Michaan's Auctions

Lot 27: Late Regency Mahogany Mechanical Serving Table
I presume that this late Regency mahogany mechanical serving table was made in nineteenth century England. It is a practical and handsome specimen of its genre.

Lot 50: Classical Revival Square Case Piano J.Talman
This New York classical piano with the name of its maker, John Talman dates to the era of the Greek revival in America of 1830. It would make a perfect choice for a classic or "grecian" parlor or music room. The entry does not say whether or not the piano has all of its instrumental parts in order or if it is in playable or could be restored to playable condition. But it seems to me to be a highly attractive specimen of its era.

Lot 80: George III Irish Silver Creamer and A Sugar
These two examples of George III silver c. 1770-80 appeal to me. One is a creamer and the other a sugar bowl. Look at the image and study the entry and see if you would not enjoy these well-wrought eighteenth century items at your breakfast table.

Lot 116: Dirk Van Erp Copper Commemorative Box
The craftsman from San Francisco, Dirk Van Erp, is far better known for his handsome copper lamps with mica shades. But this is a well-marked example of his work that lets the owner know it is "Handwrought" -- a square commemorative box with an engraved plate for a 1961 San Francisco wedding invitation.

Lot 339: Ten Vietnamese Blue and White Plates
There are several lots in this auction that display groups of Vietnamese ceramic objects of the late 15th to early 16th century. Since most display marine encrustation, I presume that these come from an ocean wreck site. Look at all these objects and make your own choices. They all seem to me to be beautiful. Look, for example, at the eleven white glazed cups and bowls of Lot 354. With the ten blue and white plates of Lot 339 and the eleven cups and bowls of Lot 354, a buyer could set out a handsome table of antiquities.

Weschler's

Lot 506: John Christopher Temple Willis (British
I like the freely handled atmospheric perspective of this watercolor by J.C.T. Willis (British 1900-1969) of "Boats Docked at a Busy Port." The rooftops of the town's buildings are nicely suggested with economy of detail absorbed by the morning light .

Lot 535: Circle of Giulio Cesare Procaccini (Italian
Here is a nice old master red chalk drawing from seventeenth century Italy. It is attributed to the circle of Giulio Cesare Procaccini. The drawing is unsigned. It is a study of the head of Moses.

Lot 543: Alfredo Pina (Italian 1883-1966) Bust
The Italian Sculptor Alfredo Pina (1883-1966) made and signed this terracotta bust of Richard Wagner. The portrait strikes a thoughtful pose that stands 10" high.

Lot 581: Paul Starrett Sample (American 1896-1974)
Paul Starrett Sample (American 1896-1974) was a well respected painter who taught art for many years in Massachusetts. This rapidly sketched image is signed and titled "Laundry on the Seine" and dated 1938 on a paper label affixed to the reverse of this framed watercolor.

Lot 592: Max Weyl (American 1837-1914) The Potomac
I like the coloring and composition of this oil on canvas mounted on board that measures 28 3/4"x 42 1/2". It is signed by Max Weyl (American 1837-1914) and entitled "The Potomac Marshlands." Another Max Weil painting follows in Lot 594 -- a handsome work worthy of consideration if the buyer misses the chance to acquire Lot 592. Both are sound landscape paintings. But I prefer this one.

Lot 650: Aaron Bohrod (American 1907-1992) Little
Here is a charming lithograph by Aaron Bohrod (American 1907-1992) depicting two youngsters in a country scene coming home with their catch of fish. The print is entitled "Little Fishermen."

Lot 653: Francis Seymour Haden (British 1818-1910) Out
Francis Seymour Haden (British 1818-1910) made this etching in 1863 -- an image "Out of Whistler's Window." This print looks richly inked. The catologue entry notes: "with light toning and some minor handling creases."

Lot 674: James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American
This etching and drypoint of 1859 is a James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American 1834-1903) of the Old Westminster Bridge, London. The print measures 3x8 inches. A larger Whistler print of the same date depicts Billingsgate in Lot 673. Study both and make your own choices.

Lot 28: U.S. St. Gaudens High Relief Twenty-Dollar
This 20 dollar gold coin designed by Augustus St. Gaudens of Cornish, New Hampshire, is bound to command a considerable price. Artistically speaking it is the finest coin ever minted in America. The current issue(Sept./Oct.) of the magazine "Preservation, The Magazine" of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is worth reading (pp. 62-66) for more information about St. Gaudens and his magnificent home and studio in Cornish, New Hampshire. The coin bears a date 1907, the year the sculptor died.

Lot 46: Princess Length White Opal and Diamond
Fifty-three graduated opals are on this single strand necklace of 17" length. A single-cut diamond is set in a 9-Karat white-gold fishhook clasp. Here is a stunning necklace for one who loves opals.

Lot 165: Victorian Choker Length 10-Karat Yellow-Gold
This twelve-inch-long Victorian Choker consists of ten individual strands of coral beads that alternate with four yellow-gold spacer bars, and is set with sixty split seed pearls. It is a beautifully designed and crafted choker of the late nineteenth century.

Lot 197: Edwardian Platinum Diamond and Blue Sapphire
Diamonds and rich blue sapphires ornament this attractive pendant brooch mounted with platinum c. 1900. The total weight of sapphires: 4.25 carats. Weight of old mine and rose-cut diamonds: about 1.50 carats. If diamonds and sapphires appeal, then be sure to consider the impressive ring in Lot 131 and/or Lot 85 as well as Lot 245.

Lot 198: Art Nouveau 18-Karat Yellow-Gold Diamond Blue
Lovely! The beauty of the insect dragonfly is nicely captured here in this Art Nouveau Brooch of c. 1900. Read the catalogue entry for descriptions of jewels set into this plique-a-jour enamel work of art (some enamel losses are noted).

Doyle New York

Lot 2014: Group of Four Framed Japanese Paintings from the Tales of Genji
It is hard to tell from the image exactly what is depicted in this group of four framed Japanese paintings from the "Tales of Genji." But they are described as from the 18th century -- the Edo Period -- which was a good era for fine art in Japan. So this lot has promise of being a fine choice.

Lot 2019: Japanese Bronze Sculpture of a Stone Mason
This bronze sculpture made in nineteenth century Japan shows a stone mason with his raised mallet in hand about to strike a blow on a chisel in the other. The bronze is 18 inches high. The sculpture is impressively realistic.

Lot 2025: Japanese Kakiemon Porcelain Figure of an Elephant
This Japanese Kakiemon porcelain figure of an elephant is catalogued as having been made in the 18th century. It is 6 1/2 inches high -- a handsome and ornamental specimen of its genre.

Lot 2035: South Indian Granite Sculpture of Kartikkeya with a Peacock
From the 12th to 13th century, this Southern Indian Sculpture carved in granite is described as an image of Kartikkeya with a Peacock. The height of this work is 24 1/2" -- not a small work! It comes from the Tamil Nadu Region, and is of the Chola Period, according to the entry. It looks impressive.

Lot 2047: Nepalese Gilt-Bronze Figure of a Trantric Divinity Possibly Vajrabha...
What a Gilt-Bronze Nepalese figure this is of a Trantic Divinity (catalogued as possibly Vajrabharava) of the 17-18th centuries. For me it seems a somewhat frightening work showing the god with six arms and six legs, dressed with animal pelts and draped with skull necklaces and inset with semiprecious stones. It stands 10 1/2" high.

Lot 2064: Chinese Neolithic Painted Pottery Vase
From China's Neolithic period, this painted pottery vase is catalogued as Yangshao/Banshan Culture, c. 2000 BC. It is beautifully formed and painted with stylized figures.

Lot 2078: Chinese Black Pottery Pregnant Sow
The simplicity of shape in this black pottery sculpture of a sow is appealing. It is catalogued as coming from the Chinese Han Dynasty and authenticated with the Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence report as cited. So also is the handsome Bactrian Camel of the Tang Dynasty of Lot 2087 and the Tang Dynasty pottery lion of Lot 2088 -- all dated with thermoluminescence tests. All three lots offer remarkably handsome works of art. Be sure to study these three lots, as well as ceramics in lots 2090 and 2117.

Auction Team Breker

Lot 3: The Very First "Leitz-Hand-Kamera", c. 1902
Here is the very first "Leitz-Hand-Kamera". It was made in 1902. Read the entry for technical details about this historic camera.

Lot 4: Sensational Field Camera "Leitz (4,5 x 6 cm) No. 7", c. 1910
Only one other camera like this breadbox model Field Camera "Leitz (4.5x6 cm) is known in a collection formed by Prof. Steinert at the Folkwang-Museum in Essen, Germany. So this is a "Sensational find for all Leitz collectors and specialists.- No more known worldwide!"

Lot 85: Leica 72 "Half-Frame 18x24" 1954
Here is one of the rarest Leicas that exist. There were only about 150 made by Leitz in Canada but only about 33 in Leitz, Wetzlar. Read the entry for this 1954 Leica camera.

Lot 276: Leitz Telyt-S 6,3/800 and Leicaflex
Here is a wonderful telephoto Leitz -- the giant and most expensive Leitz lens ever made -- available only on request. Read the entry for technical description.

Lot 374: Brass Microscope "Ernst Leitz", c. 1910
Made in 1910, this "Ernst Leitz, Wetzlar" Microscope looks incredibly similar to the microscope I used throughout my college years as a biology student. I assume that some "improvements" were made or incorporated in "my" microscope, but I cannot detect any.

Lot 388: Prototype: Matonox Night-Camera by C. P. Goerz, Berlin, c. 1925
This prototype camera was especially made for night photography in 1925 by C. P. Goerz, Berlin. This has a Photomaton lens that was unknown up to now! Read the entry for technical details about this amazing historical discovery.

Lot 502: Rolleiflex 6 x 6 with Footage Counter, 1929
Here is an early (1929) twin lens Rolleiflex that eventually developed and improved to become almost every photographer's ever-ready camera. Look at all the Rolleiflex cameras in this auction and see which appeal to you. Lot 554 appeals to me because of all its many accessories. I also am intrigued by the telephoto Rolleiflex camera of 524.

Lot 638: Debrie Sept, First Model, 1921
What a rare 1921 Debrie 35mm. camera this is. It was made in Paris for still, rapid sequence, or cine photography. Read the entry for technical data on this camera.

Lot 656: National Graflex Series II, 1935
Back in the 1940s when I took my first course in photography, it was this camera that students used in the course. It produced some beautiful photographs -- one of which took a prize for me as a youth.

Lot 681: Alpa Reflex 6c, 1961
I own and still use two Alpa Reflex cameras like this example. They are reliable workhorses. I'm intrigued to see the many different models of Swiss Alpa cameras listed from Lots 677 through 687. This is a camera with a steel body, focal plane shutter, built in light meter (mine no longer works), and a lens that can be quickly uncoupled and attached to another Alpa body.

Lot 847: French Carte-de-Visite Camera by J. Reygondaud, c. 1865
Ever wonder how the French produced Carte-de-Visite images in the nineteenth century. Well, this image shows the device used -- a Carte-de-Vista-Kamera of 1865 by J. Reygondaud, of Paris. This is a remarkable camera thoroughly described in the entry -- and listed as an "Extraordinarily rare camera."