Jasper52 to serve a generous slice of Americana March 11

Missouri Pacific Railroad advertising calendar, 1930s, very fine to excellent condition given its age, 12½ x 19in. Estimate: $400-$500. Jasper51 image

NEW YORK – Jasper52 will present a slice of Americana, folk art and outsider art in an online auction that will take place on Thursday, March 11, at 6 p.m. The auction catalog spans three centuries of antiques that were either made in America or were brought here decades ago. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

From the 1930s is a rare perpetual calendar advertising the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which was absorbed by the Union Pacific Railroad in the late 20th century. The color lithograph on the calendar depicts a sleek diesel-powered passenger train and the caption “Route of the Eagle.” All of the month and date cards are original and in good condition for their age. with days and months. The calendar was inherited by a relative of a former “Mo Pac” train engineer and has been in the seller’s home for more than 30 years. It is expected to sell for $400-$500.

One of the earliest antiques in the auction is a silk-on-linen needlework sampler, dated 1766. Probably Dutch or German, the sampler displays many motifs including a cross with the initials INRI, which stems from the Latin phrase ”Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum” meaning ”Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” Some of the motifs are from 17th century pattern books. The many branches and sprigs of flowers are intricately worked in an appealing array of colors and stitches (est. $2,500-$3,000).

Needlework sampler dated 1766, probably Dutch or German, silk on linen, 14 x 16in framed.
Estimate: $2,500-$3,000. Jasper51 image

Carrying the highest estimate among the auction’s nearly 700 lots is a Cree or Metis indigenous peoples embroidered vest from the 19th century. The vest is made of buckskin, black wool, lined with plain linen. It is finely embroidered in silk thread in pinks, greens, red, silver, and blue. It was worn during ceremonies and on special occasions (est. $6,000-$7,000).

Cree/Metis embroidered vest, 19th century, 22 x 18½in, buckskin, black wool, lined with plain linen and finely embroidered in silk thread. Estimate: $6.,000-$7,000

An early 20th century Inuit wooden mask originated on Alaska’s St. Lawrence Island in the Bering Sea. This tribally used mask measures 8 by 5 ½ inches and is accompanies by a certificate of authenticity (est. $2,500-$3,000).

Alaskan Inuit mask, early 20th century, carved wood, 8 x 5½in, includes stand, from a German private collection. Estimate: $2,500-$3,000

Howard Finster (1916–2001) was a celebrated American folk artist and minister who spread the gospel through his artworks. In addition to painting, Finster carved tramp art-style clock cases in the 1960s. Once such case is featured in the auction, complete with a working electric clock. The clock case retains its original print of a woman’s face and is stamped “Jesus Saves” is small print on the back (est. $500-$800).