ROCKLAND, Maine – James D. Julia’s spectacular antiques and fine art auction at the Samoset Resort has long been a favorite of the summer auction season. This year the Fairfield, Maine, auction company’s three-day extravaganza, Aug. 26-28, featured more than 1,700 lots with sales topping $5 million, making it their biggest summer antiques auction to date.
Bidders in attendance were treated to the breathtaking display in the posh ballroom and adjoining halls of Maine’s most luxurious resort. The sale featured nearly 750 pieces of fine artwork, high style Victorian contents of a Gulf Coast mansion, early American furniture, folk art, pottery, and fine antiques of every kind from some of the finest estates and collections to hit the auction block in many years. Included were the contents of the Richard Paine estate of Seal Cove, Maine, whose auto museum was a world-renowned attraction. His tremendous collection of folk art included a variety of rare weather vanes highlighted by one in the form of a full-bodied standing mule, which carried a $20,000-30,000 estimate. Circa late 19th century, this possibly unique form was a must have for two phone bidders who refused to let it go without a fight. Only one could be victorious, and that is the one who was willing to pay $117,300.