Unique jukebox a big hit at Auction Team Breker’s sale

The Autofono, which sold at Breker for $130,800, is the only known surviving example of the first jukebox. Auction Team Breker image

The Autofono, which sold at Breker for $130,800, is the only known surviving example of the first jukebox. Auction Team Breker image

 

COLOGNE, Germay – Auction Team Breker’s sale of Science & Technology, Mechanical Music and Antique Toys on May 21 featured an Autofono, a historic jukebox forerunner by one of the unluckiest of American inventors, Oberlin Smith (1840–1926) of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

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Quinn’s to auction Clifford Possum Aboriginal art masterpiece June 11

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari (Aboriginal Australian, 1932-2002), ‘Leura Leura Dreaming,’ 1996, acrylic on canvas, est. $60,000-$80,000. Quinn's Auction Galleries image

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjari (Aboriginal Australian, 1932-2002), ‘Leura Leura Dreaming,’ 1996, acrylic on canvas, est. $60,000-$80,000. Quinn’s Auction Galleries image

 

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Quinn’s Auction Galleries will conduct a 433-lot sale of fine and decorative art on Saturday, June 11.

Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.

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Chinese automaton clocks top Clars auction at $600,000

This magnificent pair of rare Chinese ormolu bronze automaton clocks sold for over $600,000, well over their high estimate. Clars Auction Gallery image

This magnificent pair of rare Chinese ormolu bronze automaton clocks sold for over $600,000, well over the high estimate. Clars Auction Gallery image

 

OAKLAND, Calif. – Clars Auction Gallery’s May 21 and 22 of Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furnishings, Jewelry and Asian Art was anticipated to be one of the firm’s most important sales and indeed it was. Global bidding was seen on the investment-level property offered from significant estates and private collections and numerous lots went well over expectations. In total, the sale realized $2.4 million.

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Palm Beach Show Group acquires crafts event

Scott Diament, CEO and president of the Palm Beach Show Group. Palm Beach Show Group image

Scott Diament, CEO and president of the Palm Beach Show Group. Palm Beach Show Group image

 

PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Palm Beach Show Group has announced that it will take over ownership and production of the Palm Beach Fine Craft Show, carrying on a tradition and staple in the Palm Beach arts season.

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Spain police nab 7 suspects in Francis Bacon art heist

A photo of one of the five stolen Francis Bacon paintings. Spanish Interior Ministry photo.

A photo of one of the five stolen Francis Bacon paintings. Spanish Interior Ministry photo.

 

MADRID (AP) – Spanish police say they have arrested seven people suspected of involvement in stealing five paintings by the Irish-born painter Francis Bacon worth 25 million euros ($27.8 million).

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Looters dig up Civil War battlefield

Petersburg National Battlefield re-enactors representing the Confederate Unit Pegram's Battery demonstrate how a 12 pounder Napoleon cannon was fired. Image courtesy NPS

Petersburg National Battlefield re-enactors representing the Confederate Unit Pegram’s Battery demonstrate how a 12 pounder Napoleon cannon was fired. Image courtesy NPS

 

PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) – Virginia’s National Park Service says a portion of the Petersburg National Battlefield has been declared a crime scene after looting.

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U.S. woman athlete’s collection scores at Kaminski auction

Eleonora Sears' squash rackets and tennis balls in a vintage suitcase. The lot sold for $9,000. Kaminski Auctions image

Eleonora Sears’ squash rackets and tennis balls in a vintage suitcase. The lot sold for $9,000. Kaminski Auctions image

 

BEVERLY, Mass. – Kaminski Auctions held a two-day Spring Estate auction May 21 and May 22. Ephemera formerly from the collection of Eleonora Randolph Sears of Prides Crossing, Beverly, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach, Florida, was the highlight of day one and the collection was met with enthusiastic bidding from many numerous athletic organizations, museums and individuals.

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Roland gleans 1,100 choice lots from Manhattan estates for June 4 sale

Danielle Procaccio, ‘November Flowers,’ mixed media work accomplished in collaged paper, oil, acrylic, and resin on canvas. Signed and initialled on verso with 2011 date and title. Unframed, 45 x 70 inches. Roland Auctions N.Y. image

Danielle Procaccio, ‘November Flowers,’ mixed media work accomplished in collaged paper, oil, acrylic, and resin on canvas. Signed and initialled on verso with 2011 date and title. Unframed, 45 x 70 inches. Roland Auctions N.Y. image

 

NEW YORK – Roland Auctions N.Y. kicks off an ambitious 2016 summer auction schedule on Saturday, June 4, commencing at 10 a.m. Eastern. This sale boasts over 1,100 fresh-to-market lots comprising luxury items from prestigious Manhattan estates as well as locations in East Hampton, N.Y., and Greenwich, Conn.

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Classical antiquities form cornerstones of Artemis Gallery’s June 2 auction

Greek Attic neck amphora with illustrations of Abduction of Hippodameia, est. $30,000-$60,000. Artemis Gallery image

Greek Attic neck amphora with illustrations of Abduction of Hippodameia, est. $30,000-$60,000. Artemis Gallery image

 

BOULDER, Colo. – While predicting the future is an exercise that fascinates all ages, looking back on various early civilizations and imagining how they lived, evolved and blended is just as intriguing. “It’s like assembling a giant, global jigsaw puzzle,” said Bob Dodge, co-owner of Artemis Gallery in Boulder, Colorado. “With every collection we view and every auction we produce, some amazing new detail comes to light that we didn’t know previously, and we love that.” One of the most reliable ways for any student of antiquities to expand their base of knowledge is to browse through Artemis Gallery’s online catalogs, including the one for their next high-profile sale, which will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2016.

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Antique benches have left the station

The Springfield News Co. published this postcard of the new Union Station when it opened in 1926. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The Springfield News Co. published this postcard of the new Union Station when it opened in 1926. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) – As many as 40 antique wooden benches that were supposed to be incorporated into a renovation project at Springfield’s Union Station railroad hub have been stolen.

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