LYNBROOK, N.Y. – An important and historic silver pitcher with impeccable provenance, made by Paul Revere, the most famous of American silversmiths, sold for $129,875 in an online-only Jewelry, Porcelain, Stoneware and Indian Pottery auction held January 18 by Weiss Auctions. It was a new world record price for a silver pitcher made by Paul Revere.
The pitcher, 6 ½in in height, was engraved with the initials of Benjamin Russell, the American journalist and founder and editor of the newspaper the Columbian Centinel. He learned in the printing office of Isaiah Thomas where he first set type. His father participated in the Boston Tea Party.
Russell’s biography is impressive; more impressive is the continued ownership through the family of the Paul Revere pitcher, a wonderful artifact from the early days of the country. Both Revere and Russell were involved in the founding of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association. The pitcher weighed 17.35 troy ounces, or 539.6 grams.
While the Paul Revere pitcher was the undisputed star lot of the January 18 Day 1 session, and the top lot of the auction overall, the first day also featured a pair of diamond rings that proved irresistible to bidders. One boasted a 2.5-carat round I-J color VS-1 diamond in a platinum ring, which earned $12,600. The other was a 1.98-carat round I-J color VS-1 diamond in a platinum ring, which realized $10,500.
The top lot of the Day 2 session on January 19 was a large painting by Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalkski (Polish and German, 1849-1915), titled Bedouin Camp and signed at the lower left. It achieved $94,875. Also, an oil on board by Alex Katz (American, b. 1927-), titled Window #1, sold for $37,950.
Three original Peanuts comic strips by Charles Schulz sold for a combined $94,200. They included a 10-panel Sunday strip with Snoopy and Woodstock dated 12/26/1982 ($44,400); a four-panel daily strip featuring Linus and Lucy dated 7/26/1963 ($34,800); and a four-panel daily featuring Lucy and Peppermint Patty dated 5/2/1986 ($15,000).
Original Joe Kubert comic book cover art included Rima the Jungle Girl #5 from 1974 ($13,800); Men of War #17 from 1979 ($6,000); House of Mystery #298 from 1981 ($5,100); Sgt. Rock Special #7 from 1990 ($5,400); Our Fighting Forces #181 from 1978 ($4,440); G.I. Combat #251 from 1983 ($6,600); Super-Stars #15, Sgt. Rock and the Unknown Soldier from 1977 ($9,300); G.I. Combat #146 from 1971 ($7,500); Men of War #26 from 1980 ($7,200); Our Army at War #227 from 1971 ($8,400); and Kamandi – Last Boy on Earth #41, 1975 ($8,700).
A signed original ink illustration by Ludwig Bemelmans from Bemelman’s children’s book Madeline and the Bad Hat, titled There was Sorrowing and Pain in the Embassy in Spain, realized $8,100. Also, a wonderful watercolor and gouache painting by Jean Pfister, depicting the California coast and artist-signed at the lower right, went to a determined bidder for $6,600.
A wonderful oil on panel or oil on wood by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (British and American, 1819-1905), titled Good Friends and featuring a flock of sheep and a dog in the background, sold for $4,800. The work was signed at the lower right and dated “A.F. Tait, N.A., N.Y., 1902.” On the verso, the painting was artist dated, titled and signed as well.
To consign an item, estate or a collection, call Weiss Auctions at (516) 594-0731, or email Philip Weiss at phil@weissauctions.com. For more information about Weiss Auctions, visit www.WeissAuctions.com.
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