Milestone’s March 11-12 Firearms Auction features top-notch antique, military & civilian rarities

High-condition Deluxe large-frame Bullard rifle made 1886-1890, .40-.75 caliber, Serial No. 575, one of the finest lever-action rifles from this production period. Very scarce full octagon barrel with half magazine. Bullard address stamped on left side of frame, caliber stamped on bridge. Short production run attributable to time and attention that had to be given to each of these customized rifles. Exceedingly high-condition example, tip to tail. Estimate $13,000-$18,000

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – Milestone’s first Premier Collectible Firearms Auction of 2023, slated for March 11-12, promises to be a crowd-pleaser with its high-caliber selection of US, British, German, French and Japanese productions. The 1,452-lot selection is led by superior-quality antique, military and civilian arms from long-held collections. Many of the consignments are fresh to the market, and in keeping with Milestone’s tradition, there are excellent examples to suit every pocketbook and special interest. The auction follows a historical timeline that starts in the 18th century and progresses to contemporary conflicts. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

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Chinese military mail sent from Siberia in 1919 arrives at Chiswick, Mar. 1

An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions
An example of Chinese military mail written by a commanding officer and sent from the Spasskoe Garrison in Siberia on May 29, 1919. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

LONDON –  Chiswick Auctions will sell the collection of a former British journalist and presumed diplomat who gained access to some of the world’s most secretive countries during the Cold War era. From the 1950s to the 1980s, John Newell spent time in places such as North Korea, China, East Germany, Russia, Tibet, Zanzibar, Alaska, and Panama for both work and leisure at a time when many of these areas were largely off-limits to westerners. The collection will be sold during two auctions without reserves or estimates, with the first part being offered on Wednesday, March 1, and part two scheduled for late July.

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20th century design classics offered at Toomey & Co., March 2

Tiffany Studios counterbalance desk lamp, estimated at $6,000-$8,000
Tiffany Studios counterbalance desk lamp, estimated at $6,000-$8,000
Tiffany Studios counterbalance desk lamp, estimated at $6,000-$8,000

CHICAGO – Toomey & Co. will hold its first Early 20th Century Design auction of the year on Thursday, March 2, featuring an impressive selection of furniture, lighting, decorative arts and fine art from Arts & Crafts, Prairie Style, Art Nouveau, Secessionist and Art Deco makers. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Hindman plans NYC pop-up gallery presence in March and April

Exterior of High Line Nine Galleries, site of Hindman’s New York pop-up gallery. Image courtesy of High Line Nine
Exterior of High Line Nine Galleries, site of Hindman’s New York pop-up gallery. Image courtesy of High Line Nine
Exterior of High Line Nine Galleries, site of Hindman’s New York pop-up gallery. Image courtesy of High Line Nine

NEW YORK – Hindman has announced its first series of New York exhibitions and events at the High Line Nine Galleries, in advance of the auction house launching a permanent location. It will preview highlights from major collections this spring, across the categories of Post-War & Contemporary Art, European Art, Asian Art and Jewelry & Watches at the Chelsea gallery.

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The kindest rewind: VHS tapes have been rediscovered

Consigned by one of the film’s actors, a 1986 copy of ‘Back to the Future’ on VHS sold in June 2022 for $75,000, including the buyer’s premium. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.
Consigned by one of the film’s actors, a 1986 copy of ‘Back to the Future’ on VHS sold in June 2022 for $75,000, including the buyer’s premium. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, HA.com.

NEW YORK — VHS tapes revolutionized home entertainment when they debuted in the late 1970s, bringing the magic of movies from theaters into homes. They were initially expensive to produce so most people rented copies at Blockbuster and mom-and-pop video stores. They had a good run for close to 30 years as the dominant media, after knocking out its competitor, Betamax. Today, long after the last brick-and-mortar video stores have shuttered, sealed VHS tapes are enjoying new life as a collectible.

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