The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates June 16 & 17, 2017 Americana and Fine Antiques Auction was a successful event and generated strong prices in multiple categories. The two-day format consisted of 1,110 lots of high-quality material, much of which was fresh to the market, and, in many cases, had descended directly in the families of the original owners. In addition, the sale included property deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, VA, all proceeds to benefit the Collections Acquisition Fund. Bidding was intense throughout each day, with strong institutional interest and over three thousand registered bidders participating in house and online. Six national and regional museums were among the successful bidders.
Session I on Friday started the weekend off with a bang. The 273-lot offering featured an outstanding selection of fine coins and currency from a Frederick Co., Maryland estate. Assembled as early as 1904 and comprising many rare early American, Confederate, and foreign examples, all fresh and unrecorded, the Frederick Co., collection generated significant presale interest and produced strong results. Top lot from this collection was an extremely rare Confederate States 1861 Montgomery, Alabama $100 Type 3 note in outstanding, nearly uncirculated, condition which garnered $24,570 (Lot 132 – all prices include 17% buyer’s premium). Other noteworthy results from Friday’s selection of coins and currency include a 1907 Saint Gaudens high-relief $20 gold coin bearing Roman numerals at $16,380 (Lot 1); a Confederate States 1861 Montgomery, Alabama $50 Type 4 note at $14,040 (Lot 133); and a Confederate States 1861 Richmond, Virginia $50 Type 15 note at $8,775 (Lot 138). Friday’s session also included a choice offering of firearms and Civil War material, highlighted by a Confederate States 1863 Fayetteville Arsenal rifle. Untouched and descended directly in a Page Co., Virginia family, the rare firearm realized $14,040 (Lot 208).
Session II on Saturday consisted of the firm’s usual diverse selection of Americana and fine antiques and produced strong results with several categories demonstrating signs of vigor in what can be an unpredictable market. Highlighting Saturday was an important Anna Pottery stoneware presentation vase made by master potter Cornwall Elihu Kirkpatrick (1814-1890) for his daughter Amy R. Kirkpatrick (1862-1935). Acquired directly from the Kirkpatrick family, and offered as the auction’s centerpiece, the iconic vessel sparked tremendous presale interest from institutions and collectors alike. The weekend’s top lot at $64,350 (Lot 1088), the vase was purchased, after heated bidding, by a major New York City museum, where it will reside as an important part of the venerable institution’s permanent collection.
Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session included an outstanding Susan Catherine Moore Waters (American, 1823-1900) oil on canvas pastoral landscape painting at $21,060 (Lot 1453); a rare Benjamin Chandlee (Nottingham, PA / MD, 1723-1791) carved cherry tall-case clock at $19,890 (Lot 1311); an 1803 Wythe Co., VA folk art fraktur birth and baptismal certificate attributed to the Wild Turkey artist at $11,700 (Lot 1152); and a Virginia or North Carolina petite walnut cellarette or bottle case on stand at $10,530 (Lot 1340). The Saturday session concluded with an excellent offering of 18th and 19th century ceramics, featuring the Kurt O’Hare and Barbara O’Hare collection of Staffordshire transfer-printed American Historical views. Including many rare forms bearing unique design elements, the O’Hare collection generated significant interest and produced strong results. Highlighting this group was a rare footed bowl exhibiting unusual New York and New Jersey scenes at $6,435 (Lot 1668).
After the sale, company president and auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated tremendous interest across the board, especially from regional and national institutions. Our in-house crowd was strong resulting in over 180 bid numbers being issued to real bodies, and we saw a large percentage of items walk out the door on sale day! The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and high quality of the merchandise offered. In addition, the auction was 99% unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.” Evans added, “We already have a strong Southern collection in house for our next Americana auction so the fall sale should be another great event!”
The firm is currently accepting consignments for their next Americana Auction to be held November 11, 2017. For complete auction results, a schedule of 2017 sales, or more information, email info@jeffreysevans.com, or call 540.434.3939.