The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates February 28 & 29, 2020 Winter Americana Auction was a much-anticipated event and produced strong prices – along with a few surprises – in multiple categories. The two-day format consisted of 1,560 lots of diverse material that generated near record-breaking levels of participation for the firm, a strong indication of vigor in several segments of the marketplace. Bidding was intense throughout each day with over 5,000 registered bidders from 25 countries participating in house and online.
Session I on Friday featured the important bottle collection of Doris and the late Russell Evitt of Jackson, CA. Starting the weekend off with a bang, the Evitt Collection included a broad array of fresh-to-the-market historical flasks, California bitters and whiskies, Willington and other pickles, pitkins, globes, snuffs, and figurals that were well received, with most examples greatly exceeding pre-sale expectations. The 572-lot offering on Friday sparked significant presale interest – with bidders traveling from across the country to attend the auction – and produced strong results overall. Top lot from Friday was a California pictorial fire grenade in medium amber, retaining original label and contents, which garnered $16,380 (Lot 353 – all prices include 17% buyer’s premium). This exceptional example, nearly mint, was chased by in-house and online bidders to what is believed to be a record price for the form. Other noteworthy results from the Friday session include an amber Willington Cathedral/Gothic pickle jar at $16,380 (Lot 19); a Lacour’s Western figural bitters bottle in brilliant yellow green at $15,210 (Lot 244); and a Dr. Henley’s Western IXL Wild Graperoot Bitters bottle at $10,530 (Lot 248).
Session II on Saturday consisted of the firm’s usual diverse selection of antiques and collectibles and produced strong results with numerous categories demonstrating signs of sustained energy. Featuring more material from the estate collection of Russell and Doris Evitt, Jackson, CA, as well as property from the collection of Fil (John) and Robbie Graff, St. Thomas, PA, Saturday’s session included a number of coveted objects, most notably a garage-kept 1912 Cadillac Model 30 Touring Car with older restoration. The weekend’s top lot at $22,230 (Lot 1081), the rare brass-era vehicle, thought to be the oldest of its type in Virginia, sparked a tremendous amount of pre-sale interest and was purchased, after heated bidding, by a determined phone bidder. Another surprise early in the sale included a fine pair of Historic California leaded- and stained-glass windows from the Evitt Collection. Believed to have been a part of the historic Eureka Hotel in Sutter Creek, California, the rare pair generated intense interest, ultimately going to a Golden State phone bidder for $16,380 (Lot 1075). Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session included a fine pair of figural eagle cast-iron and glass apothecary show globes at $7,020 (Lot 1142); a Baltimore, Maryland brewing company reverse-painted advertising sign at $4,680 (Lot 1274); and a Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver with Civil War history at $3,802 (Lot 1001).
After the sale, company president and auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated robust interest across the board, from bidders near and far. The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and quality of the merchandise offered. In addition, the auction was 99.9% unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.” Evans added, “We already have several fine collections in house for our June Americana Auction, so the spring sale should be another great event!”
The firm is currently accepting consignments for most upcoming auctions. For complete auction results, a schedule of upcoming sales, or more information, visit jeffreysevans.com, email info@jeffreysevans.com, or call 540.434.3939.