MOUNT CRAWFORD, VA, June 27, 2022 —- The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates June 23-25 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 nearly1,300 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 glass deaccessioned by the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont in an effort to refine that venerable institution’s collection. Highlighted by an important group of blown-molded material, much of which retained extensive provenance, the Bennington consignment included many rare and important examples of early American glass, sparking a renewed sense of excitement within the collecting community. Top lot for the day was an important blown-molded GII-6 deep bowl in an unusual brilliant yellow green. The very fine and large example, probably made in Kent, Ohio around 1830, generated much pre-sale interest from private individuals and the trade, ultimately selling to a collector on the floor at $39,487 (Lot 111 – all prices include the 21.5% buyer’s premium). Other highlights from the day included a blown-molded GII-6 shallow bowl in aquamarine, likely also made in Kent, Ohio, at $18,225 (Lot 112); a blown-molded GV-8 creamer in deep violet blue, probably Boston & Sandwich Co., at $18,225 (Lot 158); and a pattern-molded broken-swirl footed open salt in deep amethyst, probably Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or Zanesville, Ohio, at $13,365 (Lot 190).
Day Two on Friday featured Part Three of the Nick Routson, Phoenix, AZ collection of Staffordshire transferware with American Historical views, being one of the finest assemblages ever to appear on the market including a wide variety of forms, many in extremely rare patterns, with most pieces retaining longstanding collection provenances. Coupled with country accessories, pottery, and folk art from various consignors, the day’s offerings did not disappoint. Top lot for the day, was a Staffordshire American Historical transfer-printed ceramic platter featuring the Arms of Pennsylvania in excellent overall condition, which sparked strong pre-sale interest. Ultimately, it was a figure in the trade bidding on the internet on behalf of a client who prevailed, pushing the final price to $14,580 (Lot 1003). Other highlights from Day Two included an impressive Staffordshire Medallion Portrait Series transfer-printed ceramic large jug / pitcher at $10,935 (Lot 1001); a rare Staffordshire American View transfer-printed ceramic ladle featuring a Hudson River view at $5,467 (Lot 1054); and a fine Shelton Sisters (Forsyth Co., North Carolina) rib-type woven-splint diminutive white oak basket at $2,916 (Lot 1185).
Session III on Friday featured material deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, proceeds to benefit the Collections Acquisition Fund, and numerous private collections around the country. Top lot of the day was a fine pair of Charles Peale Polk (1767-1822) portraits of Gerard and Margaret Briscoe from 1799. The rare 18th-century Virginia backcountry portraits, completely fresh-to-the-market and descended in the prominent Stuart Family of Staunton, Virginia, captivated two phone bidders, who pushed the pair all the way to $72,900 (Lot 2190). Other noteworthy results from the Friday session included an important George Washington 1778 Revolutionary War signed letter from Valley Forge, also descended in the Stuart Family, at $42,525 (Lot 2022); an East Tennessee or Southwest Virginia paint-decorated yellow pine blanket chest at $25,515 (lot 2253); an exquisite Navajo Native American silver and turquoise squash-blossom necklace with a collection history in the family of Dr. Richard Tisinger, who worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the 1930s, at $19,440 (Lot 2068); and a 1921 Martin O-45 acoustic guitar in excellent condition at $14,580 (Lot 2083).
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 all 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, “Looking forward to the fall, we are excited to offer more early American glass from the Bennington Museum, as well as Part Four of the Routson Collection, so we anticipate another strong sale in November.”
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.