The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates August 24 & 25 , 2018 Summer Americana and Variety Auction was a highly successful event and produced strong prices – along with a few surprises – in multiple categories. The two-day format consisted of 1,380 lots of diverse material that generated robust 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 3,000 registered bidders from 26 countries participating in house and online
Session I on Friday consisted of selections from the 50-plus year collection of the late Joan Wentz, Germansville, PA. Starting the weekend off with a bang, the Wentz Collection included a broad array of fresh-to-the-market antiques and collectibles that were well received, with most examples meeting or exceeding pre-sale expectations. The 506-lot offering on Friday featured a good selection of miniature lighting, fine rabbitware and spatterware, American folk art and pottery, and an assortment of vintage holiday toys and decorations. The select grouping offered in the Friday session sparked significant presale interest and produced strong results overall. Top lot from Friday was a bisque figural skeleton miniature lamp with nearly flawless eyes, which garnered $11,115 (Lot 3 – all prices include 17% buyer’s premium). Other noteworthy results from the Friday session included a Rene Lalique perfume bottle at $5,557 (Lot 151); a miniature hanging cast-iron Fire Fly triple-arm chandelier at $5,265 (Lot 1); and a Pennsylvania paint-decorated tole chamberstick at $4,095 (lot 346).
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 renewed energy. Several surprises were in order for Saturday as well, most notably a fine Native American, probably Navajo, rug / blanket that was fresh from the estate of Nicholas de Belleville Katzenbach, Princeton, NJ. The weekend’s top lot at $25,740 (Lot 1030), the weaving, despite imperfections, sparked a tremendous amount of pre-sale interest and was purchased, after heated bidding, by a New York gallery on the phone. Another surprise in the Native American category of the sale was an Apache woven-coil basket that soared past its estimate with heavy internet bidding and finally landed at $7,605 (Lot 1019). Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session include a mid-19th century Shenandoah Valley store ledger at $4,387 (Lot 1178); and an important Civil War archive of documents pertaining to the United States Colored Troops at $3,276 (Lot 1063).
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 100% unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.” Evans added, “We already have several fine examples of American folk art and rare Southern material in house for our November Americana & Fine Antiques Auction, so the fall 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.