Haas collection to be auctioned

An impressive collection of paintings and statuary amassed over 70 years by the late Thomas V. Haas will be sold at public auction Sunday.

The sale, conducted by William W. Hobbie, Hobbie Auctioneers of Harrisburg, will feature a rare offering of paintings by several Harrisburg artists, including Ira J. Deen.

Haas, who died March 22 at 93, was retired from the state Bureau of Employment Security, but art was his first love. He was an art teacher, collector and conservator. For most of his life, he lived in Harrisburg before relocating to Middletown about six years ago.

Haas' collection includes 46 signed oil paintings, other quality oils, 10 Japanese prints, many signed drawings and watercolors, 70 pieces of statuary in bronze, brass, iron and wood and assorted boxes, lamps, vases and jewelry.

Paintings span the 18th century to the early 20th century. European and Far East artists figure prominently in the collection.

"I can remember him (Haas) at auctions 30 years ago," said Hobbie, who will conduct the 2pm auction at Holiday Inn Harrisburg East at 4751 Lindle Road, off Route 283, in Swatara Twp.

"It is unusual to have a collection of this size from one man," said Hobbie, adding that many art auctions generally represent pieces submitted on consignment from several sources rather than from a single collector.

Of interest to local art lovers are 10 paintings by Deen, a visual historian who used oils and watercolors to record the many faces of nature. Although he painted an occasional urban scene, Deen's forte was nature and landscape in all its simple beauty and complex moods.

Deen's paintings for sale Sunday include landscapes of the Susquehanna River, Wildwood Lake, animals and seasonal subjects. Deen painted more than 2,000 pieces - most of them executed at the scene.

Born Dec. 9, 1874, in Mount Union, Deen was 16 when he and his family moved to Harrisburg. His father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Deen became a painter for the Harrisburg Traction Co., painting the city's first electric trolleys at the old car barn at North Third and Delaware streets. From 1903 to 1938, Deen worked in the Pennsylvania Railroad paint shops, working on the line's private cars.

Deen and his wife, Mary Virginia, lived at 3604 N. Fourth St. in old Estherton. His studio and gallery were on the second floor. The back yard extended to North Third Street, providing and unobstructed view to the Susquehanna River.

Deen was founder and treasurer of the Harrisburg Sketch Club, forerunner of the old Harrisburg Art Association Studio. He died June 7, 1952.

A major exhibit of Deen's work was staged at the Historical Society of Dauphin County in September 1998.

Haas, also associated with the early years of the Art Association of Harrisburg, knew Deen, according to Warren W. Wirebach, Haas' longtime friend. Wirebach said Haas told him that, "if you bought one of Deen's paintings, he gave you one free."

Wirebach, executor of Haas' estate, said he was impressed with Haas' knowledge of art.

"When I went through the material, I was amazed at the depth of what he knew," Wirebach said.

Haas also gathered an extensive library and willed 1,000 art reference books to the Allentown Art Museum, Wirebach said. He described Haas as "very laid back, never pushy, always appreciative."

Hobbie said Haas documented his art collection.

"He labeled a lot of things," Hobbie said, "and described where he got them."

Seven works by Haas also will also be sold. Other local artists represented are Nick Ruggieri, a watercolor titled "Basilica of San Marco"; Alden J. Turner, a painting focusing on a vaudeville act at the old State Theater; and Howard Ellis, paintings of a steel factory and coal breaker.

Wirebach said Haas traveled internationally.

The artwork may be viewed from noon to 2pm Sunday at the Holiday Inn.

For more information, readers may call William W. Hobbie Auctioneers, 717-233- 0115.

Mary O. Bradley may be reached at 255-8147 or mbradley@patriot-news.com.