Stephenson’s Auctioneers & Appraisers
1005 Industrial Boulevard, Southampton, Pennsylvania 18966
215-322-6182
About Auction House
Since 1962, family-owned Stephenson’s Auctioneers and Appraisers has been the most trusted choice for the appraisal and sale of estates, collections and real estate in the tristate area and beyond. Located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Stephenson’s is a full-service auction company. Our company has the unique ability to handle the sale of antiques, estate and residential contents, and real estate, while additionally having the special expertise to handle business and commercial liquidations at auction.Auction Previews & News
12 Results
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s welcomes New Year with Jan. 1 auction of high-quality antiques, art & jewelry from Philadelphia-area estates
Featured: Mary Cassatt watercolor on paper, Paul Evans for Directional mid-century table, extensive selection of fine jewelry and watches, including Rolex SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Lovers of fine art, antiques and collectibles always look forward to January 1st because it brings with it a time-honored Philadelphia tradition: Stephenson’s New Year’s Day Auction. Family-owned and operated for 60+ years, Stephenson’s is known far and wide for its first-of-the-year event, which never disappoints with its selection of art, antiques and other treasures from Mid-Atlantic estates and collections. Throughout the year, many items are set aside specifically to delight bidders who join the fun on New Year’s Day either at the gallery, over the phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers. Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), portrait of woman, watercolor on paper. Estimate $15,000-$25,000 In the Jan. 1, 2024 lineup, the fine art category is led by a striking watercolor on paper by Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926). Originally a native of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh, Cassatt later rose to become a highly respected Impressionist at a time when the field was dominated by men. She remains one of the finest portrait artists America has ever produced. The watercolor in Stephenson’s New Year’s sale depicts a seated woman in a relaxed pose, wearing a wide-brimmed flowered hat. Her head is turned modestly to one side, away from the artist. The pre-sale estimate has been set at $15,000-$25,000. A range of genres is represented in the art selection, including landscapes, portraits and religious subjects. A painting by Frank Weston Benson (Massachusetts, 1862-1951), who began his career painting portraits of distinguished individuals as well as murals for the Library of Congress, shows a deserted street with the prominent shadow of a building in the foreground, set against a blue sky decked with clouds. The loose brushwork and strong, contrasting colors of his work are characteristic of American Impressionist art. The work is signed at the lower right-hand corner and carries an estimate of $5,000-$9,000. Jewelry has always been one of Stephenson’s strong suits. Among the glittering pieces to be offered on New Year’s Day are brooches,…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s Auction invites collectors to explore the enchanting world of Dolls!, October 1
Featured: Antique to contemporary dolls, including French and German rarities; Martha Chase, boxed Vogue Ginny and Barbie dolls, Madame Alexanders, Jems and Kiddles SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Sometimes simple is best, and that’s why Stephenson’s decided to get right to the point and call its October 1, 2023 auction “Dolls!” The entire session is devoted to the colorful world of dolls, their close pals – including Steiff plush animals – and doll clothing and accessories. The doll-production timeline represented in the sale runs from the late 1800s through the 21st century. All forms of remote bidding will be available for the Sunday afternoon in-gallery session, including absentee and live online through LiveAuctioneers. Madame Alexander 7in ‘Gretel’ doll from Little Betty series, 1930-1940. Excellent condition, complete with no fading. Retains original marked box. Estimate $250-$350 “This auction consists primarily of dolls from estates and collections in the Greater Philadelphia and Mid-Atlantic region,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auction Company in suburban Bucks County, Pennsylvania. “On the antique side, there are some fine French and German bisque-head dolls, and for those who collect contemporary dolls, there are many postwar and TV-related favorites in excellent condition with original boxes.” European highlights include a Marseille (German) bisque Googly 241 with a bisque socket head, blue side-glancing sleep eyes, painted lashes and brows; and a five-piece toddler body. It is estimated at $800-$1,200. An 18-inch bisque Tete Jumeau fashion doll with blue paperweight eyes is stamped Tete Jumeau on the back of its head and is beautifully detailed with painted lashes, feathered eyebrows, and an open mouth with shaded lips. In very good condition, it will cross the auction block with a $1,500-$2,500 estimate. Another worthy Jumeau, also standing 18 inches high, has stationary eyes, an open mouth with molded teeth, and a cork pate with curly blond wig. The pre-sale estimate is $900-$1,200. The American selection includes several Martha Chase (Pawtucket, Rhode Island, 1851-1925) cotton-stuffed cloth stockinette dolls. Chase dolls are beloved for their primitive style and charming oil-painted faces. The 1920s examples in the sale are estimated at $200-$300 each. Lot 181 consists…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseNewly discovered treasures from East Coast estates up for bid at Stephenson’s July 28 Decorative Arts Auction
Featured: Signed Edouard Cortes oil painting of Parisian street scene with Arc de Triomphe, Cordier bronze, Rolex Cellini Prince 18K gold watch, diamond platinum ring, Tiffany silver vases SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Stephenson’s Auctioneers, the Philadelphia region’s premier source for estate-fresh antiques and art since 1962, will host a July 28 Decorative Arts Auction of 325 select lots ranging from fine French paintings to stylish mid-century furniture and high-quality diamond jewelry. All forms of bidding will available, including in person at the gallery, by phone, absentee, or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers. Diamond platinum engagement ring, (est.) 1.95ct center round diamond, clarity I1 and color K (provisional) in four-prong setting with three 2.7mm round accent diamonds set to each side on shoulder of ring. Stamped ‘.900OPLAT100RID.’ Est. $3,500-$5,500 Stephenson’s has a loyal following that has grown exponentially over the past six decades, due in large part to the company’s reputation for hosting sales that are wonderfully unpredictable. “While you will always find certain standard categories in our auctions – artworks, decoratives, furniture and fine jewelry – it’s always a treasure hunt,” said company owner Cindy Stephenson. “When we are invited visit a residence or appraise estate goods, we never know what we will find, especially in the Mid-Atlantic, where it is not uncommon for many generations of families to have lived in the same house. Because our appraisal team is well versed in so many categories, we can spot important items of all types that might otherwise slip through the cracks.” The fine-art lineup for July 28 is graced by a number of European works, including an oil painting by the acclaimed French post-Impressionist Edouard Leon Cortes (b. Spain, 1882-1969). A quintessential Cortes, it depicts a rainy Parisian street scene with one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the Arc de Triomphe, in the background. In his day, no one could match Cortes – who was known as “the Parisian Poet of Painting” – for his ability to capture the mood of Paris through cityscapes in a variety of weather settings. Measuring 23½ inches by 35¼ inches (sight), the painting…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s 2023 New Year’s Day Auction packed with high-quality estate treasures from Philadelphia and Greater Mid-Atlantic region
Featured: Exquisite gold and platinum jewelry, Canton collection, Chinese export porcelains, sterling silver, antique Japanese wares, fine mid-century & traditional furniture, estate paintings SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – For more than 60 years, family owned and operated Stephenson’s Auctioneers has earned an impeccable reputation based on its sales of fresh-to-market art and antiques from the Philadelphia area’s most elegant estates. Traditionally, their most anticipated event of the year is their Jan. 1 New Year’s Auction, which, for 2023, will feature high-quality fine and decorative art, jewelry, silver, fine furniture; and other valuables and personal property from residences in the Mid-Atlantic region. All forms of remote bidding will be available for those who cannot attend in person, including phone, absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. Platinum cluster ring with antique mounting that features three large round diamonds (each 4.2-4.5mm, 1.00 cttw) surrounded by 16 early-cut round accent diamonds (2.00 cttw) scalloping the perimeter of the main stones. Estimate $1,500-$2,500 “Throughout the year, we set aside rare and beautiful pieces specifically for our New Year’s Day event,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auction. “Our regular buyers know this, and many say they wouldn’t miss the New Year’s sale for anything. They actually plan their activities around the auction, either attending in person at the gallery or bidding by other means.” The fully curated 340-lot selection glitters with a tasteful array of platinum, gold and sterling silver jewelry ranging from Victorian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco pieces to rings, earrings and other bejeweled and high-carat creations of the mid- to late-20th century. With an inscription that dates it to circa 1907, a Smith Patterson & Co., brooch of quintessential Art Nouveau style incorporates a beautifully enameled watch into its design. The 14K yellow gold cast pin is an ethereal depiction of a woman with flowing hair set with 2.5mm round, early-cut accent diamonds. The 30mm watch shows a woman in profile with early-cut accent diamonds in her hairpiece and necklace. Accompanied by its original Smith Patterson Boston box, the brooch is estimated at $1,000-$2,000. Diamonds are still a girl’s best friend, and it’s safe…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s to auction the last of Perry Pfeffer’s legendary collection of rock concert posters
Unique collection spans 1960s-2000s, with many first printings, some signed by noted poster artists including Bonnie McLean, David Singer, Randy Tuten, Lee Conklin, Stanley Mouse SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – The third and final auction of rock concert posters from the estate of Perry Pfeffer (circa 1949-2020), visionary founder of Postercade, will be held at Stephenson’s Auction’s suburban Philadelphia gallery on Sunday, December 11. All additional forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, phone and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers. Bill Graham Presents Grateful Dead, Otis Rush and His Chicago Blues Band, and Canned Heat Blues Band concert poster for appearances February 24-26, 1967 at Fillmore Auditorium (San Francisco). Original first printing. Artist: Wes Wilson. Estimate $1,000-$1,500 The private collection featuring artist-signed rarities from San Francisco’s Summer of Love and the heyday of New York’s Fillmore East attracted international media interest when Parts I and II were auctioned by Stephenson’s in August 2020 and again in January 2021. The December 11 session consists of 233 lots of premier posters with additional consignments of Beatles collectibles and classic rock and jazz LPs. The sale is every bit as impressive as the previous Pfeffer outings, said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auction. “All of the posters are in mint or near-mint condition, and some are signed by the artists, including Bonnie McLean, David Singer, Randy Tuten, Lee Conklin and Stanley Mouse. At the top end, there are some very rare examples that might sell for $1,000 or more, but there are many others in the $300-$500 estimate range that will appeal to a wide range of collectors, whether they are advanced or just starting out in the hobby.” The collection’s timeline starts in the psychedelic ’60s, a time when Pfeffer was living in San Francisco and presciently acquiring now-classic posters – sometimes from the artists themselves – and ends in the early 1990s. Later in life, Pfeffer returned to his native Philadelphia and, in 2001, launched Postercade, a commercial website popular with poster aficionados worldwide. “Perry Pfeffer was a widely acknowledged expert on music posters, and the very best of what he…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseAntique and vintage dolls are dressed to impress at Stephenson’s Nov. 13 auction
Featured: Fine-quality antique French and German dolls, popular mid-century Ginny dolls, and ever-popular Barbies SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, Stephenson’s in suburban Philadelphia will host a Sunday, November 13 gallery auction of antique and vintage dolls from estates and private collections in the Mid-Atlantic region. Jumeau bisque head doll, stamped Jumeau Medaille d’Or Paris, 13in high. Estimate $2,000-$4,000 In addition to beautiful dolls dating from the 19th century through modern times, the 242-lot auction includes several automata, Steiff teddies and soft toys, doll clothing and accessories, and many delightful extras such as teas sets, tableware and wardrobe trunks. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. One of the star lots is a 13-inch-tall Jumeau bisque-head doll wearing a lace-trimmed blue dress and fancy hat. The doll is stamped Jumeau Medaille d’Or Paris on its composition and wood jointed body and has all of the fine features one would expect of a Jumeau production – blue paperweight eyes, feathered eyebrows, and pierced ears. The pre-sale estimate is $2,000-$4,000. Looking very official, a rare circa-1915 Gebruder Heubach doll is dressed in the uniform of a Prussian or German soldier, complete with epaulets, painted boots, and a sculpted, spiked helmet known as a pickelhaube. He stands 9½ inches high and marches to auction with an $800-$1,500 estimate. A 9½-inch lace-dressed French bisque bebe by Jules Steiner is marked Le Parisien on its bisque socket head, and Le Parisien … Paris on its hip. Its five-piece joined composition body is original, and facial features include blue paperweight eyes, painted lashes, feathered brows, pierced ears, and an open mouth with teeth. The French charmer wears a blonde mohair wig under a nicely decorated dustcap-style hat. Estimate: $800-$1,200 Another French production, a 13-inch fashion doll attributed to Francois Gaultier, has a bisque socket head and shoulder plate, and a kid-leather gusset jointed body. The doll has fixed blue paperweight eyes, painted eyelashes and eyebrows, a closed mouth and pierced ears. Her ensemble consists of a garnet-red velvet dress, a simple headband-style hair adornment, and lace underpinnings . Estimate: $800-$1,200 The…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s to auction single-owner estate collection of silver, gold and rare US coins, Oct. 23
Featured: Complete sets of US large cents and Indian Head cents; gold proof American Eagles SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Before offering someone a penny for their thoughts, it might be wise to examine the penny first. Even a humble one-center can be worth a fortune if it’s the right type, like the 1943-D Lincoln penny that sold for $1.7 million in 2018. Coin collecting is one of the world’s most popular hobbies and a favorite category with Stephenson’s Auction’s nationwide bidding audience. The next chance to go coin-hunting at Stephenson’s, whether for fun or investment, comes on Sunday afternoon, October 23rd, at the company’s sale of an estate collection from Bucks County (suburban Philadelphia). 1986 United States Liberty Coins. West Point and San Francisco Mint. In fitted box. COA. Estimate $400-$600 The 322-lot in-gallery sale features many US large coins, silver coins, gold coins, albums, and more. For those who cannot attend in person, all remote forms of bidding will be available, including absentee, phone and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers. An unusual buying opportunity presents itself in Lot 201: a complete set of US large cents, contained in two books. The first official mintage of the large cent was in 1793, and its production continued until 1857, when it was officially replaced by the modern-size one-cent coin known as the “penny.” Large cents were minted in Philadelphia of nearly pure copper, or copper as pure as it emerged from smelting, without any deliberate addition of other metals such as occurs in bronze. The large cent was minted every year from 1793 to 1857 except 1815. When the United States declared war against Great Britain in 1812, coinage was affected. Because of the wartime embargo against shipments, the mint could not obtain any new copper planchets, which were imported from Britain, to strike new coins. The mint made do with the supply of planchets it had on hand and struck coins into 1815. After the war ended that same year, the mint immediately ordered new planchets. There are several theories, but no one really knows why no large cents were issued with an 1815 date. The complete set…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s to auction estate goods including fine art, platinum/diamond jewelry, mid-century estate furniture, Oct. 14
Featured: Painting of Amish barn-raising by acclaimed Pennsylvania Dutch artist Abner Zook SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Philadelphia’s most active estate specialists, Stephenson’s Auctions of suburban Bucks County, will conduct a Friday, October 14 sale featuring fine and folk art, platinum and diamond jewelry, and an extensive array of mostly mid-20th-century furniture and decorative accessories, including porcelain and glass. Abner K. Zook (Lancaster, Pa; 1921-2003), three-dimensional carved painting depicting an Amish barn-raising. Size: 49¾ in x 25¼ in (sight), framed size 57in x 33¾in. Accompanied by lengthy personal letter sent by Zook in 1967 to the person commissioning the painting, explaining aspects of the scene in minute detail. Estimate $10,000-$15,000 “On a regular basis we are called to visit residences in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware tri-state area to evaluate antiques, art and furniture we think would do well at auction,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctions. “Throughout the year, we will set aside artworks or other items to offer in particular sales. Our October 14th sale is our Fall Decorative Arts Auction, and it contains many of the special items we reserved especially for this sale. Some things have come from estates, while others are from residences whose owners are downsizing. There are some treasures to be discovered.” Pennsylvania folk art, originally appreciated by those living in the traditionally Amish counties of the Keystone State, has gained a much wider following, with prices steadily increasing for the work of one particular artist: Abner Zook (Lancaster, Pa.; 1921-2003). Zook’s paintings are distinguished by the fact that they were carved, then painted, to render a three-dimensional look and that their subject matter consistently reflected traditions of Amish life. Stephenson’s is pleased to offer as a highlight of its October 14 sale an original Abner Zook painting of an Amish barn-raising, sized 49¾ by 25¼ inches. It is accompanied by a four-page typewritten and hand-signed letter dated December 25, 1967, which the artist sent to the buyer who commissioned the artwork. In the letter, Zook describes every aspect of the barn-raising scene, the subjects shown, and the methods that would have been…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s July 29 auction titled Fab ‘50s and More features vintage advertising, soda fountain, pop culture and entertainment memorabilia
Highlights: Dunhill soda fountain, Mr. & Mrs. Pac-Man pinball, Seeburg jukebox, railroadiana including antique ticket booth; early radios, clocks & phones; boardwalk amusement games SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On July 29th, Stephenson’s Auctions will return to the days of sock hops, drive-ins and old gold Chevys as they host a colorful 252-lot auction titled Fab ‘50s and More. The sale features an outstanding single-owner collection of advertising signs and store displays; boardwalk amusement games, vintage clocks and telephones; cash registers, vending machines, railroadiana, a diner double-booth, vibrant Fiestaware, and a Dunhill stainless steel soda fountain and related accessories. The saleroom will be filled with not only colorful sights but also the nostalgic sounds of vintage radios, a Bally Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man pinball machine and other games; and a Seeburg Select-O-Matic jukebox, wall-mount speaker and Wall-o-Matic tabletop music selector. Circa-1930s Neon Products Inc., optometrist’s or optician’s neon trade sign, estimate $2,000-$4,000 “This is a single-owner collection that comes to us from a Montgomery County (Philadelphia) estate. The collector had a wonderful eye and was drawn to things that were whimsical, well designed and in very nice condition,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auction. Both antique and vintage signage is plentiful in the collection, with one of the most distinctive examples being a circa-1930s optometrist’s or optician’s hanging neon trade sign. A riveting pair of octagonal eyeglasses illuminates against a background of large, painted eyes on a red, carved wood frontispiece. Made by Neon Products Inc., it measures 23½ inches wide by 9¾ inches high by 7 inches deep and is in working condition. The pre-sale estimate for this “eye-catching” sign is $2,000-$4,000. Neon fans will also want to check the time on a circa-1950s pink and green round neon clock made by Electric Neon Clock Co., Cleveland. It measures 26 inches in diameter, has a soft, appealing glow and will be offered with a $800-$1,000 estimate. Soda pop offerings are led by two dozen lots of Coca-Cola items, including a wide variety of signs, trays and serving items, crates, and other Coke-logo’d collectibles, such as a Stromberg-Carlson tabletop radio, $200-$300;…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s brings on the summertime fun with July 17 Toys & Trains auction
368-lot sale features Buddy ‘L’ vehicles, Lionel trains, French lead soldiers, 1960s/’70s Murray pedal airplane, vintage games, slot cars, robots and Transformers, many toy discovery lots SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On Sunday, July 17th, Stephenson’s Auctioneers of Southampton (suburban Philadelphia), Pa., will conduct the 2022 edition of its popular Summer Trains & Toys Auction, featuring antique and vintage items from collections and estates through the Mid-Atlantic region. The sale will take place at the company’s spacious Bucks County gallery, with remote bidding available via phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers. 1920s Lionel standard-gauge passenger set. Engine paint appears original. VG condition overall. Estimate $400-$800 Made for rough, touch play, Buddy ‘L’ vehicles were favorites in their day and remain high on the list of must-haves with today’s collectors of pressed-steel toys. Measuring more than 2 feet in length, a Buddy ‘L’ #201 open-cab ratchet dump truck made between 1923 and 1929 is hard to beat for size and heft. It comes to auction with a $200-$400 estimate. In the late 1920s, the Moline, Illinois, company also produced a 21-inch-long steam shovel. The example in Stephenson’s sale is in VG to Excellent condition and is estimated at $200-$400. Also from the 1920s, a Buddy ‘L’ aerial fire truck will be offered with a $300-$600 estimate. The name “Lionel” is synonymous with American toy trains. For many decades, children have been entertained by Lionel trains in shop windows, hoping Santa would leave a set for them beneath the Christmas tree. Among the Lionel sets in the July 17 auction are a 1920s Lionel maroon standard-gauge passenger set consisting of a #380 0-4-0 electric locomotive, a #319 Pullman car, and a #322 observation car. The engine paint appears original, and the set is in overall VG condition. Estimate: $400-$800. From the 1930s, a Lionel standard-gauge steam engine #385 paired with a #384-T tender is in Good to VG condition. Its pre-sale estimate is $250-$500. A novel item from Lionel is their 1930s Peter Rabbit wind-up handcar in pastel colors, with the popular storybook character at one end and an Easter basket as cargo. All…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s to host April 22 Superheroes, Comic Books, Sports Memorabilia & Posters Auction
Fun-filled auction includes dozens of group-lots of Marvel, DC and other comics; lithographs and cels, fanzines, large collection of High Times magazines, boxing programs, vintage travel posters SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On Friday, April 22nd, superheroes and comic-character favorites will converge on Stephenson’s auction gallery in suburban Philadelphia for an exciting 302-lot sale of collectibles, memorabilia, comic books and posters. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers. Grouping of 54 issues of ‘High Times’ magazine published between 1974 and 1982, est. $400-$600 The fun begins with superhero comic books. There are dozens of group-lots containing titles such as Spider-Man, Batman, Star Wars, Spawn, Fantastic Four, X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, and so many others. Some of the group-lots consist of generous mixed offerings from a single publisher, e.g., DC Comics, Marvel, ICB, Image Comics, Vertigo, etc. Estimates are very reasonable, with excellent-quality books available at estimated prices to please every pocketbook. Among the top comic book lots is a grouping of six Marvel Comics Silver Age titles published between 1966 and 1968. The earliest, Fantastic Four #61, features the first appearances of Maximus Boltagon, Aireo (later renamed Skybreaker), and the Alpha Primitives – a race of servants created by The Inhumans – and the third appearance of Black Bolt, or Blakagar Boltagon. Also noteworthy is Fantastic Four #62 with the first appearance of Blastaar the Living Bomb-Burst. The lot is expected to make $300-$500. Collectible lithographs and cels are led by a 1995 3-D lithograph of Charles Fazzino’s (American, b. 1955-) The Jetsons Take Las Vegas. Super colorful and profusely illustrated, it includes whimsical images of George, Jane, Elroy and Judy, plus Rosie the Maid and family dog Astro. The characters are shown taking part in various Vegas activities, from golfing to visiting casinos and even winning a jackpot. The 25-by-16-inch lithograph, #130 of 200AE, is signed by the artist as well as legendary animators Bill Hanna (1910-2001) and Joseph Barbera (1911-2006). The pre-sale estimate is $1,000-$2,000. Also signed by Hanna and Barbera, a Jetsons “Service Station – Full Service” animation art cel depicts the…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s Jan. 1 auction presents exquisite estate jewelry, silver, midcentury furniture and decorative art
Also featured: Asian antiques, art, fine porcelains, designer clothing, bird decoys, bronzes, and advertising collectibles including a vintage Gulf gas pump and other petroliana SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – For sixty years, family owned and operated Stephenson’s Auctioneers has earned an impeccable reputation from its sales of fresh-to-market art and antiques from the Philadelphia area’s most elegant estates. Traditionally, their most anticipated event of the year is their New Year’s Auction, which, for 2022, will take place on January 1st and feature high-quality furnishings, art and personal property from residences in the Mid-Atlantic region. All forms of remote bidding will be available for those who cannot attend in person, including phone, absentee or live via the Internet. Ruby, pearl, turquoise, sapphire, opal and emerald Mogul 14K gold choker. Estimate $3,000-$5,000 The fully curated 484-lot selection glitters with a tasteful array of platinum, gold and sterling silver jewelry from the estate of June Felley of Rydal (suburban Philadelphia) Pennsylvania. “Mrs. Felley’s late husband, Donald Felley, started as a research chemist and rose to become president and chief operating officer of Rohm & Haas, a specialty chemicals company headquartered in Philadelphia,” said Stephenson’s owner/auctioneer Cindy Stephenson. “He traveled the world and would bring back jewelry as gifts for his wife. He obviously had a very refined eye for beautiful jewels and unusual settings.” Highlights from the Felley collection are plentiful and start with a sensational ruby, turquoise, sapphire, opal and emerald Mogul choker. Set in 14K gold, this ornate necklace has a heart motif and is accented throughout with freshwater pearl dangles. Its pre-sale estimate is $3,000-$5,000. Similarly estimated at $3,000-$5,000, a gorgeous Mogul enamel and diamond cloisonne 18K gold bangle is set with slab and faceted cut diamonds and appealing figures of enameled green birds. The artistry on this piece, which has a total weight of 81.1 grams, is of a very high standard. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000 A statement piece with Art Deco styling, a 14K white gold pendant dripping with richly-hued ruby beads is adorned with baguette and round diamonds accenting a center diamond. The total diamond weight is approximately 4.00 carats, and…
Auction Industry, Press Release$20 Liberty Head Double Eagles and First Day Family of Eagles add heft to Stephenson’s Oct. 29 Gold & Silver Coin Auction
Also featured: 2015 $200 first-strike .9999 Australian Kangaroo gold coin, high-quality estate and private collections of modern, ancient & medieval coins SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – Numismatics, the study and collecting of coins, is a hobby with noble origins almost as old as the money itself. What sets coins apart from many other types of collectibles is that they have intrinsic value based on the precious metals they contain. Through good economic times and bad, gold and silver coins have been touted as a solid alternative investment to the sometimes-volatile stock market. Gold and silver coins may also be the ultimate holiday stocking stuffers, both for adults and children – no one ever returns a precious coin. 1893 Liberty Head Double Eagle gold coin. Estimate $2,200-$2,600 With holiday gift-giving in mind, Stephenson’s Auction in suburban Philadelphia will host a Friday, October 29, 2021 live gallery auction of fine graded examples of US and international gold and silver coins, with absentee and Internet live bidding available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers. The coins have come to Stephenson’s from two sources, the first being an estate collection and the second, a gentleman’s private collection. In all, 289 lots will cross the auction block, with a choice that ranges from ancient silver coins to modern-era gold issues. American gold coins are led by an 1893 and two 1904 Liberty Head Double Eagles, each estimated at $2,200-$2,600, and a 1927 $20 St Gaudens gold Double Eagle, $1,800-$2,200. A 2006 W $50 1-oz .9999 fine gold Buffalo gold coin, NGC-graded PF 70 Ultra Cameo and signed by Mike Castle is estimated at $1,500-$2,500. A 2021 W G $50 Family of Eagles first day of issue gold coin is NGC-graded PF 70 Ultra Cameo and signed by the US Mint’s 12th Chief Engraver, John M Mercanti. It comes in a fitted mahogany box with paperwork, and is estimated at $1,500-$3,000. A beautiful 2015 W $100 high-relief first-strike .999 fine gold coin, PCGS-graded MS 70, features the image of Lady Liberty wearing a laurel wreath and holding a torch in one hand and an American Flag on a pole in the other.…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseEstate treasures lead Stephenson’s Aug. 20 Summer Decorative Arts & Jewelry Auction
Featured: 18K gold men’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer, superb Edwardian platinum ring with large European-cut diamonds, sterling silver flatware sets, Rockwell Kent art SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On Friday, August 20, Stephenson’s Auctioneers of Southampton (suburban Philadelphia), Pa., will conduct the 2021 edition of its always-lively Summer Decorative Arts Auction, featuring antique and vintage items from collections and estates through the Mid-Atlantic region. The 426-lot sale will take place at the company’s spacious Bucks County gallery, with remote bidding available via phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers. Stieff Co., 42-piece sterling silver flatware partial set in ‘Rose’ pattern. Presented in wood silver chest. Estimate $1,000-$1,500 With its decades-long reputation for presenting fine estate jewelry at auction, family-owned Stephenson’s will once again be offering a variety of rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets and brooches of outstanding quality. This time the auction jewelry box will open to reveal exceptional pieces for both men and women, topped by a classic gentlemen’s Rolex. Every man wants a wristwatch that is both handsome and reliable. The sale’s headliner, a Rolex 14K gold Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Date model fits the bill perfectly. It has a hefty link bracelet and total weight of 107.5 grams, and is in working order. This statement piece from one of the world’s most revered watch brands is estimated at $5,000-$7,000. Another top entry is a Chopard (Swiss) Automatic Chronometer Sport wristwatch with a 39mm stainless case, silver dial and skeletal window on reverse. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. The women’s jewelry section deserves careful exploration, as there are treasures to be discovered throughout. A featured attraction is a beautiful Edwardian platinum ring set with three large, round, European-cut diamonds at its artfully domed center. The largest of the stones is sized 6.0mm, while the other two main stones are sized 5.5mm each. The stellar trio is surrounded by 26 smaller accent diamonds. Expert specifications indicate a diamond clarity of I1 and color assessment of KLM, with a total weight of 3.45ct. This elegant antique ring comes to auction with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate. A stunning, fully marked David Yurman 16in Tahitian pearl ‘chainmail’ necklace is composed of…
Auction Industry, Press ReleaseStephenson’s to host surprise-filled Mid-Summer Trains & Toys Auction, July 23
Featured: Collection of mint/boxed Korean brass engine and train cars plus Bing, American Flyer and Lionel pre- and postwar trains; toys from Mid-Atlantic estates SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. – On Friday, July 23, Stephenson’s Auctioneers of Southampton (suburban Philadelphia), Pa., will conduct the 2021 edition of its popular Mid-Summer Trains & Toys Auction, featuring antique and vintage items from collections and estates through the Mid-Atlantic region. The sale will take place at the company’s spacious Bucks County gallery, with remote bidding available via phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers. A featured attraction of the 333-lot sale is a single-owner collection of factory-boxed HO-gauge brass loco/tenders and train cars with a timeline spanning the 1970s through 2000s. Most of the plastic-wrapped original boxes have never been opened, allowing the trains to remain in pristine condition for decades. There are many examples by the Korean manufacturers Samhongsa and Ajin Precision, a firm based in Seoul that produced high-quality sets for Overland Models Inc., of Muncie, Indiana. “The Ajin brass trains are especially desirable because they are unpainted,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctioneers. “The collector showed great foresight in keeping each of his acquisitions in absolutely original, untouched condition.” Most of the Korean train lots are expected to sell in the $100-$300 price range, with a few estimated slightly higher. 1930s Ives wind-up train set #1590 in original box. Painted sheet metal 0-4-0 steam locomotive with Ives R.R. Lines tin-litho tender and three Pullman cars. Estimate $300-$600 A sought-after 1930s Ives wind-up train set #1590 consists of a sheet metal 0-4-0 steam locomotive with an Ives RR Lines tin-litho tender and three Pullman cars. Housed in its original factory box, is it estimated at $300-$600. An even earlier production is the 1920s Hafner wind-up Sunshine Special tin-litho train set with extra accessories. Hafner Manufacturing Company of Chicago was established by William Hafner, the co-founder of another revered brand, American Flyer. Hafner Manufacturing was in business from 1914 to 1951 and was known for its clockwork-powered O-gauge trains. The boxed Sunshine Special entered in Stephenson’s sale is estimated at $200-$400. The most famous of…
