Three mid-20th century ceramic pitchers by the artist Pablo Picasso, titled Cheval et Cavalier, Visage and Femme, with the undersides stamped “Madoura” and “Edition Picasso,” sold for $18,885 at an auction held July 14-15 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a collection of Elizabeth Locke 18-karat gold jewelry hammered for $20,114; a bronze lotus Buddha on a relief base with a foo dragon, circa 1900, fetched $18,960; and an early 20th century KPM porcelain plaque, titled Ruth, brought $2,070. Prices include an 18.5 percent buyer’s premium.
G. Brown circus wagon, $76,700, James D. Julia
A George Brown horse-drawn circus wagon sold for $76,700 at a Toy, Doll and Advertising Auction held June 22 by James D. Julia Inc., in Fairfield, Maine. Also, a pair of rare Mettlach syrup dispensers for Hires Root Beer, featuring the “Ugly Kid” emblazoned on the sides, rose to $39,675; a 24-inch English wooden doll from the 1700s with glass eyes, carved hands and jointed wooden body fetched $34,500; and a cabinet size 13-inch Bru Jne. 2 doll with blue threaded paperweight eyes went for $25,300. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Minton cups, saucers, $3,500, Woody Auction
A rare and fine set of four Minton cups and saucers, nearly flawless, sold for $3,500 at an auction held July 7 in Wichita, Kan., by Woody Auction, based in Douglass, Kan. Also, a Wave Crest two-handled vase (banner mark) fetched $2,300; a signed Daum Nancy four-color cameo cut bowl realized $2,000; a Tiffany Favrile pedestal cake stand (#1580) soared to $1,400; a 12 1/2-inch Galle two-color cameo cut vase breezed to $1,500; and an American Brilliant cut glass bishop’s hat-shape bowl made $1,150. No buyer’s premium was charged.
Texaco Gasoline sign, $11,550, Matthews
A Texaco Gasoline single-sided porcelain filling station sign in a hanger, rated 9 out of 10 for condition and boasting excellent color, gloss and shine sold for $11,550 at a Check the Oil auction of petroliana, automobilia and advertising held June 23 by Matthews Auctions, LLC, based in Nokomis, Ill. The auction was held on the second day of the popular Check the Oil Gas & Oil Show in Dublin, Ohio. Also, a Texaco Easy Pour 2-quart oil can sign with can graphics, rated 9+ for condition, went for $8,800. Prices include a 10 percent buyer’s premium.
Elmer Crowell blue heron, $31,050, Decoys Unlimited
A rare decorative miniature great blue heron decoy by the renowned American carver Elmer Crowell (1862-1952) sold for $31,050 at a Summer Decoy Auction held July 15-16 by Decoys Unlimited Inc., based in Barnstable, Mass., at the Cape Codder Resort & Hotel in Hyannis, Mass. It was a new auction record for a Crowell miniature, the previous record having been set just minutes earlier when an American egret brought $25,875. Also, a red knot in breeding plumage by John Dilley hit $51,750. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Nez Perce war shirt,’ $877,500, Coeur d’Alene
A poncho-style war shirt worn by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indian tribe sold for $877,500 at an auction held July 21 in Reno, Nev., by Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, based in Hayden Lake, Idaho. The shirt, made of two soft skins (likely deerskin) featured beadwork with bold geometric designs and colors. It can be seen in a painting hanging in the Smithsonian. Also, the painting Scout’s Report by Howard Terpning went for $994,500, while Cowboys Roping the Bear by artist Frank Tenny Johnson made $965,250. Prices include a 17 percent buyer’s premium.
Egon Schiele 1918 poster, $28,800, Swann Galleries
A 1918 poster by Austrian Secessionist artist Egon Schiele, titled Secession 49, Ausstellung, sold for $28,800 at a sale of Modern Posters held May 10 by Swann Galleries in New York City. Also, a 1930 Soviet propaganda poster by Gustav G. Klutis, titled Building of Soviet Farms and Collective Farms is the Building of Socialism, realized $22,800; a complete copy of Paul Colin’s 1927 portfolio Le Tumulte Noir (Paris) brought $27,600; and Walter Dexel’s Verwende Stets Nur Gras (1924) went for $26,400. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
Elmer Crowell wood duck, $115,000, Guyette, Schmidt
A full-size standing wood duck by Elmer Crowell sold for $115,000 at an annual Summer Decoy Auction held July 17-18 in Portsmouth, N.H., by Guyette, Schmidt & Deeter, based in St. Michaels, Md. Also, a rare duck call by James Beckhart soared to $103,500 (a new world record for a duck call); an exceptional snipe by Elmer Crowell realized $86,250; and a rare Mallard drake by Chauncey Wheeler changed hands for $63,250. It was a new record for a decoy by Wheeler. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
1893-S Morgan dollar, $103,604, Heritage
An uncirculated 1893-S Morgan U.S. dollar coin graded MS60 sold for $103,604 at a FUN Auction (Florida United Numismatists) held July 12-15 in Orlando, Fla., by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions. Also, a high-end Roman Gold proof 1909 half-eagle coin , graded MS66+, garnered $92,000; a high-relief, wire rim 1907 $20 gold coin, also graded MS66+, $74,750; a 1776 Continental currency dollar, pewter, $54,625; and a 1937-D three-legged buffalo nickel, MS66, $54,625. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
T206 Honus Wagner card, $651,750, Robert Edward
A rare T206 Honus Wagner baseball card, stamped “October 16, 1909” on the back, sold for $651,750 at an auction held May 12 by Robert Edward Auctions, LLC, of Watchung, N.J. Also, a T206 “Slow Joe” Doyle card fetched $414,750; a 1916 Babe Ruth Boston Red Sox rookie card soared to $142,200; a 1912 Ty Cobb tobacco tin, in extraordinary mint condition, changed hands for $88,875; a 1933 Goudey no. 106 Nap Lajoie baseball card made $118,500; and a 1914 Ty Cobb Cracker Jack card hit $88,575. Prices include an 18.5 percent buyer’s premium.
1907 double eagle, $2.76 million, Stack’s
A 1907 ultra-high relief Augustus Saint-Gaudens double eagle gold coin sold for $2.76 million at an auction held June 29, the final day of a three-day auction conducted by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, official auctioneer of the Whitman Coins and Collectibles Expo in Baltimore. The coin was one of only about 20 produced. The design was a collaborative effort between artist Augustus Saint-Gaudens and President Theodore Roosevelt, who wanted to create beautiful gold coins reminiscent of the ancient Greek coinage of Alexander the Great.
Battle of Monmouth map, $76,700, Northeast Auctions
A highly detailed, hand-drawn pen-and-ink map of the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778) sold for $76,700 at a Memorial Day Weekend Sale held May 26-27 by Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, N.H. Also, a letter from George Washington to John Langdon, president of the New Hampshire Convention, written from Mount Vernon on April 2, 1788, breezed to $70,800; and an oil on canvas portrait of Washington by Jane Stuart, after the Atheneum example by her father, Gilbert, soared to $35,400. Prices include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.
1821 historic sampler, $35,200, Withington
An historic sampler on red fabric, cross-stitched and signed in 1821 by 14-year-old Mary B. Danforth of Massachusetts and later New Hampshire, sold for $35,200 at an auction held June 30 by Withington Auction in Hillsborough, N.H. The sampler showed the alphabet, numerals and a poem by Alexander Pope that read, in part, “Teach me to feel another’s woe.” It also depicted a house, teal silk embroidered trees, birds and flowers, a swag and tassel border. It was framed and wrought on soft red linen fabric. The price includes a 13 percent buyer’s premium.
J. & E. Stevens bank, $36,750, RSL Auctions
A Calamity toy bank by J. & E. Stevens Co., cast-iron and in near mint condition, sold for $36,750 at an auction held July 1 by RSL Auction Co., at Richard C. Opfer Auctioneering Co. in Timonium, Md. Also, a clockwork toy by the Hubley Toy Co. (Lancaster, Pa.), called the Gondola Amusement Park Ride, circa 1895, brought $31,850; a Marklin Three-Tiered Castle, circa 1895, tin, hit $28,175; and a cast-iron Giant Standing bank, by Judd Mfg. Co., went for $26,950. Prices include a 22.5 percent buyer’s premium.
Tiffany silver bowl, $6,168, Black Rock
A hand-hammered, sterling silver bowl with applied turtle decoration sold for $6,168 at an inaugural Antiques & Fine Art Auction held June 18 by Black Rock Galleries in Bridgeport, Conn. Also, an original painting by Irene Rice Pereira changed hands for $12,925; a pair of Tiffany silver garniture urns went for $4,993; and a pair of Queen Anne chairs with pad feet made a respectable $1,292. The auction, held in a renovated industrial building, was the first event for the young firm. Prices include a buyer’s premium.
