Charlton Mayer Theus, Jr. was born in Savannah, Georgia to a Trust and Estates Attorney father and a mother who was an authority on Southern Furniture and collected fine antiques. After serving in the Marine Corp Reserve during the Korean War, Mr. Theus first followed in his father’s footsteps by getting his degree at University of Georgia School of Law. He practiced for a few years, then decided to move to New York where he would begin on his path in the antiques business.
He began his career as an appraiser working for Philip Masterson. After Masterson was sold to Gurr Johns, Charlton became president and then chairman of the New York office. In 2001, he left to open his own firm, Charlton M. Theus, Jr. & Associates, LLC. Mr. Theus handled many prestigious estate collections, including the Estate of President Dwight David Eisenhower, the Estate of Countess Sylvia Szapary, the Estate of “Princess” Lucile Forman Palmer Scherbatow, the Estate of Mary Mellon, the Estate of Charles Engelhard, Jr., the Estate of Mark Rothko, and the Estate of Victor Borga.
Mr. Theus traveled extensively to England, Scotland and France, and went to Italy frequently. He visited Egypt on an Archeological Tour to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams. Of all the places he has been, his favorite remained his home, “The Barn”, in Woodstock, New York, where he enjoyed gardening and touring the countryside on his Harley Davidson Sportster.
He loved listening to classical music, hosting dinner parties and was a voracious reader. A large part of his book collection was a well catalogued research library covering all areas of antiques, history, biographies, ancient philosophy and world religions. His taste varied and therefore his collection varied, from English furniture to Ancient Egyptian scarabs from his travels. After moving to San Antonio, he developed an interest in Native American culture and the history of the Spanish invasion of Texas.
Mr. Theus was a patron of the New York City Opera, a member of the Roebling Society, and a member of the Cincinnati Society, and a graduate of the Attingham Program.
We are pleased to be offering property from the Estate of Charlton M. Theus, Jr. in our October 29th and 30th Fine Sale.
For inquiries regarding the items in this sale please contact us at 518-751-1000 or info@stairgalleries.com.