An important Shenandoah Valley, Va., bookcase on bureau in original surface leads the furniture offerings. It carries an estimate of $75,000-$100,000. Case Antiques Auction image.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding on the more than 600 lots to be sold, beginning at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
The star of the sale is expected to be an 18th century Shenandoah Valley bookcase on bureau, attributed to the Martin-Frye cabinetmaking school of Winchester, Va. The piece is in its original finish and features a broken arch pediment and pullout writing surface. It descended at the historic Matin Hill / Spangler Hall home and is being sold along with a handwritten journal from 1861 inscribed “Names of the Soldiers who have called at Matin Hill.” The lot carries a presale estimate of $75,000-$100,000. It is one of several pieces of Southern furniture in the auction, which also includes an outstanding Federal inlaid secretary-bookcase; a yellow pine huntboard; a Classical period Augusta, Ga., labeled shelf clock; and a rare table cherry sewing stand with Shaker influence. A Continental marquetry desk and star-inlaid blanket chest, being sold by Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum of Art, are also featured, along with two signed Stickley tables and a mid-century modern Noguchi coffee table.
A portfolio of 18 Ansel Adams photographic prints from his renowned Yosemite Series crowns the fine art offerings. The prints include iconic images such as El Capitan, Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls and Moon and Half Dome. Each image was printed under Adams’ supervision circa 1973 and bears his initials in the lower right margin; they will be sold together as a single lot. There is also a European cityscape with fountain oil on canvas by Tennessee-born Joseph Delaney (1904-1991), one of the state’s most important African-American artists. Several other sketches by him, including nudes and scenes of New York City, will be offered in three separate lots. Other fine art in the sale includes a New Hope, Pa., oil on board farm scene titled Choar (Chore) Time by Kenneth Nunamaker (1890-1957); an autumn landscape by Western artist Conrad Schwiering (1916-1986); a winter wharf scene by Hobart Nichols (New York, 1869-1962); and a large oil on canvas Antarctica scene by Leland Curtis (1897-1989), the official artist for the 1939-1949 United States Antarctica Expedition. There are several paintings from the estate of Nashville art collector Alven Ghertner and his wife, Jean, including a colorful farm scene with cows by David Burliuk (Russian/American, 1882-1967); collage by Peter Max (German/American, b. 1937); and a sculpture by Victor Halvani (Egypt/Israel, b. 1930). Prints for sale include 12 colored wood cut block prints by 20th century Provincetown, Mass., artist Beulah Tomlinson; two Joan Miro lithographs from Je Travaille Comme Un Jardinier (1963); four circa 1800 Giovanni Piranesi engravings; and an 1889 etching after Winslow Homer’s A Voice from the Cliffs by Pierre Teyssonnieres. Leading the regional art offerings is an oil on canvas depiction of the Cravens House, which figured prominently in the Battle of Chattanooga, by William Posey Silva (1859-1948); along with an oil on canvas view of the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson by Mayna Avent (1868-1959); a haunting Lloyd Branson (1861-1925) rendering of a trolley against a dusky Knoxville skyline; and a plantation laundry scene titled Wash Day by Clementine Hunter (Louisiana, 1887-1988) – which is accompanied by a photograph of her holding the painting. There is also a large landscape with cows by George Riecke painted during his time in Louisiana circa 1900; a floral still life by Eleanor Wiley (1876-1977); a cubist painting by Robert Birdwell of Knoxville; two surrealist works by Nashville artist Werner Wildner (1925-2004); a city scene by self-taught artist William (Bill) Sawyer of Nashville; and an autumn scene of the East Tennessee mountains by Lorentz Kleiser (1879-1963).
Case has made a name for itself selling important Southern pottery, and this sale is no exception. Featured is an East Tennessee decorated harvest jug with inscription for President James A. Garfield and Tennessee Congressman A.H. Pettibone, likely commemorating the 1880 election. A green-glazed East Tennessee redware jar with sine save incising is also expected to draw attention, because it is the first known jar attributed to the Cain Pottery with such a glaze over the entire surface. There is also a West Tennessee jar with medial crimped flange attributed to T.W. Craven, and a selection of Tennessee and Kentucky whiskey and vinegar jugs. Art pottery in the sale includes four pieces of Newcomb College pottery; an early Jugtown, N.C., piece; and an outstanding Reissner, Stellmacher & Kessel Amphora portrait vase. Historic Staffordshire, a large Meissen style figural centerpiece, a KPM cased clock and other European porcelains round out the ceramics category.
An archive that could change how history views the Civil War actions of Union Gen. Benjamin “The Beast” Butler leads the document category. The extensive archive – offered in multiple lots – descended through the family of Thomas Major, Butler’s personal secretary, and includes items ranging from a period copy of the Texas proclamation against Butler’s actions to a document that sheds new light on his seizure of $60,000 in gold from Samuel Smith & Co. of New Orleans. (Major’s uniform is also included). There is also a rare 19th century broadside of the controversial Mecklenburg Declaration, a purported declaration of independence from England made in North Carolina in 1775 (a year before the one in Philadelphia), along with War of 1812 Tennessee Volunteer related documents and an 1857 letter of appreciation to President Franklin Pierce, written and signed by all the members of his cabinet (including Jefferson Davis). From the 20th century are letters by President John F. Kennedy Jr. and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, written in 1962 to Ernest Mike, one of the U.S. Marshals who provided protection for James Meredith as he became the first African-American admitted to the University of Mississippi. Mike was injured in the resulting riot. Both letters feature excellent content relating to the Civil Rights struggle and are hand-signed. And one of the most anticipated items in the category is a recently discovered song written and signed by country music icon Hank Williams prior to his untimely death. The song, titled I Never Cry in my Dreams, was never published or recorded. There is also a good selection of music and Hollywood memorabilia, including an Elvis Presley archive; a set of James Dean movie stills; an Andy Warhol signed Cher poster; 1960s era concert posters; and memorabilia and photos related to University of Tennessee basketball coach Ray Mears.
The weapons category includes a deringer attributed to J.E. Merriman of Memphis, a Harper’s Ferry US Model 1803 flintlock rifle, and several gun canes that are part of a larger collection of walking sticks.
A walking stick with coin silver handle is expected to draw cross-category interest, because it is also the only signed piece of coin silver by Lebanon, Tenn., silversmith James Ragland that has ever surfaced. It bears an inscription that also ties it to some early Texas settlers, the Sypert family of Nacogdoches. And a set of coin silver spoons by James B. Wells of Maryville, Tenn., whose mark was previously unpublished, is also being offered – the first time his silver has ever come up at auction. Coin silver spoons by scarce makers Paul Negrin and Edward Raworth of Nashville and ladles by Thomas Gowdy of Nashville, Hyde and Goodrich of New Orleans, and Kitts of Kentucky are featured too.
Also notable in the silver category is a George II sterling loving cup with later inscription to T.D. Rice, the American actor whose Jim Crow minstrel originated in Kentucky and eventually brought him worldwide fame. The cup – engraved with a picture of a crow – was awarded him by the “Jim Crow Club” of London on his European tour in 1837. Rounding out the more than 100 lots of silver in the sale are a large sterling repousse plateau by Jacobi and Jenkins of Baltimore, a coin silver tea service by Andrew DeMilt of New York, a Mexican silver tea service and tray weighing over 15 pounds, golf trophies by Puiforcat and Boin Taburet, and numerous sterling flatware services.
A Tiffany Acorn table lamp with bronze base and green leaded glass shade leads the selection of art glass. There is also a Handel labeled table lamp, a Lalique “Deux Poissons” sculpture, a pair of Lalique figural nude bookends, and vases by Webb, Consolidated, and Durand.
Asian Antiques have grown to become a significant category at Case. This auction features about a dozen outstanding lots of jade including a jade libation cup with dragon handle, a 24-piece lot of Chinese silver flatware, estate-fresh ivory okimono figures and snuff bottles, a Yoshida Hiroshi woodblock print of Mount Breiton and a signed Japanese Art Deco period bronze sculpture with crystal ball supported by three cranes.
A scarce Middle Tennessee needlework sampler is among the outstanding textile lots. It was made in 1835 by Sarah Donoho and includes later photographs of the sampler maker. An archive relating to her family, who lived in Wilson County, is being sold separately. Several other American and British samplers are featured in the auction including an 1843 sampler attributed to Kentucky and one signed St. Bridget’s Convent (Ireland). A textile by folk art notable Granny Donaldson, several fine Southern quilts (some signed) and a lot of two Midwestern coverlets with period dye recipe will also be offered.
Jewelry and timepiece standouts include a 2.03-carat diamond and platinum wedding ring set, an early 19th century Perrenoud pocketwatch with Baltimore retailer label, Art Deco jewelry, a Georg Jensen sterling and tourmaline brooch, Miriam Haskell jewelry, and numerous lots of gold jewelry and pocket watches.
A large selection of Southwestern and Navajo silver and turquoise/coral jewelry is complemented by a collection of Southwestern pottery and textiles, much of it assembled over two decades by a Middle Tennessee couple. The couple became friends with legendary San Ildefonso potter Crucita Calabaza (1920-1999), who in turn visited them when she traveled to Tennessee. Five of her Blue Corn pieces, including a redware jar and rare trivet form, are offered, along with pieces by Cynthia Starflower, Teresita Naranjo and the Melchor family. Several Navajo rugs and Native American baskets are also included.
Breweriana collectors will appreciate a collection of advertising from the Chattanooga Brewing Co., which operated in the early 20th century. Other notable lots include an 1828 plat book of the Chattanooga area with several large maps; two large early 20th century copper lanterns by Kahalley Lighting of Alabama; a collection of architectural instruments; a rare cast-iron turkey doorstop (attributed to Bradley and Hubbard); a clock by North Carolina folk art carver Edward McKillop; a Christian Dior mink coat; the scarce four-volume book set, Mr. Vanderbilt’s House and Collection, and a rare 1887 edition of White Cockades by Edward Prime-Stevenson.
For more information, call the gallery in Knoxville at 865-558-3033 or the company’s Nashville office at 615-812-6096 or email info@caseantiques.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
An important Shenandoah Valley, Va., bookcase on bureau in original surface leads the furniture offerings. It carries an estimate of $75,000-$100,000. Case Antiques Auction image. This is believed to be the first time a page of signed lyrics by Hank Williams (1923-1953) has come up at auction. The country music icon died tragically before this song could be recorded. Estimate: $6,000-$8,000. Case Antiques Auction image. One of 18 silver gelatin prints from Ansel Adams’ Yosemite portfolio, all initialed by him and printed under his supervision circa 1973. The set of 18 is estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Case Antiques Auction image. A rare oil on canvas view of the South Pole by Leland Curtis (1897-1989), who was the official artist for the U.S. Antarctica Expedition from 1939 to 1940 and in 1957. It is estimated at $3,500 to $4,500. Case Antiques Auction image. This ladies diamond wedding set with 2.03-carat pear-shape diamond in platinum and baguette setting is one of several fine jewelry lots in the auction. It is estimated at $9,000-$12,000. Case Antiques Auction image. This broadside or possibly unique printed document is a circa 1830 copy of the so-called ‘Mecklenburg Declaration’ – a declaration of independence from England supposedly made in North Carolina on May 20, 1775, a year before the one in Philadelphia. Consigned by a descendant of Ephraim Brevard along with several other family items, it is estimated at $700-$1,000. Case Antiques Auction image. Two of 12-color white line woodblock prints in the auction by Beulah Tomlinson, an artist active in Massachusetts’ Provincetown school in the mid-20th century. This pair is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. Case Antiques Auction image.
