This painting was formerly owned by an elderly couple who were considering throwing it out. After a collector passed an opportunity to buy it for a song, it was consigned to Willis Henry Auctions in Pembroke Mass., where it was featured in an Americana sale. It was then purchased by a famous author who writes a popular T. V. program for children, and he brought it to our studio for cleaning. During the cleaning process we found a tiny monogram hidden under layers of darkened varnish which revealed that Alvan Fisher , a 19th century New England artist was the painter. (Photographs Courtesy Private Collection)