PLAINVILLE, Conn. — Academy Award-winning actor Paul Newman (1925-2008) enjoyed a very full life, starring in some of the 20th century’s best-loved films, such as Cool Hand Luke (1967), The Color of Money (1986, for which he won his only Oscar), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1967), and Slap Shot (1977). Newman’s likeness can still be found on supermarket shelves across the United States as branding for Newman’s Own food products, which continue to raise funds for charities nearly 20 years after his passing.
In the early 1970s, following the lead of fellow actors James Garner (who starred in the 1967 film Grand Prix) and Steve McQueen (showcased in the 1969 film Le Mans), Newman tried his hand at auto racing and soon proved himself track-worthy. Newman’s first professional start was in 1972 at Thompson International Speedway in Connecticut, where he entered as ‘P. L. Newman,’ the name he would ultimately be billed as when racing. Newman migrated to Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) events, where he would end up winning four national championships.
This authenticated Simpson Racing Products helmet comes with numerous photographs of Newman using it at races. It is marked P L Newman / No Allergies / January 26 1925 / Blood O Pos and is accompanied by a Summit Racing carry bag. It is a star lot at Winter Associates’ Automobilia & Literature Auction scheduled for Saturday, April 6. The entire lot has an estimate of $5,000-$15,000.
AUSTIN, Texas – The French toymaker Georges Carette (1861-1954) is thought to have learned how to make magic lanterns from the Paris specialist August Lapierre. After moving his operations to the German toymaking capital of Nuremberg, Carette produced a series of different toy models, from the basic to the elaborate. Among his most creative was Die Fabrik (The Factory), a circa-1895 tinplate lantern made in the form of an industrial building and chimney. A good example with much of its original paintwork and lithography intact has been consigned to Austin Auction Gallery as part of a Friday, April 12 sale of Antique Cameras and Magic Lanterns. It has an estimate of $1,500-$2,500. The 517 lots represent the collection of Sam Westfall of Texas.
LONE JACK, Mo. – This graphite drawing with red gouache highlights is one of four patriotic scenes that originated in the sketch book of a 19th-century tattoo artist identified as I.E. Reiquier. By repute, the group was purchased from Balish Antiques at the Madison Square Gardens Antique Show in 1956 and later appeared at a tattoo history exhibition at the American Folk Art Museum.
Dated circa 1870, this sheet depicts the bust of George Washington within a frame of symbols perfect for the Centennial. Each of the 6 by 6in designs has an estimate of $400-$600 at Soulis Auctions’ Saturday, April 13 sale titled Americana 1830 to 1940.
CEDARHURST, N.Y. – Religious silver is usually made to established models and in a conservative taste. The Passover compendium on offer in J. Greenstein & Co.’s Important Judaica Spring Sale on Tuesday, April 16 is an exception, representing the very latest neoclassical trend when made by the Berlin silversmith George Heinrich Steffen in 1817. Just two years earlier, Jews in Berlin had been granted Prussian citizenship, and the various regulations and taxes that had unfairly targeted them were rescinded. Religious life centered on the Old Synagogue in present-day Mitte, Germany.
Working predominantly as a maker of table silver from 1796 to 1828, George Heinrich Steffen is known to have made a number of pieces of Jewish liturgical silver, including a pair of rimmonim (torah finials) now in the Hamburg Museum. This 2ft 4in neoclassical Passover compendium is struck with both the maker’s mark and the city mark to the base of the temple tower, the cup of Elijah temple, and the six detachable shell-form Passover food holders. Previously sold at Christie’s New York in October 1990, it has an estimate of $25,000-$35,000.
