5,000 but immediately jumped to $21,000, finally hammering at $28,000, or $35,840 with buyer’s premium.

A second Cahoon work, A Good Catch, also exemplified his recurring maritime themes, with a group of sailors interacting with King Neptune on board a masted ship. Estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and coming from the Holt collection, it netted $4,750, or $6,080 with buyer’s premium.

Thomas Chambers (1808-1869) was born in England but spent the majority of his life in America. His brother George was a prominent maritime artist who received patronage from King William IV, but Thomas, who likely had little artistic education, labored in obscurity. He never signed his work, leading to delays in identification. He never exhibited, either, and usually sold his paintings at auction. He died penniless in an English poorhouse in his hometown of Whitby.

The sale included two Chambers oils on canvas. The high performer was Indiaman Saluting at the Island of St. Helena, an unsigned oil on canvas that has been exhibited at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and The Denver Art Museum. Estimated at $5,000-$8,000, it hammered for $20,000 ($25,600 with buyer’s premium).