TIM’S, INC. WILL HOLD ITS 18th ANNUAL CABIN FEVER AUCTION ON SATURDAY, MARCH 27th, AT THE LITCHFIELD FIREHOUSE IN LITCHFIELD, CONN., AT 10:30 A.M.

Contact: Tim Chapulis
(860) 459-0964

TIM’S, INC. WILL HOLD ITS 18th ANNUAL CABIN FEVER AUCTION ON SATURDAY, MARCH 27th, AT THE LITCHFIELD FIREHOUSE IN LITCHFIELD, CONN., AT 10:30 A.M.

(LITCHFIELD, Conn.) – Tim’s, Inc., will celebrate the end of winter – if that day ever comes – with its 18th annual Cabin Fever Auction, slated for Saturday, Mar. 27, at the Litchfield Firehouse on Route 202 in Litchfield, beginning promptly at 10:30 a.m. Featured will be property from the historic Beleden Mansion, plus items from area homes, estates and collections.

“We call it the Cabin Fever Auction because people need a good reason to get out of their homes at the end of winter, and we're giving them just that,” said Tim Chapulis of Tim’s, Inc. “It takes over a year of planning to stage this special one-day event. It’s a must-attend for collectors, dealers, investors, decorators and homeowners.” A preview will run from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Mr. Chapulis said he received an unexpected call from a producer at The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno around the time of last year's Cabin Fever Auction, inquiring about the very meaning of the term “cabin fever.” “They were gathering information for a segment about cabin fever and wanted to know what we thought it meant, since we were having a Cabin Fever Sale.”

Hundreds of mostly fresh-to-the-market lots will cross the block. Offered will be a nice collection of vintage clocks, antique lighting, furniture, antique music boxes, estate gold and silver jewelry and diamonds, an antique gun collection (including Colts), rare rock ‘n’ roll autographed memorabilia, sports collectibles, antique bottles, Oriental and area rugs, and more.

First up for bid, though, will be a U.S. gold and silver coin collection, featuring over 60 U.S. gold coins and more than 150 silver dollars, plus an impressive stamp collection. These will kick off the sale, at 10:30 a.m.

The Beleden Mansion is a 40-room, 18,000-square-foot home in nearby Bristol, Conn., begun in 1908 and completed the following year. The original occupant was William Sessions, of Sessions clocks fame (and there will be Sessions clocks in the auction, plus about 100 other vintage clocks). In its 100+-year history, the Beleden Mansion has only been in three families.

“Anyone who goes home from this sale with an item from the Beleden Mansion will be the proud owner of a lifetime memento,” Mr. Chapulis said.

The auction will feature many wild and wonderful items, an example being an extremely rare early upright pianoforte (circa 1825), from the Federal period and with elegant silk fabric adornments and brass appointments. The piano was made by John Broadwood of London and was written about extensively in an article by Ronald V. Ratcliffe, a professor of music at California State Polytechnic Institute in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The instrument is from the collection of the author. Also sold will be a folk art painting of a young girl in a Victorian dress playing the piano, unsigned and framed and in great condition.

Furniture from the Victorian, Renaissance Revival, Federal and Empire periods will dominate the day's proceedings. Offered will be a fabulous 3-piece parlor set by the American master craftsman John Jelliff, once housed in the sitting room of the Beleden Mansion and consisting of a heavily carved sofa with a highly detailed carved figural warrior head and two spectacular lady's chairs in burl walnut with original upholstery; and a Jelliff oval walnut marble-top parlor table with lady's busts around the skirt. Also sold will be an oversized Thomas Brooks marble-top parlor table with an ornate base.

Other furniture will include a monumental Renaissance Revival walnut and burl partner's library desk by either Herter or Brooks with felt top, pull-out drawing ends in original condition; a walnut and burl captain's desk with a provenance traceable to Tracy & Driscoll (an insurance and real estate firm in Bristol); and a nice selection of marble-top tables in rosewood and walnut.

Several nice acanthus-carved mahogany pieces will cross the block to include a 2-door crystal cabinet with plate glass shelves and criss-cross design; a 2-door drop-leaf work table with rope bordered edge along drop-leaf sides; and a 2-drawer, fully carved partner's desk with carved lion's heads on each side and claw feet, attributed to Horner. Also sold will be a Morris chair with full-figured busts of women on the arms, also attributed to Horner.

Vintage clocks will include two fabulous grandfather clocks. One is a mahogany hall clock (#58, Waterbury Clock Co.), weight-driven with a single gong, in the original finish and with the original earlier black label. The other is a Walter Durfee mahogany tall case clock, weight-driven. Also sold will be two 19th-century Eli Terry pillar-and-scroll clocks. Mr. Terry worked out of Plymouth, Conn., and was the first maker of wooden-works clocks in the country.

Also from the clocks category: a rosewood Gale Astronomical calendar clock with four dials on the front, made by the Welch Spring Clock Company in Forrestville, Conn.; many clocks by Seth Thomas; a spectacular Waterbury Willard gold gilt weight-driven banjo clock with the original label; Sessions clocks; a weight-driven banjo clock by Foster Campos; some spectacular figural clocks; clock sets; bronze clocks; and some large Black Forest cuckoo clocks.

The antique gun collection will feature several Colt pistols and several early Western “muff guns” (ivory-handled single-shot pistols popular with the ladies). Also sold will be sterling silver billiards trophies won by members of The Waterbury Club, a prestigious organization formed in 1888 that was only recently disbanded, with inscriptions. All are circa 1920s-1940s.

A wonderful selection of autographed rock 'n' roll memorabilia will feature signed pieces by the late guitar legend Les Paul and his son Rusty Paul, members of the Marshall Tucker Band and other surprises. Also offered will be original oil paintings; room-size Oriental rugs; antique bottles; Black Forest and carved pieces; two Regina music boxes and two cylinder music boxes.

The auction will also include a phenomenal selection of lamps and lighting, most of it from the Victorian era. Bidders will be treated to reverse painted lamps, oil lamps, cut glass table lamps (some by Bradley and Hubbard), panel lamps, wall sconces and chandeliers. Equally impressive will be the selection of estate jewelry, headlined by a lady's 2.17-carat ruby center ring surrounded by six marquis diamonds weighting 1.4 carats. It cost the owner $15,000 new.

Admission to the auction (and preview) will come in the form of a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in memory of Peter W. Chapulis, Tim’s late father. A suggested donation is $5 per person. To date, nearly $25,000 has been raised for the charity, which was founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas. St. Jude treats children with aggressive cancers.

The Litchfield Firehouse is located at 258 West Street (Route 202) in Litchfield, Conn. Complimentary wine and cheese will be served during the preview, with the wine coming from the Hopkins Vineyard on Lake Waramaug in New Preston, Conn., an area popular among wine connoisseurs.

Absentee and phone bids will be accepted, if pre-arranged, but there will be no Internet component for the sale. Terms are a 15 percent buyer's premium for cash and known checks, 18 percent for major credit cards. “However folks bid, this sale is an opportunity to come out and acquire some genuine family heirlooms that anyone would be proud to own,” Mr. Chapulis said.

Tim’s, Inc., based in Bristol, Conn., is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (860) 459-0964, or you can e-mail them at tims.inc@snet.net. The firm is celebrating over 30 years in business (1979-2010). To learn more about Tim's, Inc. and the upcoming Cabin Fever Auction, and to view over 900 photos of the lots to be sold, please log on to www.timsauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. The mailing address for Tim’s, Inc. is 1185 Farmington Ave., Bristol, CT 06010.


Gold coins:
The sale will feature over 60 U.S. gold coins, like these, plus an impressive stamp collection.

Tim with clock:
Tim Chapulis stands with a magnificent grandfather hall clock (#58) from the Waterbury Club.

Beleden mansion:
Headlining the auction will be property from the historic Beleden Mansion in Litchfield, Conn.

Tim with chest:
Auctioneer Tim Chapulis poses with a nice highboy chest and a few of the lamps to be sold.

Vintage flasks:
Offered will be a nice selection of rare and vintage flask bottles, such as these shown.





Tim with regulator:
Tim Chapulis with a Gale Astronomical calendar clock, made by the Welch Spring Clock Co., Forrestville, Conn.

Jelliff sofa:
Heavily carved sofa made by John Jelliff and part of a stunning 3-piece Jelliff parlor group.

OVER 300 PEOPLE ATTEND INAUGURAL AUCTION EVENT HELD FEB. 20 BY BATERBYS ART AUCTION GALLERY AT NEW FACILITY IN DELRAY BEACH

Contact: www.Baterbys.com press@baterbys.com (866) 537-0265

OVER 300 PEOPLE ATTEND INAUGURAL AUCTION EVENT HELD FEB. 20 BY BATERBYS ART AUCTION GALLERY AT NEW FACILITY IN DELRAY BEACH

(DELRAY BEACH, Fla.) – Over 300 eager bidders packed the new Baterbys Art Auction Gallery facility at 13900 Jog Road in to participate in an inaugural auction event held Feb. 20. People poured in from across Delray and the Palm Beach areas to vie for original and reproduction works of art by some of the most recognizable names in 20th century fine art.

Artists like Salvador Dali, Marc Chagall, Yaacov Agam, Elena Bond, Peter Max and Ken Keeley were represented at the sale. Bidders were favorably impressed with the high level of sophistication the gallery brought to the area. Some even appeared taken aback that a gallery of this caliber would be situated in a town like Delray, which is nicely positioned but unassuming.

Clients and buyers alike had positive things to say about the impeccable service and large amount of art knowledge freely imparted by the Baterbys art consultants who attended the opening. Also in attendance were the mayor of Delray Beach and representatives from two area chambers of commerce (Palm Beach and Greater Delray). All three were favorably impressed.

The Delray opening (held at what Baterbys is calling the Palm Beach County Gallery), came a week before a live and Internet auction slated for Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Baterbys main auction gallery, located at 9101 International Drive in Orlando, Fla. Many of the same artists will be offered at that event, too.

Previews were scheduled for both sales, immediately preceding the events, with free cocktails and hors d’oeuvres provided by a local Cuban restaurant. The idea is to create a festive environment that bidders will enjoy as they peruse artworks spanning a range of themes, to include City Scenes, Biblical and Religious, Rural Life, Abstract, Realist and other genres.

Online bidding for Baterbys art auctions is facilitated by LiveAuctioners.com and iCollector.com. The firm typically donates the entire auctioneers’ premium to a local charity. For the Delray and Orlando sales, the premium was donated to UCP of Central Florida, an organization that serves children with disabilities and developmental delays in the Orlando area.

These are the first auctions of the year for Baterbys, named Best Art Gallery in Orlando for 2009 by Orlando Style Magazine and SneakySunday.com (a website dedicated to local arts and entertainment). Bidders will have had the opportunity to win free works of art and other giveaways during spontaneous raffles throughout both auctions. Everyone could receive a free print valued at $100 just for attending.

Baterbys offers its clients something unique in the industry: a lifetime money-back guarantee of authenticity for each work of art it sells. This is important to buyers looking to build a collection of art, since provenance is everything. It is Baterbys’ philosophy that gaining a buyer’s trust is key to ensuring they will become repeat customers. No other auction house offers such a guarantee.

Baterbys has over 25 years’ experience in the art world and auctioneering. The firm specializes in Internet and live auctions of world-class, authentic artwork, especially 20th-century masters, from Dali through Chagall, Picasso, Fini and numerous post-Impressionists. Baterbys’ main concentration is in rare graphic works. The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future fine art auctions.

Baterbys produces quarterly art review books that also serve as catalogs. They are a complete reference to all the artists Baterbys sells for dealers, collectors and new buyers. The catalogs – suitable for coffee table display – feature artist biographies, discussions of the artwork, and full museum-style descriptions of all the items. The cost is $49.95 hard-cover (less with a subscription).

For more information on Baterbys and the company’s upcoming Feb. 27 live and Internet auction, log on to www.baterbys.com. To consign a single piece of art, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them toll-free, at (866) 537-0265. Or, you can e-mail them, at press@baterbys.com.



Baterbys 1:

Bidders vied for works by some of the most recognizable names in 20th century fine art.

Baterbys 2:
Over 300 eager bidders packed the new Baterbys gallery in Delray Beach for the Feb. 20 event.

Baterbys 3:
People poured in from across Delray and the Palm Beach areas to attend the Feb. 20 auction.

Baterbys 4:
Officers from Baterbys, as well as local dignitaries, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the event.

Baterbys 5:
Bidders were favorably impressed with the high level of sophistication the gallery brought to the area.

Baterbys 6:
Some seemed surprised that a gallery of this caliber would be in Delray, which is nicely positioned but unassuming.

FIGURAL BRONZE STATUE BY GERMAN ARTIST FRANZ VON STUCK (1863-1928), TITLED AMAZON, SELLS FOR $20,880 IN ONLINE SALE HELD BY LITCHFIED COUNTY AUCTIONS

Contact: Nicholas Thorn, nicthorn72@yahoo.com
(860) 567-4661 or (646) 765-3599

FIGURAL BRONZE STATUE BY GERMAN ARTIST FRANZ VON STUCK (1863-1928), TITLED AMAZON, SELLS FOR $20,880 IN ONLINE SALE HELD BY LITCHFIED COUNTY AUCTIONS

(LITCHFIELD, Conn.) - A figural bronze statue of a warrior on his steed by the German artist Franz Von Stuck (1863-1928) sold for $20,880 in an online auction held Feb. 3-17 by Litchfield County Auctions, Inc. The bronze, titled Amazon, was the top achiever in a sale that saw over 1,000 lots change hands and grossed nearly $1 million. Internet bidding was facilitated by iGavelAuctions.com.

“This was our annual Winter Antiques Auction and it was the single largest sale in our 16-year history,” said Nicholas Thorn of Litchfield County Auctions, Inc. “We enjoyed a sell-through rate of over 90 percent, and the total gross of more than $966,000 included the $50,000 tag sale. The pre-sale estimate of items sold was $550,000-$850,000, so the grand total was above even the high estimate.”

Mr. Thorn added, “In contrast to what some feared might be too big of an auction, the size and quality of the sale turned out to be its own finest selling points. The results were phenomenal.” The auction featured American and European art and antiques, including two single-owner collections, one of early Mediterranean furniture and another of over 300 outstanding Mettlach beer steins and plaques.

By the time it was all over, a total of 4,745 bids had been submitted, with 387 winning bidders representing eleven foreign countries (Canada, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, England, Switzerland, Italy, Australia and Bermuda) and 31 different U.S. states. Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include the 20 percent buyer's premium.

The Von Stuck bronze went to a determined bidder from Germany, and that set the tone for the auction overall, as bidders from around the world logged on. The second top lot went to an American, however, as a set of 12 early 20th century walnut high-back leather dining chairs in the 17th century style hit $20,400. Also, a mid-17th century North European Baroque walnut trestle table made $10,620.

Fine art was offered in abundance. Tops in the category (after the Von Stuck) was a bronze figural group by Evgeni Lanceray (Russian, 1848-1886), titled Troika and Driver. The work was signed in Cyrillic and dated 1881, on a marble base. It climbed to $15,660. Also, a series of six prints by the iconic Spanish artist Salvador Dali (1904-1989), from his Le Cirque Series (1965) gaveled for $14,400.

Another work by Lanceray also made the top ten: a bronze figural group titled Cossack on Horseback Charging With a Lance. The work, on a wood base, was signed in Cyrillic, with the name and date stamped 1877. With a nice dark patina, the bronze went for $8,724.

An archaic (pre-700 B.C.) Greek hollow head of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and wheat (circa 5th-6th century B.C.), large size, wearing a tall polos and standing on a green marble plinth with wooden stand, topped out at $10,500. Also, a Martin Brothers stoneware double-face jug (dated May 1899), with a two-sided body showing grinning faces and signed on the base, hit the mark at $9,300.

A 79-piece Buccellati sterling silver flatware set, made in Milan, Italy in the 20th century, in the Torchon pattern and boasting a combined total gross weight of 159.89 troy ounces, fetched $8,400. Also, a silk and chenille needlework sampler, attributed to the Butler School and wrought by Maria Curtis of Wethersfield, Conn., (circa 1817), who died an early death in 1818 at age 12, rose to $6,060.

A great pair of Gothic Revival gray painted bookcases, English, made around 1860, with arch-form openings, coasted to $5,880; an impressive early 20th century Sultanabad carpet, blue ground with red border, climbed to $4,920; and a partial gilt bronze 20th century 12-light chandelier, electrified, acanthus decorated and surmounted by a putti on the top tier, was a relative bargain at just $4,680.

A German Villeroy & Boch Mettlach stein, made circa 1880-1920, etched type, 5.8-liter, signed Schlitt and depicting a knight on a white horse with a turret on top with inlay and a pewter rim, thumb lift and hinge, found anew owner for $4,638. Also, a George III English mahogany and satinwood marquetry inlaid demilune card table (circa 1780-1820), with nice brass mounts, coasted to $3,960.

A pair of bronze obelisks (French, 19th century) – one a model of Napoleon's Column; the other inscribed “En Presence du Roi Phillippe” and dated 1836, with spurious hieroglyphics, originally holding a thermometer – both on black marble bases, earned $3,840; and a redware bowl, American or English, made in the late 19th century and with a yellow squiggle pattern slip decoration, made $3,840.

A Chippendale carved mahogany fold-over card table (New York, circa 1760-1785), with a rounded-edged top, gadrooned rails, acanthus carved legs with ball and claw feet, and a single leaf-edge tenon, hammered for $3,780; and a fine Favrile stained glass window attributed to Tiffany (American, circa 1900), unsigned, of rectangular form, depicting lilies in a stylized border, hit $3,600.

A Continental 19th century ormolu mounted onyx and enamel planter, with chamfered corners, each with bronze female bust mounts and applied enamel panels, the sides with an applied scrolling enamel ornament, chalked up $3,300; and a pair of Russian pear-form teapots, marked and dated 1856, with bone handle fittings and leave decoration, with a gross weight of 41.65 troy ounces, made $3,246.

Litchfield County Auctions is Connecticut's premier estate auction house, featuring paintings, prints, sculptures, antique furniture, silver, rugs, jewelry, pottery, porcelain, glass and more. The firm's spacious, 10,000-square-foot gallery is located about a mile south of The Green in Litchfield. Major sales are held six times a year and feature fresh-to-the-market property from prominent local estates.

Litchfield County Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (860) 567-4661; or, you can e-mail them at nicthorn72@yahoo.com. The street address is 425 Bantam Rd. (Route 202), Litchfield, CT 06759. For more information on the firm, you may log on to www.litchfieldcountyauctions.com.


Walnut highback chairs:
Set of 12 early 20th century walnut highback leather chairs in the 17th century style ($20,400).

Von Stuck bronze:
The top lot of the sale was this 1890 bronze by German artist Franz Von Stuck, Amazon ($20,880).





Baroque trestle table:
North European Baroque walnut trestle table, made in the mid-17th century ($10,620).

Greek terracotta head:
Archaic (pre-700 B.C.) Greek hollow terracotta head of Demeter, circa 5th-6th century B.C. ($10,500).

Martin Brothers jug:
Martin Brothers glazed stoneware double-face jug, English, dated May 1899 ($9,300).

Buccellati sterling set:
Buccellati sterling silver flatware set (Milan, Italy, 20th century) in the 'Torchon' pattern ($8,400).

TOM PERRY OF TOM’S AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS IN SUFFOLK, VA., IS WORKING TOWARD HIS CAI DESIGNATION OFFERED BY THE NAA, AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CAI FUN A

Contact: Tom Perry
(757) 539-2498

TOM PERRY OF TOM’S AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS IN SUFFOLK, VA., IS WORKING TOWARD HIS CAI DESIGNATION OFFERED BY THE NAA, AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CAI FUN AUCTION MAR. 23 AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY IN BLOOMINGTON

“I'd like to invite everyone reading this to attend the CAI Fun Auction,” Tom Perry remarked.

(SUFFOLK, Va.) – Tom Perry of Tom’s Auctions & Appraisals – one of the premier auction houses in the mid-Atlantic states – has been in the business for years, but he is a firm believer in the adage that you can never have too much knowledge. He is about half-way done with a course that would earn him the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute designation.

The CAI is a three-year program offered by the National Auctioneers Association, the Kansas-based organization that represents the interests of nearly 5,000 auctioneers in the United States, Canada and the world. Mr. Perry is a member of the Virginia and National Auctioneers Associations. The NAA believes there’s no better way to learn from auctioneers than to hold an annual auction.

On the third day of the week-long program, year-two participants (like Mr. Perry) host a fundraising event called a Fun Auction, for all CAI participants and instructors. The participants donate the majority of the items to be auctioned and then run the auction. Anyone can bid on the items, and the proceeds benefit the NAA and the charitable causes of the participants’ choosing. The theme for this year's auction is 'Cooking Up Funds.'

At last year’s Fun Auction, over $20,000 was raised. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, Mar. 23, at Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., at 6 p.m., but interested parties may bid online, through Proxibid.com. “The auction typically lasts about four hours,” Mr. Perry said. “Each auctioneer has the choice of selling their own donated items or can opt to let one of the other auctioneers in attendance sell for them. And some of the best auctioneers in the world are in this program.”

Mr. Perry added, “It's a fantastic learning experience, and a great deal of fun. The donated items are wonderful. And it's for a worthy cause.”

This year’s Fun Auction will feature a wild and wonderful eclectic mix of merchandise, to include framed, signed and numbered limited-edition art prints; an Auburn University football weekend package; an NAA stoneware crock; a $500-off tuition voucher for a future NAA program; advertising packages galore; and several Auctioneers' State Association memberships.

Other items will include CAI memorabilia; dinner with IAC champions; tuition to the Professional Ringmen's Institute; auction college tuition packages; an Oklahoma Hunt Dinner for four with Spanky and Amy Assiter; Structuring Your Chant; an auction flag; a Proxibid event listing; tuition to the Texas Auction Academy; a portable auction podium; and an NAA tote bag.

Still more items to cross the block: membership to the Texas Auction Association; an ad in USA Today for the World Wide College of Auctioneering and Auctioneers Associations for Nebraska, Minnesota and Oklahoma; Oklahoma Hunt; golf for two, with lunch; two one-year memberships to the Auctioneers Association of North Carolina; a day of Kurt Aumann at your service; a Georgia turkey hunt for two; the Ohio Auctioneers Association and the list goes on.

“The Fun Auction is just that, a fun auction, and it’s a learning-by-doing exercise to make better, more efficient auctioneers of everyone in the NAA’s CAI program,” Mr. Perry said. “I’m thankful to be in the program.” The NAA was founded in 1946 to promote the auction method of marketing and enhancing the professionalism of its members through education and technology.

In 2007, the auction industry grew by 5.3 percent, with over $270 billion in goods and services sold. Proxibid will be one online bidding facilitator for people who can’t attend the Fun Auction live. You may also donate items or leave absentee bids for the auction with Tom Perry.

Tom’s Auctions & Appraisals is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (757) 539-2498, or you can send an e-mail to tombuys@tomsauction.com. For more information log on to www.tomsauction.com. For more information on the National Auctioneers Association, please log on to www.naa.org.


Fun Auction 1:
Year-two participants in the NAA's CAI designation program hold an annual CAI Fun Auction.







Fun Auction 2:
(no cut line; this may be dropped in as an accompanying 1/4-page gratis ad for the NAA & CAI).

GALLERY 63 IN ATLANTA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF A NEW REALITY SERIES ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL CALLED AUCTION KING; SHOW WILL PREMIERE IN MAY

Contact: Paul Brown
(404) 252-2555

GALLERY 63 IN ATLANTA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF A NEW REALITY SERIES ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL CALLED AUCTION KING; SHOW WILL PREMIERE IN MAY

(ATLANTA, Ga.) – Gallery 63 on Roswell Road in Atlanta – one of the Southeast’s premier auction houses – will be the focus of a new reality series on The Discovery Channel. The new show will be called Auction King and is set to debut sometime in May. Filming began on Feb. 25 at Gallery 63’s showroom, at 4577 Roswell Road, in preparation for their Mar. 7 auction.

“Anyone with a quality item, estate or collection can become part of television history by bringing what they’ve got here to the gallery,” said Paul Brown of Gallery 63. “We’ll be receiving merchandise, and the cameras will be rolling, between February 24th and March 5th, Monday through Friday, from 9-4. For larger pick-ups, people can call us, at 404-252-2555.”

Mr. Brown said he thought it was a crank call when The Discovery Channel phoned him five months ago to see if he’d be interested in the project. “I thought they were trying to sell me something,” he recalled with a laugh. “I get calls all the time, from people coming at me with all kinds of pitches. I cut them short, told them I wasn’t interested and pretty much forgot about it.”

Luckily for Paul, Discovery wasn’t so easily spurned. They called him back about a week later and explained that they were serious about the possibility of featuring him and his auction house in a reality show. “When I realized they were on the level, I got excited,” Mr. Brown said. “Discovery Channel is a great network, with a great lineup of shows. I can’t wait to get started.”

But before they committed to Gallery 63, Discovery asked Mr. Brown to jump through a few preliminary hoops. First he had to send in photos of himself and the staff to make sure everybody was telegenic (they were). Then he had to keep an ongoing journal – a diary of day-to-day activities – to make sure the company was a good fit for the producers’ vision (it was).

After that, Mr. Brown was sent a camcorder by Discovery and asked to shoot some in-house footage, which was sent in and reviewed. And finally, a team from Discovery visited the gallery, mike’d everybody up and shot some footage of their own. But even then, the idea had to be pitched to the Discovery braintrust. They liked what they saw and green-lighted 13 episodes.

Auction King will star Paul Brown and his staff as they interact with consignors and customers and explore the varied and wondrous treasures that turn up at the gallery. “Of course,” Mr. Brown pointed out, “the real stars of Auction King will be the consignors who bring us their treasures, and the eclectic mix of types who show up on auction day to bid. There’s nothing quite like an auction. Auctions are like people – no two are alike. Strategy and egos come into play when two or more bidders hunker down and compete for the same prize. It’s all very exciting.”

Discovery Channel is home to some of the most popular programs on cable, shows like Deadliest Catch, Dirty Jobs, American Loggers, Cash Cab, Ghost Lab, Mythbusters, Pitchmen, Raging Planet and Storm Chasers. “Ideally, we’d like if if Auction King came on right after one of the higher-rated shows, like Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs or Deadliest Catch,” Mr. Brown said.

Gallery 63 is always accepting quality consignments for future sales, including the Mar. 7 event that will be on the season premiere of Auction King. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (404) 252-2555, or e-mail them at rbaron2@bellsouth.net. To learn more about Gallery 63 and its calendar of upcoming events, log on to www.gallery63.net.

Gallery 63 logo:
Gallery 63 in Atlanta will be the focus of a new reality series on The Discovery Show called Auction King.

OUTSTANDING MARKED KPM OVAL PORCELAIN PLAQUE WITH A PORTRAIT TITLED REMBRANDT’S MOTHER HAMMERS FOR $7,250 AT WOODY AUCTION

Contact: Jason Woody
(316) 747-2694

OUTSTANDING MARKED KPM OVAL PORCELAIN PLAQUE WITH A PORTRAIT TITLED REMBRANDT’S MOTHER HAMMERS FOR $7,250 AT WOODY AUCTION

(WICHITA, Kan.) – An outstanding, marked KPM oval porcelain plaque, boasting a finely detailed portrait titled Rembrandt’s Mother, sold for $7,250 at the sale of the lifetime personal collections of Elizabeth and the late Clarence Lee Dubois of Arkansas. The auction was conducted Feb. 13 in the 4-H Hall of the Sedgwick County Extension Center in Wichita, Kan.

Woody Auction, based in Douglass, Kan., served as auctioneers for the event, which attracted around 100 on-site bidders and nearly 50 absentee bids. In addition, over 250 people registered to bid online, through Proxibid.com. “It was a good sale because the quality of the merchandise was so high,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction, “plus the weather was nice.”

Mr. and Mrs. Dubois were dedicated collectors of KPM porcelain, Tiffany sterling, Pickard, art glass, Limoges table sets and Oriental and flume paperweights. In all, 520 lots crossed the block. The top achiever was the KPM oval porcelain plaque, which measured 20 inches by 16 inches, had no visible artist’s signature and was of excellent condition and quality. Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted are hammer, exclusive of a sliding commission structure. There is no buyer’s premium at a Woody Auction.

A pair of 12 ½-inch KPM porcelain vases featuring a colorful bird sitting in branch décor and having great gold highlights, realized $4,750; a 16-inch by 10 inch German porcelain plaque with a finely detailed scene of La Belle Chocolatiere brought $3,900; and a 10-inch by 17 ½-inch porcelain plaque set in the original ebony shadow box frame, signed R. Diettrich, rose to $3,900.

A marked KPM porcelain plaque showing young women carrying flowers to a shrine, wonderfully detailed and signed A. Loffler, commanded $3,800; a 14-inch beehive mark porcelain plaque set in a round gilt wooden frame, artist signed W. Lojos, made $3,500; and a French porcelain tile adjustable fireplace screen in a gilt frame with adjusting knobs hit $3,500.

A marked KPM porcelain plaque in a gilt wooden frame, with a scene of a young girl holding a cat while the cat watches a butterfly, coasted to $3,200; a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver reticulated basket with an elaborate embossed blackberry and leaf décor achieved $2,900; and a marked Tiffany & Co. pedestal urn-shaped clock with a yellow satin porcelain body hit $2,800.

A marked KPM porcelain plaque featuring a beautifully detailed scene of a servant girl with tea tray, artist signed, soared to $2,600; a marked KPM porcelain plaque showing young Renaissance women carrying a sacred relic achieved $2,400; and a Victorian Mary Gregory-style vase on a figural stand, with a Reed & Barton silver plate stork base, topped out at $2,200.

A 7-inch marked Meissen crossed-sword figurine, depicting a siren sitting on a rock ledge with a harp and sea serpent, went for $2,000; a set of four Royal Worcester scenic fruit plates, nicely detailed and artist signed H.H. Price, breezed to $1,900; and a 6-inch bronze figurine on a marble base of a young girl, artist signed F. Preiss, crossed the block at $1,700.

A 10 ½-inch Pickard two-handled vase, with a brocaded gold background and multi-colored hummingbird décor, demanded $1,600; a set of six Royal Worcester fruit décor cups and saucers with great detailing, artist signed Schuck, hammered for $1,400; and an 11 ½-inch decorated Burmese gourd-shaped vase with a heavily enameled bamboo décor earned $1,400.

A nice oil painting in fine condition, signed by the artist F. Cassell and depicting a scene of five dogs preparing to attack a rat, went to a determined bidder for $1,250; a 20-inch figural four-lily epergne with an outstanding gilt metal three-camel base finished at $1,200; and a set of 12 Theodore Haviland oyster plates, white with a pick rose décor and gold highlights, hit $900.

Woody Auction has several big sales planned for the spring and early summer. The first will be an American Brilliant Cut Glass auction slated for Saturday, Mar. 20, at the Holiday Inn Airport West in St. Louis, Mo. Then, on Apr. 3, an antique auction will be held at the same venue as the sale just conducted, at the Sedgwick County Extension Center in Wichita, Kan.

The crown jewel event of the season promises to be the sale of the Dale Gabel Collection in St. Charles, Mo., the weekend of Apr. 9-10. After that, there is an antique auction slated for May 22, featuring a nice biscuit jar collection, and another antique auction is scheduled for June 5. Information for these and all Woody Auction events may be seen at www.woodyauction.com.

Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (316) 747-2694. Or, you can e-mail them at info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about Woody Auction and the upcoming calendar of events scheduled for the spring and early summer, please log on to www.woodyauction.com.


KPM porcelain plaque:
The top lot of the sale was this outstanding marked KPM oval porcelain plaque ($7,250).

Tiffany basket:
Fantastic signed Tiffany & Co. sterling silver reticulated basket, one of a kind ($2,900).




Royal Worcester:
Set of four Royal Worcester scenic fruit plates, artist signed H.H. Price ($1,900).

Victorian vase:
Beautiful 17 ½-inch Victorian Mary Gregory-style vase on figural stand ($2,200).

Fireplace screen:
Rare French porcelain tile adjustable fireplace screen, 37 inches by 25 inches ($3,500).

Pair KPM vases:
Nice pair of 12 ½-inch KPM porcelain vases with colorful bird décor, gold highlights ($4,750).

Meissen figurine:
7-inch marked Meissen crossed sword figurine of a siren with harp and serpent ($2,000).

GORDON S. CONVERSE & CO. WILL KICK OFF 2010 WITH A DISCOVERY ANTIQUE AUCTION ON THURSDAY, MAR. 25, IN WAYNE, PA.; 250 LOTS WILL BE OFFERED

Contact: Gordon S. Converse
(484) 431-5543 or (610) 722-9004

GORDON S. CONVERSE & CO. WILL KICK OFF 2010 WITH A DISCOVERY ANTIQUE AUCTION ON THURSDAY, MAR. 25, IN WAYNE, PA.; 250 LOTS WILL BE OFFERED

(WAYNE, Pa.) – Coming off a highly successful vintage clocks and horology auction at the end of last year, in which about 250 lots changed hands (half of them being wood shelf clocks dating to the early 19th century), Gordon S. Converse & Co. will ring in 2010 with a Discovery Antique Auction on Thursday, Mar. 25, at 12:15 p.m. About 250 lots will be sold.

“Luckily for us, a small and collectible collection of posters and fine arts came in at the last minute, rounding out this next sale nicely,” said Gordon Converse of Gordon S. Converse & Co. He was referring to 30 lots of artwork by Marc Chagall, Ben Shahn, Fernand Leger and others, all vintage lithographs and posters. “My favorite is a framed photo and signed check of Mae West with a gold leaf frame and a stunning light blue satin mask,” Mr. Converse remarked.

These are part of a much broader and eclectic range of categories, which also includes ceramics, sporting prints, furniture and collectibles.

Porcelains will include Hummels, figurines, ceramics (including a collection of pitchers, and teapots), French furniture and other general furniture items, ornithological and duck-related items, vintage dolls, and prints (some of them 19th century).

“This is a sale where there will truly be something for everybody,” said Gordon Converse “If you’re looking for variety, and some nice merchandise, then this is the auction for you.” The event will be held at the Italian-American Club in Wayne, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia located about a half-hour by car west of the city.

Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. A preview will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 24, from noon to 6 p.m. A buyer’s premium of 15 percent will be applied to all sales. The Italian-American Club is located at 301 West Wayne Avenue in Wayne, Pa. Gordon S. Converse & Co. is based in nearby Strafford, Pa.

Some of the lots – particularly the smalls and especially the porcelain pieces – will be offered in multiples, a fact that will appeal to dealers (although the auction will be open to the general public). “The teapots are going to generate bidder interest because they’re so attractive and unique looking,” Mr. Converse said. “There are about twelve of them, all very interesting.”

The French furniture will include a gorgeous pair of heavily carved wedding armoires, both beautifully hand-crafted in the 19th century. The Chinese and Oriental items will feature a lovely screen, a large watercolor and some furniture pieces. The ornithological and duck-related lots will include decoys and artwork. A few, but not many, silver pieces will also be offered.

The dolls should get paddles wagging because, like the teapots, they are both unique and interesting. “These aren’t Madame Alexander dolls, but they’re not French Jumeau dolls either,” Mr. Converse said. “They are all vintage and folk art-style dolls, made in the late 19th or early 20th century. Doll aficionados may want to take note.”

After this event, Gordon S. Converse & Co.’s next big sale will be another vintage clocks and horology-related items auction, slated for sometime in June (the date and time have yet to be determined; for more information as June draws near, log on to the Gordon S. Converse & Co. websites: www.AuctionsatConverse.com or www.ConverseClocks.com. Both are updated often).

Already, some very impressive timepieces have been consigned for the June sale. A few include the following:

• A magnificent 18th-century tall case grandfather clock attributed to John Hoff of Pennsylvania.
• A fine, early 18th-century English basket-top bracket clock.
• A very rare clock set, consisting of a perpetual calendar clock and a times-around-the-world clock by Gubelin (known as “the Tiffany of Switzerland”), all enamel and very flashy, originally hung in a law office and suitable for commercial display. “These clocks make an architectural statement,” Mr. Converse said. “They’re too large for home use, but would make a wonderful addition to anyone’s work environment.”

Gordon S. Converse & Co. is still accepting quality consignments for the Mar. 25 Discovery Antique Auction and the June vintage clocks and horology sale. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (610) 722-9004. Or, you can send them an e-mail, at Gordon@ConverseClocks.com. Mr. Converse replies promptly to all inquiries.

Anyone interested in finding out what an antique item might be worth can find out by sending a photo of the item, along with a check for $40, to Gordon S. Converse & Co., Attn: Gordon S. Converse, 758 Mancill Rd., Strafford, PA 19087. For more information, please log on to www.AuctionsatConverse.com or www.ConverseClocks.com. Updates are posted frequently.


French armoire:
Important, finely carved French armoire, one of several French furniture items to be offered.

Austrian commode:
Fine Austrian commode with great color.

Porcelain group:
Many porcelain pieces – including Royal Doulton and Hummel – will cross the block Mar. 25.

Chinese screen:
Chinese decorated 6-panel screen.

Gypsy doll:
About a dozen folk art-style dolls, like this nice-looking gypsy doll, will be sold.

Chagall lithograph:
Lithograph signed in pencil, lower right, by the artist Marc Chagall.

Carved eagle:
Solid walnut carved eagle, about 36 inches long.

Mae West:
Framed silver and silk presentation of actress Mae West, with a signed check below the photo.

THE CONTENTS OF A FIRE FIGHTING MUSEUM, A PRIVATE ARCADE MACHINES COLLECTION AND NEARLY 150 RARE TOYS AND BANKS WILL BE SOLD APR. 9-11

Contact: Mike Eckles
(951) 453-2415 or (313) 715-4486

THE CONTENTS OF A FIRE FIGHTING MUSEUM, A PRIVATE ARCADE MACHINES COLLECTION AND NEARLY 150 RARE TOYS AND BANKS WILL BE SOLD APR. 9-11

The three-day weekend event will be held in Ann Arbor, Mich., by Showtime Auction Services.

(ANN ARBOR, Mich.) – Nearly 2,000 lots from several major collections in an array of categories – firefighting items from the Granite Handtub Museum in Newmarket, N.H., a private arcade machine collection, around 150 rare toys and banks and more – will be sold Apr. 9-11 by Showtime Auction Services, at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The three-day Spring “Live” Auction will also feature advertising, country store, barber shop, coin-op, gambling, general store, soda fountain, Coca-Cola, breweriana, petroliana, automobilia, Western Americana, tobacciana, saloon, brothel, die cabinets, showcases, store fixtures, Black Americana, salesman’s samples, Native American items, trade signs and more.

The first day of the sale (Fri., Apr. 9, noon to 5 p.m.) will be for live attendees only (no phone, absentee or Internet bidding). The Saturday and Sunday sessions (Apr. 10, 9-6, and Apr. 11, 9-4) will have live bidding plus phone, absentee and Internet bidding (via iCollector.com). A preview will be held Friday, Apr. 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, with a free hot breakfast from 8-10.

The top lot of the auction is expected to be a vintage pistol-operated Mermaid “The War Game” coin-op arcade machine (est. $200,000-$300,000). The exceedingly rare coin-op arcade machine, one of only twelve made and one of only ten known to exist today, was made by the Matheson Manufacturing Company. It was repainted and is in overall good working condition. Seventy other coin-op machines, most of them rare arcades, will also be offered at the auction.

Also expected to do well is a beautifully restored Hunneman hand-drawn hand tub/fire pump (est. $30,000-$40,000), one of three handtubs in the auction and one of over 200 fire fighting items from the Granite Handtub Museum. Built in 1854 (Button #364), the handtub originated in Cleremont, N.H., and was purchased in 1860 by the town of New Ipswich, N.H.

Another item from the museum is a decorated lamp for the button handtub used by a veteran firemen’s organization called the Red Jackets (est. $5,000-$10,000). In 1892, the tub was entered into a pumpers’ competition at a local muster in Massachusetts and won first prize. The piece was considered the most decorated tub of its time and still resides in Massachusetts.

Vintage toys will include three examples by Buddy L: an extremely rare toy bus that was once ridden by children who would steer it from side wheels (est. $8,000-$12,000); a red baby toy truck in excellent condition with the original tag (est. $6,000-$10,000); and an outdoor toy train with nine cars, complete with five pieces of track and connectors (est. $12,000-$20,000).

Another one of the 150 or so rare toys to be sold is a pre-war Japanese early tin toy race car, very rare and in very good condition (est. $2,000-$4,000). From a completely different category, but not to be overlooked, is a handsome Cigar Store Indian, possibly a Samuel Robb, but with no signature (est. $25,000-$40,000). The piece’s later re-paint has an emerging patina.

Over 20 rare mechanical banks will be offered, to include a cast-iron Boy Scout Camp example in excellent original condition, with 90 percent of the original paint still intact (est. $1,000-$3,500); and a rare circus bank (est. 2,500-$5,000). Also sold will be an extremely rare Pepsi-Cola can in the shape of a spool of thread, the only one Showtime has ever seen and in excellent condition (est. $2,000-$3,000).

A dozen automatons will include a one-cent, coin-operated gambling automaton, featuring a monkey who waves a magic wand, causing a dice table to drop down and then pop up quickly again, sending the dice rolling (est. $10,000-$20,000); and a store window automaton depicting a clock works gentleman. Wind him up and his head moves back and forth (est. $4,000-$8,000).

Additional top lots include a Studebaker & Rockne Authorized Service & Parts two-sided porcelain sign, the only one known and in very good condition (est. $7,500-$10,000; Note: Rockne cars were only manufactured for two years); an 1891 calendar for The Great Rock Island Route Train Company, with full pad (est. $3,000-$6,000); and a Mosley folding bath tub, the same type used in brothels in the 1800s (est. $8,000-$10,000).

Mr. Eckles, owner of Showtime Auction Services, said of the auction, “This is the most diversified selection of merchandise with high quality and rare items in over 60 antique collector categories represented.”

The preferred hotel for the auction is The Weber’s Inn in Ann Arbor, Mich., located about 25 minutes from the Detroit airport (DTW). The phone number for reservations is (734) 769-2500. Room-hopping is encouraged. A flyer providing more auction info has been printed. A full-color catalog is also available, at a cost of $35 (to order one, call Carol, at 316-721-5236).

The Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds (the venue of choice for Showtime Auction Services over the past several years) is located at 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Road in Ann Arbor. Showtime conducts only four auctions a year (two live, two absentee), and they need to be held somewhere commensurate with the importance of the auction. The Apr. 9-11 sale is important.

Showtime’s next auction after this one will be a Summer Absentee, Phone and Internet Auction, scheduled to end July 9. Featured will be a fabulous collection of arcade, firefighting memorabilia, advertising, country store, barber shop, gambling, coin-op, toys, banks, general store, Coca-Cola, breweriana, petroliana, automobilia, Western Americana and much more.

After that, Showtime will hold a big Fall “Live” Auction Oct. 1-3 (also at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor). Then, a Winter 2011 Absentee Auction will end Jan. 15, 2011. Flyers will be mailed out mid-December and an online catalog will be posted about Jan. 1. The categories for these sales will be similar to those of the Apr. 9-11 and Jul. 9 auction events.

Showtime Auction Services is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call Michael Eckles at (951) 453-2415. His e-mail address is mikeckles@aol.com. To learn more about Showtime Auction Services and the Apr. 9-11 auction, please log on to www.showtimeauctions.com. Updates are posted often.



Hunneman hand tub:
Beautifully restored Hunneman hand-drawn hand tub-fire pumper, 1854 (est. $30,000-$40,000).

Mermaid coin-op:
“The War Game” mermaid coin-op arcade machine by Matheson Mfg. (est. $200,000-$300,000).



Buddy L bus:
Extremely rare Buddy L toy bus, one of many Buddy L toys in the sale (est. $8,000-$12,000).

Monkey automaton:
Gambling automaton; the monkey waves his hand, causing dice to roll (est. $10,000-$20,000).

Japanese car:
Pre-World War II Japanese early race car tin toy with key wind, very rare (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Mechanical bank:
Cast-iron Boy Scout Camp mechanical bank, 90% of original paint intact (est. $1,000-$3,500).

Cigar Store Indian:
Cigar Store Indian, possibly a Samuel Robb, repainted with newer patina (est. $15,000-$30,000).

Pepsi can:
Pepsi-Cola spool-shaped soda can, very rare and in excellent condition (est. $2,000-$3,000).

FONTAINE’S AUCTION GALLERY WILL OFFER A ONE-DAY SEMINAR AND APPRAISAL FOR TIFFANYAND OTHER LAMPS SUNDAY, MAR. 21, AT 10 A.M.

Contact: Bob Burke or John Fontaine
(413) 448-8922

FONTAINE’S AUCTION GALLERY WILL OFFER A ONE-DAY SEMINAR AND APPRAISAL FOR TIFFANYAND OTHER LAMPS SUNDAY, MAR. 21, AT 10 A.M.

Guest speaker will be Paul Crist, a Tiffany lamps expert and author of Mosaic Shades II.

(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is offering a free one-day seminar and appraisal on the lamps of Tiffany and other 20th century lighting, to be held Sunday, Mar. 21, in the firm’s gallery facility, located at 1485 South Housatonic Street in Pittsfield. Fontaine’s has been the scene of numerous auctions that featured rare and vintage lamps and lighting fixtures.

Guest speaker for the event will be Paul Crist of Paul Crist Studios, an expert in Tiffany lamps and the author of the book Mosaic Shades II. An informative seminar by Mr. Crist will begin promptly at 10 a.m., with a question and answer session to follow. Mr. Crist specializes in Tiffany examples and has over 30 years’ experience in mosaic shades (copper foiled and leaded).

Teaming with Mr. Crist will be John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, himself an expert in the field of lamps and vintage lighting and co-author of the book The Handel Lamps Book. Mr. Fontaine invites the public to bring their lamps to the seminar for a free evaluation and authentication. A certificate documenting a vintage lamp’s authenticity may also be purchased.

“If you have one piece or an entire collection, we are here for you,” said Mr. Fontaine. “We suggest calling ahead, to reserve a time slot in the morning or afternoon.” Mr. Fontaine added his firm will host a Spring Exceptional Antiques Auction on May 22, at which a session will be devoted entirely to fine lighting from estates and collections from around the country.

“We are offering a zero percent sellers’ commission on high-end lighting and antiques,” remarked Mr. Fontaine. “That’s right, it will cost consignors nothing to sell their Tiffany and other high-end lighting at one of the top galleries for 20th century arts and lighting in the country.” Fontaine’s implemented the zero percent commission policy at the end of last year.

Paul Crist is a nationally renowned and leading expert in the lighting field by dealers and collectors alike. He is said to be the “last stop” for authenticating and lighting evaluation. Mr. Crist’s exhaustive research and documentation, spanning more than three decades, prompted him to produce the three-volume Mosaic Shades series, which is used as a learning tool by collectors.

His first publication, Mosaic Shade II, is packed with knowledge and photos of the many copper-foiled shade makers apart from Tiffany, to include Duffner & Kimberly, Chicago Mosaic, Wilkinson, John Morgan, Unique Glass Co. and more. Volume II serves a dual purpose: it is a handsome coffee table treasure, and it is a “go-to” reference for the ambitious researcher.

John Fontaine was born into the world of auctions and antiques. He has been in the business for 40 years, both as an auctioneer and ambitious researcher. His knowledge extends to renowned furniture makers like J.H. Belter, J. & J.W Meeks, R.J. Horner, Herter Brothers, Alexander Roux, Gustav Stickley, Charles Rohlfs and many others recognizable to collectors.

But Mr. Fontaine’s passion for lighting is uncharted. Over time, he has had the kind of hands-on experience that most can only dream about, and his driving ambition assisted him well in the preparation and writing of The Handel Lamps Book. Documenting and photographing the treasures of Philip Handel, he was able to produce a definitive reference work on Handel lamps.

Mr. Fontaine has embraced the world of 20th century lighting fully. Included in his repertoire is knowledge of other reverse painted lamp makers such as Moe Bridges, Pittsburgh, Jefferson and Pairpoint, as well as leaded/copper-foiled lamp makers like Tiffany, Duffner & Kimberly, Chicago Mosaic, Wilkinson, John Morgan, Unique Glass Company and many others.

Preceding the Mar. 21 seminar event will be an Antique Discovery Estate Auction, slated for Saturday, Mar. 20, beginning at 10 a.m., also at the Fontaine’s gallery in Pittsfield. The May 22 event will be a cataloged auction, featuring antique furniture, lighting, Mission, and antique clocks and watches. The zero percent consignors’ commission for high-quality items applies.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is actively seeking quality consignments for its spring and summer auctions. The firm also buys antiques and entire estates outright. For more information, or to consign an item, estate or collection, you may call (413) 448-8922, or send an e-mail him to info@fontaineauction.com. For more information, please log on to www.fontainesauction.net.


Lamp books:
John Fontaine and Paul Crist, who will both speak at the seminar, authored these lamp books.





Tiffany Dragonfly:
This Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, and others like it, will be the topic of discussion Sunday, Mar. 21.

RARE GROUP OF THREE DISTINGUISHED AWARDS GIVEN TO WORLD WAR I GERMAN ACE ADOLF RITTER VON TUTSCHEK HITS $28,250 AT SOLDUSA.COM

Contact: Chris Roberts
(704) 815-1500

RARE GROUP OF THREE DISTINGUISHED AWARDS GIVEN TO WORLD WAR I GERMAN ACE ADOLF RITTER VON TUTSCHEK HITS $28,250 AT SOLDUSA.COM

(MATTHEWS, N.C.) – An exceedingly rare group of three distinguished awards given to World War I German flying ace Adolf Ritter von Tutschek soared to $28,250 in an Internet and catalog auction that ended Jan. 23-24 by SoldUSA.com, the premier hunting and fishing, militaria and collectibles site. The group was the top earner of the more than 1,000 lots sold.

“Overall, this was a very positive auction,” said Chris Roberts of SoldUSA.com, “and already great consignments are pouring in for our next sale” (which will go online in early March and conclude Mar. 20-21). “On the first day of the sale, we had 1.7 million hits and had to re-start the system twice. We’ll have to tweak the software to make sure that doesn’t happen again."

Of the estimated 42,000 bidders in SoldUSA.com’s database, around 3,000 registered to bid in the recent sale. “They were participating literally from all over the world,” Mr. Roberts said. “Bids came in from Ireland, France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom. It was astounding. Collectors like the fact that we guarantee the authenticity of every single item we put up for bid.”


The von Tutschek lot consisted of his original named and engraved Pour Le Merit “Blue Max” award, a one-of-a-kind piece still in its original case and in excellent condition; his cased silver Iron Cross medal, boasting a nice silver age patina and with his name engraved on the reverse; and his engraved cut-out pilot’s badge, engraved with his name and in a leatherette box.


Von Tutschek was a soldier turned fighter pilot who began flying with Germany’s Jagstaffel 2 force in January 1917. He was later given command of the new Jagdeschwader 2 and began flying sorties in his new Fokker D-1 green tri-plane. The ace managed to rack up 27 confirmed kills before he himself was shot down and killed on Mar. 15, 1918, only 26 years old.

Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 13 percent buyer’s premium.

An H. E. Leman identified flintlock Pennsylvania rifle (circa 1835), rare and with a tin-type of the original owner holding the weapon, hit the mark for $8,661. The rifle is possibly a first-year production firearm by Leman. It had not been restored (and the original ramrod was missing). Measuring 62 inches long, it featured brass fittings, metal patch box and set triggers.

The rifle was made more remarkable by the fact that it has been in the same family – the Elliotts, who originally moved from Georgia to Oklahoma, prior to the “Trail of Tears.” It had been passed down through the Elliott family to the consignor, who can still remember the rifle hanging over the fireplace of her grandfather, Ben Elliott, who was born in 1881 and died 1945.

A Colt 3rd model shoulder stock provision Dragoon pistol (1858, Serial #17482), marked with the rare “Col. Colt London” barrel address, only a handful of which are known to exist, scored a bull’s-eye for $7,770. The gun, one of the rarest of all 3rd model Colt Dragoons made, had the Colt patented detachable stock hardware, including the two extra lug screws in the frame.

The pistol featured a 7 1/2-inch barrel with the correct two-leaf sight, which was added by Colt only for shoulder stock models. The cylinder retained over 50 percent of the original scene, with the rarer of the two cylinder markings (“Model U.S.M.R. 17482 Colt’s Patent”). Every screw and inch of this exceptional plum-finish gun was inspected and declared correct.

A Winchester “Woman in Yellow Hunting Coat” calendar poster from 1912, painted circa 1910 specifically for Winchester by an unknown artist and exhibiting rich and vibrant colors, garnered $5,085. The posters from the original artwork were lithographed around 1911. This example measured 14 5/8 inches by 30 inches and featured both the top and bottom bands.

A beautiful World War II NSDAP (1923-1933) cased blood order serial numbered 938 first strike medal, made by J. Fuess Munchen and with rich coin strike quality detail, went to a determined bidder for $4,520. The medal was mounted to its original ribbon with button-hole mounting in the ribbon center. It was housed in a leather-covered hinged case with locking front.


As stated, SoldUSA.com’s next big sale will go online in early March and conclude Mar. 20-21. Featured will be high-end ammo collectibles, advertising items, rare tin signs, die-cuts, posters, calendars and many other hunting and fishing collectibles, plus militaria. The auction after the March auction is slated for sometime in May, with start and end dates to be determined.

To learn more about SoldUSA.com and the Internet and catalog auction that starts in March, log on to www.SoldUSA.com. The firm is always looking for quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item or a collection, you may call them at (704) 815-1550, or you can e-mail them at croberts@SoldUSA.com. For more information, log on to www.SoldUSA.com.

Tutschek awards:
Group of three awards given to World War I German flying ace Adolf von Tutschek ($28,250).




Winchester poster:
Winchester “Woman in Yellow Hunting Coat” calendar poster from 1912 ($5,085).


Leman rifle:
Circa-1835 H.E. Leman identified flintlock Pennsylvania rifle ($8,661).

Colt Dragoon:
Colt 3rd model shoulder stock provision Dragoon pistol, 1858, Serial #17482 ($7,770).

WWII medal:
World War II NSDAP (1923-1933) cased blood order first strike medal by Munchen ($4,520).