The following description has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans & Kenyon

Note 1) See Note 1) and Note 2) in Lot 1436. Holmes oil paintings are relatively scarce, particularly, post 1900, as his overwhelmingly preferred medium was watercolor. Notwithstanding Mr. Fastov’s very strong pursuit of Washington, D.C. area artists over 40 years and has seen a significant number of Holmes’ watercolors and has owned and sold or gifted other Holmes’ watercolors, he has only seen less than a handful of Holmes’ oil paintings. They are rare commodities. As noted in the previous lot's notes, Holmes was the long-time President of the Washington Watercolor Club, until 1930, when he was succeeded by August H. O. Rolle, which also signified Rolle's growing greater interest in watercolor. Only 2 Holmes oil paintings appear on Askart.com records for Holmes. Both were smaller than this Holmes’ auction painting, were relatively dark, intimate (not more appealing long distance or panoramic views) and, in general, not particularly interesting landscapes. They brought $1,800 and $2,760. These numbers are consistent with a presale estimate $2,000-$3,000. However, this estimate does not taken into account the rarity factor of this Holmes’ auction painting or the high quality and esthetic appeal of the subject matter and beautiful colors of this painting. This Holmes' auction painting depicts a woman, albeit elderly, but very refined, genteel, dignified and somewhat handsome for her age, who is enjoying a leisurely cup of tea in the setting of a nicely appointed sitting room amidst late Victorian furniture and bric-a-brac, all depicted with a variety of colors and portraying the effects of bright sunlight coming through a window, which bathes the sitter and the table at which she is setting, all done with an Impressionist brush stroke and sensibility. Certainly, a more universally appealing and interesting subject matter than mere close-up green/brown landscape views, even though painted with Holmes usual panache, that are smaller than this Holmes’ auction painting. Thus, a presale estimate of $3,000-$7,000 is reasonable and justifiable.

Title/Subject: Wooded Landscape With Stream Signed with initials. Oil on canvas. 9.50 in. x 6.70 in. sold for $1,800 on 06/14/2008-06/15/2008 at Charlton Hall Galleries, Inc., West Columbia, SC