Philadelphia's Finest: The Buck Collection of American Furniture, Decorative Arts, and Paintings
William "Bill" Clifton Buck (1928-2023) was a successful businessman, avid sportsman, and leader within the Philadelphia community. He attended Haverford School, where he excelled in both sports and music. Bill continued his education at Lafayette College, where he majored in Economics. After graduation, he served in the military with the First Philadelphia City Cavalry in Germany during the Korean War and later joined the family business, Smith Kline and French (later GlaxoSmithKline). Alongside his brothers, he founded and expanded The Drug House and later established TDH, a venture capital firm that invested in major companies such as ESPN and Staples.
A Federal Carved Mahogany Labeled Tall Case Clock, Aaron Willard (1757-1844), Boston, MA, Circa 1810 | Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000
Bill married Laura Thomas (1931-2024) in 1954, and they enjoyed a vibrant 68-year marriage. Together, they were active philanthropists, supporting numerous causes, in Philadelphia, Vero Beach, and Nantucket."Bucktucket," their beloved Nantucket residence, offered an impressive backdrop for both the couple's collection of Nantucket art and ephemera, and Laura's organic cottage garden, a bellwether of the responsible horticulture movement. Given her keen aesthetic eye, Laura was a dedicated member of the Island's Garden Club. Back in Philadelphia, the Bucks actively supported the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Philadelphia Antique Show. Bill's lifelong passion for baseball led him to become a partner in the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981, and he cherished the team's success, including the 2008 World Series win.
The furnishings of Bucktucket, a traditional cedar-shake house built by Bill and Laura, and at the couples Villanova residence seamlessly blended their varied interests into an inviting and cohesive aesthetic marked by several spectacular pieces that ail be offered in a single-owner section in the November 19th, American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts Auction in Philadelphia. They loved discovering just the right things to fill their homes, meeting artists ant dealers along the way.
The Bucks' collection of fine period furniture is anchored by a handsome Federal mahogany tall case clock by Massachusetts clockmaker Aaron Willard (1757-1844). Also of particular interest is a painting by Grandma Moses (1860-1961) entitled Hoosick Hills, which depicts a sleepy town nestled among the rolling hills of upper New York State near the border with Vermont. Maritime art is another strength of the collection, including whimsical works by Ralph Cahoon, ship portraits by Antonio Jacobsen, scrimshaw, sailor's valentines, and English wool-work pictures. Prominently featured is the work of contemporary mixed media shellwork artist Mellie Cooper (born 1949), a mainstay in Nantucket art circles since her early shows at the Sailor Valentine Gallery in the 1980s. The collection also includes ceramics, ranging from Chinese export porcelain to a George Jones majolica sardine box and a high-relief porcelain platter by contemporary maker Maria Superior (born 1951).
Additionally, the Bucks sought significant paintings by Impressionists, especially Americans such as Maurice B. Prendergast, Willard Leroy Metcalf, Charles Morris Young, and William Glackens-all to be offered in Freeman's | Hindman's sale of American Art on December 8, 2024. Other standouts include two still life works by French-Vietnamese artist Lê Pho, whose market continues to soar. These examples will star in our inaugural October 28 sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in Philadelphia.