Stair Galleries

Lot 32: GEORGE II ARMORIAL CAKE BASKET
What a stunning cake basket this is! It is marked by the maker Edward Aldrige of London, and made in 1747. It is 14 1/4" long. It would be a pleasure to be able to serve guests using this handsome piece on sideboard or around the dining room table.

Lot 38A: IRISH GEORGE III HAMMERED SILVER KETTLE ON STAND
I admire the simple yet refined design of this Irish George III hammered silver kettle on stand, marked T.J., Dublin, 1796.

Lot 38: GEORGE III ARMORIAL SILVER COFFEE POT
London-made, bearing the marks E.C. and made in the year 1774 -- this pear-form footed silver coffee pot bears two armorial devices with later chased rococo scrolls and flowers. It stands 10 3/4" tall.

Lot 107: HOUGH, ROMEYN BECK. "THE AMERICAN WOODS, EXHIBITED BY ACTUAL SPECIMEN...
The serious student of furniture should own this complete set of wooden specimens by Romeyn Beck Hough, The American Woods, Exhibited by Actual Specimens and with Copius Explanatory Text, published in Lowville, New York, 1894-1928 in 145 vols. with 1063 samples illustrating 355 species. Complete sets are rare.

Lot 159: SHAKESPEARE, WILLIAM. "COMEDIES, HISTORIES AND TRAGEDIES."
William Shakespeare's Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, published in London in 1632 is a rare second edition of the writer's works. This is a folio size edition with 18th century calf boards is rebacked with later spine and labels. Portrait title A2, A4- A 6 supplied in facsimile. Colophon is also in facsimile. Read the entry for description of restorations or repairs.

Koller Auctions

Lot 3408: FERRARI, GIOVANNI ANDREA DE
Here is a very attractive drawing in red chalk by Giovanni Andrea de Ferrari (1598, Genoa 1699). It depicts Jacob's dream of a stairway to heaven as Jacob sleeps.

Lot 3410: DUGHET, GASPARD (GASPARD POUSSIN)
Freely sketched in brown pen, brown wash and with traces of black chalk is this Italian landscape made by an artist in the circle of Gaspard Poussin Dughet.

Lot 3415: CARRACCI, ANNIBALE
Here is a red chalk study of a young woman enraptured, c. 1600. The artist is cited as Annibale Carracci (Bologna 1560-1609 Rome). Beautifully rendered with white chalk for highlights.

Lot 3443: PYNACKER, ADAM
Oh how the Dutch love to make beautiful images of their cows. This study shows one well finished drawing of a large cow seated on the ground with smaller cows in lesser degree of finish. The artist cited is Adam Pynacker (c. 1620-1673).

Lot 3628: Regnault, Nicalas François. La Botanique mise à la portée de tout le m...
Fifty colored copperplate images of botanic specimens made by Nicalas Francois Regnault grace this work published in Paris in 1774. Stunning!

Lot 3662: Greece/Middle East - Colonel Peytier. Aquarelles de Grèce, Turquie et ...
Water colors made in Greece and the Middle East by Colonel Peytier are presented here in album format. Read the catalogue entry for a more complete description.

Lot 3664: ZOOLOGY Berge, [Karl] F[riedrich Wilh.], Käferbuch. Allgemeine und spe...
Having recently seen the Darwin exhibition (whose 200th birthday was just celebrated) at Yale University's Center for British Art, I am attracted to natural history specimen illustrations. This publication of 1844 has 36 lithograph plates with 1315 depictions. Impressive! The plate illustrated recalls for me the story of how Darwin, when collecting beetles, had his hands full and so he put one of the beetles into his mouth in order to collect it. That turned into a highly unsatisfactory experience, as the captured victim retaliated with defensive poison that prompted Darwin to spit it out. See Lot 3665 for more natural history specimen illustrations.

Artcurial - Briest - Poulain - F. Tajan

Lot 2: JEAN-AUGUSTE-DOMINIQUE INGRES Montauban, 1780 - Paris, 1867 PORTRAIT D...
Imagine the possibility of owning a drawing by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. This is a profile portrait of Monsieur Couder, pere de lacteur de l'opera comique, vers 1797.

Lot 9: Théodore GERICAULT Rouen, 1791 - Paris, 1824 Portrait de jeune femme d...
This is a stunning portrait of a young woman by the great French Romantic artist Theodore Gericult (1791-1824).

Lot 11: Eugène DELACROIX Charenton-Saint-Maurice, 1796 - Paris, 1863 Feuilles ...
Studies of the head of a snarling lionesses are rendered in black crayon by the famous French Romantic artist Eugene Delacroix (1796-1863). Impressive!

Zürichsee Auktionen

Lot 3038: Bodmer, Paul Bodmer, Paul
Paul Bodmer (1886-1983) made this portrait of his wife and son and another drawing of a young woman reading in Lot 3039. Both lots are beautifully rendered drawings.

Lot 4631: LONDRA capitale dell'Inghilterra
This etching presents an attractive view of London Town in the early days before the great fire of 1666. Note the image of the old St. Paul's Cathedral with it's missing spire--destroyed by lightning in 1561.

Lot 4650: *Piranesi
This Piranesi print represents the Teatro di Marcello -- an impressive view in Rome by a famous print maker.

Lot 4718: Zwei Platten
The early Hispanic lusterware in this lot attracts me. There are two handsome plates offered here.

Garth's Auctions

Lot 86: TWO PEWTER POTS.
Two coffee pots -- one marked by Roswell Gleason are offered in this lot. Note that a work by Gleason is again offered in Lot 434!

Lot 95: PEWTER PLATE.
Pewter marked by Thomas Badger (c.1737-1815)of Boston is rare. This plate is 8 1/2" in diameter.

Lot 96: TWO PEWTER COFFEE POTS.
The Dorchester metalsmith Roswell Gleason (c. 1822-1871) is represented by the lighthouse coffee pot. The other example is not identified. As mentioned in earlier newsletters, two rooms from the Gleason home are scheduled for installation in the American wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Note that Lot 232 offers another Gleason coffee pot.

Lot 187: INDIVIDUAL TEAPOT.
Lovely! This Dr. Wall English teapot of 18th century soft paste porcelain would make a lovely gift for a collector of teapots or transferware. A blue crescent mark under the foot identifies the pottery.

Lot 246: PAINTED PILGRIM CENTURY GREAT CHAIR.
This very handsome and early armchair, which in its day was called a "Great Chair," comes possibly from Connecticut c. 1680-1720. Read the entry for provenance.

Lot 536: RHODE ISLAND SAMPLER.
This Rhode Island Sampler, probably made in Newport, is silk on linen and dates to 1817. Compare this to the needlework made in 1827 in Pennsylvania offered in lot 258 and make your own choice or purchase both!

Lot 353: WELSH WALNUT TRESTLE BENCH
I wish that it were possible to find a long bench of this sort in American-made furniture of the 17th century. I searched for one for over thirty years to add to the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, but without success. This Welsh example is handsome and is over seven feet long. A bench of this sort in the 17th century would have been called a "form".

Lot 358: QUEENE ANNE WALNUT STOOL
How very nice is the design of this British stool. It reflects the source of style or design found in the best Philadelphia stools of the 18th century. Look also at Lot 355 for another handsome stool -- descendants of which could be identified in American furniture.

Lot 528: SOUTH AMERICAN CARVED CASSONE
This vigorously carved cassone was made in South America. Like the cassone offered in Lot 527 it reflects Hispanic sources blended with the vigor of ornament made by New World carvers.

Lot 709: STAFFORDSHIRE FIGURE OF A LION
Staffordshire lions in clay derived their design from earlier Italian precedents and in turn, influenced American potters and their wares of the 19th century.

Lot 751: DUTCH DELFT BLUE AND WHITE CHARGER
The diameter of this richly colored blue painted underglaze Dutch Delft charger is 13 3/8". This is a handsome work, as is the Continental charger of Lot 752 decorated in the IMARI palette.

Lot 2651: A GREY SCHIST HEAD OF A BODHISATTVA. Gandhara, 2nd/3rd c. Height 29 cm...
This Gandhara head of a Bodhisattva, carved in Grey Schist in the 2nd/3rd c., appeals to me. It stands 29 cm. high. Pigments on this piece were added later.

Lot 2689: AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE POTTERY FIGURE OF A RHINO. China, Han dynasty, ...
This exceptionally large pottery figure of a Rhino from Han dynasty China is wonderfully modeled. It comes with a Thermo Luminescence test from Oxford to confirm the dating of this work to the Han Dynasty. The length of the sculpture is 111 cm.

Lot 2693: A CIZHOU-TYPE CUT-GLAZE VASE. China, Song dynasty, height 28 cm. Neck ...
This Song-dynasty vase is a Cizhou-type example with a restored neck. Its height is 28 cm. Beautifully sweeping incised design on the body.

Lot 2695: A DARK BROWN SPLASHED JIZHOU TEA BOWL. China, Song dynasty, diameter 1...
Dark brown splashed glaze with mottled appearance is on this Jizhou, tea bowl from Song dynasty China.

Lot 2703: A MAGNIFICENT BLUE AND WHITE CHARGER WITH PEACOCK DESIGN ON THE RIM. C...
From the Kangxi period of China comes this magnificent blue and white charger with peacock design on the rim. Diameter is 55.5 cm.

Jörg Weigelt Auktionen

Lot 49: Coca-Cola - Mach mal Pause Poster / Plakat 1955
The brilliant visual advertising for Coca-Cola is represented in this offset poster of 1955. See also Lots 52, 47, and 48.

Lot 83: Olivetti Lettera Poster / Plakat 1960s
A very clever poster for Olivetti -- made by offset in 1964.

Lot 172: HAPAG - Normannia Travel Poster / Plakat
Pictorially impressive is this travel poster by Buchdruck. It is a Letterpress Print of 1897. The designer was Hans Bohrdt (1857-1945)

Lot 180: Ottomar Anton Hapag Hamburg-Amerika Linie Poster / Plakat
Continuing the tradition of posters that advertised travel by sea is this image by Ottomar Anton (1895-1976) produced by offset in 1926.

Constantine & Pletcher

Lot 155: EARLY VINTAGE TYPEWRITER "THE CHICAGO". In
Early typewriters interest me. This one is identified as "The Chicago." It is in its original case and bears patent date September 17 1889 and May 3, 1892.

Lot 171: FINE ROYCROFT COPPER TAPERED VASE. Dark patina.
Here is an attractive vase from the Roycrofters. It is 6" high, and nicely tapered -- looks like nice hammer work. See also the Roycroft copper work of Lot 187.

Lot 206: FINE AMERICAN BLUE AND WHITE JACQUARD COVERLET.
A lovely Jacquard Coverlet dated 1845 -- blue and white with pictorial borders showing buildings.

Lot 213: ANTIQUE CAUCASIAN THROW RUG.
While not large, this Caucasian throw rug has beautiful coloring. It would make a nice addition to a entry hall or study.

Lot 231: COPPER HAND HAMMERED ARTS AND CRAFTS TRAY. With
Copper hammered vessels and a tray expressive of the arts and crafts movement in America make up this lot. The entry states that these are signed, but no name is cited.

Capitolium Art

Lot 77: Elegante coppia di colonne guarnite di decorazioni
The gilded bronze mounts on these columns of the 19th century make them appear rich and special. I believe that they would look best in an institutional rather than a private setting.

Lot 101: Ritratto di gentildonna cornice intagliata e
This portrait of a lady looks to me like she is keeping a secret. The British artist Godfrey Kneller (1646-1723) is cited in the catalogue -- and this work is in his manner.

Lot 130: Sei eleganti poltroncine genovesi, finemente
Boldly carved is the ornament of this Italian armchair of the 19th century -- probably made by or before the mid century.

Lot 912: WAXWORK PROFILE PORTRAIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON
George Washington posed for a wax profile portrait by Joseph Wright that is now in the Winterthur collection. The artist who made the wax relief offered here most likely knew that portrait but reversed his image to face to the viewer's right rather than the left.

Lot 959: PAIR OF NEW YORK FEDERAL BRASS ANDIRONS
Nice New York brass andirons grace this lot. They are listed as Federal -- hence they must date sometime between 1780 and 1815.

Lot 1029: ENGLISH BROWN-GLAZED POTTERY TEAPOT
Here is a fine "engine turned" English pottery teapot that appears in all respects was made c. 1800. It should be very thin walled and light weighted until filled with liquid.

Lot 1052: CLASSICAL MAHOGANY SETTEE
At a glance I suspect that this classical sofa was made in or near New York, NY, c. 1820-40. I own a similar "couch" [as it was called in the period] that was made in New Jersey.

Lot 1259: AFTER SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY (BRITISH, 1781-1841): BUST OF SIR WALTER SC...
Sir Francis Chantrey (1781-1841) was one of Great Britain's finest neoclassical sculptors. I suspect that this work was made by a master carver rather than by Chantrey himself but that was the custom of the era. It seems to be a fine bust of Sir Walter Scott. It was once owned by Andy Warhol -then, later, by Paul F. Walter.

Alex Cooper Auctioneers

Lot 13: ENGLISH CHINA SUGAR BOWL & PR. DERBY TEACUPS
Classical taste is represented in this English China sugar bowl and pair of Derby teacups from the first quarter of the 19th century. These table articles are restrained and graceful.

Lot 25: HUBAUDIERE QUIMPER PLATTER
Quimper pottery is delightful as it embodies French peasant traditions and colorful patterns. The ware is very decorative. Faience consists of tin oxide glaze earthenware like that of Delft. The bagpipers and dancing peasants on this 14 1/2" platter are lively and beautifully painted.

Lot 26: FRENCH FAIENCE PLATTER
Once many years ago while driving through Southern France, I acquired, from an antiquarian shop by the roadside, a French Faience platter like this example. This is a lovely and lively platter marked by its maker "RB". It is 16" long and 12" wide.

Lot 221: CLASSICAL STYLE VERDIGRIS BRONZE FOUNTAIN FIGURE
For a garden ornament, this 20th century bronze fountain figure of a maiden might be just the right note for spring.

Lot 238: CARROLL COUNTY, MARYLAND COVERLET
This loom woven three-color coverlet signed "P. Warner Carroll County, 1862 S. J. Zouck" is also marked on its border "Fancy, Patent." Note also a four color Shrewsbury, PA loom-woven coverlet offered in Lot 271. Coverlets now seem to be sold at low prices -- especially since winter is now over.

Braswell Galleries

Lot 9: LAMP Opening BId: $50
Lamp bases are usually not to my taste. But this one is very attractive. And an unreserved auction like this one might yield a purchase at a very reasonable price.

Lot 16: PAIR OF CABINETS Opening Bid: $1,000
Very handsome is this pair of French cabinets of the 19th century. This purchase will permit the display of treasures behind glazed panels framed with elegant ormolu mounts.

Lot 17: DESK Opening Bid: $600
Napoleon III is the era stated for this ebonized, brass and mother-of-pearl inlaid escritoire from France. That means that the desk was probably made sometime c. 1875.

Lot 323: SANTOS Opening Bid: $5000
The country from which this carved figure derives is not stated in the catalogue entry. What is noted is that it is an 18th century continental carved, gessoed and polychrome life size Santos figure.

Westbridge Fine Art Auction House

Lot 3: Morrisseau Nature Communication
Various living creatures seem to be on the move in this image that looks like a print by Morrisseau: "Nature Communication."

Lot 65: Ray Flying Goose
A flying goose seen as against the sun is this image that could be an original painting by Ray, but it might be also be a print. A inquiry with the auction house would answer this question.

Lot 97: White Sunlit Forest
Spiritual is the sunlight that drenches the forest. I'm not sure if this is a print or a painting by White.

Point Pleasant Galleries

Lot 31: Marble Pedestal
Nice marble pedestals are hard to find. This is a good example that would serve well as a display pedestal for sculpture.

Lot 38: Ram Flute Early Travel Organ
I know nothing of organs -- but this one from Bombay seems intriguing as it was made to travel -- probably with missionaries.

Lot 170: Signed Mid Century Modern Pottery Vase
This modern pottery vase looks like it was made by the Raku method of firing. The entry states that it is signed. I wonder if this potter is one whose work I collected for the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Lot 175: Jules Leleu Style Inlaid Art Deco Credenza
This Credenza appears to be a well made piece of furniture-- suitable for a deco-style apartment.

Lot 203: Senza titolo 24/100 BRUNO TOSI (1937)
This image seems to me to be a silk screen or wood block print by Bruno Tosi (1937). While there is no title for this print (no. 24 of 100), the skyline looks like Venice where the lagoon is bisected with a man in a motor boat who has his dog seated on he prow.

Lot 249: Senza titolo 37/125 PIETRO ANNIGONI (1910-1988)
The artist of this print without title (31/125) is Pietro Annigoni (1910-1988) whose splendid portraits I've long admired.

Lot 262: Senza titolo TILSON JOE (1928)
An alchemical view of times and season for 1970-74 by mystic Tilson Joe (1928). This untitled work involves earth, air, fire and water as the four universal elements as understood in primitive 17th century medical practice.

Lot 517: Il vecchio e il sigaro. 2000. 1/5. GRAZIANO
This funny photograph is one of five made in the year 2000 by Graziano Perotti. The title of the image is "Il vecchio e il sigaro" or "The the old man and the cigar." It is the enormous size of the cigar in relation to this little bearded man with sparkling eyes that makes this photo so funny.

O'Gallerie

Lot 10: MAHOGANY LIBRARY STEP LADDER, one side of the
For those who own many books a library step ladder is a necessity. This one is 43" tall and made of mahogany.

Lot 52: VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD CABINET BOOKCASE ON CABINET,
Rosewood was a favorite tropical wood used by American Victorians. This compact bookcase cabinet looks extremely useful and smartly designed.

Lot 53: NINETEENTH CENTURY NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
Here is a sword marked "Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co." with the name "Alex Crawford". No doubt this sword was for parade show and ceremonies as the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. was a 17th century Boston unit that survives to this day as a paramilitary or ceremonial organization, no longer a fighting force. It is the oldest military organization of its sort to survive in the U.S.

Lot 148: VICTORIAN WALNUT SECRETARY BOOKCASE, Eastlake
A desk and bookcase of this design is very useful to own for a buyer with a big Victorian house of the 1870s or 80s. Lot 151 offers an appropriate swivel desk chair for this period in the Eastlake style.

Lot 184: AMETHYST, DIAMOND AND 18K GOLD PENDANT NECKLACE,
Lovely color shows in this pendant amethyst and diamond necklace with 18K gold setting and chain, interspersed with diamonds. Its length is 16".

Lot 1637: LADY'S 18K GOLD AND DIAMOND LEAF-FORM BRACELET
This lady's 18K gold and diamond leaf-form bracelet looks appealing and nicely designed.

Lot 1646: LADY'S 14K GOLD AND LAPIS LAZULI LARIAT NECKLACE
Gold and lapis lazuli were made for each other. Here is a lariat necklace that terminates in gold tassels.

Lot 1825: TWO U.S. PILGRIM TERCENTENARY HALF DOLLARS
These Pilgrim Tercentenary half dollars that show a Pilgrim in his hat are nicely designed. Only one of these silver half dollars looks to be in good shape.

Lot 1827: GREAT LAKES AND CONCORD HALF DOLLARS
It would be nice to own a coin that commemorates the Lexington-Concord battle showing sculptor Daniel Chester French's Minuteman sculpture-- his first heroic monument made at age 21.

Lot 1839: U.S. GOLD HALF EAGLE ($5), 1897
In 1897 this U.S. Coronet type gold half Eagle ($5) was minted. I'm not a coin collector, but would enjoy just owning and displaying this spread winged eagle with olive branch and arrows in its talons.

Lot 71: PLAKETTE, 'TARGA' MADONNA MIT KIND, Deruta,
I've visited the Italian town of Deruta where this earthenware relief Madonna and Child was made. The townsfolk of Deruta still produce such traditional pottery in abundance and with great skill. This example is especially charming and bears the date 1677. Note that Lots 64 and 77 are also from Deruta.

Lot 78: SCHERZKRUG 'PUZZLEJUG' MIT RITZDEKOR, England, um
This slipware puzzle jug c. 1790 has a rim pierced to confuse the viewer. Yet liquid can be drawn from the jug despite its piercing. The "secret" is that the drink is sucked out of a spout that connects to a ring at the lip which descends down into the vessel for the source of fluid.

Lot 224: KABINETT 'A BAMBOCCI', Renaissance, Italien, 16.
Here is a 16th century or Renaissance cabinet "A Bambocci" from Italy that involves many skills of different artists and artisans.

Lot 312: KOMMODE, Louis XIV, Paris, 17./18. Jh. Nussbaum,
Extraordinary skill with inlay is to be found in the craftsmanship of this Commode made in 18th century Paris.

Lot 318: AN AMERICAN VICTORIAN DOLL BUGGY, bent wood with
For a person who has a special doll to show off, this Victorian doll buggy should appeal. It is a delightful conceit. The buggy dates c. 1900 and is 28" long.

Lot 538: THREE PIECE MEXICAN STERLING JEWELRY SET, each
It is not possible for me to guess the age of this three piece Mexican sterling jewelry set that includes a necklace, matching bracelet and a pair of earrings, but a call to the auction house might answer that question. It is marked Mexican Sterling underside.

Lot 454: BROTKASTEN, Louis XV, Provence. Nussbaum
I'm intrigued with this Brotkasten of Louis XV Provence. I presume that it was a beautifully wrought bread cupboard.

Lot 458: ANRICHTE, Louis XV, Provence. Nussbaum geschnitzt
Very handsome is this Rococo Louis XV, Provence cupboard with doors having fielded panels lively carved ornament, sturdy full length hinges and what appears to be iron plates for locks.

Lot 554: SCHRANK, Barock, Schweiz. Nussbaum, Wurzelmaser
This Baroque Schrank or cupboard is highly ornamented with rope turned columns brilliantly figured woods and compass star inlay on all four front panels. Spectacular-- with strong visual appeal and presence it stands 177x 68 x208 cm.

Lot 679: DREI FLASCHEN MIT BLAUDEKOR, Frankreich, Nevers,
Nevers Ware is a colorful earthenware (Faience) made in Nevers, France. At first the potteries of this town produced decorated earthenware in imitation of Urbino (Italian) wares. But by 1602, the brothers Conrades, who came from Albissola (between Genoa and Savona) settled and established a factory. By 1743 there were eleven firms making faience at Nevers, France. These shops and their artisans were called faienceries. Similar ceramics made elsewhere are called Majolica as well as Delft. Nevers blue is distinguised by its somewhat violet blue coloring. Fragments of Nevers ware have been found at archaeological sites in very early settlements in America. This handsome blue-on- white decorated bottle, influenced by Chinese porcelain, was made in the 18th century. See other fine examples of Nevers pottery offered in this sale.

Lot 646: NAPOLEON III EBONIZED, INLAID AND ORMOLU-MOUNTED
Napoleon III ebonized furniture of this sort looks well in a parlor or salon of such substance. The era in which this cabinet was made probably dates c. 1875 or thereabout. It stands 41.75" tall.

Lot 707: GRUEBY POTTERY VASE having a vertical leafage
Grueby was Boston's finest arts and crafts pottery firm. This is the work of William H. Grueby (1867-1925)-- a handsome molded vase that stands 9 1/2" high.

Lot 820: WILLIAM HOGARTH SUITE OF SIX ORIGINAL ENGRAVINGS
The six original engravings by William Hogarth (British 1697-1764) offer his famous series "Marriage-A-La-Mode" dated 1745. Hogarth was renown for his essay on the "S" line of beauty and for his wonderful oil paintings of street life as well as his grand portraits.

Halls Fine Art

Lot 8: Four silver fiddle pattern ladels, William Chawner
Lots 8,9,& 11 offer sterling ladles, and spoons made in London in 1832 by William Chawner II. It seems to me that this is an opportunity to acquire a cohesive set of silver that would mix well with almost any silver already on the dining room table. All the pieces are spare and classic fiddle pattern handles.

Lot 30: A pair of George III Old English pattern silver
Peter and Ann Bateman of London marked this pair of silver ladles as well as the silver cream jug of Lot 47. The ladles were made in 1791 and the cream jug in 1792.

Lot 63: A pair of George III sauceboats, Thomas Shepherd
Thomas Shepherd of London is cited as the maker of this pair of George III sauceboats in 1778. The mpressive form or overall shape of these sauceboats bring out the nice detail of their ornament.

Alderfer Auction & Appraisal

Lot 3009: 16" 165-6 Hertel &Schwab; Googly Baby
So many pretty dolls to chose from prompts me to let the reader make his or her own choices. This example is attractive, but so are the many others that are offered.

Lot 3016: Set of 5 #0100 MIB Steiff Circus wagons
This Steiff Circus Wagons set would be a wonderful gift for a child, Steiff collector or Circus enthusiast. They are all mint in box with the original shipping cartons.

Lot 3061: 5-WW I Kaiser Wilhelm Doll House Soldiers
These doll house soldiers of WWI-- Kaiser Wilhelm era --with full uniforms, swords, helmets, etc. and ornamental trim -- would appeal to both doll and WWI collectors.

Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 2: ARION PRESS. Melville, Herman. Moby-Dick; or, the Whale. 1979
Beautifully produced by the Arion Press in 1979, this edition of Melville's Moby Dick is a hand press work with 100 woodcut illustrations by Barry Moser. Folio size, in full blue Moroccan goatskin and blue cloth slipcase. A real collector's item!

Lot 4: AUDUBON, JOHN JAMES; and BACHMAN, JOHN. The Quadrupeds of North Americ...
Here is the three volume set of John James Audubon and John Bachman's The Quadrupeds of North America -- 1849-51-54. Read the entry for detailed description.

Lot 52: GOLDEN COCKEREL PRESS. The Four Gospels . . . according to the authori...
This is one of only twelve vellum copies from the Golden Cockerel Press of The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ according to the authorized version of King James I. Printed by Robert and Moira Gibbings, 1931. The sixty five wood engravings are by Eric Gill.

Lot 70: KELMSCOTT PRESS. Lefevre, Raoul. The Recuyell of the Historyes of Tro...
William Morris, the founder of the Kelmscott Press inscribed this book to a colleague at the press. This work consists of three volumes in two, translated by William Caxton. It is printed in red and black in Troy and Chaucer type that Morris personally designed. This is an original limp vellum copy published at Hammersmith in 1892. Note that Lot 71 offers The Kelmscott Press book Love is Enough or the Freeing of Pharamond: A Morality of 1897.

Lot 88: ROBERTS, DAVID. The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt & Nubi...
David Roberts visited the Holy Land and other near eastern sites and made magnificent drawings on the spot. These were translated into folio size lithographs by Louis Haghe. They are beautiful, hand-colored proofs! Read the entry for full details. This stunning work was published in London, 1842-49.

Eldred's

Lot 13: DELFT POTTERY SHALLOW BOWL With blue floral decoration. Diameter 11¾".
This lot and the following Delft pottery charger (that is larger in diameter -- of 13 1/2" ) are two pieces of 18th century blue and white tin-oxide glazed earthenware that both appeal to me.

Lot 95: FAIRBANKS IMPERIAL ELECTRIC FIVE-STRING BANJO BY VEGA Half-spun pot wi...
Well, how could I resist selecting this Fairbanks Imperial Banjo. This banjo, made in Boston c. 1925 was said to be the best banjo of its type. But check out the other instruments in this auction and make your own choice. Lot 96 looks to me like very nice electric guitar.

Lot 136: PAIR OF ANTIQUE FEDERAL BRASS ANDIRONS With steeple tops above a bold ...
Now is the time to acquire nice andirons in anticipation of use in the fireplace next winter. Prices tend to be low when objects fall out of seasonal usefulness. This is a handsome pair of antique Federal brass andirons dates to the late 18th-early 19th century.

Lot 319: GORHAM FOUR-PIECE STERLING SILVER COFFEE AND TEA SET In circular from ...
Here is a Gorham sterling silver coffee and tea set with a date mark of 1874 -- very nicely ornamented and inscribed "Easton - Sept. 10, 1876." I also admire very much the Gorham four piece sterling tea and coffee set of Lot 320.

Lot 539: BRANT DECOY By A.E. Crowell of East Harwich, Massachusetts. Tack eyes....
Many wonderful decoys made by the master A.E. Crowell of East Harwich, MA are offered in this sale. This Brant decoy was apparently used, for it has traces of shot embedded in its wooden form.

Strawser Auctions

Lot 24: ETRUSCAN shell and seaweed three piece teaset with teapot (professiona...
Etruscan shell and seaweed was a popular pattern for Majolica in the early 20th century. The following Lot 25, is selected for sake of contrast.

Lot 25: ETRUSCAN shell and seaweed group - spooner, creamer and saucer, rim ni...
This group of majolica is also in the Etruscan pattern. Majolica is earthenware; press molded or slip cast pottery for mass consumption with brightly colored glazes.

Lot 42: Lot of 9 majolica pitchers, various sizes, shapes, patterns and condit...
If majolica interests you, then start an instant majolica collection with these nine pitchers of various sizes, shapes, patterns and condition.

Lot 790: EARLY MODEL OF THE BOSTON-BUILT CLIPPER SHIP FLYING CLOUD Copper-sheat...
The Flying Cloud was a Boston-Built clipper ship that won all records for speed in its day. If a person wishes to own just one model of an American clipper ship this could be the one to own for its fame. It is 37" long and has scribed deck with cabins, hatches, fire rails, livestock coop, lifeboats, etc.

Lot 798: ANTONIO NICOLO GASPARO JACOBSEN, American, 1850-1921, The Steam/Sail S...
Read the entry for provenance on this impressive painting by Antonio Nicolo Gasparo Jacobsen (American, 1850-1921). It is signed on lower right "A Jacobsen 1890 705 Palisade Ave West Hoboken."

Lot 964: JOHN WHORF, American, 1903-1959, "Trawler 26",, Watercolor on paper, m...
John Whorf (American, 1903-1959) is one of my favorite watercolorists. Here is a vigorous rendering of a fishing boat -- a "Trawler 26" in heavy seas. See also Lots 965 and 966 for two more water colors by Whorf that are colorful and appealing.

Lot 1030: WONDERFUL ANTIQUE AMERICAN ONE-DOOR CUPBOARD Probably Hudson Valley. I...
Unusual and handsome is this one-door cupboard, probably from the Hudson Valley and of the 18th century. Nice molded paneled door with moldings repeated at sides.

Lot 1095: EXCEEDINGLY RARE PILGRIM CENTURY SPICE CABINET In oak with pine subwoo...
One of the rarest forms to turn up in early New England furniture-- this late 17th century spice cabinet or valuables container stands 14 1/2" high. The interior is fitted with five oak shelves. Read the entry for more detailed description and provenance. Lots 1098 and 1101 are two other early and rare forms of American furniture worth consideration by the serious collector.

Fontaine's Auction Gallery

Lot 39: 8 PC J & JW MEEKS STANTON HALL PARLOR SET
Fontaine's specializes in magnificent Victoriana and this example of a Stanton Hall (Natchez) J & JW Meeks (New York) parlor set is a magnificent specimen of high Victorian furniture made in America. Another Meeks chair is offered in Lot 265.

Lot 65: ROSEWOOD LAMINATED HALL CHAIR ATTR. J.H. BELTER
John Henry Belter was a mid 19th century New York furniture manufacturer who invented a system of using iron cauls and steam to bend his rosewood laminated furniture prior to carving. This offered strength to intricate carved ornament. This is a classic example as is the example offered in Lot 163.

Lot 69: CARVED WALNUT TRIPLE BACK MIRRORED ETEGERE - A ROUX
Alexander Roux was a famous New York furniture producer of exceptional imagination and abilities. This is a walnut etegere attributed to Roux. The purpose of an etegere was to show off small articles in a collection such as small bronzes, ceramics and natural specimens like minerals, shells and fossils.

Lot 262: CARVED WALNUT RENAISSANCE REVIVAL PEDESTAL
If sculpture needs display in your home, do not miss the opportunity to purchase appropriate pedestals. This one, made in the third quarter of the 19th century, would be good for displaying sculptural genre figures made by John Rogers. The top of this pedestal is just about the right size for a Rogers group.

Fusco Auctions

Lot 16: DEARDORFF 8 x 10 view camera
I adore my own Deardorff 8x10 view camera that is just like this example. It takes wonderful large format photographs when I get the chance to make use of it. My late father always used such a camera to photograph his sculpture.

Lot 86: ALPA REFLEX - 8 35mm SLR camera
The steel bodied Alpa reflex 35 mm SLR camera (single lense reflex) I found especially useful, with its macro lense that allows for close up photos. I currently own two such cameras.

Lot 158: ROLLEIFLEX - 1 ORIGINAL TLR camera
This is the original Twin Lense Reflex Rolleiflex camera made in 1929. It was a brilliant invention at the time. I took many photos on 117 roll film with cameras that descended from this model.

Lot 283: GRAFLEX MODEL RB SUPER D 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ SLR camera
The first class I took in photography outfitted students with Graphlex cameras like this example. It was a good camera for the time. My camera produced some elegant photographs, one of which won a prize.

Lot 693: Lot of DARKROOM EQUIPMENT
If you desire to produce photographs in the old-fashioned way this lot offers a chance to outfit a darkroom with useful equipment for little expense.

Lot 475: MORLEY & CO majolica figural dog door stop, extremely rare, good...
The expression on the face of this Morley & Company majolica dog door stop will always bring a smile. This is a very rare item with good color and stands 9 1/2" high.

Lot 505: Vance Faience mermaid, fish and waves vase, great detail, rim chip, 12...
Made in Tiltonstville, Ohio is this Vance Faience mermaid, fish and waves vase stands 12" high.

Lot 557: ROYAL DOULTON teapot from the Minton Archive Collection in the form of...
Pure whimsy -- a Royal Doulton teapot from the Minton Archive Collection -- with its original box.

Lot 632A: Monumental CALDAS Palissy plaque
Here is a monumental CALDAS Palissy ware plaque displaying a large carp, pike, eel, roach and many leaves with a frog and insects. It measures 15 1/2" and dates c. 1880.

National Book Auctions

Lot 4006: Via Searl HEAD HEART AND HAND 1994 Signed Exhibition Catalog Elbert Hu...
Those who collect arts and crafts materials will certainly want to own this book about The Roycrofters and Elbert Hubbard. The book, by editors Marie Via & Marjorie Searl, was printed in 1944 and published by the University of Rochester Press.

Lot 4022: Wharton ITALIAN VILLAS AND GARDENS 1910 Maxfield Parrish Color Plates ...
Here is an appealing book by Edith Wharton published in 1910 by the Century Co. Maxfield Parrish provided color illustrations along with a number of other artists. Italian Villas and Their Gardens is a classic. If you have not visited Edith Wharton's home, The Mount, in the Berkshires, then make sure to do so when the weather in Massachusetts has become warmer. Wharton's great house is a must-see historic site.

Lot 4057: 4V Elbert Hubbard East Aurora Droll ROYCROFTERS Contemplations Inn Sla...
For collectors of arts and crafts materials here is a lot that will delight. Another group of Roycroft books is to be seen in Lot 4351.

Lot 4274: Reiss AMERICAN INDIAN PORTRAITS 1920 Siksika Blackfeet Glacier Ntl Par...
Beautiful drawings by Winold Reiss of Native Americans is found in this book printed in 1920 and published by Louis w. Hill (St. Paul, Minnesota). Read the extensive entry to learn more about the artist and the contents of this book.