McKEARIN, GEORGE SKINNER

Photograph of George Skinner McKearin, circa 1949-1950.

McKearin was a noted stamp collector and dealer, oologist, and like John Gideon Laidacker, a Rare American Glass collector and dealer. He was known as owning the largest collection of glass and pottery in America. McKearin was a noted collector and dealer of American antiques and rare glass at his shop in New York City.

George Skinner McKearin (1874-1958), was born on October 22, 1874, at Hoosick Falls, New York, son of Patrick McKearin (1852-1899), an insurance man, and Ella McKearin (1854-1905).

He attended schools at Hoosick Falls, and planned to enter ministry, but in November 1899, was forced to take over his father's insurance company after his death.

On December 2, 1896, he married Nellie Richmond Webster (1877-1954), daughter of Harrison Webster and Helen Richmond Webster, at Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York. They had four daughters : Helen McKearin (1899-), and Katherine Skinner McKearin (1902-), Ruth Elizabeth "Betty" (1910-), and Mary (1912-2002), and a son George Skinner McKearin, Jr. (1913-1980)

He attended the 13th Annual Convention of the American Philatelic Association held in New York City, August 23-26, 1898.

Fig. Self Addressed stamped envelope of McKearin doing trade with Scott Stamp & Coin, Ltd., postmarked Registered Mail, Double Oval cancel - Madison Square Station, New York, February 28, 1899, franked with Scott #281 5c U. S. Grant, and scarce #288, 5c Trans Mississippi. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic and Philatelic Library.

In 1916, he was the Vice-President of the General Insurance Company, And Surety Bonds; and an agent for Travelers Insurance Company.

In 1919, he was the President of the General Insurance Company, And Surety Bonds.

From 1923-1933, he and his daughter Helen ran McKearin's Antiques Inc., New York City.

On April 22-23, 1931, American Art Auctions, Sale 3909, sold Part 1 of his collection of Glass; and January 6-7, 1932 selling Part 2.

His glass collection formed part of a Smithsonian traveling loan exhibit.

He published Early American Glass From the George S. McKearin Collection (1931), and co-authored with his daughter Helen American Glass (1948).

In 1949, he travelled to Europe visiting Ireland, France and Italy.

In 1950, he and his daughter Helen published : Two Hundred Years of American Blown Glass.

In 1954, he travelled to Spain. On July 29, 1954 he suffered a heart attack and was taken to the Samaritan Hospital.

He died on December 16, 1958, after a long illness at his home, 21 High Street, Hoosick Falls. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Hoosick Falls. He is buried in Maple Grove Old Cemetery, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York.

He was a Freemason and member of the Apollo Commandery, Hoosick Falls, and the Commandery, Knights Templar, Troy, New York.

In 1981, his daughter Helen was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Federation of Historical Bottle Collectors.

Bibliography :

Antiques, Vol. 19 (1931) : 320

American Homes, August (1954)

Hobbies, April (1959) : 84 obit