Military history comes to life at Morphy’s May 17-18 Firearms & Militaria auction

Fine relief-carved flintlock Kentucky longrifle attributed to master gunsmith Leonard Reedy (Berks County, Pa., 1776-1837). Classic Reedy-style carving around the patchbox and barrel tang, and behind the cheekpiece. Pictured in ‘The Kentucky Rifle and Me’ by Edith Cooper. Estimate $40,000-$80,000

DENVER, Pa. – Antique and collectible firearms of superior quality and great historical importance await bidders at Morphy’s mid-May auction event, with two distinct sessions that, together, offer significant firearms and militaria from the 18th century through contemporary times. For the May 17 session, Morphy’s has prepared a 213-lot curated selection of early arms and militaria, followed on May 18 by a 405-lot offering of fine rifles, shotguns, 19th-century Colts and other handguns; military and NFA weapons; and much more.

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Maud Lewis painting revved up for Miller & Miller sale, May 14

Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ est. CA$30,000-$35,000
Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ est. CA$30,000-$35,000
Maud Lewis, ‘Black Truck,’ est. CA$30,000-$35,000

NEW HAMBURG, Canada – Original oil paintings by Canadian artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970) and a group of so-called “naughty bronzes” by Austrian artist Franz Xaver Bergman (1861-1935) are a few of the expected highlights in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 9 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers. All prices are given in Canadian dollars.

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Texas art blooms like bluebonnets at Vogt, May 14

G. (Gerald Harvey Jones) Harvey, ‘Hill country bluebonnets,’ est. $10,000-$12,000
G. (Gerald Harvey Jones) Harvey, ‘Hill country bluebonnets,’ est. $10,000-$12,000
G. (Gerald Harvey Jones) Harvey, ‘Hill country bluebonnets,’ est. $10,000-$12,000

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Vogt Auction Galleries will present an auction of artwork, sculpture and pottery that pays homage to the legacy of Texas and the American West on Saturday, May 14, starting at 1 pm Central time. It will feature masterpieces by distinguished artists such as Jose Vives-Atsara, G. Harvey, Porfiro Salinas, John Nieto, Dawson Dawson-Watson and Helen Hunter. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Royal Bayreuth Santa brings joy of Christmas to Woody Auction, May 14

Royal Bayreuth full-figure wall pocket red Santa, est. $3,000-$6,000
Royal Bayreuth full-figure wall pocket red Santa, est. $3,000-$6,000
Royal Bayreuth full-figure wall pocket red Santa, est. $3,000-$6,000

DOUGLASS, Kan. – The Pickard collection of author Alan Reed and quality pieces of Royal Bayreuth from the Bob Gollmar collection will share center stage at Woody Auction’s next auction, slated for Saturday, May 14, starting at 9:30 am Central time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Taking another look at the classic, collectible View-Master toy

A 1950s View-Master reel metal store sign from Portland, Oregon, the birthplace of the stereoscopic toy, achieved $575 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Luther Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A 1950s View-Master reel metal store sign from Portland, Oregon, the birthplace of the stereoscopic toy, achieved $575 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Luther Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A 1950s View-Master reel metal store sign from Portland, Oregon, the birthplace of the stereoscopic toy, achieved $575 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2018. Image courtesy of Luther Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Once emblazoned with the slogan “The World at Your Fingertips,” the View-Master system has been a childhood staple for decades, but it was not originally a toy. Introduced at the New York World’s Fair in 1939, the viewer that looked like a pair of binoculars was actually a stereoscopic projector created to let adults travel, after a fashion, and see world landmarks up close and in exquisite detail without leaving home. The View-Master was the brainchild of Sawyer’s Photo Services in Oregon, a major producer of scenic postcards in the 1920s.

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