A full tea service by Reed & Barton in the Francis I pattern, including the hard-to-find tipping kettle, sold for $18,000 at an antiques auction held Nov. 13 by John Moran Antique and Fine Art Auctioneers in Pasadena, Calif. Also, a charming pair of garden statues garnered $13,475; a Mexican School oil painting titled Angel de la Garda changed hands for $4,800; a pair of detailed neo-Rococo candelabra by Belgian silver workshop Wolfers Freres made $3,600; and a lovely Pairpoint lamp went for $3,000. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
Helen M. Turner oil, $92,250, New Orleans Auction Galleries
An oil on canvas painting by Helen M. Turner titled The Moth sold for $92,250 at an auction held Nov. 30-Dec. 2 by New Orleans Auction Galleries in New Orleans. Also, an oil on canvas titled Grid Five by Thomas Downing went for $86,100 (a record for the artist); a rare Chinese scholar’s porcelain desk with a Hung Hsien mark realized $25,830; and an American nine-tube tall-case clock chimed on time for $29,250. The auction was a grand reopening celebration for the firm, which is under new ownership. Prices include a 23 percent buyer’s premium.
Alexander III plate, $87,500, Rago Arts
An Alexander III Imperial Russian porcelain plate sold for $87,500 at an estates, jewelry, silver and coins auction held Dec. 7-9 by Rago Arts & Auction Center in Lambertville, N.J. Also, a Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup went for $62,500; a Russian silver desk set by Mikhail Ivanov coasted to $18,750; a Tiffany & Co. extensive coffee service commanded $13,750; a complete business strike set of Morgan silver dollars brought $11,250; and a Narwahl whale tusk went to a determined bidder for $11,250. Prices include a 25 percent buyer’s premium.
Abraham Lincoln letter, $70,500, Cowan’s Auctions
A letter written by Abraham Lincoln to his first vice president and U.S. Senator Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, emphasizing the importance of winning Maine in the 1860 presidential election, sold for $70,550 at an American History Auction held Dec. 7 by Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati. Also, a 43-star Naval flag with diamond-shaped star configuration brought $23,500; a set of prop shaft oilers used on Wright Flyers soared to $9,400; and a James A. Garfield family gold quartz match safe hit $18,800. Prices include a 17.5 percent buyer’s premium.
1913 $20 proof gold coin, $109,250, Legend-Morphy
A 1913 $20 matte proof gold coin, graded PCGS PR66, sold for $109,250 at a Regency Auction held Dec. 13 by Legend-Morphy at the PCGS Members-Only Coin Show in Las Vegas. The coin was one of only 58 minted and one of only three PCGS graded. Also, an 1807 $2.50 Miss Liberty coin, PCGS MS63, with original surfaces and beautiful coloration, rose to $74,750; an 1894 $1 coin in super clean condition, PCGS MG65, made $39,675; and an 1871-CC $10 coin, PCGS AU58, fetched $28,900. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Muhammad Ali gloves, $771,696, SCP Auctions
Two pairs of Muhammad Ali fight-worn gloves – from his Feb. 25, 1964 bout against Sonny Liston and his March 8, 1971 bout against Joe Frazier – sold for a combined $771,696 ($385,848 each) in an auction that concluded Dec. 1-2 by SCP Auctions, based in Laguna Niguel, Calif. Also, Ozzie Smith’s 13 Gold Glove Awards from 1980-1992 brought $519,203; the only known Babe Ruth team sweater (circa 1922) hit $250,642; and Oscar Robertson’s 1963-64 NBA MVP Award rose to $177,632. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
1961 Chevrolet Corvette, $81,000, Vicari Auction
A 1961 Chevrolet Corvette convertible sold for $81,000 at the third annual New Orleans Classic Auto Festival held Dec. 1 by Vicari Auction Co., based in Harvey, La. The event was held at the Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. Also, a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Roadster sped away for $77,760; a 1960 Cadillac El Dorado Biarritz convertible made a getaway for $75,600; a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro coupe peeled out at $73,440; and a 1957 Studebaker Goldenhawk went to a determined bidder for $59,400. Prices include an 8 percent buyer’s premium.
Oak tall case clock, $19,550, Carlsen
A circa 1900s oak tall-case clock chimed on time for $19,550 at an auction held Dec. 2 by Carlsen Gallery in Freehold, N.Y. Also, an 18th century American Queen Anne cherry highboy went for $18,400; a Rhode Island cherry Queen Anne tea table achieved $16,100; a circa 1770 Chippendale mahogany slant lid desk breezed to $12,650; a 17th or 18th century oval top Mohawk Valley hutch table brought $12,650; a pair of portraits by John S. Blunt made $9,200; and a Chippendale mahogany mirror hit $8,338. Prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
A.M. Cassandre poster, $156,000, Swann Auction
A rare and important poster by A.M. Cassandre, titled L.M.S./Best Way, sold for $156,000 at a sale of Rare & Important Travel Posters held Nov. 8 by Swann Auction Galleries in New York. Only 50 copies of the horizontal-format tour-de-force design for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway were printed. It was the most ever paid at auction for a Cassandre poster. Also, Paul George Lawler’s colorful tropical image, Fly to the South Seas Isles / Via Pan American, circa 1938, breezed to $16,800. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.
