An Eccentric Collector:
The Dr. Gilbert Estate Collection
In an interview given in 1997, Dr. Ivan Gilbert described his Jewish immigrant family as, “very proud, very intellectual, and very educated” even though they came to America with little more than ingenuity to support them. Their resourcefulness would lead their grandfather to own a pawn shop, their father to launch successful shoe shops, and Dr. Ivan to become a respected community member and amass a beautiful collection of artwork. Dr. Gilbert’s collection grew to embody the American spirit of determination and gumption.
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Waterford Crystal Millennium Collection Champagne Bucket Featuring Five Wishes
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Husqvarna YTH 22V46 Riding Mower
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
14K 1.70 CT Sapphire and Diamond Navette Ring
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Stained Glass Window Panel With Floral Motif
Dr. Gilbert had a history of overcoming obstacles matching many of the artists in his extraordinary collection, he contracted tuberculosis while in medical school and decided to focus on finding a cure. He began by assisting in finding a treatment for his own TB and would go on to run a local hospital, all the while managing his father’s shoe shops. Along the way, he met and married his beautiful wife, Marcella, and further established roots in the Columbus Jewish community. Eventually, his tremendous workload led to a hard decision: run the family business or run the hospital. He chose the family business and grew from 10 shops in Columbus to more than 50 across the country. His restless spirit could not be calmed, during the expansion, Dr. Gilbert also studied psychoanalysis, became a leader in understanding dyslexia, helped to create a state-of-the-art Jewish Community Center, and established the Columbus Torah Academy. The Torah Academy would go on to save the lives of many immigrant children during WWII. He credits his industrious energy to the rock in his world, his wife Marcella, who when not being recognized for her incredible fashion, was seen in her garden, at a bridge tournament or working feverishly in the community as a philanthropist.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Douglas “Bumo” Johnpeer Landscape Oil Painting, 2024
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Offset Lithograph After Claude Monet "Le Bassin des Nympheas"
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Impasto Style Landscape Offset Lithograph, 21st Century
EBTH Columbus - Hilliard
Coach Mini Crosby Crossbody Carryall In Silver/Blue Black Badlands Flora
In his later years, Mr. Gilbert would leverage his energy and creativity to write books on poetry, patterns, and the equally eccentric Emily Dickenson. During this time, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert also began to seriously collect a wide variety of artwork and establish a truly incredible collection. When asked about his extensive collection, Dr. Gilbert stated “he could never collect women, as his beloved wife would never approve”. He did however determine two criteria every collector should follow, “One of them is that I like it and the other is I can afford it”. Criteria that should also be determined by personal taste. As he so clearly put it, “I don’t feel anybody else’s judgment or taste is any better than mine and I’ll go with mine, so you’ve just got to buy what you like”.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Oil Painting of a Forest Stream, Circa 1900
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Pair of Faux Leather, Brass-Tacked and Ebonized Wood Club Chairs
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Fulper Pottery Earthenware Amphora Vessel With Drip Glaze, Early 20th C.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
PE Rattan Patio Sectional Sofa and Corner Table Storage Box
Dr. Gilbert’s ideology of believing in one’s personal taste was the reason he fell in love with folk art. The same individual spirit, gumption, and personal creativity that has given folk artists their drive are also what drove Dr. Gilbert. Of folk art, he writes, “I like the idea that the artist is not being impacted by what Picasso did. This is something coming out of him or her”. A belief that many of us here at EBTH feel is the beauty of the American folk art movement. These works of art not only represent a movement in history, but more so a movement of a family, and a man. We hope you use this ideal when viewing this incredible collection: Do you like it? Does it speak to you? We know the fun, dynamic, caring, and tenacious spirit of the Gilbert family will be with you.
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Derek Jeter Signed Rawlings Official Major League Baseball with Display
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Hollywood Regency Style Brass and Blue Velveteen Upholstered Stools
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
W. LeNoury Maritime Oil Painting of Ship at Sea
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Charriol Colvmbvs Diamond Wristwatch
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Mark Whitmarsh Abstract Acrylic Painting "Divine Garden," 2019
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
Southwestern Desert Landscape Oil Painting, 1987
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash
6'11 x 11'1 Hand-Knotted Persian Kashan Area Rug
EBTH Cincinnati - Blue Ash