Harbor Scene Oil on Canvas, signed T. Bailey AKA Morris Hambro (1860-1938)

A charming mystery surrounds the maritime paintings by artist and painter T. Bailey. London-born salesman Morris Hambro immigrated to America in 1865. Around 1910, Hambro bought unsigned paintings from unsuspecting artists and sold them throughout New England, gaining a substantial profit. It's unknown who all the exact T. Bailey artists are, but it's speculated that among the original painters are Max Berman, Sears Thompson, Mae Bennett Brown, Vivian Forsythe Porter, Melbourne C. Hardwick, William Frederick Paskell, and J. G. Cloudman. A label on the reverse indicates this painting maybe by William F. Paskell (1866-1951). Hambro bought the paintings for $15 to $20, affixed the T. Bailey signature, and sold them for up to $50 a piece. At the time, a gallery in Boston allegedly purchased the paintings in bulk. T. Bailey maritime paintings for sale include vintage sailing ships, seascapes, and clipper ships in all their glory. Frame: 28" x 18"; Sight: 23 1/2" x 13 1/2". Good condition, loss to finish on frame, with a minor gap at top left edge.