Paul Revere: beyond his midnight ride

Four-piece Tiffany & Co. sterling silver tea set, replica after original pattern by Paul Revere (1734-1818), includes a navette-shaped teapot with a wooden handle, fitted trivet, cream jug and covered sugar urn. All pieces are stamped on the underside. Sold for $2,400 + the buyer’s premium at an auction held May 16, 2014. Manor Auctions and LiveAuctioneers image

NEW YORK – Nearly every American must surely be familiar with the name Paul Revere, if only for his famous midnight ride in 1775, alerting the Colonial militia to approaching British forces prior to the battles of Lexington and Concord in the Revolutionary War. The ride was made even more famous in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1861 poem Paul Revere’s Ride, and the expression, “The British are coming! The British are coming!” – whether actually spoken – forever cemented Revere’s reputation as an almost mythical figure in the country’s epic battle for independence.

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Stephenson’s to host May 31 auction of estate dolls, toys, trains & banks

1952 Vogue Ginny ‘Rich Uncle’ special trunk set including Ginny doll with hang tag, numerous original factory outfits and accessories. Near-mint. Estimate $800-$1,200

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Since staying at home became the “new normal,” it has become increasingly obvious that vintage toy collectors are not slowing down their buying. If anything, they’re stepping up their game and enjoying the opportunity to bid and buy in online auctions from high-quality auction houses whose galleries are temporarily closed to the public. The next auction being closely watched by the toy hobby is a 400-lot offering to be sold May 31 by Stephenson’s of Southampton (suburban Philadelphia), Pennsylvania.Continue reading

Christie’s presents ‘At Home with Craftsmanship’ June 1

A pair of Louis XV giltwood fauteuils a la reine by Jean-Baptiste Gourdin, third quarter 18th century. Estimate: £40,000-£60,000. Christie’s image

LONDON – Christie’s has unveiled an auction titled The Collector: Online – At Home with Craftsmanship, presenting centuries of artisan craftsmanship. The sale encompasses European and English furniture, silver, ceramics, gold boxes and works of art ranging from the 17th to the 19th century. The online auction will conclude June 1. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.  Continue reading

World coins, commemoratives offered in online auction May 27

Cook Islands 2010 $20 three-ounce silver coin, depicting Viktor Vasnetzov’s ‘Three Bogatyrs,’ Masterpieces of Art Series. Estimate $550-$700. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Collectible coins from around the globe – more than 300 lots – are offered in an online auction that will be conducted by Jasper52 on Wednesday, May 27. Countries represented in the auction include Denmark, Korea, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Great Britain, Australia and China. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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Militaria: reflecting on Memorial Day

A hand-sewn Civil War-era 13-star flag earned $35,500 + the buyer’s premium in October 2019. Photo courtesy of Poulin Antiques & Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK – While Memorial Day serves as the unofficial start of summer and is often celebrated in America with trips to the beach and family barbecues, the real reason for this holiday is to remember the fallen heroes who died in active service to their country. Parades, memorial ceremonies and American flags gracing veteran’s tombstones are some of the ways people commemorate this holiday.

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Kobe Bryant concrete handprints score $75K at auction

A pair of original Kobe Bryant handprints in cement from Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. This pair of handprints are the test prints done before the official ceremony. Price realized: $75,000. Julien’s image

LOS ANGELES – Collectible items from Kobe Bryant’s illustrious career with the Los Angeles Lakers sold for a total of $202,590 in a virtual online event on Thursday, May 21. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Royals’ golden wedding anniversary bowl sells for $60K

Rattray & Co. 9K gold center bowl presented to the Earl and Countess of Strathmore, Dundee, Scotland, circa 1931. Price realized: $60,000. Heritage Auctions image

DALLAS – The Rattray & Co. 9K gold center bowl presented to Queen Elizabeth’s grandparents, the Earl and Countess of Strathmore on their golden wedding anniversary, sold for $60,000 to lead Heritage Auctions’ Fine Silver & Objects of Fine Vertu Auction May 5 to $834,988 in total sales. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Diamond-embellished watches excel at Hindman sale

Patek Philippe 18K rose gold and diamond ref. 5980-1á Nautilus wristwatch. Price realized: $75,000. Hindman image

CHICAGO – Hindman saw stellar results from the remotely executed Fine Timepieces auction held on Wednesday, May 13. The 71-lot auction realized over $600,000, surpassing the high estimate and selling 99% of the lots included in the sale. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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