Morphy’s to offer 1,400 lots from prized collections in its June 10-11 no-reserve antiques auction

May 3rd , 2005

DENVER , Pa. – Morphy Auctions’ Summer Sale, the first to be produced since the company’s acquisition by Steve Geppi’s Diamond International Galleries, features approximately 1,400 lots of varied antiques from seasoned private collections. The June 10-11 no-reserve auction follows on the heels of a $1.25 million spring event that was the fourth Morphy auction in a row to top the million-dollar mark. As has been the case since the company’s very first sale, live Internet bidding will be available through www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

“We’re looking forward to our Summer Sale because of the variety of antiques that has been consigned,” said the company’s co-founder, Dan Morphy. “It’s probably more diverse than any sale we’ve held to date.”

One of the headliners is a Maryland collection of early hunting and fishing items that includes more than 250 antique duck decoys. “We were thrilled to get that collection,” Morphy said. “It includes very early as well as mid-century and contemporary examples by some of the big-name decoy artists whose work is so sought after by collectors, like Ward, Crowell, Joiner and several others. It’s a hot category, and there’s already a lot of interest. We’re expecting them to do very well.”

A premier decoy is the rare, circa 1946 sleeping pintail drake by Lem Ward. In excellent condition, the 15in fowl retains its paper label on the bottom, and is estimated at $10,000-15,000. Another fine, early specimen is Elmer Crowell’s 3½in bluebill miniature, dating to the early 1900s. In near-mint condition, it has Crowell’s rectangular stamp underneath. The diminutive beauty is expected to fetch $1,500-2,000.

Another set of decoys that features prominently is the signed pair of 16in weighted, near-mint mallards made by Charlie Joiner of Chestertown, Md. The decoy duo is estimated at $500-700.

Other Charlie Joiner works include a pair of near-mint 17in canvasback decoys with rare high heads, estimate: $500-700; and a pair of 15in widgeon decoys, both weighted, full size and signed, estimate: $700-1,000.

In addition to the decoys, the rustic antiques section features more than 50 fishing lots comprised of bobbers, lures, rods and reels; and no less than 100 hunting and pocketknives. Also included is a collection of more than 100 desirable antique powder flasks and 75 antique guns. A highlight among the 19th century firearms is a .50 caliber Kentucky rifle with curly maple stock, fancy floral patchbox and engraved nose cap, toe plate and side plate. The lock is signed Maslin. Estimate: $3,000-5,000.

Rarities abound in the 30-year collection of Carnival glass to be sold. In all, 125 lots have been cataloged, with one of the top pieces being a Chrysanthemum pattern dinner plate estimated at $8,000-10,000. Other glass lots include a collection of more than 20 historical Civil War-era bottles and flasks, some in unusual colors.

A longtime collection of 75 shaving mugs – some of them occupational and fraternal – and more than 100 barber blades came to Morphy’s from a local consignor. Another mature collection – amassed over a 30-year period – yielded more than 20 lots of coveted stoneware that will be included in the sale.

Black memorabilia collectors will be spoiled for choice with a West Coast collection of more than 150 items. Within the grouping are toys and early black-themed porcelain and china figural items, including toothbrush holders and salt and pepper shakers.

Those who attended Morphy’s sales last year saw some strong competition in play for Tiffany and Pairpoint lamps. Expect more auction room excitement when the select assortment in the Summer sale takes the block. Highlights include a mint-condition 16½in Tiffany Studios art glass table lamp with red-swirl damaskeen shade and doré-gold base with red enamel decoration. (Note: red is the rarest color in Tiffany glass.) Both the shade and base are signed L.C.T. Favrile. The lamp is estimated at $10,000-15,000. Also to be sold are a 12½in tall Tiffany desk lamp on a patinated no. 419 harp base, estimate $5,000-7,000; and a 24in tall Tiffany Studios student lamp with vivid green L.C.T.-signed damaskeen shade. In mint condition, it carries a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

Another high point within the art glass category is a superb 20in reverse painted on glass Pairpoint Puffy with 14in shade. Undoubtedly one of the nicest Pairpoint lamps to appear at auction in many years, its shade features beautiful period colors and repoussé grapes. The original cast-metal base repeats the motif with a climbing grapevine molded around the lamp’s stem. Signed Pairpoint and in near-mint condition, the lamp is expected to bring $20,000-30,000.

Of the 40 pieces of Rookwood and Roseville American pottery consigned to the sale, the standout lot is a Rookwood vase of stupendous size with ornamental silver overlay. The monumental 25in piece was produced by Rookwood – with attribution to master designer Albert R. Valentien (1862-1925) – specifically for the 1893 World Columbian Exposition. Heavily influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement, Valentien was Rookwood’s chief decorator and artistic director. His designs are held in institutions worldwide, including London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal Industrial Art Museum in Berlin and the Luxembourg in Paris. The vase is estimated at $20,000-30,000.

Continuing in the Americana theme, the sale will include a small grouping of weathervanes, with the most notable entry being a deer vane that once topped a historic mansion in Reading, Pa. Also to be auctioned are 75 antique clocks, including several coveted advertising types by Howard and Baird.

No Morphy auction would be complete without toys, the cornerstone upon which the company was built. More than 100 tin and cast-iron toys, both American and European, will be showcased, as well as 20+ soldier sets in original boxes and more than 100 dolls from a 35-year collection sourced in Lancaster, Pa. A huge variety is seen within the latter collection, with many early examples of cloth, porcelain, straw and china. Two noteworthy lots from this grouping are a 12in Jumeau-type fashion doll with bisque head, gusseted kid body and stationary cobalt eyes, $1,500-2,000; and an early 28in china-head doll, most likely by Kister, in fabulous, all-original clothing. The latter doll will be offered together with its first place ribbon from the 1963 Los Angeles United Federation of Doll Clubs competition. Estimate: $1,000-1,500.

Banks will assume a prominent role in the sale. Among the many cast-iron treats awaiting still bank aficionados are an excellent Andy Gump Sitting on Tree Stump (Moore #217), estimate $1,500-2,000; an excellent-plus Santa with Tree (Moore #61), estimate $1,000-1,500, and a Two-faced Devil (Moore #31), estimate $700-1,000. Other appealing still bank entries include an excellent Baseball Player (Moore #19), estimate $100-200; a near-mint Rooster (Moore #547) with partial Arcade label, estimate $700-1,000; an excellent Clown with Crooked Hat (Moore #210), estimate $700-1,000; and a near-mint Minuteman (Moore #44), estimate $300-500. A wall-mount style Save a Smile Santa bank (Moore #60) in very good condition carries a $300-500 presale estimate.

Advertising items, jewelry, lunchboxes and other antique and vintage pieces round out the well-balanced auction inventory. Every lot in the two-day sale will be offered without reserve.

Auction sessions will commence at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, June 10, and 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 11. The full-color catalog may be viewed online two weeks prior to the auction at www.liveauctioneers.com.

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