Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is pleased to announce a special single-owner auction representing the collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel of Alexandria, Virginia to be held February 9-10, 2024. The Steidel Brothers were fixtures in the antiques and collectibles community for the last half century and acquired fine objects in multiple categories, especially Southern folk pottery, and, in particular Alexandria, Virginia cobalt-decorated stoneware. The Steidel Collection, comprising over 800 lots to be offered over two days, is sure to be a landmark event.
Session One, beginning at 9:00 am EST on Friday, February 9, will feature an important selection of American folk pottery, including the finest and most extensive collection of Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC salt-glazed stoneware ever assembled; a fine selection of bottles and jars, including whiskies and sodas, highlighted by a large group of rare Alexandria and Washington, DC examples; rare Virginia silver; Native American objects, including rugs and beadwork; and hooked rugs and folk art, including several Grenfell examples. Highlights for the day include an iconic “H. C. SMITH & CO.” 10-gallon stoneware jar bearing profuse cobalt sunflower and turkey-track decoration that was made around 1830 by free African-American potter David Jarbour. Estimated at $80,000 – $120,000, this remarkable piece of vernacular pottery stands as an important piece of 19th-century American folk art produced by a free craftsman of color in a land stained by slavery; an extraordinary “B. C. MILBURN” five-gallon stoneware water cooler with extensive cobalt floral decoration and oversized handles; a very rare signed Edward Sheriff Curtis large format photographic portrait of Chief Joseph; a fine Baltimore Glassworks Sheaf of Wheat pictorial / historical flask in unusual bright citron yellow; and a visually stunning Navajo Klagetoh wool blanket / rug in a remarkable state of preservation.
Session Two, beginning at 9:00 am EST on Saturday, February 10, 2024, will feature a good selection of country store and advertising, including signs, coffee mills / grinders, and breweriana; ephemera of all types; Civil War and other historical material, including cased images; marbles; antique sporting and scientific equipment; and a selection of toys, doorstops, and other collectibles. Highlights include a fine Remington Type II / Model 3 engraved double Derringer pistol in excellent condition; a rare pre-prohibition Chas. Grove & Sons (Lancaster, PA) whiskey self-framed tin advertising sign; and a scarce Charles Koppel (active 1853-1865) historical Declaration of Independence patinated bronze plaque.
Company president, Jeffrey S. Evans, commented, “We are extremely excited to present such an outstanding group of important objects for this auction. The Steidel Collection is one of the most unique assemblages to come to market in quite some time. Overall, the stoneware and bottles Billy and Al collected include some of the best examples we have had the privilege to sell – all fresh to the market – so we anticipate that large numbers of people will be watching the auction.”
Day One is currently posted with Day Two to follow in the coming days. The sale is on public preview February 7-8, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; and February 9-10, 8:00 am until end of auction on each day. A printed color catalogue for Lots 1–396 will also be available. For further information, please visit www.jeffreysevans.com, email info@jeffreysevans.com, or call 540.434.3939.