Mastro Auctions

Lot 1845: 1700s Liverpool Bowl - Portrait G. Washington
Read the entry for this British Liverpool bowl made for the American market. The bowl shows images of both Washington and Franklin - in near mint condition. Here is an item that will appeal to collectors of early Americana.

Lot 1847: 1789 George Washington "GW" Inaugural Button
What a rare inaugural button this is indeed. It was made or struck to honor of the election of George Washington in 1789. I do not recall ever seeing such a button in an auction before this.

Lot 1859: 1860 Abraham Lincoln Jumbo Ambrotype Badge
I love Lincoln collectables and wish that I could afford to acquire this 1860 Jumbo Ambrotype badge picturing Lincoln for his political campaign. The entry for this lot is long, detailed, and well written. Be sure to read it in order to understand the importance of this campaign image and pin.

Lot 1876: 1898 Abraham Lincoln Bronze Bust - Bissell
Here is a fine casting made by the Gorham founders of Providence of a portrait bust of Abraham Lincoln (6 1/2" tall) by George E. Bissell (1839-1920), sculptor. It is marked as copyrighted in 1898. A smaller version by Bissell is offered in Lot 1858, but this is the size that I prefer. Read the entry for this Lot 1876 to see if you agree with me.

Lot 1881: 1904 TR/Fairbanks Jugate Campaign Bandana
For obvious personal reasons this Campaign Bandana that features the incumbent President Theodore Roosevelt and his running mate, Charles W. Fairbanks with the slogan "THE RIGHT MEN IN THE RIGHT PLACE" holds much appeal to me. At the time of this campaign, Charles W. Fairbanks had agreed to help celebrate the acquisition of the Fairbanks House in Dedham by the family association in 1904. But he found himself too busy with politics to make it to the event and had to excuse himself from making a speech at the Fairbanks Family homestead annual reunion of 1904.

Fusco Auctions

Lot 51: Encyclopedia of the Colors of U.S. Stamps
For the classic collector of U.S. stamps, here is an indispensable color reference 4 vol. guide in two hardcover binders with slip cases.

Lot 52: 1898 McGreeley's Skagway Alaska Local Post
Here is a curious and short-lived stamp used by miners during the Klondike gold rush. It was issued in 1898 -- this one is unused with no gum.

Lot 102: U.S. Match & Medicine Stamp Collection
This lot, and the one that follows, deals with U.S. match and medicine stamp collections. Interesting subject matter for a doctor who collects stamps.

Lot 191: Extensive United States Stamp Collection
Although not a stamp collector myself, it seems to me that this lot offers an amazing range and variety useful to anyone serious about historic U.S. stamps.

Lot 633: Large Worldwide Dealer Stock
This lot provides an opportunity to obtain a large collection or inventory to begin a career as a stamp collector/dealer. If that is your plan, it would be worthwhile to also acquire the Scott catalogues of Lot 1 and many of the books about stamp collecting offered in this auction.

Rock Island Auction Company

Lot 87: Lot of Four Winchester Model 52 Bolt-Action Rifles
Here is a lot of four Winchester Model 52 Bolt-Action Rifles that should appeal to four brothers who might enjoy hunting together. As a teen age boy I hunted in Michigan and then the Dakotas with young friends. But later, with the press of higher education, I became too busy to hunt. Since I cannot claim any real gun collecting knowledge, my choices are made by sheer impulse.

Lot 126: Very Desirable Barrett Model 82A1 50 Caliber Semi-Automatic Rifle in C...
A firearm of this type must surely belong in a museum of industrial, military and weaponry history. It is an incredible instrument for waging war with technically perfected parts that surpass my comprehension.

Lot 459: Magnificent Exhibition Quality Relief Engraved and Gold Inlaid Dreyse ...
Obviously this is a magnificent exhibition quality rifle. It is a German double rifle chambered for the 600 needle fire cartridge. Its ornamental detail is beautiful. Read the entry to learn a full description.

Lot 505: Bronze Plaque of Teddy Roosevelt
I own a relief in bronze of Teddy Roosevelt just like this specimen. There is another example like it hanging in the White House. The sculpture was made by James Earle Fraser (1876-1953) who also made the original design for the buffalo nickel. In 1911 he spotted my late father as a lad of 14 in the Bronx Zoo, making a model of the same buffalo he studied for the nickel. He advised my father to attend the Art Students League. This advanced his artistic career. Interesting it is how one artist promotes and advances growth in another.

Lot 513: Hudson Bay Blanket
If you own a mountain cabin or a ranch, this is the perfect blanket for the foot of your bed.

Lot 618: Early 19th Century American Eaglehead Pommel
This early nineteenth century American eaglehead pommel sword and brass scabbard is an officer's weapon. It is handsomely designed and has a blued blade with beautifully decorated gold-etched floral sprays, liberty cap, military trophies and cannon.

Ripley Auctions

Lot 98: Bucolic Gutta Percha Union Case w/ Tintype
This is a large gutta percha Union Case depicticting a bucolic hay bailing scene with a little boy chasing a butterfly in the foreground. Within is a half plate tintype of a father holding a baby girl. There are many fine gutta perchas cases offered in this sale but I can cite only this one. Be sure to look at all and acquire an entire collection. Also, do not fail to consider the photo of Lawrence of Arabia perched on a camel in Lot 114.

Lot 132: C. Warner Williams Bronze Female Portrait IN Art
Here is a lovely relief bronze portrait of a young female in profile. It was made by Charles Warner Williams (American, 1903-1982) depicting a young woman of the 1920s. The signature of the artist is impressed in the lower left.

Lot 230: W.H.D.Koerner The Tavern 1930 Illustration Oil/B
The artist William Henry Dethlef Koerner (American, 1878-1938) was an American illustrator famous for his westerns who was born in Germany but immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Iowa. This work is an oil on board; 36"x30" entitled "The Tavern". It looks to me that there are many angry people trying to get into the tavern in a hurry!

Lot 255: Anders Monsen Askevold 1890 Oil Fjord Seascape
This Fjord seascape is an oil on canvas 20 1/2"x 32" signed and dated 1890 by the artist Anders Monsen Askevold (Scandinavian, 1834-1900) who was highly accomplished with rendering the atmospheric grandeur of fjords, the sea and the mountains.

Lot 256: M.F.H.de Haas Seascape w/Figure 19thC Oil/Canvas
While there is a hole in the center of this picture, that can be fixed by engaging a professional conservator of paintings. What this lot offers is a work by a famous 19th century marine and landscape painter, Mauritz Frederik Hendrick de Haas (Dutch/American, 1832-1895). The painting measures 12"x20" and is signed by the artist on the lower right.

Poster Auctions International, Inc

Lot 1: When Hearts Are Trumps. 1894.
One of the great art poster designers in America was William H. Bradley (1868-1962). This is his masterpiece of 1894 that displays the whip lash lines of the fashionable Art Nouveau style.

Lot 14: Scribner's/Fiction Number. August. 1897.
Made in 1897, just three years after the Bradley poster, this design for Scribner's/Fiction Number was designed by Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) in a classical mode or style rather than the Art Nouveau. Read the entry for more about Parrish who produced images for prints hung by the thousands "in homes across the land." Indeed, during my childhood I do recall many parlors with Maxfield Parrish prints featured in homes of both the modest and well to do.

Lot 244: Nord Express. 1927.
This poster of the Nord Express of 1927 is a masterpiece of design that expresses motion -- by A. M. Cassandre (Adolphe Mouron, 1901-1968).

Michaan's Auctions

Lot 2140: SOUTH SEA CULTURED PEARL DIAMOND 14K NECKLACE
This very nice South Sea cultured pearl and diamond 14 K gold necklace composed of 34 grey/black cultured pearls would make an elegant and welcome mother's day present.

Lot 1004: Engraved Henry Lever-Action Rifle
Made by the New Haven Arms Company in August 1864, this is an exceptional Henry Lever-Action Rifle that is richly engraved. The entry description is detailed and worth reading to appreciate the exceptional nature of this rifle.

Lot 1024: Factory Documented Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle Once Belon...
This Factory documented Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle once belonged to the famous outlaw Robert "Bob" Ford, Jesse James' Assasin. Read the long story associated with this rifle.

Lot 3206: TRIBAL AFRICAN CERAMIC MALI
From the Niger River Basin comes this smiling ceramic head from Mali, probably from the area of Djenne. It stands 6 inches high. Expressive this is, and at the same time, abstracted.

Lot 3223: ANTIQUE YORUBA BRONZE ARM BAND BRACELET
From 20th century Nigeria comes the Yoruba arm band made of bronze. Complex figural motifs and metal cone dangles are incorporated in this armband. Its height is 4 7/8 inches.

Lot 3258: WEST AFRICAN SEAT ASHANTI BAULE GHANA FURNITURE
I like the abstract symmetry of this Ashanti Baule Ghana or West African Seat. Supporting the seat are pairs of "addorsed plumed birds." Each bird faces the other. They seems to be kissing. This seat is of brown stained wood and probably comes from the Ivory Coast.

Lot 3317: NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN BEADED MOCCASINS POW WOW
The Sioux (or, as they prefer to be called, The Lakota) made this pair of beaded moccasins with polychrome beads in butterfly and star motifs on deerskin. A handsome pair of moccasins.

Lot 3326: ZUNI THREE FROG POTTERY BOWL
Roughly made, but honest in all respects, this small Zuni pottery bowl of the early 20th century is painted with three frogs. It stands 3 1/8" high and is 4 1/2" in diameter.

Joseph DuMouchelle

Lot 13: 14kt Yellow Gold, Hardstone Cameo, Diamond, and Enamel Pin/Pendant and...
I am not usually attracted to cameo carvings, but this one is very attractively made and mounted in a tiered enamel frame with 8 mine cut diamonds, and hung on a 20 " 14 Kt gold enameled tag style neck chain. Surely it will appeal.

Lot 60: Cartier - Paris 18kt Yellow Gold and Lapis Lady's Bracelet, L. 7"
This Cartier- Paris made 18kt. Yellow God and Lapis lady's bracelet of 7" length is an elegant and delicate work that would delight any lady whether a mother or not!

Lot 63: David Webb, Signed 18kt Yellow Gold, Platinum and Diamond Lady's Ring
Looking for an exceptional mother's day gift? Then look no longer! This is my mother's day choice --a David Webb signed ring of rare beauty and value. Its finger size is 8. Read the Lot entry for the facts.

Lot 89: Art Deco Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Lady's Bracelet
If your lady (or mother) prefers jewelry from the deco era then this is a Diamond and Emerald Lady's Bracelet that will appeal. Read the entry for the facts about the 265 round brilliant cut diamonds, etc.

Lot 150: Yellow Gold, Cultured Pearl, Emerald and Diamond Lady's Necklace, L. 1...
This yellow gold, cultured pearl, emerald and diamond lady's necklace seems appealing. No doubt it will appeal to your lady.

Lot 3192: The Finest Known Extremely Rare Model 1863 LeMat Percussion Carbine
Here is one of the most rare and highly valued example of the 1863 LeMat Percussion Carbine -- one of about 6 known specimens of its type. The astonishing detail of the entry for this Lot deserves serious study by a person familiar with firearms technology and history.

Lot 3292: Civil War Infantry Hardee Hat with Twisted
Never before had I known what the Civil War Infantry called this type of hat. Now I know that it was called a Hardee hat (nicknamed a "Jeff Davis") named after William J. Hardee, Commandant of West Point Cadets from 1856-1860 who later joined the Confederate Army. This is a very attractive example with two extra twisted bugle badges and a Lion Hats Box.

Lot 3372: Rare and Desirable Colt U.S. Model 1847 Walker Percussion Revolver
Wow! Here is a rare Colt U.S. Model 1847 Walker Percussion Revolver made at Colt's Eli Whitney's factory at Whitneyville, Conn. in 1847. Read the entry to learn the full story!

Lot 3440: U.S. Army Colt Model 1897 .30 Caliber Gatling Gun with Armored Carriag...
I cannot imagine what a collector would do with this .30 calibre Gatling Gun mounted with an Armored Carriage. It is most certainly a museum specimen, worthy of study to understand what the most advanced technology in rapid firing weaponry was all about in 1897.

Lot 3551: Magnificent L.D.N. Double Signed Nimschke Engraved Winchester 1866 wit...
The full story of this fabulous Winchester is told in the lengthy descriptive entry. Summing up, the author writes that only "rarely does a Winchester surface which can bost excellence of condition, as well as superior Nimschke engraving, with L.D.N. signatures, panel scene motif, and commemorative or presentation date inscriptions. "

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Lot 12: *A Scandinavian Teak Sideboard, Height 26 x width 43 x depth 15 inches...
Spare in its modern lines and unadorned, this Scandinavian teak sideboard could serve well for display of collectables and art objects that want no ornamental competition.

Lot 170: A George III Silver Loving Cup, John Schofield, London, Height 7 inche...
Wow, here is a late eighteenth century loving cup made in London by John Schofield, 1779-80. This is a beauty with a height of 7 inches and a weight of 16.3 oz troy-- sterling.

Lot 250: A Chinese Celadon Vase, Height 14 inches.
Not often does one find a handsome Chinese celadon vase at auction that is already an attractive lamp -- with a very nice gilt base -- it stands 14 inches high-- I suppose this is a 20th century production -- but a nice one.

Lot 256: A Chinese Hardwood Stand, Height 32 x width 20 x depth 20 inches.
How very exotic is this richly carved Chinese hardwood stand (I presume 19th or 20th century) with a marble inset top -- great as a plant stand or perhaps even as a table for the Celadon Vase of Lot 250.

Lot 344: Peter Hurd, (American, 1904-1984), The Watertank
Evocative of the landscape of a New Mexico or Arizona ranch, this early evening view of the wind mill and water tank --is a composition of rolling hills that step up to a sky with a crescent moon. This is an effective lithograph by American Western artist Peter Hurd (1904-1984) who was connected to the Wyeth family in Pennsylvania.

Lyon & Turnbull

Lot 380: A rare mid 18th century Chinese export amboyna
What a handsome mid 18th century Chinese export amboyna and ebony table/bureau this is! Enlarge the image to examine the beauty of the figured wood on this small masterpiece.

Lot 402: A late 19th century walnut box in four
Intaglio collections of this sort were made especially for the Grand Tour trade in Italy throughout the nineteenth century. Two boxes of such plaster cast cameo or intaglios are displayed in the Winterthur Museum's Empire Music Room. Offered in this lot is a large and varied assortment that should appeal greatly to lovers of classicism.

Lot 408: A Regency period mahogany coin collector's
What coin collector does not need a place to store his or her coins? This is a fine Regency period mahogany cabinet designed for that purpose with twenty narrow coin drawers.

Lot 490: Taxidermy A late Victorian glazed case
This is my favorite among the several examples of taxidermy cases displaying bird and animal mounts offered in this sale. Look at them all and make your own choices. Centered in this one is an impressive Barn Owl.

Lot 559: A George II period walnut chest of drawers
A solid piece of cabinetmaking inlaid with stringing marks is this George II period walnut chest of drawers made in Great Britain. Its later bracket feet may diminish its price and thereby make it more affordable.

James D. Julia

Lot 31: FINE MASSACHUSETTS SHERATON FIGURED MAHOGANY
Here is a prim and sleek Massachusetts sideboard with its original circular brass knobs and only "cosmetic" restoration to the furniture. While I bow to the knowledge of the cataloguer, it seems to me that the year 1840 is just a little late for this work. My guess is that it was probably made closer to 1810 than a generation later.

Lot 48: ENGLISH QUEEN ANNE MAHOGANY WING CHAIR.
Looking for a nicely shaped and comfortable easy chair with attractive lines? Then here is one made in England in the second half of the 18th century.

Lot 119: BOSTON FEDERAL EGLOMISE AND GILTWOOD MIRROR
Many years ago, I purchased for the collections of the MFA, Boston, a Federal period looking glass very much like this example. The Museum's example also had a similar label for the makers Cermenati & Monfrino at 2 State St., Boston. Whoever acquires this beautiful work will find that it brings much satisfaction and pleasure. It is a classic!

Lot 157: PAIR OF NEW ENGLAND FEDERAL BRASS ANDIRONS.
There are two fine sets of Federal period brass andirons. This pair dates c. 1800-- about the same time that the Cermenati & Monfrino looking glass was made. The other highly attractive pair of brass andirons are offered in Lot 156. Purchase both pairs in order to outfit both fireplaces in your home.

Lot 266: BELA LYON PRATT (American 1867-1917). CARVED
I cannot imagine that the identification of the sitter for this handsome marble portrait will require much research. The Sculptor, Bela Lyon Pratt (1867-1917) is a famous American sculptor whose works are well represented at the MFA, Boston and in heroic public sculpture around the U.S. Pratt was a favorite of Saint-Gaudens for whom he worked. Read the excellent entry for this lot. If American sculpture is your passion, then this is an opportunity not to be missed. It is beautifully carved!