July 20, 2010 - Auction Central News

Stars emerge from two large collections at Brunk Auctions

A copy of the receipt for André Brasilier’s Les étangs bleus loupeigne (Blue Ponds) accompanied the painting. The 1984 oil on canvas was the top lot of the 660-lot sale, finishing at $43,700.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The largest collection offered at Brunk Auctions on July 10 was also its most exciting. The collection of the late Herbert and Jean Schulman ranged from period 19^th-century British furniture to oil paintings and Lalique glass. Most of their 56-lot estate sold within the sale’s first hour with four of these early lots among the sale’s top ten. Internet live bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

The Schulmans purchased Les étangs bleus loupeigne (Blue Ponds), a 1984 oil on canvas by Andre Brasilier (French, b. 1929), from a Paris gallery. The signed 44-inch by 64-inch painting opened at its $10,000 reserve and brought intense interest from bidders who had been absent from the auction scene for years. It was the sale’s top lot at $43,700 (est. $15,000-$25,000). All prices include a 15% buyer’s premium.

Also from the Schulman collection was Garden Party, an oil on canvas by Le Pho (Vietnamese/French, 1907-2001). It too opened at its $10,000 reserve and sold within estimate for $21,850. Le Pho was a professor of art in Hanoi from 1933-1936. He studied in Paris and returned there in 1937. He remained in Paris for the rest of his life. Another Le Pho painting from the Schulman collection, Still Life with Poppies, Peonies, Delphiniums (51-1/8 inches by 35 inches), brought $10,350 (est. $5,000-$8,000).

Among the highest-priced lots from the Schulman collection were a pair of Italian reverse-decorated mirror-framed wall mirrors ($16,100; est. $4,000-$6,000) and a late-19th or early 20^th-century Chinese Chippendale style chinoiserie-decorated satinwood vitrine ($14,950; est. $4,000-$6,000).

One lot from the Schulman collection was included later in the sale’s other long and strong category – Chinese porcelain. The Schulman’s monumental Chinese lidded jar in famille rose, probably from the 20th century, with three cartouches of court figures, opened at $4,000 and sold for $25,300. That price – the sale’s fourth highest – was surpassed by the sale’s sleeper: a Chinese doucai vase with marks for Qianlong period (1735-1795). The 8-inch vase with its Japanese paulownia wood box left the $600-$1,200 estimate far behind. It sold to the phones for $41,400 making it the sale’s second-highest and most improbable lot.

Also demolishing its $500-$1000 estimate was a pair of Chinese blue and white round tiles with grooved edges. The 9-inch tiles from the 19th century in fabric cases sold for $20,700.

Outside the Schulman and Chinese porcelain categories were two noteworthy stand-alone lots. A double-suite edition of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland with two sets of 12 Salvador Dali illustrations included one signed color etching that opened rather like a dormouse at $3,000. It left with a Cheshire grin at $17,250 (est. $3,000-$5,000). An 1873 Steinway piano in rosewood with scroll legs and pierced music stand sold for $33,350 (est. $5,000-$10,000). It was in excellent condition for a 137-year-old instrument and still issues a fine mellow tone.

The next sale at Brunk Auctions will be held Sept. 11-12, 2010 with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. “It should prove to be one of our most exciting sales,” said auction company owner Bob Brunk. Included in the 1500-lot sale will be many fine paintings and collections of Southern furniture, decoys and wine. For more information, call 828-254-6846.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Alice in Wonderland was published by Maecenas Press-Random house in 1969; the signed Dali etching was the book’s frontispiece. The two Dali folios were in excellent condition, and the entire volume sold for $17,250.

The Schulmans purchased The Garden Party by Le Pho from Wally Findlay Gallery. The 38 inch by 51-1/8 inch painting in its original carved and gilt wood frame sold to a phone bidder for $21,850 (est. $15,000-$25,000).

This reconditioned rosewood 1873 Steinway piano, serial number 25070, sold to a phone bidder for $33,350.

Exceeding 32 inches in height, this monumental Chinese lidded jar from the Schulman collection was the top Asian art lot at $25,300.

Chinese doucai vases are underglazed, glazed, fired at high temperatures, colored again and fired a second time at lower temperatures. The 11-inch doucai vase with Qianlong marks sold for $41,400 (est. $600-$1,200).

Simon Willard tall-case clock chimes at $57,500 in Converse sale

The top lot of the sale was this beautifully crafted tall case clock by Simon Willard, $57,500. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.v

YORK, Pa. – A fine and beautifully crafted tall-case clock by the celebrated U.S. clockmaker Simon Willard (Mass., 1753-1848) changed hands for $57,500 at a sale of antique clocks and related horology items held June 18 by Gordon S. Converse & Co., of Strafford, Pennsylvania. The auction was held at the Yorktowne Hotel in York, Pa., near the York Fairgrounds.

Online bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Following are some additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

A rare and fine set of twin clocks telling the world time and perpetual calendar by the Swiss firm Gubelin soared to $16,100 for the pair. The set, with its fine enameling and bold presentation, was one of only three pair produced in the 1950s. The set sold is the only one in the Western hemisphere. The clocks were in excellent shape, ready to grace a mall or hotel lobby.

A monumental clock depicting the Reims Cathedral topped out at $8,050; an assortment of English table (or bracket) clocks sold for prices ranging from $3,450 and $6,325 (all to buyers outside the U.S.); a rare 400-day clock garnered $1,092; and a small wooden wall timepiece by Vermont clockmaker Charles Alva Smith made $1,265.

An interesting picture frame clock, featuring an oil painting of a city in Austria whose town clock is set with a real chiming clock behind the picture, commanded $1,322.50; and an unusual battery-operated (and recently made) working orrery clock, with planets made from colorful minerals resembling the planets themselves, went to a determined bidder for $517.50.

A large Chelsea mantel clock fetched $1,610; several examples by New York City clockmaker Ferdinand Kroeber went for under $100 each; and a gold Tiffany lady’s wristwatch brought a seemingly reasonable $661.25. Also sold were American shelf clocks and French clocks, to include a wall clock by the master Berthoud; and a 19^th-century Tiffany wall clock.

Gordon S. Converse & Co.’s next big sale is tentatively scheduled for sometime in August. Details will appear online at www.AuctionsatConverse.com. The sale will include prints and original art, pottery, porcelains, silver, silverplate and decorative accessories. It may be a “5-10-20” sale, with opening bids of just $5, $10 and $20.

Consignments are being accepted for this and all future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, call Gordon S. Converse & Co. directly, at 610-722-9004 or e-mail Gordon@ ConverseClocks.com. All e-mails are promptly acknowledged.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Pair of clocks telling the world time and perpetual calendar by Swiss maker Gubelin, $16,100. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

Late-19th-century wall clock by Chelsea, $805. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

This wonderful early 18th-century bracket clock brought $4,600. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

This Atmos clock fetched a surprising $1,265. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

Late 18th- or early 19th-century French clock, $8,050. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

Banjo clock signed Aaron Willard, $2,012.50. Image courtesy Gordon S. Converse.

Morphy’s July 27 Discovery auction runs gamut from banks to Bakelite

Bakelite googly-eye comical horse pin, overdyed, est. $200-$250. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

DENVER, Pa. – Dan Morphy Auctions’ popular new series of Discovery Auctions continues with a Tuesday, July 27, 2010 event starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time and featuring 605 assorted lots. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide the Internet live bidding for the sale.

The inventory encompasses many categories of antique and vintage items, including 20 mechanical and still banks, 50 pressed steel toys, 20 trains and 100 other toys of various types.

A beautiful selection of jewelry will be offered, highlighted by more than 200 pieces of colorful, early Bakelite in novelty shapes, and 50 pieces of Native-American jewelry featuring turquoise, coral and onyx in sterling silver settings.

Beauties from the turn of the 20th century are the predominant theme in a collection of 25 celluloid photo albums and sewing boxes. The decorative offerings continue with 50 pieces of fine glass, paintings and prints, clocks and a selection of spongeware pottery.

Additional categories featured in the sale include vintage signs and antique advertising, a De Laval hanging kerosene lamp, early railroad lanterns, a few primitives, pocket knives and pen knives, a large stamp collection and a signed Cleveland Browns Joe Jurevicius football jersey.

Dan Morphy’s single-day Discovery Auctions are fast, fun and always filled with surprises to delight collectors. For additional information on any lot in Morphy’s July 27 Discovery Auction, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail dan@morphyauctions.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Wall's Ice Cream double-sided sidewalk sign on original stand, lithographed metal, est. $200-$400. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions. — Wall’s Ice Cream double-sided sidewalk sign on original stand, lithographed metal, est. $200-$400. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Set of 6 Moser champagne glasses, ruby with heavy gilding, est. $600-$800. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Celluloid photo album, late 19th/early 20th century, cover depicts two beautiful ladies in an early auto, est. $400-$600. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Scarce Buddy 'L' pressed-steel Road Roller toy, 18 inches long, est. $2,000-$4,000. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions. — Scarce Buddy ‘L’ pressed-steel Road Roller toy, 18 inches long, est. $2,000-$4,000. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Lot containing four gold jewelry items, including a 14K gold Victorian necklace, lot estimate $1,500-$2,500. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Arnott's Biscuits advertising sign, Australian, colorful cardboard depicting the Arnott's mascot, obtained directly from Arnott's executive offices in the 1980s, custom double mat and frame, 19 inches by 24 1/4 inches, est. $200-$400. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions. — Arnott’s Biscuits advertising sign, Australian, colorful cardboard depicting the Arnott’s mascot, obtained directly from Arnott’s executive offices in the 1980s, custom double mat and frame, 19 inches by 24 1/4 inches, est. $200-$400. Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers.com and Dan Morphy Auctions.

Animals of war honored with exhibit at New Orleans’ WWII Museum

Image courtesy of National World War II Museum, New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Smoky the Yorkshire terrier, Lady Astor the pigeon and a host of horses and mules are among war heroes and heroines featured in the latest exhibit at the National World War II Museum.

“Loyal Forces: The Animals of WWII” will run July 22-Oct. 17, featuring the four kinds of animals most often brought into the war.

“There was a great love and loyalty between the soldiers and the animals they worked with,” said registrar Toni M. Kiser, who created the exhibit with archivist Lindsey Barnes.

In the mezzanine, where a Sherman tank and a half-track represent the period’s most common cavalry, will be a figure of a Coast Guardsman on shore patrol with his horse. The shore patrols were set up after German saboteurs twice landed on American beaches.

This may seem odd to people used to thinking of the Coast Guard as offshore duty in cutters, patrol boats, helicopters and airplanes.

“Luckily, before they could wreak havoc they were caught,” said Kiser. “But there was this great fear that we really had to protect America’s coastline.”

Nearly 3,000 horses, provided by the Army Quartermaster Corps, let the shore patrol cover much more ground. “The U.S. Coast Guard used more horses than any other branch of the U.S. Military during WWII,” the title panel notes.

The first thing visitors will see in the special exhibits gallery is a German reconnaissance horse and soldier, representing the European theater.

Germany’s 1st Cavalry Division pursued the Soviet Army through the northern marshes of the Soviet Union, but was disbanded and mechanized in November 1941, largely because horses needed extensive supplies and attention, and Adolf Hitler considered them outmoded.

But most supplies and a great deal of artillery were still horse-drawn, and a mounted infantry squadron patrolled about six miles in front of every German infantry division.

“These mounted patrol troops were referred to as the ‘eyes and ears of their units,”’ an exhibit panel explains.

The museum’s artifacts were part of the reason for including the German horse, Barnes said. “We have a really great saddle” and a dagger from the infamous 8th SS Kavallerie Division Florian Geyer.

North Africa and the Mediterranean are represented by pigeons such as Lady Astor, which brought an urgent message to Allied forces from the front lines in North Africa in spite of pellet fire that broke one leg and took half the feathers from one wing.

An oral history from Hiram Boone, a mule handler for the Army’s Mars Task Force, informs the China, Burma and India theater exhibit.

For the Pacific front, there are the dogs.

Smoky, found in a foxhole in New Guinea, was a mascot who became a war heroine when engineers needed to run 70 feet of telegraph wire through an 8-inch culvert under an airfield.

Cpl. William Wynne, who had adopted Smoky and taught her many tricks, tied one end of the wire to Smoky’s collar and had his buddies hold Smoky at one end of the culvert while he called her from the other.

Her story is among a half-dozen featured on a touch-screen display, as is that of Kurt, a Doberman Pinscher who alerted his handler to Japanese soldiers lying in wait above the Asan Point beachhead on Guam, but was killed by a mortar shell.

Bronze statues of Smoky in a “pot” helmet and Kurt, lying down but on the alert, also are part of the exhibit. Kurt’s statue is a replica of one at the U.S. Marine Corps War Dog Cemetery in Guam.

Sculptor Susan Bahary also put Barnes in touch with the widow of Lt. William Putney, commanding officer of the 3rd U.S. War Dog Platoon, who led 110 Marines and 72 dogs from Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton to Guadalcanal and Guam. His veterinarian’s kit, donated to the museum by Betsy Putney, is set up in a display of the sort of field hospital used for dogs.

“A lot of stuff they had was the same as for humans,” Kiser said. “It took a while for the Army to get around to having special supplies for dogs.”

There’s also a mascot slideshow and a narrated “slideshow movie” about servicemen’s encounters with exotic animals – playing with monkeys, riding on elephants and camels. One photo, from the Pacific, shows eight men holding the skin of a python. “The expressions on their faces are pretty telling – how foreign and exciting this was,” Barnes said.

They had to omit some stories, such as that of the bear that carried artillery ammunition during the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy (it had been enlisted into the Polish Army because the soldiers weren’t allowed to have mascots).

“We really wanted to concentrate on the animals that were used by the thousands to help the military,” Kiser said.

___

If You Go…

NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans; http://www.nationalww2museum.org or 504-528-1944. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults, $18; children 5-12 $9. “Loyal Forces: The Animals of WWII” runs July 22-Oct. 17.

AP-ES-07-19-10 1222EDT

Nevada seeks artist to paint governor’s portrait

RENO, Nev. (AP) – The Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs is hosting an open competition for professional artists interested in painting a portrait of out-going Gov. Jim Gibbons.

The portrait will eventually hang in the Nevada State Capitol near those of the state’s other past governors. Gibbons’ term expires this year.

State officials say the maximum commission for the portrait – including frame and hanging apparatus – is $17,500.

A committee will review eligible submissions. Among the criteria being considered are artistic quality, demonstrated qualifications and the ability to complete the project within the time frame and budget.

The deadline for submissions is Thursday. Information can be obtained from the Nevada Arts Council.

___

Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com

AP-WS-07-18-10 1615EDT

Postal Service to issue Winslow Homer stamp

Photo courtesy United States Postal Service

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a new stamp featuring a painting by renowned artist Winslow Homer, who produced some of his most notable work while living in Maine.

The Postal Service said the stamp features Homer’s Boys in a Pasture, an 1874 painting that shows two boys sitting at a peace in a field.

The Postal Service will unveil the stamp on its first day of issue on Aug. 12 at the Portland Museum of Art, which currently has an exhibit of more than 250 of Homer’s illustrations.

Homer produced some of his best-known works while living at a studio in Scarborough from 1883 until his death in 1910.

AP-ES-07-19-10 0608EDT

NC historians get century-old Outer Banks photos

The 1899 San Ciriaco hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, as seen in this Library of Congress photo, then turned toward the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where it left a path of destruction. Photos donated to the Outer Banks History Center document the storm's aftermath from a North Carolina vantage point.

MANTEO, N.C. (AP) – A collection of photos more than a century old is giving historians a new view of North Carolina’s Outer Banks after one of the worst storms in the area’s history.

The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo has been given 20 photos taken by a weather bureau official in 1899.

Many of the photos handed down through the man’s family capture the damage from an August 1899 hurricane that killed more than 3,400 people from Puerto Rico to the East Coast.

The storm wrecked at least 13 ships along the North Carolina coast.

One photo shows a shipwreck’s cargo washed onto the sand while another beached and broken ship is in the distance. Another photo shows dozens of docked boats whose owners were attending an auction of shipwreck remains.

AP-ES-07-19-10 0855EDT

Sign up for daily highlights by email