MT. CRAWFORD, VA, June 18, 2023 —- The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates June 15-17 Premier Americana Auction was an exciting event and produced robust prices in multiple categories, along with a few noteworthy surprises. The three-day format consisted of over 1,400 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.
Session One on Thursday featured property from the estate of Peter Tillou, Litchfield, CT; material deaccessioned by the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT, and the Sandwich Glass Museum, Sandwich, MA; and items from private collections across the country, including T. Michael Carter and Linda Sturgeon of Richmond, VA. The day’s offerings included a fine selection of colored flint; A collection of Pittsburgh area wares including rare pattern- and pillar-molded; free-blown and blown-molded wares, many in rare colors and forms; historical / pictorial flasks and bottles; a collection of early commercial cologne bottles; the Bennington collection of pressed lacy open salts; and other pressed lacy articles. Top lot for the day was an important pair of notch-cut and pressed vases in vibrant emerald green. The elegant 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 floor at $10,800 (Lot 96 – all prices include the 20% buyer’s premium). Other highlights from the day included a stunning pressed loop / leaf covered sugar bowl in deep amethyst, probably also made at Boston & Sandwich Glass Co., at $10,200 (Lot 223); a very rare Nicholas J. Lutz (French-American, 1835-1906) free-blown marbrie loop two-piece epergne at $6,600 (Lot 51); and a fine Midwestern pattern-molded cream jug in brilliant amethyst at $4,500 (Lot 106).
Session Two on Friday featured property from the estate of William S. “Pumpernickel Bill” Troxell, Allentown, PA; the David J. Baker Collection, Garrison, NY; the William D. Annable estate collection, Oberlin, OH; the collection of Ann Conner Jones, Winston-Salem, NC; the collection of James Lawrence, Williamsburg, VA; items deaccessioned by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA to benefit collections care, preservations, and future acquisitions. The day’s offerings included rare Virginia & other Southern material, including Shenandoah Valley stoneware and other folk pottery; 19th century coin silver; samplers, quilts, and other textiles; rare 18th and 19th century ceramics, including transfer-printed Staffordshire, featuring many fine American views, English pearlware, and Chinese Export porcelain. Top lot for the day was a fine Staffordshire American Historical transfer-printed ceramic platter featuring the Arms of Pennsylvania, which sparked strong pre-sale interest. Ultimately, it was a private Pennsylvania collector bidding on the phone who prevailed, pushing the final price to $15,600 (Lot 1113). Other highlights from Session Two included a fine Staffordshire transfer-printed ceramic platter featuring the Arms of Georgia at $8,400 (Lot 1116); a Staffordshire American view transfer-printed ceramic soup tureen at $8,400 (Lot 1114); and a rare English pearlware engine-turned mocha ware ceramic mug stamped “WOOD & CALDWELL” to the underside at $5,400 (Lot 1268).
Session Three on Saturday featured property from the estate of William S. “Pumpernickel Bill” Troxell, Allentown, PA; the William D. Annable estate collection, Oberlin, OH; the collection of Ann Conner Jones, Winston-Salem, NC; the collection of James Lawrence, Williamsburg, VA; the collection of Ken Schuler, Linville, VA; select items from the 50-year collection of Gerald and Genie Vaughn, Fancy Hill, VA; and items deaccessioned by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA to benefit collections care, preservations, and future acquisitions. The day’s offerings included a fine selection of rare Virginia & other Southern material, including Shenandoah Valley stoneware and other folk pottery; rare Pennsylvania fraktur and related drawings; 18th & 19th century formal and country furniture; American fine & decorative art; Civil War and other historical material; and rare antiquarian books and other printed materials. Top lot of the day, and the biggest surprise of the weekend, was a rare Roanoke River Basin (Virginia / North Carolina) carved walnut corner cupboard associated with the renowned “WH” cabinetmaking shop. The rare form, completely fresh-to-the-market with Southampton Co., Virginia history, captivated both an institution and a private collector, who pushed the figure all the way to $96,000 (Lot 2286). Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session included a large Thomas Hill (British-American, 1829-1908) Yosemite landscape at $30,000 (Lot 2394); a Confederate (C. S. A.) John Singleton Mosby-owned Civil War-period shotgun at $21,600 (lot 2027); a very rare Civil War-period silk flag with North Carolina history at $18,000 (Lot 2050); a fresh-to-the-market Antonio Jacobsen (Danish-American, 1850-1921) ship portrait of the racing schooner “Dauntless” at $18,000 (Lot 2162); and a fine Tennessee cherry sugar desk in excellent condition at $13,200.
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, including an exceptional single-owner auction in September, so we are looking forward to more exciting sales 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.