CRAWFORD, Va. – Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates’ Winter Americana and Variety Auction on Feb. 15-16 was a highly successful event and produced strong prices – along with a few surprises – in multiple categories. The two-day format consisted of 1,955 lots of diverse material that generated record-breaking levels of participation for the firm, a strong indication of vigor in several segments of the marketplace. Bidding was intense throughout each day with over 5,000 registered bidders from 26 countries participating in house and online. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.
Session I on Friday featured the collection of Mary Lou and Laura Esterline of Columbus, Ohio. Starting the weekend off with a bang, the Esterline Collection included an array of fresh-to-the-market children’s toy furniture, glass and ceramics that were well received, with most examples greatly exceeding expectations. The 724-lot offering on Friday sparked significant interest and produced strong results overall. Top lot from Friday was a Victorian mahogany child’s or doll’s dressing table in exceptional condition, which garnered $7,605 (Lot 217 – all prices include a 17 percent buyer’s premium).
Other noteworthy results from the Friday session include another Victorian mahogany child’s/doll’s dressing table, this one with shaped marble top, at $3,082 (Lot 218); a set of children’s toy English Staffordshire transfer-printed flow blue ceramic table articles at $2,574 (Lot 28); and a rare pattern glass “Standing Lamb” children’s toy creamer at $1,989 (Lot 90).
Session II on Saturday consisted of the firm’s usual diverse selection of antiques and collectibles and produced strong results with numerous categories demonstrating signs of renewed energy. Featuring material from the 50-plus year collection of the late Bob and Joan M. Wentz of Germansville, Pa., and property from the estate of Betty W. Harshbarger of Mt. Solon, Va.
Saturday’s session produced several surprises, most notably a rare Shenandoah Valley Bear Lithia 5-gallon advertising water cooler/dispenser. The weekend’s top lot at $15,210 (Lot 1084), the graphic piece, the only documented example to date, sparked a tremendous amount of interest and was purchased, after heated bidding, by a private collector on the floor.
Another surprise early in the sale included the performance of the Wentz straight razor and related advertising collection. Containing many unique and desirable items, most pieces in the Wentz razor collection soared past estimate ranges with heavy bidding from an active collector base. Top lots among the razors and related advertising included a GEM Razors mechanical store display in excellent condition with original crate at $4,680 (Lot 1159) and a rare, possibly unique, “Man in the Moon” German figural celluloid-handled straight razor at $2,925 (Lot 1190).
Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session included a fine 19th-century “Old Commissary” blown-molded and enamel-decorated bar bottle at $5,265 (Lot 1082); a Santa Fe Railroad Station regulator wall clock at $4,095 (Lot 1576); and a Regina coin-op upright music box at $3,510 (Lot 1593).
After the sale, company president and auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated robust interest across the board, from bidders near and far. The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and quality of the merchandise offered. In addition, the auction was 99.9 percent unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.”
For details contact Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates at info@jeffreysevans.com or 540-434-3939.
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