MOUNT CRAWFORD, VA, November 21, 2022 —- The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates November 17-19 Premier Americana Auction was a noteworthy event and produced robust prices in multiple categories. It was one of the firm’s strongest Americana sales to date. The three-day format consisted of over 1,500 lots of high-quality material and generated very strong levels of participation for the firm, a solid indication of continued vigor in the diverse Americana marketplace. With a busy gallery on each day, competition was intense throughout each session with several thousand registered bidders participating online, by phone, in house, and through absentee.
Day One on Thursday featured the collection of Donald Putterman, San Francisco, CA; material deaccessioned from the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT; and property from the estate of Peter Tillou, Litchfield, CT. The day’s offerings included 18th and 19th century glass and lighting of all types, with large selections of free-blown, pressed, and blown-molded articles, many in rare colors or forms, as well as American historical / pictorial flasks and bottles. Top lot for the day was a rare pair of pressed open-work fruit baskets in brilliant deep amethyst. The elegant footed forms, probably made at the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. around 1840, generated much pre-sale interest from private individuals and the trade, ultimately selling to a collector on the phone at $20,655 (Lot 372 – all prices include the 21.5% buyer’s premium). Other highlights from the day included a stunning blown-molded and pressed candlestick in medium blue, probably also made at Boston & Sandwich Glass Co., at $12,150 (Lot 8); a very rare Sandwich free-blown and pressed whale oil sparking / toy stand lamp in medium to dark blue at $10,935 (Lot 428); and a fine Sandwich pressed loop / leaf open compote in brilliant amethyst at $6,545 (Lot 373).
Day Two on Friday featured the fourth and final session of the American Historical Transferware Collection of Nick Routson, Phoenix, AZ; property from the Ann and Clay Ring family collection, Winston-Salem, NC; and the estate of Clarence and Coralena Smith, Romney, WV; as well as material deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA and Old Salem Museum & Gardens, Winston Salem, NC. The day’s offerings included a broad selection of American Historical Staffordshire transferware, 19th-century American folk pottery, country accessories, baskets, samplers, quilts, and additional English and Chinese ceramics. Top lot for the day was an important Daniel Seagle (Lincoln Co., North Carolina 1805-1867) 15-gallon four-handled stoneware jar in excellent overall condition, which sparked strong pre-sale interest. Ultimately, it was a collector bidding online who prevailed, pushing the final price to $25,515 (Lot 1207). Other highlights from Day Two included a fine Staffordshire transfer-printed ceramic platter featuring a view of New York City from Weehawken at $9,112 (Lot 1065); a rare mid-19th century South Carolina album quilt at $6,682 (Lot 1337); and an exceptional American carved treen butter print featuring a Federal-style eagle at $4,860 (Lot 1448).
Session III on Saturday featured material from the Ann and Clay Ring family collection, Winston-Salem, NC; property from the collection of Kathy and Dr. Joseph Arvay, Mendham, NJ; selections from the important Americana collection of Barbara and the late Charlie Hunter, Staunton, VA; as well as material deaccessioned by the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA and Old Salem Museum & Gardens, Winston Salem, NC. The day’s offerings included a fine selection of rare Virginia & other Southern material; 18th & 19th century formal and country furniture, including painted examples; American folk and fine art; historical and Civil War material, including firearms and edge weapons; 19th century coin silver; rare antiquarian books; early American flags; and a fine selection of Oriental rugs and carpets. Top lot of the day was a fine American folk art carved and painted Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco / cigar store trade figure attributed to the shop of Samuel Anderson Robb (New York, 1851-1928). The rare form, completely fresh-to-the-market with Louisville, Kentucky history and in remarkably original condition, captivated two phone bidders, who pushed the figure all the way to $121,500 (Lot 2229). Other noteworthy results from the Friday session included a newly discovered true first edition The Book of Mormon at $60,750 (Lot 2126); an outstanding American School mid-19th century portrait of a Southern belle at $42,525 (lot 2262); a very rare Civil War-period printed silk flag with Harrisburg, Pennsylvania history at $26,730 (Lot 2110); a fresh-to-the-market Shenandoah Valley of Virginia paint-decorated bentwood box at $25,515 (Lot 2235); and a very fine Shenandoah Valley of Virginia walnut punched-tin-paneled food / pie safe attributed to the shop of James McCann in New Market, Virginia at $24,300 (Lot 2334), selling to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
After the auction, company president and principal auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated robust interest across the board, from bidders near and far. The caliber of the material offered across multiple categories was very appealing to a broad swath of collectors. Levels of online participation in our auctions continue to grow for us – a real indication that there is sustained market demand for a diverse range of Americana and folk art. The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and high quality of the merchandise offered.” Evans added, “We have several collections lined up for 2023, so we are looking forward to another successful year ahead.”
The firm is currently accepting consignments for upcoming auctions. For additional auction results, a schedule of upcoming sales, or more information, visit www.jeffreysevans.com, email info@jeffreysevans.com, or call 540.434.3939.