Ken Farmer Auctions & Appraisals

Lot 1: Coal Miner's Canary Bird Cage
I have never seen a bird cage made for miners to carry into mines to test air quality and warn for signs of toxins with a live canary. But this means for testing has become legendary and used as a metaphor for measuring all sorts of potentially fatal disorders in society. I therefore believe that this is a great material culture object -- like that of a philosopher's stone or the fortune teller's crystal ball.

Lot 45: Rare Booker T. Washington Book
Many books and materials pertaining to African Americans, slavery, and racism are offered in this auction. I chose this book as representative-- the first edition (1916) of a work about Booker T. Washington -- a person whose writings my mother much admired -- now so long ago. She could quote him at length from memory. Look at all offerings in this section of the auction. There is much to learn and acquire.

Lot 126: Singer Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine
I recently acquired at auction a machine for my daughter similar to this example. She is very happy with it. The Singer Featherweight was beautifully made to last more than one lifetime.

Lot 169: Rol-A-Top 25 Cent One Arm Slot Machine
What a decorative and colorful slot machine this is. Although probably not operable, this machine does represent the era of the "one armed bandit" that was present throughout America when I was much younger.

Lot 241: Two Pieces of South Jersey Style Glass
In the early 1940s there was an attempt to revive the art of South Jersey Glassmaking of the eighteenth century. I suspect that these two works represent the product of that revival effort that centered in Glassboro, New Jersey.

Apple Tree Auction Center

Lot 5142: STEUBEN 2 HANDLED URN VASE, 8"T
Steuben is the name of glass made in 20th century Corning, New York. Here is an eight inch high handled urn vase from that firm that appeals to me.

Lot 5434: UNUSUAL 19TH CENTURY WITH WROUGHT IRON CHILDS PUSH SLED WITH HEART SHA...
About half a dozen metal strollers, baby or doll carriages and other baby buggies are offered here. They are well worth collecting from this auction. If you collect dolls, this auction provides the means with these carriages to present a display. I like the quirky nature of this example.

Lot 5461: ROSEVILLE POTTERY GREEN CARNELIAN VASE, 8"
Nice form and beautiful glaze distinguishes this Roseville vase. I am attracted to it for the simplicity of the work.

Lot 5559: PUEBLO INDIAN POT CIRCA 1910 WITH BIRD DECORATION, 10" DIAM, 2 RIM CHI...
This is a Santo Domingo pot. It is decorated with the image of a bird distinctive to that pueblo. It has seen good use, for some of the painted ornament is gone where moisture penetrated the bottom. But that is ok, considering its normal use and age.

Lot 5570B: EARLY BLUE/GREEN & WHITE COVERLET
I adore beautifully woven coverlets. This one is known as "Beauty of the West" -- identified by the legend woven in the lower right corner where it is also dated 1858. Now that summer is upon us I suspect that this work might be acquired at a very reasonable price. In general, coverlets sell far below their intrinsic worth when one considers the many hours it takes to produce them.

Lot 331: Ben Owen Pie Plate
Ben Owen is one of the best potters of the area of Jugtown. This is a spectacular and colorful plate. When I met Ben Owen in North Carolina he was yet a young man. I acquired several of his works at the time and have since admired his continued development. He deserves the title "Master Potter" for he is surely that -- if not, an artist in the field of clay. Lot #552A offers another work by Ben Owen-- there are several others as well-- so look carefully through the whole auction as posted.

Lot 364: Rare Cast Iron Bonanza Apple Peeler
I've seen many apple pealing machines, but none as elaborate or as colorful as this one. It is a trophy specimen from Antrim, New Hampshire.

Lot 374: Doll Stroller
Here is a charming machine for strolling your (or your granddaughter's) doll through the neighborhood. It is also an effective platform for display of a choice doll.

Lot 504: Walnut Classical Style Sideboard
I own a classical sideboard of this vintage. I purchased it in the '60s and have found it useful ever since. That this one is described as made of walnut rather than mahogany veneer on pine makes it unusual. I like its clean lines and subdued ornament.

Lot 575: American Six Piece Silver Tea Service
Here is a magnificent six piece silver tea service by Samuel Kirk and Son of Baltimore, made c. 1900. I've always admired work by Kirk -- especially for its imaginative ornateness. This one displays a lot of repousse with flowering details and exotic architectural views.

Winter Associates, Inc.

Lot 141: 19th C. oil on artist board, depicts an artist seated under an umbrell...
I like this oil on artist board showing an artist in the landscape seated under an umbrella, painting a wooded scene. The paper document on its back gives the name J.H. Lewis and accounts for "A day's sketching at/East Moulsey-- Surrey". My grandfather, who was a plein air painter, situated himself under a similar umbrella. I own that umbrella and still use it while I make out-of-doors paintings.

Lot 199: Lyre form iron boot scraper set in an iron octagonal tray base.
Practical and eloquent in form, this cast iron boot scraper recalls the boundary between interior and exterior -- mud and rug-- that is as real a zone today as it was in nineteenth century America.

Lot 216: Watercolor and gouache portrait of George Washington, unsigned, framed...
This looks like a remarkably fine copy in opaque water color of the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington.

Lot 269: Sterling and glass sherbets, cased set of six by Meriden Silver Co., e...
Summer weather is almost here! Warm weather will demand the serving of sherbert for refreshment. Why not obtain this set of six sherbert glasses elegantly mounted in Meriden Silver Co's. silver bases and be prepared with six desert spoons by the Jennings Silver Co. as well.

Lot 347: Lloyd Garrison, 20th C. oil on panel trompe l'oeil style still life wi...
Here is a very pleasant trompe l'oeil still life of the 20th century, painted in the manner of the nineteenth century masters of this genre. It is signed "Lloyd Garrison" twice.

Gorringes

Lot 549: An engraved wine glass, circa 1760, 6.5in.
Imagine owning a beautifully made wine glass of the mid eighteenth century -- wrought with skill by the glass blower who was able to put a twist corkscrew design into the stem while the glass was liquid. Then, after long hours of tempering the glass in an oven, another craftsman engraved the leafage on the bowl with a rotating copper wheel. This auction offers many wonderful opportunities to acquire outstanding and early glass vessels of comparable workmanship. Look at them all, and acquire works that especially please you.

Lot 706: An 18th century Worcester sparrow beak jug, 3.5ins
Eighteenth century Worcester soft paste or "bone" porcelain appeals to me for its elegant simplicity. I could imagine this creamer cheering me at morning coffee daily. Its underglaze blue hand painted floral design is much like that made in Philadelphia c. 1770 at the Bonin and Morris factory that failed to capture the American market by 1772 and thereby went bankrupt. Lots of magnificent British pottery and porcelain is in this sale. Do not miss the opportunity to acquire works suitable for your table.

Lot 978: A pair of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre vases, ''Sycamore Tree'', 8.25in.
This pair of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre vases look wonderful to me. Some years ago, friends of mine gave a superb collection of Fairyland Lustre Wedgwood to the Victoria and Albert Museum. If you are in London you might take a look at those works for comparison. The next Lots in this auction #979 & #980 show another fine Wedgwood Lustre vase. Also, there are several other fine examples of Wedgwood Fairyland ceramics elsewhere in this auction

Lot 1022: An 18th century Chinese export chocolate pot, 6.5in. - cover repaired
Despite the fact that this Chinese porcelain vessel has a repaired lid, it commands respect as a collectible because it is a rare form -- a chocolate pot -- that was probably modeled after an example of British silver of the same form. I admire the beauty of the form as well as the painterly handling of the porcelain pot's "famille rose" decoration.

Lot 1030: A large late 19th century Samson floor vase, 27.5in. - neck-rim restor...
Samson porcelain was made in France in imitation of Chinese porcelain. Even the mark of Samson imitated --or was a pseudo Chinese initial. The quality of workmanship of Samson was superb. This large floor vase in the "famille verte" pattern is handsome. Compare this to another product of Samson, the Armorial vase of Lot # 936. That vase has been converted into an impressive lamp base. Since handsome lamps are not abundant, I would also seriously consider acquiring that one.

Lot 1149: A George III mahogany stick barometer, 3ft 2ins
Highly decorative in form and signed by Narrien of St. James Street, London, this stick barometer holds appeal.

Lot 1205: A William and Mary oyster veneered and floral marquetry eight day long...
Elaborately ornamented with floral marquetry and oyster-patterned veneer, this William and Mary eight day long case clock has commanding presence.

Lot 1284: An early 18th century Italian carved giltwood and gesso stool
This is a richly carved giltwood gesso stool from early eighteenth century Italy. The upholstry needs some attention, but when that is put in order, the stool will enrich any well appointed setting with grace.

Lot 1318: A set of twelve Regency mahogany dining chairs,
Here is a set of twelve Regency mahogany dining chairs ready to provide handsome seating at the dining room table.

Lot 1878: The Beatles, A fully autographed black and white publicity photograph.
For those who admired the Beatles (and who did not?), this autographed photograph would be a treasure to own.

Swann Auction Galleries

Lot 10: MERCATOR, GERARD. [Atlas Minor].
This is an atlas consisting of 150 engraved maps made in Amsterdam in 1610 by Gerard Mercator. It lacks only three pages. The plate illustrated is amazingly accurate for the representation of Virginia and Florida.

Lot 27: ARROWSMITH, AARON. A Map of the United States.
Issued in 1794 in London, in four sections, this beautiful map of the U.S. shows the original states in color up to the River Mississippi.

Lot 106: MITCHELL, S. AUGUSTUS. A New Map of Texas, Oregon and California.
A pocket map, made in Philadelphia in 1846, shows the regions of Texas, Oregon and California as they were becoming part of this nation. It follows mapping by Fremont and Emory and is accompanied with a 46 page text. No doubt this map served important purposes for pioneers heading west.

Lot 171: (BOTANICAL.) Jaume Saint-Hilaire, Jean Henri. Plantes de la France.
This botanical test made in France comes in 4 vols. It was printed in Paris between 1808 and 09. The image shown of one plate from this work illustrates the Tulip tree's leaf, blossom and seeds. This is a tree that survived from the Cretaceous age or the last period of the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs still roamed the land over 150 million years ago. I have two tulip trees growing in my own yard. They will soon be coming into blossom.

Lot 242: (INDIANS.) Bodmer, Karl. Pehriska-Ruhpa. Tableau 17.
Carl Bodmer was the artist who in the early 1830s explored the American west with Maximilian, Prince zu Weid- Neuwied. Their travels were extensively illustrated in an impressive book (printed in London 1839-41) from which this acquatint print comes. Many of the original drawings made by Bodmer, for this book are in the Josselyn Museum in Omaha. Other prints after Bodmer's drawings are offered in this auction. Also, works after Audubon, Bierstadt, and Catlin are offered. So this sale is important for those who collect images of the early American west.

Lot 1911: A George II silver tea canister and cover, scratch weight (for 3) 26=1...
Nicely proportioned and attractively ornament with chased and repoussed flowers and leafage, this silver tea canister, made in London in 1751, appeals.

Lot 1915: A George II silver baluster cream jug, 3ins
This cream jug made in London in 1742 has basically the same form in silver as the Worcester porcelain creamer of the earlier Gorringes Auction -- Lot # 706 . Both are beautiful works. This work in silver, possibly by William Garrard of London, has, of course, the added feature of a reeded domed foot or base.

Lot 1917: A George II silver coffee pot, 16oz, 7.5ins
The graceful lines of this silver coffee pot made in London in 1736 gives it majestic presence. The engraved arms were probably added later.

Lot 2001: A rare Charles I provincial silver seal top spoon, 6.75ins
Here is an example of the survival of an early form in silver that continued from the seventeenth century into the eighteenth in Salisbury, England. The great book on British marks on silver, authored by Jackson is cited (p.272) for the date and place of this fascinating work.

Lot 2006: A James II silver porringer, 2.5ins
Made in London in 1686, this double handled silver vessel is identified as a porringer. In America it would be called a cup-- for the porringer in America was not so deep. This is a handsome vessel, yet small -- but two and a half inches tall. Was this for a child? What a nice gift it would make to celebrate a recent birth.

Spink and Son

Lot 120: Union Bank of Australia, Fiji, partial proof on card for a £1, Levuka,...
Of great rarity is this Fijian trading bank note. The printer, Perkins Bacon & Co., London, I presume must be or descended from the Perkins (see Lot # 366) who in the 1820s proposed the use of the sideographic machine. This note shows fine engine engraved lines that would be impossible to reproduce by hand. This is an inscribed proof-- one of only two known. It is dated 1st January 1881.

Lot 359: A copy of English paper money hand signed by the author, Vincent Duggl...
For those who seriously collect English paper money, this lot is reported to be a "must have". The proceeds from the lot go to charity.

Lot 366: Perkins, Fairman and Heath, proof in blue and white of various engine ...
This is a specimen copy or proof produced by Perkins, Fairman and Heath (who were inventors & engravers) to promote the use of an instrument they called the sideographic machine that engine turned lines that were difficult to imitate by hand. This proposal was made to prevent the forgery of bank notes both in the United Kingdom and in the U.S. They launched this proposal in 1820. It was rapidly adopted and adapted not just to paper currency & bank notes but also to stamps and other valued prints and documents, including bonds ,stocks and other official papers. The Smithsonian Institution's Graphic Division owns an early Sideograph machine.

Lot 879: De Nationale Bank der Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, a complete specimen...
One of only two sets known in private hands. This is a complete specimen set c. 1892 from De Nationale Bank der Zuid-Afrikaansce Republiek. These are without serial numbers and are the most famous notes from South Africa, featuring the portrait of Oom Paul Kruger, the founder of the Boer state.

Mount Vernon

Lot 81: Rare Ancient Knightias Eocaena Fish Fossil on
Fossil fish that come from the sandstones of Wyoming are often from the Green River area. There are several examples of prehistoric fish fossils from Wyoming in this sale. Look at all and make your own choices.

Lot 205: Museum Quality Polished Ammonite Fossil Sculpture
Polished ammonite fossils make great display sculpture. These marine creatures had soft body parts like squids with tenticles, eyes and mouthparts that grouped them in the class of cephalopods (at least that is how I remember my old Zoology classification learned in the 1950s). This classification may have changed over the intervening years. There are lots of fine ammonite fossils in this auction. See, for example, the split specimen in Lot #89.

Lot 207: A Large, Museum Quality Orthoceras Nautilus
Ortho means straight. This fossil is certainly a great example of that character -- an Orthoceras Nautilus. It comes from Morocco and is from the Devonian Period-- A great show specimen from 417-354 Million years ago. Lots of other interesting examples of this species are in this auction.

Lot 221: Fine Chinese Carved Jade Rhinoceros.
What an expressive carved Jade Rino is this work from China! The Rinoceros horn was considered in the Orient a medicine to promote verility and fertility -- hence this beast was driven to near extinction through the market demand for Rino horn cups and powder. Now the population of the White Rino is so small that it seems unlikely to escape the tendency for this creature to contract lukemia. That may lead to the White Rino's extinction. Better to acquire a jade image than a cup made from a Rino horn.

Walker's

Lot 4: Evert Pieters 1856-1932 Dutch
Lovely light drenches this interior depicted by the Dutch painter Evert Pieters. It is a canvas signed and dated 1926.

Lot 27: J. Percy Graham 19th century Scottish
The Scottish painter J. Percy Graham captures the spirit of rushing water and changing weather in the Highlands in the nineteenth century.

Lot 148: Franklin Brownell 1857-1946 RCA OSA
I am impressed with the way that this painting is both so simple and yet complex in its color combinations. Note the variable colors on the light places of the rocks -- magnificent!

Lot 216: Paul Henry Born 1940
What a mysterious image this is of an abandoned farm at daybreak. It is an acrylic on canvas -- signed and dated by Paul Henry, born, 1940.

Lot 303: George III Sterling Tankard, London, 1748 Thomas Whipham
What a handsome tankard this is -- made in london by Thomas Whipham in 1748.

James D. Julia

Lot 35B: *EARLY PORTRAIT JUMEAU BEBE
There are many wonderful dolls for sale in this auction. I select this one because it is one of the most beautiful, most expressive, and most sought after by serious collectors. Look at all and decide for yourself.

Lot 225: *MAMMOTH MARKLIN BROUGHAM WITH ORIGINAL HORSE
I love this Marklin Brougham model with its original horse. This toy model, splendid as it is, is but one of a large collection offered by this auction. Be sure to survey all. For example, It would be fun to own the models of the air flow cars of Lot # 368 or the spectacular Limousine of Lot # 237 or any of the many train models offered.

Lot 435: *SPRAGUE SALESMAN SAMPLE SICKLE BAR MOWER
This salesman's sample of a sickle bar mower has a plaque that states "The Sprague Mower, Providence, RI." is a remarkable survivor of another era. Like the model of the farmer's furrow in Lot 437, this offers material evidence of an agricultural age now past. Both are beautiful models.

Lot 451: *FREDERICK SANDS BRUNNER ORIGINAL 1942 OIL ON
There are several examples of advertising art made for Coca-Cola in this auction. Coke was effectively marketed with happy images that featured beautiful women with attractive legs and smiling faces. In other words, sex sold products. The illustrator Frederick Sands Brunner who painted this original oil in 1942 understood that fact. Note his use of triadic harmony of red, yellow and blue in this painting that features a girl perched on the handle bars of a bike steered by her soldier boy who was seated behind. A bottle of "Coke" she holds in the air to imply that this product makes everything worthwhile. This image, and several others in this auction, represents powerfully effective advertising. The same advertising techniques were used by illustrators for the tobacco industry. Lucky Strike advertised images of healthy, cheerful looking women in striking poses with a cigarette to promote sales. This painting by Brunner is an important icon of popular culture in America.

Lot 493: *STICK & BALL UMBRELLA STAND
Quirky but functional, this stick and ball umbrella stand provides an enjoyable way to hold umbrellas-- even wet ones.