MT. CRAWFORD, VA, September 9, 2024 —- TheJeffrey S. Evans & Associates September 4-7 Summer Americana Auction was a noteworthy event and produced strong prices in several categories, along with a few surprises. The four-day format consisted of just over 2,200 lots of eclectic material and generated very strong levels of participation for the firm, a solid indication of continued vigor in the diverse Americana and collectibles marketplace. With a busy gallery on each day, competition was intense throughout each session with nearly 4,000 actual registered bidders participating online, by phone, in house, and through absentee.
Day One on Wednesday featured the collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel, Alexandria, VA; the estate of Mary Nagel, Nazareth, PA; the collection of J. W. “Bill” Courter, Calvert City, KY; the Ed Tonna collection, Wasaga Beach, ON, Canada; plus others. Including an extensive collection of antique and vintage Christmas decorations plus other holiday decorations; advertising and country store material; collection of doorstops; cast-iron banks and Stevens doll furniture; other toys and dolls; collection of candy containers; scientific and musical instruments; silent film and other movie memorabilia; coins and stamps; plus more. Top lot for the day was an important German papier-mache / composition Belsnickel / Santa Claus figural candy container. The rare form, in excellent original condition, generated much pre-sale interest from private individuals and the trade, ultimately selling to a collector bidding online at $7,800 (Lot 257 – all prices include the 20% buyer’s premium). Other highlights from the day included a rare stamp collection album at $6,600 (Lot 516); a group of three German papier-mache / composition Belsnickel / Santa Claus figural candy containers at $4,200 (Lot 271); and a Verne Q. Powell (Boston, MA) sterling silver open-hole flute at $3,900 (Lot 508).
Day Two on Thursday featured the collection of Irving and Davida Shipkowitz, Northridge, CA; property from the collection of the late H. Marshall Goodman, Jr., Richmond, VA; the estate collection of Jewel Rayfield Henley, Winston-Salem, NC; the Ed Tonna collection, Wasaga Beach, ON, Canada; the collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel, Alexandria, VA; the estate of Mary Nagel, Nazareth, PA; as well as institutional deaccessions from the Thomas Jefferson Foundation; Preservation Virginia; and the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT. Including the Shipkowitz extensive collection of children’s ceramic, glass, and metal ABC wares published in their reference volume The ABC’s of ABC Ware; other ceramics of all types, including transferware, art pottery, steins, etc.; county accessories including Shenandoah Valley and other baskets, painted and other treenware, early iron and tinware, etc.; primitive lighting; plus more. Highlights from Day Two included two German hand-painted porcelain cabinet vases at $2,040 (Lot 1248); an extremely rare Ephraim Gilman (Alexandria, VA 1778-1853) leather-covered dome-top box bearing original engraved label at $2,040 (Lot 1370); and a J. Walker (Livonia, NY) paint-decorated 24-tube candle mold at $1,800 (Lot 1368).
Day Three on Friday featured property from the collection of the late H. Marshall Goodman, Jr., Richmond, VA; the collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel, Alexandria, VA; the estate of Mary Nagel, Nazareth, PA; the estate collection of Jewel Rayfield Henley, Winston-Salem, NC; as well as institutional deaccessions from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; the Thomas Jefferson Foundation; Preservation Virginia; the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT; the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester, VA; and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA.; plus others. Including a large selection of 17th – 20th century books from the Goodman, Valentine, and MSV collections; a large selection of 18th & 19th century prints; fine art including photography and oil paintings; Native American material including rugs; coin and sterling silver; textiles including quilts, coverlets, and sewing; fine and costume jewelry; decorative accessories; brass and pewter; a collection of exposition and world’s fair articles; ephemera including an extensive collection of matchbooks and covers, post cards, etc.; plus more. Top lot of the day was a fine bronze bas-relief portrait plaque of Thomas Jefferson, after George D. Miller (d.1819). The rare form captivated bidders, including an online bidder, who pushed the final price to $5,100 (Lot 2206). Other noteworthy results from Day Three included a rare Persian Qajar lion and sun banner at $3,100 (Lot 2201); an important 18th-century Sir Isaac Newton principles of mathematics volume in as-found condition at $2,640 (lot 2356); and a Victorian / Edwardian gilt-metal and enameled seven-piece jewelry ensemble in original presentation case at $2,640 (lot 2135).
Day Four on Saturday featured property from the collection of the late H. Marshall Goodman, Jr., Richmond, VA; the collection of the late Al and Billy Steidel, Alexandria, VA; the estate of Mary Nagel, Nazareth, PA; the estate collection of Jewel Rayfield Henley, Winston-Salem, NC; the Ed Tonna collection, Wasaga Beach, ON, Canada; as well as institutional deaccessions from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; the Thomas Jefferson Foundation; Preservation Virginia; Wilton House, Richmond, VA; the Bennington Museum, Bennington, VT; and the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA.; plus others. Including Virginia, North Carolina, and other country and formal furniture; folk art including trade signs, canes, decoys, etc.; Shenandoah Valley and other folk pottery; antique bottles and jars; Civil War material; other militaria including a collection of WWII posters from the Valentine Museum; firearms and accessories; Historical material including flags and prints; Shenandoah Valley and other Virginia manuscripts and ephemera; other 18th – 20th century manuscript material including autographs; Virginia and other antique photographs, most from the Valentine Museum; antique maps; plus more. Top lot for the day was a rare signed letter from German author Johann Friedrich Von Schiller (1759-1805). The autographed missive, dated 1801, generated much pre-sale interest from private individuals and the trade, ultimately selling to a private collector bidding online at $18,000 (Lot 3560). Other highlights from the day included a signed Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (German, 1749-1832) autographed letter at $7,200 (Lot 3559); a Southern mixed-wood biscuit table at $4,800 (Lot 3242); and an American painted pine step-back cupboard at $3,600 (Lot 3273).
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 diverse nature of the material offered across multiple categories was very appealing to a broad swath of collectors. The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness of the merchandise offered.” Evans added, “We have very strong auctions lined up for October and November, the latter featuring selections from the Marzorini Collection, so we are excited about the fall line-up at JSE & Associates.”
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.