Rare 1814 copy of ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ achieves $325K  

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The first dated printing of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ as Francis Scott Key’s lyrics appeared in a Baltimore newspaper on Sept. 20, 1814. Christie’s image

NEW YORK – The first dated printing of The Star-Spangled Banner achieved $325,000 in a Christie’s online auction that concluded June 18. This rare newspaper printing was the first to appear at auction and was offered as part of the Open Book: Fine Travel, Americana, Literature and History in Print and Manuscript auction during Christie’s Classic Week series of sales. The sale set a world auction record for a 19th-century newspaper. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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The Hot Bid: Earliest Navy Mark V diving helmet surfaces

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The Mark V diving helmet was sent to the Navy in August of 1916 for evaluation. After testing, this specific helmet was lost to history until it turned up in Wisconsin. Nation’s Attic image

What you see: A 1916 U.S. Navy Mark V diving helmet, the earliest known example of the type. Nation’s Attic estimates it at $20,000 to $40,000.

The expert: Don Creekmore, co-owner and founder of Nation’s Attic in Wichita, Kansas.

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Weller made its mark at St. Louis World’s Fair

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A LiveAuctioneers bidder won this beautiful pair of 22-inch-high Weller Sicard pottery vases for $10,000 + buyer’s premium at Heritage Auctions in June 2015. Photo courtesy of Heritage Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK – At the turn of the 20th century, Ohio was a hotbed for art pottery, particularly in Zanesville, where a combination of rich clay deposits and natural resources such as coal and gas aided ceramics production. Rookwood in Cincinnati was world famous but 150 miles away, potters in Zanesville not only sought to emulate Rookwood but make their own mark on the industry.

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NHADA to present annual antique show online Aug. 6-8

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MANCHESTER, N.H. – The New Hampshire Dealers Association will host their own online show. The 63rd annual New Hampshire Antiques Show will be held virtually Aug. 6-8.

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Treasure seekers drawn to Ancient Resource auction June 27

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Late Period Ptolemaic Egyptian bronze sarcophagus of a lizard, (circa 664-30 B.C.), associated with the god Atum, a nice example with good detail. Estimate: $450-$700. Ancient Resource Auctions image

MONTROSE, Calif. – A lovely Moche portrait vessel made between 100 B.C. and A.D. 500, a Late Period Ptolemaic Egyptian bronze sarcophagus of a lizard, and a gorgeous Cypriot alabaster dish from the fourth or fifth century B.C. are a few expected top lots in Ancient Resource Auctions’ online-only Auction #85, a Summer Antiquities Discovery Sale slated for Saturday, June 27. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Famous folks’ firearms top $21M at Rock Island Auction

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Colt Walker revolvers are a favorite with collectors for their rarity and rich history. This particular example came with a detailed history, passed down for generations through a single family. It brought $431,250. Rock Island Co. Auction image

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Three times a year Rock Island Auction Co. transforms its preview hall into a pop-up museum filled with the history, artistry and notable names of the objects offered to collectors. The recently held June Premier Firearms Auction was no exception, sparing no expense to ensure guests were both supremely impressed and safe. With such a star-studded celebration, it should come as no surprise that it was the highest-grossing event of its kind, reaching $21.1 million dollars in the three-day span.

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In Memoriam: Molly Neptune Parker, Passamaquoddy basket maker

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Molly Neptune Parker. Image courtesy of the Abbe Museum

INDIAN TOWNSHIP, Maine (AP) – Molly Neptune Parker, a Passamaquoddy basket maker and a National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage fellow, is being laid to rest Thursday.

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Lyon & Turnbull sets European record for Harry Potter 1st edition

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Rare first edition of ‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone,’ inscribed and signed by author J.K. Rowling. Lyon & Turnbull image

EDINBURGH, Scotland – One of the few first edition copies of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, inscribed and signed by J.K. Rowling was sold by Lyon & Turnbull auctioneers in Edinburgh on June 17 for £125,000 ($155,498). The price is a new European auction record. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Washington town issues wooden money to residents in need

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This example of a wooden trade certificate was issued in 1953 to commemorate the Washington Territorial Centennial. The stated value was 20 wooden nickels. The wooden certificate, which measures 6in by 2½in, sold recently for $30 at Holabird Western Americana Collections. Image courtesy of Holabird and LiveAuctioneers

TENINO, Wash. (AP) – The blue-cheese salad dressing, butter, ground turkey, cans of dog food and a new toothbrush came to $24.97. Laurie Mahlenbrei handed the cashier a slice of wood marked $25, and walked out.

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7-day Holabird Western Americana auction opens June 25 

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Toadlena Two Grey Hills (New Mexico) weaving, 42in x 36in, in excellent condition, with the four corners hooked, as is the center diamond. Estimate: $1,500-$3,000. Holabird image

RENO, Nev. – A Summer 2020 Extravaganza Auction so massive it is being spread over two separate weekends, two weeks apart, is planned for June 25-28 and July 10-12 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC, live and online, with start times each day of 8 a.m. Pacific time. The sale features a number of important collections of Americana – over 4,800 lots in all. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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