The Hot Bid: Voters like ‘Ike’ inaugural license plates

This license plate from 1957 was issued to President Dwight D. Eisenhower for his second presidential inauguration. Morphy Auctions image

What you see: An inaugural license plate issued to President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957, for his second inaugural celebration. It’s one of two lots of inaugural license plates from the Eisenhower-Nixon years in a mid-May sale at Morphy’s; the second lot is a pair issued to Vice President-elect Richard M. Nixon in 1953. Both lots carry estimates of $3,000 to $6,000.

The expert: Jim Fox, consultant for Morphy Auctions.

Continue reading

Freeman’s to offer P.G. Wodehouse first editions May 7

P.G. Wodehouse, ‘Big Money,’ London: Herbert Jenkins Limited, (1931), first English edition. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Freeman’s image

PHILADELPHIA — On May 7, Freeman’s will present an online auction of the P.G. Wodehouse Collection of William Toplis (1924-2019). The collection encompasses an array of material that spans Wodehouse’s career, from his earliest forays into publishing in the 1890s, to the 1970s when he published his last works. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Stephenson’s presents lucky finds from Philly estates on May 1

L to R: Ottoman silver vase and liner cast with Grecian angels and cherubs, $200-$400; Russian silver Etrog box with three-dimensional lions and Jewish symbols, $400-$800; Antique Japanese silver box with high-relief wrought dragon on rolling waves, Japanese marks indicating pure silver, $800-$1,500

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Metro Philadelphia’s most trusted estate specialist, family-owned Stephenson’s Auctioneers, will host a Friday, May 1 auction of antiques and decorative arts from several area estates. In compliance with state regulations governing the pandemic, the gallery is closed to the public, but the 360-lot auction is open to absentee, phone and Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers. The fully illustrated catalog is accessible online, and Stephenson’s staff is ready and able to answer questions about any item in the sale by phone or email.

Continue reading