Artfact.com and AuctionZip.com to host Crescent City Auction

ARTWORKS BY SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN AND WILLIAM AIKEN WALKER, A TIFFANY LAVA GLASS LAMP AND MORE WILL BE SOLD AT AUCTION SEPT. 29-30

Contact:  Adam Lambert
(504) 529-5057
adam@crescentcityauctiongallery.com 

The multi-estate sale will be conducted by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans, La.

(NEW ORLEANS, La.) – Original artworks by Sister Gertrude Morgan, William Aiken Walker and Walter Inglis Anderson, a rare Tiffany lava glass lamp, Newcomb pottery pieces, a fine selection of mens' and ladies’ Rolex wristwatches and more will be sold at a weekend multi-estate sale planned for Sept. 29-30 by Crescent City Auction Gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue.

The auction will be sizable – nearly 1,500 lots in all – and feature quality merchandise from numerous important area estates. Chief among these are items descended from the family of Chevalier Guy Joseph Soniat du Fossat, a prominent New Orleans figure in his day (1727-94), the estate Buzz Harper, the late antiques dealer from Natchez, Miss., and other prominent estates.

The categories will include fine Southern art, European and American antiques, lighting, rugs, jewelry, bric-a-brac and objets d’art. Internet bidding will be provided by Artfact.com and AuctionZip.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted (until Sept. 28). Start times both days will be 10 a.m. (CDT). Previews will be held from Sept. 20-28, from 10-5 (excluding Sunday). The Wednesday, Sept. 26 preview will be a late evening event, lasting until 8 p.m.

Artworks by the renowned folk artist Sister Gertrude Morgan (La., 1900-1980) are highly prized by collectors, and the painting offered in this sale will be no exception. Titled Revelations(1973), the signed watercolor and pen is one of the largest of the artist’s paintings ever offered at auction (21 ¼ inches by 25 ¼ inches). It was presented as a gift by Ms. Morgan to the consignor.

The signed and framed oil on board by William Aiken Walker (S.C./Md., 1838-1921) is titled Cabin Scene and measures 5 ¾ inches by 12 ¼ inches. It was rendered in the 19^th century. The signed and framed watercolor by Walter Inglis Anderson (Miss., 1903-1965) is titled HornIsland (8 ¼ inches by 11 inches). It was acquired from the artist by the consignor around 1960.

The rare and unusual Tiffany lamp (circa 1900) has a fluted favrile glass trumpetshade on a brass base with a central lava glass vase. Tiffany made lava glass for a very short period after Louis Comfort Tiffany himself visited Italy and became enthralled with volcanoes. Also offered will be a circa 1900 nine-piece Tiffany bronze desk set in the American Indian pattern.

Two lots are certain to attract attention, for their beauty and unique presentations. One is a parcel gilt, gesso and maple parlor harp (patent #6808), engraved “Sebastian and Pierre Erard” (makers to the Royal Family, 18 Great Marlborough Street, London, England). The harp’s fluted column depicts classical figures in relief and conforming figures below, around seven pedals.

The other is a Fisher Bodies sterling and gilt sterling coach, designed by Silver Creations, Ltd., for Fisher in 1973 to celebrate its 50^th anniversary. The coach boasts articulated pieces, including wheels, doors, folding stairs and more. These coaches were made available to General Motors dealers for $2,000. This one weighs a staggering 99.7 troy silver ounces (or 6.8 pounds).

A few of the better furniture pieces will include a French carved rosewood brass inlaid bronze ormolu three-piece bedroom suite, crafted around 1900; a circa 1840 carved walnut Louis XV-style armoire, 106 inches tall, with a stepped arch Chapeau de Gendarmecrown; and a 19^th century inlaid burled walnut and mahogany cave a liqueur set with four cut crystal decanters.

Returning to artwork, Sister Gertrude won’t be the only noteworthy folk artist to be represented. A pair of works by the almost equally revered Clementine Hunter (La., 1886-1988) will also be sold. One is a circa 1960 oil on board titled The Baptism With a Bell (16 inches by 20 inches). The other is a circa 1955 oil on board titled Buzzards (also 16 inches by 20 inches).

Collectors of works by the Louisiana painter Robert M. Rucker (1932-2001) will be pleased to learn that multiple works of his oils on canvas will cross the block. One is titledAncient Oak on Bayou Lafourche (18 inches by 24 inches, framed and signed lower left). Another is titled Along the Levee at Jackson Barracks (20 inches by 24 inches, framed, signed).

Other artworks of note will include a magnificent 17^th century Scottish School oil on canvas portrait of Alexander, 4^th Lord Elphinstone, High Treasurer of Scotland (titled lower left, framed, 30 inches by 25 inches); and an early 20^th century signed oil wash on cardboard by Alexander J. Drysdale (La., 1870-1934), titled Moss Draped Oaks (9 ½ inches by 29 2/4 inches).  

Also offered Sept. 29-30 will be three Italian wooden Santos, carved in the 18^thcentury; a dazzling selection of estate jewelry (to include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls and more); a collection of Steele Burden ceramic groups; a Mardi Gras ball invitation, dated March 3, 1908, unframed; and a Mardi Gras parade bulletin from Feb. 1923, titled A Fantasy of the Sea.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is a locally owned and operated full-service auction house based in New Orleans. The firm conducts sales featuring fine art (particularly works from Louisiana and the Southern United States), pottery, silver, jewelry, art glass, furniture (especially American, English and Continental), lighting, rugs, bric-a-brac, decorative accessories and more.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the Sept. 29-30 sale is available on request. All lots can be seen online, atwww.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming Sept. 29-30 auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

                                               

Erard harp:
Parcel gilt, gesso and maple parlor harp made by Sebastian and Pierre Erard (London, England).

Walter Anderson:
Original watercolor painting by Walter Inglis Anderson, titled Horn Island, artist signed.

Rolex watches:
The auction will feature a fine selection of handsome ladies' and men's Rolex wristwatches.

Newcomb pottery:
Collectors of Newcomb pottery will be delighted to learn many pieces will be offered.

@Auction Snapshot: Baseball

Baseball has been America’s favorite past time for over two centuries now. Fans live and die with their teams and everyone wants a part of its rich history. I remember growing up in Chicago, sitting on the right field line at Wrigley Field, anxiously waiting for a foul ball to catch. On August 11^th, one lucky fan caught a piece of history, but they weren’t in the grandstands, they were online with AuctionZip!

A Reach baseball signed by 23 members of the 1924 New York Yankees team sold to anAuctionZip online bidder for $5,800! Autographs include Babe Ruth, Waite Hoyt, Bob Pennock, and Joe Bush with a letter of authenticity provided by JSA.

AuctionZip hosts countless sports memorabilia auctions every year. From baseball cards, mitts and balls to football and basketball items, AuctionZip has you covered. Browse our live catalogs today and don’t let another piece of sports history pass you by. 

AuctionZip.com and Artfact.com to host Elite Decorative Arts Auction

AuctionZip.com and Artfact.com to host Elite Decorative Arts Auction

Contact:  Scott Cieckiewicz
(561) 200-0893
info@eliteauction.com 

The sale will be held in the firm’s gallery at the Quantum Town Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.

(BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.) – What began as a low-key summer sale has swollen into a two-day, 500+-lot colossus at Elite Decorative Arts. The weekend event will be held Sept. 15-16 at the firm’s gallery located in the Quantum Town Center, at 1034 Gateway Boulevard (Suites 106-108) in Boynton Beach, Fla. Offered will be fine antiques, decorative arts and estate jewelry.

“This will be a solid decorative arts sale with a lot to choose from,” said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts. “We thought we could contain it all in one day, but as more consignments poured in, it became evident a second day was necessary. And that’s great. Summer is typically a slow time for south Florida, but all this activity suggests strong demand and a healthy market.”

For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be facilitated by Artfact.com and Auctionzip.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. The auction will start at 1 p.m. (EST) both days. Previews will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, from 11-5, and Saturday, Sept. 15, the first day of sale, from 11 a.m. until the first gavel comes down.

One of the expected top lots of the auction is an exquisite 18kt white gold ringholding a round brilliant cut 3.95-carat natural blue diamond having 129 solare cut facets (est. $60,000-$80,000). The blue diamond, boasting VS2 clarity, is flanked by Kite white diamonds and is surrounded by round cut diamonds. The stunning size 7 ring has a diamond weight of 5.7 dwt.

Civil War and presidential memorabilia enthusiasts will be intrigued by an Abraham Lincoln original handwritten letter with hand-signed engraving (est. $8,000-$12,000). The letter is dated Nov. 12, 1864 and is accompanied by a note also written during the war. The engraving, showing a profile of Lincoln, is 5 inches by 7 inches and signed by engraver Frederick Reynolds.

Artwork will include an artist proof bronze sculpture of a goat by Louise B. Nevelson (Am., 1899-1988). The sculpture, signed to the back of the rear feet and measuring 12 ¾ inches tall by 20 inches long, should bring $10,000-$15,000. And a pencil on paper of a nude female by Fernando Botero (Col., b. 1932), 22 inches by 15 ½ inches, is expected to hit $30,000-$40,000.

A pair of watches carries identical pre-sale estimates of $6,000-$8,000 each. One is a Bulgari 18kt yellow gold and diamond Parentheses (or “Parentesi”) bangle watch with fancy-shaped links featuring a round dial set with single-cut diamonds. The other is a man’s 18kt yellow gold Rolex President Oyster perpetual day/date watch with gold hands and leather case.

Two decorative accessories also have the same pre-sale estimates ($3,000-$5,000). The first is a footed, oval-shaped Tiffany & Company sterling silver entrée dish with arepousse pomegranate design. The second is a beautiful pair of 18^th century Sevres yellow porcelain lidded urns, 21 inches in height, each having a panoramic landscape scene with playing cherubs.

A Grant Wood oil on canvas painting and a Jacobus Stainer violin and bow with case each is expected to command $4,000-$6,000. The painting by Wood (Am., 1891-1942), depicts a landscape scene with figures in Anamosa, Iowa, circa 1910. It is 12 inches by 15 inches. The violin, bow and original fitted wooden case are circa 1660, with a total weight of about 6 lbs.

           

Two watercolor renderings worth noting are a harbor scene, signed lower center by Ralston Crawford (Am., 1906-1978), measuring 13 inches by 19 inches and matted and framed (est. $5,000-$7,000); and a watercolor on card stock by Robert Havell, Jr. (Am./UK, 1793-1878), depicting a London landscape, inscribed en verso, circa early 19^th century (est. $5,000-$7,000).

Returning to estate jewelry, a gorgeous two-piece 18kt yellow gold necklace and bracelet suite, holding 75 round cut white diamonds and measuring 15 ½ inches in length, could climb to $7,000-$10,000; and a dazzling Marlene Stowe 18kt yellow gold and platinum diamond heart bangle with a wide design and having a yellow gold and satin finish, should hit $6,000-$8,000.

Elite Decorative Arts’ next big sale after this one will be a fine artwork and decorative arts auction slated for Saturday, Oct. 13, also in the firm’s Boynton Beach showroom. Quality consignments are still being accepted for that auction and the one after that, too, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 10. It will be the biggest Chinese auction of the year for Elite Decorative Arts.

Elite Decorative Arts is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them toll-free at (800) 991-3340; or, you can send them an e-mail at info@eliteauction.com.  All e-mails are promptly replied.

To learn more about Elite Decorative Arts and the upcoming calendar of events, to include an online catalog of the Sept. 15-16 auction, please log on to www.eliteauction.com.

   

Grant Wood:
Original oil on canvas landscape scene by iconic American artist Grant Wood (1891-1942).

 

Sevres urns:
Beautiful pair of 18^th century Sevres yellow porcelain lidded urns, each 21 inches in height.

 

Stainer violin:
Circa-1660 Jacobus Stainer violin, bow and original fitted wooden case, weighing about 6 lbs.

 

Crescent City Features Picasso

THREE CERAMIC PITCHERS BY PABLO PICASSO, TWO STERLING COMMUNION CHALICES, FINE ART AND MORE WILL BE SOLD BY CRESCENT CITY, JULY 14-15

Just under 1,400 lots of quality merchandise will cross the block at the firm’s new location.

Contact:  Adam Lambert
(504) 529-5057
adam@crescentcityauctiongallery.com 

(NEW ORLEANS, La.) – Three mid-20^th century ceramic pitchers by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, two sterling Communion chalices (one gilt-washed), fine art by noted painters such as Peter Pierobon and Jean Charles Blais, an early 19^th century French gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock and more will cross the block July 14-15 at Crescent City Auction Gallery.

It will be just the third auction at the firm’s new gallery, located at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. The others were held March 24-25 and May 12-13. The July event will begin both days at 10 a.m. (CST). In all, just under 1,400 lots will come up for bid, in a variety of categories. Internet bidding will be available and phone and absentee bids will be accepted.

“This is going to be a very large auction, very strong, with lots to choose from in the mid-range – say, $5,000-$15,000 – but with many lots above and below that as well,” said Adam Lambert of Crescent City Auction Gallery. “Items will include English and American furniture, European paintings, Southern and Louisiana art, Chinese porcelain, porcelain plaques and more.”

The Picasso pitchers are expected to generate keen bidder interest. They are titledVisage, Femme and Cheval et Cavalier. The undersides of all three are stamped “Madoura”and “Edition Picasso.” Savvy art aficionados already know a collection of Picasso ceramics from the Madoura Collection (542 pieces in all) recently sold at Christie's in England for more than $12.5 million.

The Picasso pitchers in this auction should bring handsome prices, making them the expected stars of the artwork category. Following close behind is an untitled gouache on paper by Jean Charles Blais (Fr., b. 1956), dated 1985 (est. $6,000-$9,000) and an ebonized and natural mahogany bench titled Amagam by sculptor Peter Pierobon (Can., b. 1957, est. $3,000-$5,000).

The French First Empire gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock (circa 1810) has a hill form top with a gilt bronze figure of a woman at prayer. Also, a late 19^th century patinated spelter mantel clock by Japy Freres, depicting Neptune and perched on a marble base, will also be sold.

Beds and bedroom suites will feature a Southern carved mahogany full tester bed, circa 1850, with the ogee tester on cluster columns and an arched headboard with a central relief shell flanked by roundel mounted volutes; and an American carved walnut Renaissance Revival bedroom suite (circa 1870), with a high back bed and a matching marble top drop well dresser.

French provincial furniture will feature a Louis XV-style carved cherry commode (circa 18^th century), with a serpentine rounded edge top over two deep drawers with incised carving, flanked by reeded pilasters, all on cabriole legs; and an early 19^th century carved cherry armoire from Lorraine, France, with the canted corner crest over double doors with brass fiche hinges.

Also offered will be a continental carved 19^th century walnut bookcase/display cabinet, 111 inches tall by 111 inches wide, featuring an arched top with a central leaf mounted shield over a border of relief scrolled carving, the whole on turned bun feet.  Sterling silver will include a set of 20^th century goblets (six by Wallace, two by International) weighing 46 troy ounces total.

From the lamps and lighting category will come an early 20^th century Tiffany bronze lamp base, the underside impressed with “Tiffany Studios, 7811,” 20 ¾ inches tall; an Art Nouveau gilt bronze five-light chandelier made around 1900, having a twisted central support and the lights affixed to undulating tendrils; and other fine examples of lamps and lighting.

Returning to fine art, two 20^th century oil on canvas paintings by Louisiana artist Robert Rucker (1932-2001) will come under the gavel. One, titled The Shack on the Bayou, is signed and framed, measuring 25 ¼ inches by 39 ½ inches (est. $5,000-$7,000). The other, titled House Through the Trees, is also signed and framed, 7 ¼ inches by 9 ¼ inches (est. $1,500-$2,500).

Rounding out the artwork category will be an oil on Masonite work by Jack Cooley (La., 1923-2008), titled Jazz Funeral, signed and framed, 20 inches by 24 inches (est. $400-$600); and a 1940s watercolor by Colette Pope Heldner (Minn./La., 1902-1999), titledCourtyard of Old Marchand’s Tin Shop, Rue Royale, Vieux Carre, signed, dated and framed (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Completing a list of just some of the auction’s expected top lots is a fine selection of 

Elizabeth Locke 18kt gold jewelry; a pair of carved and ebonized gilt wood Egyptian Revival torcheres, or candlestands (circa 20^th century), 80 inches tall, on large winged paw feet; and a nice selection of early 20^th century KPM porcelain plaques, including one titled Ruth after Charles Landelle and signed “Schmidt.”

Previews will be held from Thursday, July 5, through Friday, July 13, from 10-5, with a late night preview lasting until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11 (a traditional preview party, with live music, will be held that day from 5-8 p.m.; featured will be light hors d’oeuvres). Previews will also be held both auction days, from 9-10 a.m. An 18.5 percent buyer’s premium will apply to all purchases.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is a locally owned and operated full-service auction house based in New Orleans. The firm conducts sales featuring fine art (particularly works from Louisiana and the Southern United States), pottery, silver, jewelry, art glass, furniture (especially American, English and Continental), lighting, rugs, bric-a-brac, decorative accessories and more.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the July 14-15 sale is available on request. All lots can be seen online, atwww.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming July 14-15 auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

 

Jean Charles Blais:
Untitled gouache and collage on paper by noted French artist Jean Charles Blais (b. 1956).

 

Tiffany lamp base:
Early 20^th century Tiffany bronze lamp base, 20 ¾ inches tall, #7811, impressed “Tiffany Studios.”

 

Full tester bed:
Southern carved mahogany full tester bed, circa 1850, with the ogee tester on cluster columns.

 

Communion chalices:
Gorgeous pair of 20^th century sterling silver Communion chalices (one of them gilt washed).

 

French mantel clock:
French First Empire gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock with hill form top, made circa 1810.

Dawson MVP Jersey Sells Big at Philip Weiss Auction

QUARTERBACK LEN DAWSON’S GAME-WORN MVP JERSEY FROM SUPER BOWL IV IN 1970 BRINGS $34,500 AT PHILIP WEISS AUCTIONS THREE-DAY SALE, JUNE 14-16

The jersey was the top lot of the estimated 2,000 mostly fresh-to-the-market items that were sold.

Contact:
Philip Weiss
(516) 594-0731
Phil@WeissAuctions.com

(OCEANSIDE, N.Y.) – Quarterback Len Dawson’s game-worn MVP jersey from Super Bowl IV in 1970, when he guided the Kansas City Chiefs to a 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the last game played between an NFL and AFL team before the two leagues merged just days later, sold for $34,500 at a three-day auction held June 14-16 by Philip Weiss Auctions.

The jersey was the top earner of the estimated 2,000 mostly fresh-to-the-market lots that came up for bid. Dawson completed just 12 of 17 passes in the game, for 142 yards, but it was his determination and leadership that resulted in an upset victory. An AFL shoulder patch, sewn onto the jersey, was worn for just that one game, adding to the item’s sports history significance.

Each day of the weekend auction had its own distinct flavor and set of offerings. June 14 featured mostly toys, trains, toy soldiers and play sets. June 15 was dedicated to sports items, comics and comic art (the Dawson jersey sold that day.) June 16 had political memorabilia, a great collection of occupational shaving mugs, militaria, circus memorabilia and ballet items.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 13 percent buyer’s premium.

The regulation Confederate States of America uniform of Capt. Charles A. Hawkins (38^th Georgia Volunteers), with the coat constructed of fine quality gray wool with blue wool facing on the standup collar, breezed to $24,140. Hawkins was killed in battle at Winchester, Va. As he fell, he cried, “Boys, they have killed me, but go on.” He died the next day -- on June 14, 1863.

A pair of original Peanuts daily (not Sunday) comic strips, drawn by Charles Schulz, brought handsome prices. One, dated April 8, 1955, with Charlie Brown and Lucy discussing Lucy becoming Mayor of the United States, went for $21,850. The other, dated Aug; 26, 1960, featuring the Peanuts gang, plus a letter from Charles Schulz on his stationery, rose to $20,700.

A rare and beautifully painted occupational shaving mug for the Colonial Hall Hotel in Oceanside, N.Y., dated 1904 (the hotel’s first year of operation) sold for $13,800. The Colonial Hall was a premier hotel of its time, with choice location right on the ocean boardwalk, adding to the mug’s desirability. And the painted image of the hotel was stunning in its attention to detail.

A 33-star United States national flag, with the words “Preserve the Union” and measuring 47 inches by 102 inches, with stains and holes to be expected for an artifact of its age, garnered $11,100. Also, a baseball single-signed by Hall of Famer Tris Speaker, with a strong signature on the “sweet spot” and graded EX-NM 6.5 by the PSA, with a letter of authenticity, hit $4,255.

Two sports-related lots commanded identical prices of $7,475. The first was a photo of the late Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick, who died quite young in a plane crash, making anything signed by him rare and valuable. In the photo, which Kinnick signed, he is holding a baby (the consignor, as it turns out), wearing a T-shirt that says, “Iowa 1960” (Class of 1960).

The other was an archive of material pertaining to Roy E. Moore, considered the father of gymnastics in the United States and the nation’s first Olympic coach in the sport. Items included Moore’s personal scrapbook, his uniform worn during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1932 Olympiad in Los Angeles, and numerous photos, programs, plaques, buttons and ephemera.

Comic art featured a 5 inch by 7 inch pen-and-ink illustration by Frank Frazetta for The House of Arabu, signed lower right ($6,900); original artwork for a Phantom comic strip dated Dec. 17, 1939, from the personal collection of Phantom creator Lee Falk ($6,038); and original, rare comic strip art from Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend by Windsor McCoy, dated 1907 ($5,175).

An American Revolution muster roll, dated July 27, 1776 and measuring 18 ½ inches by 15 inches, soared to $6,900. The muster roll was under the command of Loammi Baldwin, the commanding officer of the Woburn militia in New York. He ran to the call of Paul Revere on April 18, 1775, and fought at the Battle of Lexington and Concord, rising to the rank of colonel.

A watchband with ties to the Kennedy assassination brought $4,600. The band originally came with a Cartier watch that Jackie bought for JFK as a wedding anniversary gift in 1957. But Kennedy didn’t like the band and set it aside. However, upon his assassination, when the new band was cut from his wrist, this one replaced it. Jackie later gifted it to special agent Clint Hill.

Philip Weiss Auctions will conduct an auction on Wednesday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m., that will comprise over 400 lots of collectible toy soldiers. Featured in this highly specialized sale will be a large collection of Britains, Durbar, Mignot, Courtenay, Dimestore and more. Preview dates and times will be posted in the coming weeks. Watch www.weissauctions.com for details.

Philip Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (516) 594-0731, or e-mail them at phil@weissauctions.com. 

To learn more about Philip Weiss Auctions and the firm’s calendar of events, to include the Aug. 15 toy soldier auction, please log on to www.WeissAuctions.com.

Dawson jersey:
Quarterback Len Dawson's Super Bowl IV MVP jersey from 1970, with AFL patch ($34,500).

 

Nile Kinnick:
Photo signed by former Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick, of Kinnick with a baby ($7,475).

 

Tris Speaker:
Baseball single-signed on the sweet spot by Hall of Famer Tris Speaker, in great shape ($4,255).

 

Confederate uniform:
The regulation Confederate officer's uniform of Capt. Charles A. Hawkins, died 1863 ($24,150).

 

Shaving mug:
Occupational shaving mug for the Colonial Hall Hotel in Oceanside, N.Y., dated 1904 ($13,800).

33 star flag:
33-star national flag of the United States, with “Preserve the Union” on it, 27” by 42” ($11,100).

Norman C. Heckler & Co. Auction

EARLY RARE DOUBLE EAGLE HISTORICAL FLASK, MADE IN PITTSBURGH CIRCA 1820-1840, REALIZES $53,820 AT NORMAN C. HECKLER & CO. AUCTION, MAY 16-30

The flask was the top lot in an auction that also saw some great fresh-to-the-market finds offered.

Contact: Jason Heckler
(860) 974-1634
jheckler@hecklerauction.com

(WOODSTOCK, Conn.) - A rare and early double eagle historical flask, made in Pittsburgh circa 1820-40 and boasting a deep yellow olive color, sold for $53,820 in an Internet and catalog auction held May 16-30 by Norman C. Heckler & Company (www.hecklerauction.com). The flask was the top lot in an auction dedicated mainly to antique bottles, flasks, pottery, antiques and Americana.

The early Pittsburgh district was a hotbed of glass and bottle manufacturing in the 19^th century. The exceptional and beautiful pint flask, in the great GII-1 mold with crisp embossing, had a sheared mouth and pontil scar. It sailed past its pre-sale estimate of $15,000-$30,000, mainly due to its very rare color. It is quite possibly the only known specimen of this bottle in the deep yellow olive color.

Just as exciting to collectors was the nice selection of fresh-to-the-market finds that had never before been offered at auction. “Fresh finds that uncover important bottles in our hobby have become quite rare,” said Jason Heckler of Norman C. Heckler & Company, “but this sale gave us all hope of finding that next 'bottle in the rough.' These items added to the excitement and success of the sale.”

Five rarities in particular really piqued bidder interest. One was a GI-44 Washington-Taylor portrait flask, made in Philadelphia but only recently found at a dig in Savannah, Ga. The flask was recovered from a privy in the city's Historic District that dated to around 1820 and was in use until the turn of the century. The bottle was recovered from a 'cleanout' pit eight feet deep, adjacent to the privy.

But as impressive as the flask's back story was its extremely rare brilliant yellow color that had an unusual gradation, from yellow to almost clear in the middle of the body. It also had particularly strong embossing. These elements combined for a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$10,000, and by the time the dust had settled following an intense battle of determined bidders, the final price reached $14,040.

A Dr. J.S. Woods Elixir medicine bottle, originally found under a porch in New York State and consigned from a pawn shop in the Southeast, hammered for $11,700. The bottle -- probably from Albany, N.Y. -- was tombstone-shaped and colored emerald green. It was expected to fetch $2,500-$5,000, but the bottle's extreme rarity, combined with its fine condition and color, drove the price up.

A rare and popular “Snake of Corruption” flask (so-named because of the obverse motif of a snake or serpent being held in the beak of an eagle) was another “fresh find” that wowed the crowd. Discovered at an estate sale outside of Columbus, Ohio, the bottle was rushed to Heckler's just in time for the sale. The early Pittsburgh district flask, light green in color and strongly embossed, hit $10,530.

A very early shaft-and globe wine bottle from England, also recently uncovered, fetched $5,850, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,500-$5,000. It was found in Narragansett Bay, R.I., by a diver, and consigned by the Rhode Island businessman he sold it to. The small, globular, half-size bottle, with a long neck, sheared mouth with string rim and yellowish olive green color, was rare in color and form.

A P. & U.S. Spring Co. (Saratoga, N.Y.) mineral water bottle, consigned by a construction worker who found it while part of the excavation team at the 'Big Dig' (the name given to the re-routing of Interstate 93 and airport traffic underground in Boston), breezed to $4,680. The emerald green bottle, in fine condition and in a very rare size, was expected to achieve $2,500-$5,000, which it made easily.

Following are additional highlights of the auction. All prices quoted include a 17 percent buyer's premium.

A big, beautiful, early and extremely rare B. F. & Co./N.Y. applied seal pattern molded whiskey jug, probably made in Midwest America circa 1840-1860, hammered for $5,265. The golden amber jug had an inverted conical form with applied handle and seal applied to the lower handle attachment.  It also had an applied double collared mouth with spout and pontil scar. The bottle stood 9 ½ inches tall.

A D. (Five Dots) Brechva sealed wine bottle from England, made circa 1774, cylindrical in shape with an applied seal at the mid-body and colored a medium to deep yellow olive, changed hands for $1,989. The bottle, in exceptional condition and with a strongly embossed seal, had a sheared mouth with string rim and pontil scar. It stood 9 inches tall and was 4 ½ inches in diameter at the base.

A pressed lamp, possibly made by the Boston and Sandwich Glass Works (Sandwich, Mass., circa 1850-1880), topped out at $1,404. This cobalt blue example was of single-piece construction, with a circle and ellipse pattern and a simple hexagonal stepped base. Its strong selling points were its beautiful color and fine condition. The only flaws were typical very minor flakes at the lamp's base.

Norman C. Heckler & Company was founded in 1987 as a full-service auction and appraisal firm. Today it is the foremost auction house in the United States for antique glass. In October 2010, the firm set a record for an antique glass bottle at auction when a General Jackson eagle portrait flask sold for $176,670. In addition to glass Norman C. Heckler & Co. also offers early American antique objects.

Norman C. Heckler & Company is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To inquire about consigning a single piece or an entire collection, you may call them at (860) 974-1634; or, you can e-mail them at info@hecklerauction.com. 

To learn more about the company’s upcoming calendar of auction events, please go to www.hecklerauction.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Double eagle flask:
The top lot of the sale was this rare and early double eagle historical flask, circa 1820-1840 ($53,820).

Washington Taylor flask:
Washington-Taylor portrait flask (GI-44), made in Philadelphia and dug up in Savannah, Ga. ($14.040).

 

Shaft and globe bottle:
Very early shaft and globe wine bottle from England, retrieved from Narragansett Bay, R.I. ($5,850).

Woods medicine bottle:
Dr. J.S. Woods Elixir medicine bottle (Albany, N.Y.), emerald green with tombstone shape ($11,700).

 

Snake of Corruption:
The so-called “Snake of Corruption” flask having an eagle with snake in beak design, GII-9 ($10,530).

Mineral water bottle:
P. & U.S. Spring Company (Saratoga, N.Y.) mineral water bottle, emerald green, in rare size ($4,680).