MT. CRAWFORD, VA, July 1, 2026 —- The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates 50th Semi-Annual Premiere Americana Auction held June 25-27 marked an important milestone for the venerable company, and each day’s results did not disappoint. Overall, the sale produced robust prices in multiple categories, along with a few surprises. The three-day format consisted of just over 2,100 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 nearly 4,000 registered bidders participating online, by phone, in-house, and through absentee.
Day One on Thursday featured property from the lighting collection of Karen and Philip Ruberry, Nottingham, MD and part one of the important 40-year glass and lighting collection of James Carusello, Waterbury, CT. The day’s offerings consisted of an outstanding selection of over 300 whale oil, fluid, and early kerosene lamps of all types; as well as large selections of colored candlesticks, vases, and cologne bottles; cut overlay articles; select bottles and flasks; antique paperweights; canes and staffs; a fine selection of free-blown, pillar- and pattern-molded wares; rare Lacy and early pressed glass; and 17th & 18th century European glass, including wines. Top lot for the day was a fine Boston & Sandwich Co. pressed Four-Printie Block vase in brilliant deep emerald green, which sparked strong pre-sale interest. Ultimately, it was a collector online who prevailed against a floor bidder, pushing the final price to $6,710 (Lot 460 – all prices include a 22% buyer’s premium). Other highlights from Day One included an extremely rare hexagonal socket diminutive pair of candlesticks in deep brilliant peacock green at $5,795 (Lot 401); a Thomas Cains free-blown and mold-blown whale oil lamp at $4,880 (Lot 71); and a fine free-blown saucer base whale oil stand lamp with unusual cobalt base at $4,270 (Lot 70).
Day Two on Friday featured property from the collection of the late Patsy Martin of Chambersburg, PA and consisted of an outstanding selection of country painted furniture and accessories, primitive lighting, stoneware and earthenware, textiles, and folk art of all types. Top lot of the day was fine and rare Shenandoah Valley of Virginia molded and decorated earthenware cat figure. The rare form in vibrant surface captivated bidders, including a private collector online, who pushed the final price to $21,960 (Lot 1009). Other noteworthy results from Day Two included a lot of antique cloth-covered books at $7,320 (Lot 1607); a rare Rockbridge Co., Shenandoah Valley of Virginia decorated stoneware pitcher at $6,710 (lot 1003); and a painted wooden primitive candle lantern at $5,185 (lot 1428).
Day Three on Saturday featured property from the Rick and Catie Hubbard collection, Williamsburg, VA; the collection of Michael and Paula McMahon, Virginia Beach, VA; the estates of Malcolm Bradley, Richmond, VA; and Dennis Trischler, Woodbridge, VA; as well as deaccessioned material from the Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH; The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA; plus others. The day’s offerings consisted of an outstanding selection of folk art; 18th & 19th century formal and country furniture, including rare Virginia and other Southern pieces; fine art, including early portraits; firearms and historical material, including George Washington-related objects and several rare Colonial Virginia imprints; antique silver; a fine selection of British and American ceramics; and textiles, including samplers, quilts, and coverlets. Top lot of the day was a fine and rare carved marble bust of George Washington by Italian artist Carmelo Fontana (1775-1825). The fresh-to-the-market form in remarkably well-preserved condition captivated everyone in its orbit, but it was ultimately a private collector from the Midwest who pushed the final price to $73,200 (Lot 2015). Other noteworthy results from Day Three included a fine 18th-century British School triple portrait of impressive size at $21,960 (lot 2389); a rare Classical carved mahogany sideboard attributed to the Baltimore, Maryland cabinet shop of Edward Priestley at $17,080 (lot 2451); and a very fine half-plate daguerreotype of phrenological interest depicting a large family at $17,080 (lot 2048).
After the auction, company president and principal auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated strong interest and demonstrated, once again, the power of the single-owner auction. The caliber of the material offered across multiple categories was very appealing to a broad swath of collectors, and the overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and high quality of the merchandise offered. Furthermore, the Martin Collection was particularly popular and drew in large numbers of new customers for us.” Evans added, “Looking forward, we have several collections lined up for our August and November Americana auctions, so we are excited about the upcoming sales.”
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.