From the Modern Galleries in Philadelphia last week went forth an offer to sell one of the strangest collections of drawings yet unearthed in the realm of Americana. Depicted in 1,676 black & white wash drawings, all a little more than a foot square and all by the same artist, was a breathtaking medley of scenes and events, ranging from the crucifixion of Christ to the execution of Nathan Hale, from an attack of delirium tremens to the Ride of John Gilpin, from Little Britches left out in the snow to Poet Poe addressing the Raven. Sentimental though most of the subjects were, the craftsmanship in each picture was remarkably good. And not a single one had ever seen the light of print or public exhibition.
Ninety-five years ago there was born to Philadelphia's most prominent dentist, Dr. Stephen Thomas Beale, a son named Joseph Boggs. For blueness of blood the Beales take no backtalk from Biddles or Drexels or Rushes since they were direct descendants of Friend William Penn's Friend Andrew Griscom who reputedly built the first brick house in town. Little Joseph Boggs Beale was also a great-grandnephew of Betsy Ross. Accordingly he was sent to the most reputable school in town, the old Central High School. Almost immediately after graduation he joined the faculty as instructor in drawing, and proceeded to grow a fine pair of side whiskers. Though he fought through the Civil War and spent far more time as a hack illustrator than he ever had as a teacher, he was known for the rest of his life as "The Professor."
Few modern art critics have ever heard of Joseph Boggs Beale, and the Professor, busy making colored lantern slides, illustrating Bible tracts, mat calendars, children's books, probably never dreamed that they would. But among his best friends were men of whom critics have learned a great deal—Thomas Eakins, William Merritt Chase, Albert Rosenthal. Beale was a member of the old Philadelphia Artists' League and shared Artist Eakins' passion for rowing. At the Professor's death in 1926 he was the oldest living member of the Undine Barge Club. A hard worker, particularly in his later years, Artist Beale seemed to have a more regular income than his infrequently published drawings would indicate. Only last week did newshawks ferret out where it came from.