Part of an Elamite brick of Untash-Napirisha origin, c. 1255 – 1235 BC, the front with six partial lines of cuneiform script praising the king and referring to the ziggurat he constructed as a sanctuary for the god Inshushinak. Ex Chester English collection, acquired in the 1930s. Ancient Resource image.
LOS ANGELES – Ancient Resource LLC is proud to present an exciting array of Ancient Art in its June 2nd auction. Ancient Resource brings over 400 lots of well-provenanced goods to the collecting community, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Cultures represented in this auction range from the exceptionally rare Elamite, through Egyptian Greek and Roman, to all of the diverse peoples of the New World.
The market for Antiquities continues to soar, as fine pieces fall into the category of tangible assets, and according to some, are a great hedge against inflation and the declining dollar. Provenance is important in this category, and the bulk of Ancient Resource’s selection comes from select English collections assembled at the end of the Grand Tour period. A notable exception is a group of cylinder and stamp seals from the personal collection of Edgar Banks. Aspects of the Banks collection are seen in almost every major museum in the United States. His life story formed the basis of the Indiana Jones film series.
Highlights from the June 2 sale include:
Lot 113 – Part of an Elamite brick of Untash-Napirisha, c. 1255 – 1235 BC, the front with six partial lines of cuneiform script praising the king and referring to the ziggurat he constructed as a sanctuary for the god Inshushinak. Nice clear inscription. Ex Chester English, acquired in the 1930s.
Lot 120 – A rare strip of linen with two lines from the “Book of the Dead” in Hieratic script, Greco-Roman, c. 2nd Century BC/AD, neatly written and professionally framed under glass. Linen strip measures 28″ (70.1 cm) in length; frame measures 37″ x 13″ (181.2 x 33 cm). Ex Charles Ryan collection.
Lot 337 – A fragment of a Vera Cruz basalt Hatcha, AD 700 – 900, with a feline head seen in profile, mouth agape. The piece is nicely mounted on a tall base. 7″ x 8″ (17.8 x 20.3 cm). Ex Midwest collection.
According to company owner Gabriel Vandervort, the June 2 auction is already breaking records for bidder registration. For additional information, e-mail ancientresourceauctions@yahoo.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Part of an Elamite brick of Untash-Napirisha origin, c. 1255 – 1235 BC, the front with six partial lines of cuneiform script praising the king and referring to the ziggurat he constructed as a sanctuary for the god Inshushinak. Ex Chester English collection, acquired in the 1930s. Ancient Resource image.
Selection of carnival and other glass to be auctioned by Forsythes on May 28, 2012. Image courtesy of Forsythes.
SHARONVILLE, Ohio – Forsythes’ Auctions LLC of Sharonville, Ohio, will present a May 28 Memorial Day auction featuring goods from several Cincinnati estates. The auction will commence at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com.
Categories represented in the sale include: early and country furniture; early smalls, firearms and swords; Roodwood and other pottery; sterling silver, art glass, artworks, lamps, clocks, Oriental rugs, Chinese and Oriental items; and much more.
For additional information, contact Forsythes by calling 937-377-3700 or 513-791-2323.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875) oil on canvas ‘Seminole Peace Party,’ circa 1840, 35 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches. Estimate: $450,000-$650,000. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery. HAMPTON, Va. (ACNI) – When Gail Wolpin attended parties following the death of her husband 30-some years ago she quickly tired of being introduced—she recalls—as “Gail, so-and-so’s widow.”
“That’s when I realized it was time to find something to do with my life,” said Wolpin, a single mother of two.
Having been introduced to antique auctions by her mother-in-law, Wolpin decided become an auctioneer. It was a natural progression.
“I was raised in retailing,” said Wolpin, the daughter of a successful merchant in New Castle, Pa., and later the owner of a discount designer clothing store in Norfolk.
Now she’s introduced at parties as owner and auctioneer of Phoebus Auction Gallery.
Customers will have the opportunity to meet Gail Wolpin at Phoebus Auction Gallery’s 20th anniversary auction Memorial Day weekend (May 27-28). Sunday’s sale will be capped with a gala party at the storefront gallery, located at 18 E. Mellen St. in Hampton’s historic Phoebus neighborhood. Wolpin plans to have live music and plenty of food.
“It will be fun and joyous and it will be a good time,” said Wolpin, adding that she’ll be in bed by 10 o’clock that night, getting her rest for the second day of selling.
Selling will begin at 10 a.m. EDT both days. Sunday’s sale will have gold and silver coins, wooden ship models fine art, sports memorabilia and autographs.
Monday’s sale will continue an impressive lineup of antiques, collectibles and fine art highlighted by two important works.
The first is a rare painting by American artist Seth Eastman titled Seminole Peace Party. Eastman (1808-1875) was a West Point graduate who served in the Army during the Seminole Wars in Florida. His large oil on canvas depicts four Seminole warriors at a peace conference amid a grove of trees. Because Eastman’s works are owned primarily by the government and institutions, they seldom come to market. The last Eastman painting to sell publicly was by Sotheby’s, New York, in 1998 for $937,500. The painting consigned to Phoebus Auction Gallery is from a descendent of Eastman. It has a $450,000-$650,000 estimate.
The other painting is by Peter Max titled Zero Man Revealed. The 48-by-36-inch painting dated 1988 is the culmination of the pop artist’s Zero Man Seires, with the face of Zero Man revealed. It has a dedication on verso with an additional line drawing of a woman. The vibrantly colored painting in the artist’s trademark style has a $40,000-$60,000 estimate.
Also selling Monday will be antique furniture, sterling silver, fine jewelry, lighting, art glass and porcelains.
Prospective bidders who cannot attend the two-day auction may bid live online through LiveAuctioneers.com. In fact, Phoebus Auction Gallery was one of the first auction houses to sign up for online bidding services of LiveAuctioneers.com 10 years ago.
Wolpin credits her boyfriend and right-hand man Bill Welch for handling the technical aspects of the auction house.
“At first I thought, who would ever buy something on the Internet? Well, we know who the genius is here,” she said.
Joking aside, Wolpin will attest to the hard work necessary to build a successful 20-year run in the auction business.
She recalled the time and effort she put into her very first auction 20 years ago.
“After it was all sold, I looked around the empty room and sat down and cried. All that work and it’s all gone,” she said.
Of course, she quickly regained her composure.
“I realized auctioneering was the biggest and best secret in the world,” said Wolpin.
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For more information about Phoebus Auction Gallery and the two-day 20th anniversary auction visit www.phoebusauction.com or call 757-722-9210.
Seth Eastman (American, 1808-1875) oil on canvas ‘Seminole Peace Party,’ circa 1840, 35 1/2 x 25 1/2 inches. Estimate: $450,000-$650,000. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery.
Peter Max, ‘Zero Man Revealed,’ acrylic on canvas, culmination of the Peter Max Zero Man Series, 48 x 36 inches, signed upper right ‘Peter Max 1988,’ dedication on verso with additional line drawing of woman. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery.
Sevres hand-painted plate in gilt candleholder frame, pierced bronze or brass frame with double candleholders,1846, 10 1/4 inches diameter. Estimate: $1,500-$3,000. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery.
Lowrey Cherry Stardust organ with bench, Model SU-530, color touch LCD screen, 600 song titles. List price: $60,000. Estimate: $20,000-$40,000. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery.
Wooden ship model, HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805, fully rigged, plank construction, 32 x 36 x 12 inches. Estimate: $400-$800. Image courtesy Phoebus Auction Gallery.
New England Queen Anne bonnet top maple highboy, circa 1760, 81 1/2 inches high. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
DOWINGTOWN, Pa. – Pook & Pook Inc. will host a two-day Decorative Arts Sale on Wednesday, May 23, and Thursday, May 24, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT both days. The sale will showcase four large estates and collections including Russel and Eleanor Gohn and Virginia Whitely Thornton of York, Pa., Charlene Sussel of Garrett Park, Md., and Tremayne Selig of Philadelphia.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The Gohn estate, lots 1-663, will be sold on the first day of the auction. A wide array of objects from furniture and accessories to porcelain and silver, will be available to prospective buyers.
The first lot, an attractive miniature Pennsylvania walnut blanket chest is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. Several tall case clocks are included: a York County example by Peter Schutz (est. $1,500-$2,500), two Chippendale walnut examples and Federal pine clock. Pennsylvania corner cupboards, Dutch cupboards and wall cupboards are offered. A Lancaster County sulphur inlaid walnut blanket chest dated 1776 is sure to attract bidders.
A six-piece Redlich & Co. sterling silver tea service (est. $4,000-$7,000) is one of many lots of sterling silver table objects. A pair of Continental 800 silver platters with hunting scenes are unusual (est. $2,000-$4,000).
Eleanor Gohn’s large collection of gold jewelry includes many Victorian chains, charm bracelets, cameos and diamond rings. An 18K yellow gold moveable pin of a blooming flower with an emerald cluster center and diamond tipped petals is an outstanding piece.
Chinese porcelains are noteworthy, encompassing blue and white garniture vases, Canton platters, Famille Rose butterfly plates, celadon pieces, armorials, cloisonné vases, Famille Rose punch bowl and plaques to name a few.
Thursday will begin with items from the estate of Virginia Whitely Thornton. This section of the Thornton estate will focus mainly on porcelain and silver. A set of 12 Capo di Monte plates with relief putti decoration, a Minton dinner service, Herend Rothschild bird pattern plates, Coalport Cairo dinner service, royal Doulton Chatham dinner service and Limoges pieces are examples.
Chinese pottery and porcelain add to the group. The sale will continue with the collection of Charlene Sussel. The emphasis here will be on art glass including Steuben, Libbey, Erickson, Baccarat, Aristide Colotte Nancy and Orrefors. A Steuben green jade glass vase with alabaster handles is 10 inches high and carries an estimate of $500-$1,000. An acid-cut Rosaline to alabaster vase is another fine piece. Other items include a massive peachblow lily vase (23 1/2 inches high), a green ruffle glass epergne, a Tiffany Faville glass bottle with heart and vine decoration, a Tiffany vase numbered N590 and a Stevens & Williams silveria and green thread vase.
The sale will end with the estate of Tremayne Selig of Philadelphia. A fine New England Federal mahogany sideboard is the first lot. With a D-shaped top and bellflower inlays, it is a good looking piece. Ten Federal mahogany dining chairs, 19th century, have arched crest rails and carved splats with a sheaf of wheat pattern (est. $1,500-$2,500). Other notable furniture pieces include a Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany secretary desk (est. $3,000-$4,000), a New England Queen Anne tiger maple tall chest (est. $2,000-$3,000), a Massachusetts Hepplewhite mahogany card table with extensive inlay (est. $2,000-$3,000) and a New England Queen Anne bonnet top maple highboy ($4,000-$5,000).
A P.J. Mene bronze of a highlander with a fox and hound is an interesting piece (est. $3,000-$4,000) as well as an Antoine Barye bronze of a tiger attacking an antelope (est. $1,000-$2,000). The Fairfield Porter oil on canvas titled White Lilacs will appeal to many. Two pair of floral still lifes by Jane Peterson are tempting as well as an oil on canvas courtyard scene attributed to Violet Oakley labeled Violet Oakley Garden of Cogslea Small Figure of Mrs. Oakley. Cogslea was the artist’s home in Philadelphia.
A significant sterling silver flatware service by Statesbury, retailed by Cartier, is offered. Each piece has an 18K gold monogram (est. $12,000-$18,000). Other appealing items include a set of four Marc Chagal engravings, a Milton Avery drypoint, an early canvaswork pastoral landscape, a large giltwood convex mirror and a New York portrait of five children in an interior.
For additional information on this sale, go to www.pookandpook.com or call 610-269-4040.
New England Queen Anne bonnet top maple highboy, circa 1760, 81 1/2 inches high. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Attributed to Violet Oakley (American, 1874-1961), oil on canvas courtyard scene, labeled verso ‘Violet Oakley Garden of Cogslea Small figure of Mrs. Oakley,’ 30 x 25 inches. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Tiffany Favrile glass bottle vase with heart and vine decoration, signed and numbered ‘4071J,’ 6 inches high. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
New England Federal mahogany sideboard, circa 1790, with a D shaped top, bellflower inlays and square tapering legs. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany secretary desk, circa 1765. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Chinese export porcelain Famille Rose punch bowl, 19th century, 15 1/2 inches diameter. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Pair of Continental 800 silver platters, late 19th century, with hunting scenes in high relief, 103 troy ounces. Image courtesy Pook & Pook Inc.
Norbert Goeneutte (French, 1854-1894), ‘Jeune Femme au Petit Chien Noir,’ oil on canvas, 29 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries. NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Auction Galleries Inc. will conduct their Major Estates Auction, taking place Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20. LiveAuctionieers.com will provide Internet live bidding for this sale of over 1,400 lots from a variety of private collections and estates.
The first session begins at 10 a.m. CDT on Saturday and includes lots 1-813. The Sunday session starts at 11 a.m. CDT and includes lots 814-1444. Guests are welcome to preview daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in advance of the auction, and a late evening preview party will be held on Thursday, May 17, 5:30-8 p.m.
The exhibition staff at New Orleans Auction has created wonderful room settings once again. Entering the first vignette is like stepping into a time capsule. It is interesting to note that most everything in that setting, from the monumental mantel mirrors to the American Rococo Revival etagere, came from an uptown New Orleans mansion, which had been left untouched for nearly a century and a half. Remarkably, most of these items can be seen in an early black and white vintage photograph discovered by one of the descendants.
Other interesting vignettes include mid-century modern décor, carved rosewood furnishings from the Victorian era, warm country French settings, and fancy ormolu mounted French furnishings.
Notable highlights include:
An important American Federal inlaid mahogany Pembroke table, attributed to William Whitehead, New York, active 1792-1799.
Exceptional collections of carved ivory
One of the earliest surviving paintings by Jean Joseph Vaudechamp, (French, 1790-1866, active New Orleans 1831-1839).
An important mid-19th century American Gothic Revival oak hall chair – identical to those at Stanton Hall Plantation in Natchez, Miss.
An interesting forged, fabricated and twisted steel, glass-top table by Albert Paley (American, b. 1944).
A superb, rare Chinese hanging Yunjin brocade cushion cover, 17th/18th century.
A rare Chinese woven and embroidered lady’s imperial dragon robe, Ch’i-fu, 18th century.
Norbert Goeneutte, (French, 1854-1894), oil on canvas, Jeune au Petit Chien Noir.
Carolina Herrera black velvet and sequined matt satin cocktail dress
Dale Chihuly, (American, b. 1941), large blown glass Macchia bowl.
Ida Rittenberg Kohlmeyer, (American/Louisiana, 1912-1997), large mixed media on canvas.
There is also a large assortment of fine furniture, silver, jewelry, vintage couture and designer accessories, and more.
For more information regarding this major estate auction and New Orleans Auction Galleries Inc. or to view a complete catalog listing, visit www.neworleansauction.com.
For more information on New Orleans Auction Galleries Inc. visit www.neworleansauction.com, call 504-566-1849 or visit the Gallery at 801 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 71030.
Norbert Goeneutte (French, 1854-1894), ‘Jeune Femme au Petit Chien Noir,’ oil on canvas, 29 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Rare Chinese hanging Yunjin brocade cushion cover, 17th/18th century. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941), glass Macchia bowl, signed in engraved script: ‘Chihuly 1986.’ Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Jean Joseph Vaudechamp (French, 1790-1866, active New Orleans 1831-39), ‘Portrait of a Man and Woman, Presumably Baroness Louise Deconchy Receiving Word of Her Husband’s Death in Battle,’ oil on canvas, signed and dated 1823. Estimate: $20,000-$40,000. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Important American Federal inlaid mahogany Pembroke table, attributed to William Whitehead, New York, active 1792-1799. Estimate: $15,000-$25,000. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Ida Rittenberg Kohlmeyer (American/Louisiana, 1912-1997), ‘Synthesis,’ mixed media on canvas, signed and dated ‘1983 Kohlmeyer,’ 38 x 65 inches. Image courtesy New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Chinese rhinoceros horn lotus cup, 17th/18th century. Estimate: $5,000-$6,000. Image courtesy 888 Auctions. RICHMOND HILL, Ontario – 888 Auctions will present its Chinese Antiques & Asian Works of Art sale on Thursday, May 24, featuring traditional paintings, ceramics and bronze cloisonné pieces, jade and Tianhuang stone carvings and exceptional rhinoceros horn carvings.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding for the 480-lot auction, which will begin at 2 p.m. EDT.
A truly rare find can be found in 888 Auction’s first summer sale of the year at lot 268. Dating to the 17th or 18th century, the lotus cup is shaped in the form of a lotus pad and rests delicately on a signed horn carved pedestal base. Estimated at $5,000-$10,000, it is expected to garner the most attention in the sale.
Traditional scholarly items have found a niche in the market and 888 Auctions is proud to announce the inclusion of a rare and exceptional 19th century rhinoceros horn seal at lot 267. The rhinoceros horn seal, ensconced and protected in a bronze case, is expected to command at least its estimate high of $2,000.
In addition to the highlighted rhinoceros horn carvings, lot 315 will provide an opportunity for Sino-Tibetan Buddhist figure collectors to find a Ming Dynasty Gilt Gold Medicine Buddha. Seated in vajrasana on a double lotus pedestal and the right and left hand in Bhumisparsha Mudra and Dhyana Mudra, respectively, the serene Medicine Buddha is expected to far exceed its $5,000-$7,500 estimate.
Other unique items showcased in the sale include a vintage 1980s French cognac Hennessy X.O. at lot 480 ($600-$800) and a Chinese Wuliangye wine circa 1970s at lot479 ($400-$600).
Preview will be held Tuesday, May 22, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday, May 23, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Thursday, May 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
For details visit www.888auctions.com or call 905-763-7201.
Rare plains breastplate with bone hair pipes, blue beads and pink conch decoration. Image courtesy Caddigan Auctioneers Inc. BRAINTREE, Mass. – Caddigan Auctioneers Inc. will conduct an important estates auction on Saturday, May 19, beginning at 10 a.m. EST. Leading this sale will be an impressive private collection of Native American art and artifacts.
The auction will be conducted at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 119 Common St. in Braintree.
LiveAuctoineers.com will provide Internet live bidding for the 231-lot auction.
Featured items will include plains and plateau clothing including war shirts, leggings, gloves, moccasins and head gear. Many examples from the Sioux, Cree, Blackfeet, Apache, Cheyenne and Iroquois are adorned with beautiful classic lazy stitch geometric beading, fringe, tin cones and shells. Along with the clothing will be an extensive selection of Indian weaponry including rare pipe tomahawks, Indian-made and frontier trade knives with ornate sheaths and scabbards as well as several fine war and dance clubs, shield, bows and quivers. Collectors will also enjoy a beautifully decorated and vibrantly colored folding envelope-style parfleche.
Along with Indian arts will be some U.S. cavalry and scout material, and reservation items. Balancing out this sale Caddigan Auctioneers will offer some nice stone tools and artifacts, pottery, horse gear and Wild West trade paraphernalia.
This extraordinary grouping come to the Caddigans, commissioned directly from a Connecticut antiquarian who has spent a lifetime assembling this collection, beginning in the 1930s. Now a rare opportunity allows this fresh to market selection to change hands while passing the historical torch to a new generation of enthusiasts and collectors.
Expected to lead the way among the American furniture lots is a fine Queen Anne carved walnut side chair with yoke crest rail, solid fiddle splat square slip seat, cabriole legs with intaglio carved knee and drake foot joined by flat shaped stretchers, Philadelphia origin circa 1740-60.
The Caddigans will balance out the approximately 200 Indian lots with American 18th and 19th century furniture, silver, artwork and Oriental carpets.
A preview is scheduled for Friday, May 18, 4-8 p.m. and 8:30-10 a.m. the day of the sale, or by appointment.
For details about the auction call 781-826-8648, email info@caddiganauctioneers.com or visit the website: www.caddinganauctioneers.com.
The Maiden dresser jar. Image courtesy A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals. TORONTO – Art Deco Noritake porcelain, with its lively, bold colors and high style, has become immensely attractive to collectors in recent years. For anyone who is drawn to this porcelain, A.H. Wilkens Auctions & Appraisals, on Friday, June 1, and Saturday, June 2, will sell the largest Art Deco Noritake porcelain collection ever to come to the marketplace.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
This sale, which the auctioneer predicts will set the standards for new values, will take place at the A.H. Wilkens gallery at 299 Queen St. East, in Toronto.
What is Art Deco Noritake? The Noritake factory in Japan has produced everyday porcelain and china, primarily for the Western market, from the late 19th century to present day. Art Deco Noritake was made from 1918 through to the 1920s. The porcelain was influenced by the Art Deco movement in France and the United States, most notably by the graphic artist Homer Conant. Ladies’ dresser jars, powder jars, cigarette boxes and trays were all designed to add a touch of color to the boudoir. The pieces were hand-molded and painted in high-luster glazes that are no longer used today. So many of these pieces were broken over the years—because they were made to be used—they are hard to find in today’s market.
The Marilyn Derrin collection, which includes pottery and porcelain with the “Nippon” or “Made in Japan” mark, as well as Art Deco Noritake, was put together by the late Marilyn Derrin. She was a passionate collector, who was fierce in her antiquing. On seeing her Noritake pieces, the principals of A.H. Wilkens wondered when they had last seen items of such caliber come to the Toronto market. They now realize that Derrin had swept the city clean of its best. She spent 30 years culling antique markets, shows and auctions to assemble one of the largest and finest collections of this Japanese porcelain, which was made specifically for the Western market.
Derrin was considered among the foremost specialists in the field, and participated in almost all of the Noritake Collectors Society’s annual conventions and forums. Pieces in her collection were studied and used as a reference in countless published books and price guides.
The core collection focuses on figural Art Deco Noritake, and includes dresser jars, powders, smoke sets, plates, lamps and condiment sets. Most notable are the Maiden Dresser Jar and The Girl in the Red Dress, both rare examples of European-influenced Noritake porcelain.
The auctioning of Derrin’s collection will be a celebration of her life and dedication to her collection. A.H. Wilkens is honored to be a part of this celebration.
Friday’s auction, which will begin at 7 p.m. EDT, features Art Deco Figural Noritake—230 lots, including dresser jars, portrait plates, flat powder jars, cigarette boxes and condiment sets.
Saturday’s sale, which will begin at 11 a.m. EDT, consists of Art Deco Figural and Hollowware Noritake, Nippon and Made in Japan export porcelain—250 lots including Nippon chargers, humidors, Coralene, early transitional Noritake, Art Deco painted hollowware, figural pieces and the largest collection of Made in Japan porcelain to come to the market.
Previews are Wednesday, May 30, noon-7 p.m.;Thursday, May 31, noon-7 p.m.; and Friday, June 1, 2-5 p.m.
For further information about A.H. Wilkens’ auction of Art Deco Noritake porcelain visit the website www.ahwilkens.com or phone 416-360-7600.
William A. Coulter oil painting, San Francisco Bay. Image courtesy Hewlett’s Antique Auction Co. LE GRAND, Calif. – Hewlett’s Antique Auction Co. announces a fabulous Central Valley Estates Auction will take place on Sunday, May 20, starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet life bidding and the online catalog is now available to view. Bidding is already under way, with approximately 450 lots posted.
The sale features property from various estates in California and Nevada, as well as an outstanding fine art collection consisting of oil paintings, watercolors, and pen and ink drawings by famous early California maritime artist William A. Coulter. The items, which include historical memorabilia about the artist’s life and showings, come from his family, and this is the first time they have been offered for sale.
Other highlights from the sale include a magnificent oak side-by-side secretary, a beautiful oak general store bean counter, a crotch mahogany butler’s secretary with Jacobean twist columns, over 100 lots of Roseville and Weller pottery including lamps, and beautiful colored Victorian art glass hand lamps, finger lamps and miniature lamps. Also included is a large selection of beautiful antique dolls and doll shoes.
This sale also contains a outstanding Regina music box, Seeburg Selectomatic 100 jukebox, a variety of Victorian mantel clocks, cupid dresser clocks, Art Noveau clocks and carriage clocks.
From Nevada comes a great collection of Victorian pickle castors and bride baskets.
There are numerous items of sterling offered such as a 90-piece Chantilly flatware set, Poole water pitcher, English hallmark canister set, candelabras and a large sterling silver 1903 Southern California racing trophy.
Other highlights include a Tiffany silver and stained glass picture frame, a C.M. Russell bronze, a Victorian roller organ, and volumes 1-8 of E. Benezit Art books printed 1952 in France, which are fine and rare.
Little Red Riding Hood items by Regal China and McDonald large and small canister sets will also be sold.
Fine jewelry at the sale includes a 10k gold Elks ring, a sapphire ring, a 14k gold amethyst ring, and a turquoise fetish necklace by Ben Livingston. A nice collection of vintage pocket watches, two 1940s baseballs signed by a Pacific Coast Leage team, several unusual cigar cutters, a kerosene cigar lighter lamp, a Hoge 1932 pressed-steel windup fire chief car, and a fancy postal scale will cross the auction block.
For details on any item in the sale, call 209-389-4542 or email hewlettsdirect@sbcglobal.net.
King & Country Afghanistan Humvee with captive SF03, 5-piece set with box, est. $150-$200. OTSA image.
PITTSBURGH – Armchair generals and commanders of upscale bathtub fleets worldwide will show their firepower over the weekend of June 2-3 during a very special Old Toy Soldier Auctions event containing 1,200+ lots from several choice collections. Headlining the auction are soldiers from the collection of the late K. Warren Mitchell, plus the Bob Bailey collection of prewar Britains, and other important properties from American and overseas consignors. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
OTSA owner Ray Haradin described the headliner collections as “an excellent match-up, since each brings something distinctly different to the mix.”
Bob Bailey, a Seattle collector who has been active in the toy soldier hobby his entire life, focused his efforts almost exclusively on early Britains. While working as a Pan Am flight attendant in the 1970s, Bailey wisely took advantage of his many layovers in London to scour the shops for Britains productions.
The late K. Warren “Mitch” Mitchell, who was from Warren, Ohio, was a respected veteran dealer and collector who began his buying and selling adventures in the 1970s.
“Mitch sold actively at shows until about the last four or five years of his life. I know many collectors who bought their first set of soldiers from him, and his reputation in the hobby has created a lot of interest in this sale,” said Haradin.
Day one of the June 2-3 auction comprises approximately 700 lots of toy soldiers made prior to 1970. Day two will cover the production period from 1970 to present day.
Among the opening sessions’ many highlights from the Bailey collection is a circa-1920 Britains boxed set #102. The 33-piece assemblage includes Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards and Irish Guard and is presented in a set box emblazoned with a spiffy gold and black printer’s label depicting the British Army. It is estimated at $3,000-$4,000.
Also from the Bailey collection, there are eight sets from Britains’ 1940 Historical Series made expressly for FAO Schwarz. “Eleven sets were produced for the series. Basically, Britains designed them as samplers, choosing figures that were already included in other sets. To have eight of these sets in one collection is remarkable,” said Haradin. The estimate range on the sets runs from $1,800 to $3,000.
One of the most exciting of the non-Britains sets is a Timpo Ivanhoe set #KN4. The coveted grouping of mounted figures includes Ivanhoe, Sir Brian De Bois Gilbert, and four others from the 12th-century Saxon warrior’s inner circle. Haradin said he has only ever seen one other set, and it lacked the Ivanhoe figure. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500.
Another lot expected to draw widespread interest is the exceptionally rare Cherilea Baseball set that includes the entire team plus umpire, housed in the original box. Ironically, the set was produced in England, where bats are meant for cricket, not baseball. The Cherilea set could drive in a winning bid of $1,500-$2,000.
An ever-popular Buck Rogers set includes the spaceman’s sidekicks and additional characters: Wilma, Ardala, Dr. Huer, the evil “Killer” Kane and robot Mekano Man. The appearance of a Buck Rogers set at auction always ignites a bidding war between Britains collectors and space toy enthusiasts. Estimate: $2,500-$3,500.
For collectors who like to show off their figures in settings, there are four Johillco for British Midwest Importers display sets. They depict, respectively: Cowboy Town, Indian Camp, Beachhead, and Crusaders with Castle. Each set comes with its correct figures – ranging from nine figures with the Old West Cowboy Town to 14 each for Beachhead and Crusaders – and is estimated at $800-$1,200.
“We’ve had a lot of calls about the Johillco sets based solely on our preview brochure,” said Haradin. “These particular display sets are very rarely seen. Previously, I had only seen one such set. Collectors love when rarities come out of the woodwork.”
King & Country is a brand whose star keeps rising with collectors. In particular, buyers seem to favor glossy, pre-1990 examples. Fourteen sets of glossy figures will be sold on day one, with many additional King & Country lots earmarked for day two.
German productions include the Heyde Fall of Troy set (partial), est. $2,000-$3,000; and circa-1905 large-scale US Gun Team at the Halt set, est. $3,500-$4,500. The opening session is rounded out with 20 mounted Lucotte French court figures, 20 Courtenay medieval knights and a nice sampling of Lou Steinberg dime store figures.
Sunday’s 500+ lots are a virtual panorama of contemporary toy soldiers. Highlights include 60 Mignot Napoleonic sets and productions by Imperial, a New Zealand company that folded five years ago. Similarly, Zulu War sets by Welsh manufacturer Trophy are expected to find favor. Trophy’s production has scaled down, and older, retired lines are becoming much more desirable.
Old Toy Soldier’s June 2-3 auction is an absentee, phone and Internet live bidding event (through LiveAuctioneers.com) that will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on both days. For additional information call 412-343-8733 or tollfree 800-349-8009.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
King & Country Afghanistan Humvee with captive SF03, 5-piece set with box, est. $150-$200. OTSA image.
Britains Set #102 Grenadier Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards display, prewar, 33 pieces, gold-and-black label box, est. $3,000-$4,000. OTSA image.
Britains Set #1870 Historical Series Collection, one of eight different boxed sets from this series to be auctioned. Extremely rare. Est. $2,000-$2,500. OTSA image.
Britains Set #2070, US Civil War boxed display set. Union and Confederate cavalry, infantry, artillery. Thirty pieces, est. $800-$1,200. OTSA image.
Cherilea Baseball Set #B/100, 11 figures tied in original box, est. $1,500-$2,000. OTSA image. OTSA image.
Britains prewar Buck Rogers set including figures of Buck with ray gun, Wilma, Ardala, Dr. Huer, ‘Killer’ Kane and seldom-seen Mekano Man robot. Est. $2,500-$3,500. OTSA image.
John Hill (Johillco) for British Mid West Importers Cowboy Town façade and baseboard, complete with mounted and standing cowboys and cowgirls. Est. $800-$1,200. OTSA image.
Noah’s Ark set with 24 figures, including Noah and wife; largest of three sizes of ark produced by manufacturer Elastolin. Est. $800-$1,200. OTSA image.
Heyde Fall of Troy set (partial), with the Temple of Troy building and some key figures, est. $2,000-$3,000. OTSA image.
Heyde circa-1905 80mm large-scale US Gun Team at the Halt, includes two horses pulling limbered wagon with cannon and mounted officer. Est. $3,500-$4,500. OTSA image.
