Wilhelm Thony (American/German 1888-1949), oil on cardboard view of Paris. Pook & Pook Inc. image.
The sale starts off with 55 lots from the collection of Pastor Frederick S. Weiser from New Oxford, Pa. Weiser was a published author, well-known lecturer and an authority on Pennsylvania German history and art. These fantastic Pennsylvania pieces include a tape loom, a mirror, a painted dower chest, textiles such as privy bags, pillow shams, quilts and show towels, a hanging corner cupboard, a bench, redware, a Dutch cupboard, woodenware to include a slaw board and dozens of carved butter prints, and metalware to include wrought iron, tin and copper pieces and a cast-iron stove.
Continuing the auction is the extraordinary collection of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Keemer of Hallem, Pa. Keemer started his antiquing education at the age of 6 under his father’s tutelage. His career as an antique dealer was put on hold when he joined the Navy, rising to the position of Chief Petty Officer aboard the submarine USS. Jallao. After his military service he returned to the antique business full time. This fine collection includes 63 lots of pristine material including redware, stoneware, furniture and decorative accessories. Of note is a diminutive Pennsylvania walnut hanging cupboard, ca. 1770, estimated at $15,000-$25,000. This beautiful piece has a molded cornice overhanging a raised panel door with an open shelf, scrolled sides and an old red painted surface. A Lancaster County, Pa., cherry architectural schrank, circa 1760, with its bold tombstone panel doors and fluted pilasters, is expected to bring $20,000-$40,000. A sleek Queen Anne walnut tall-case clock with a brass dial will have bidders buzzing. The last piece to cross the block in this collection is an incredible U.S. model 1855 percussion pistol carbine. The attachable butt stock and lock fitted with a Maynard self-priming device make this a must-have for any serious firearms collector.
Following the Keemer collection is a generous selection of fine art from all over the world. Everything from seascapes to landscapes to winterscapes will soon adorn the walls of the winning bidders. The artists featured include John George Brown, William Alexander Coulter, Thomas Bigelow Craig, Fern Isabel Coppedge, H. Cadwallader Jr., Ben Austrian, Anton Otto Fischer and many others. A fascinating piece by Tom Lovell (American 1909-1997) depicts a gold miner showing off his find to fellow miners with the mining camp in the background. A view of Paris painted by Wilhelm Thony (American/German 1888-1949) will cross the block with an estimate of $40,000-$70,000. When examining this piece out of its frame, Pook & Pook made the incredible discovery of yet another Thony painting on the back of the board. Rounding out the art are several etchings by Edouard Manet and a number of bronze sculptures by various French and Belgian artists.
Property from the collection of Foster and Muriel McCarl of Beaver Falls, Pa., is stirring up interest in the quilt world. Baltimore album quilts, chintz quilts, linsey woolsey quilts, and a plethora of other appliqué, trapunto and pieced textiles will cross the block. Of particular interest is a Philadelphia Broderie Perse quilt inscribed “The work of my Mother, Ruth McConnell, and her cousins Hannah and Mary Parry in year 1793 previous to my birth (September of that year) during yellow fever – Julia M. Miles, May 14th, 1849.” Also creating quite a buzz is the stenciled cotton bedcover elaborately decorated with birds, flowers and two lions.
The sale concludes with a variety of material from several collections and estates, including tall-case clocks, chairs, cupboards, slant-front desks, blanket chests, mirrors, sideboards, chest of drawers, high chests, silver, cookie cutters, needleworks, quilts, redware, fraktur, trade signs, a compass artist box, folk art, a secretary desk, a carousel tiger, a model train, folk carvings and carpets. Two carvings by John Scholl (Pennsylvania 1827-1916) will be offered, one titled “Geometric Snowflake” and the other “Wheel with Chalice.” Getting a remarkable amount of attention from potential bidders is Jacob A. Light’s monumental National Clock from Millersburg, Pa. This clock, measuring 64 inches high and 114 inches wide includes 380 carved figures. Light’s crowning achievement took him 18 years to complete using a penknife.
For additional information about this sale call 610-269-4040.
Online bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Wilhelm Thony (American/German 1888-1949), oil on cardboard view of Paris. Pook & Pook Inc. image. Historical blue Staffordshire toddy plate, 19th century, depicting America and Independence, 5 3/4 inches diameter, together with a Landing of Lafayette plate, 9 inches. Pook & Pook Inc. image. Pennsylvania painted poplar dower chest, circa 1800. Pook & Pook Inc. image. Diminutive Pennsylvania walnut hanging cupboard, circa 1770. Pook & Pook Inc. image. Philadelphia Broderie Perse quilt, inscribed, ‘The work of my Mother Ruth McConnell & her cousins Hannah & Mary Parry in year 1793 previous to my birth.’ Pook & Pook Inc. image. American stenciled cotton bed cover, circa 1820. Pook & Pook Inc. image. New England Queen Anne cherry high chest, circa 1760. Pook & Pook Inc. image.
