Alphaeus Philemon Cole (July 12, 1876 - November 25, 1988) was an artist, engraver and etcher. He was born in New Jersey, the son of notable engraver Timothy Cole. After graduating from college, Cole journeyed to London to begin a career in the arts. In the mid-1890s, he began to produce many vibrant works, mostly various still-lifes and portraits.
In 1901, Cole had some of his artwork displayed at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. This, of course, was the occasion where President William McKinley was shot.
Soon after, Cole began to venture into the fields of wood/steel engraving and etching, but these works sold predominately less than his portraits.
As an artist, he contributed several drawings for the Encyclopædia Britannica.
Though not recognized at the time, Mr. Cole is now recognized as the oldest living man from Jan 5 1987 to his passing Nov 25 1988, succeeding another notable supercentenarian, 111-year-old Norwegian skier Herman Smith-Johannsen.
Prices for Cole's works now sell up to nearly five-thousand dollars, and possibly even more on today's art market. When he died at the astounding age of 112 years and 136 days, Cole had staked his claim as being the oldest known artist ever.
