CRAWFORD, Va. – Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates will conduct their 19th annual spring auction of 18th- and19th-century glass and lighting in two sessions on May 25 beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and May 26 beginning at 9:30 a.m. The sale will feature part two of the renowned collection of the late Wagner Thielens of New York City. Thielens began collecting in the 1960s, focusing on early American pressed glass of the 1840 to 1860 period. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.
Early in his collecting life Thielens developed a close relationship with legendary dealers George Abraham and Gilbert May of Granville. Massachusetts, and over the years, Thielens acquired many of his most important pieces from the duo.
Jeff and Beverley Evans had become good friends with Thielens over the years and made twice-yearly pilgrimages to the city to deliver purchases he had made from their auctions.
Jeff Evans recalls fondly, “I first met Wagner about 20 years ago at a glass auction in Connecticut where I had driven overnight to buy a rare piece for my personal collection. Well, needless to say, Wagner outbid me, and I was crushed. After the sale, Beverley made me introduce myself and congratulate him on his purchase. It didn’t take long to realize we had met a kindred spirit and made a longtime friend.” Jeff continued, “Wagner lived in a high-rise complex on the Upper East Side where the glass collection took up two apartments. His most prized possessions were displayed in the main residence on the 33rd floor, which had a spectacular view overlooking the East River. He had a ‘storage’ apartment on the sixth floor that was mainly floor-to-ceiling showcases for all the overflow. Beverley and I are honored to handle the dispersal of the Thielens collection. It’s a bittersweet occasion, however, as another legendary glass collector has passed. We will miss those great visits with Wagner, talking about the old days, and cherish being one of the few who had the privilege to explore his ‘glass closet’ and discover all the hidden treasures it held.”
Most of the Thielens collection will sell in the second session of the auction. It comprises an incredible array of early colored pressed glass including over 50 vases, more than 30 covered egg cups/pomades, many spooners/spill holders, other rare EAPG, open salts, decanters, etc.; colored and colorless early lighting including whale oil and fluid lamps, and candlesticks; rare covered lacy salts including opaque blue and opalescent examples; rare commercial and other cologne bottles; colorless flint EAPG; plus more.
Session one of the auction features a 40-year Pittsburgh-area collection and part four of the Barbara Sisson collection of Charleston, W.Va. It is highlighted by early kerosene lighting including Sandwich Onion and cut overlay lamps, rare burners and setups, other good parts, etc.; a selection of free-blown and blown-molded wares; collection of early American and European cut glass featuring rare Pittsburgh pieces; over 50 glass parade staffs, walking sticks, and canes; cut overlay and opaline glass; antique paperweights; 18th-century English and other wine glasses; plus much more.
For further information contact Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates at info@jeffreysevans.com or 540-434-3939.
[av_button label=’View the fully illustrated catalogs and bid on LiveAuctioneers.’ link=’manually,https://bit.ly/2xU4qSH’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’medium’ position=’center’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ admin_preview_bg=” av_uid=’av-r3r4qo’]