Made You Look: Potter & Potter Auctions’ September 27, 2025 Cabinet of Curiosities Event

The concept of a cabinet of curiosities or Wunderkammer has its origins in Europe as early as the 14th century and refers to a private but broad collection of unusual, odd, and/or bizarre items from every corner of the globe. These could scale from the contents of small chest of drawers to a free standing display case to an entire room or home, depending on the collector’s interests and resources. Considered the precursors for museums as we know them today, these self-curated collections were a marker of social status, wealth, and good taste for those in the know. Potter & Potter Auctions of Chicago, IL is offering its Cabinet of Curiosities sale on September 27th, featuring 502 lots of materials ranging from the macabre to the magnificent. Here are a few highlights that caught the eye of the Auction Daily editors. 

This sale includes an outstanding collection of 19th to 20th century automata, and several of these rarities take the top lot slots in this can’t-look-away sale. Premier examples include: 

Lot #11, a Cambodian Apsara dancer automaton, is estimated at $200,000-300,000. This absolute rarity was made in France in the 1890s, most likely by Roullet & Decamps. Its gorgeously rendered and very lifelike figure wears a traditional Cambodian outfit, accessories, and jewelry. When she is activated, she moves fluidly and sways her shoulders back and forth, shakes her arms, and bends her wrists. She stands on a red velvet platform which is decorated with trim and ball fringe. This example measures 41 x 28 x 16” and is possibly just two known examples extant, according to Potter & Potter’s experts. 

Lot #16, a Black flautist automaton, is estimated at $100-150,000. This nearly life sized, 78 x 25 x 22” example is in the form of a barefoot, youthful musician playing a wooden flute. He is handsomely dressed in velvet and brocade garments which are finished with gold trim and embroidery. He stands on a round, green velvet covered base. When he is activated, he plays his flute, with his arms, head, and chest moving in time with his music. This museum quality automaton was made in the late 19th/early 20th century in France by Alexandre Nicolas Théroude. 

Automata are kinetic, mechanical devices designed to replicate the movements of a living person or animal. The term derives from the ancient Greek word “automatos,” which translates to “self-acting.” Automata has been capturing attention since ancient times. It is thought the first example was a wooden flying pigeon, created around 400–350 BCE, which was invented by Greek mathematician and scientist Archytas (c. 428 BCE- 345 BCE.) The heyday for Automata production was the late 18th and early 19th century in France. Premier manufacturers from that era included Jacques de Vaucanson, Alexandre Nicolas Théroude, Henri Maillardet, and Roullet & Decamps.

Vintage to antique medical curiosities are well represented in this sale. Lot #218, a Spinal Demonstrator Model, is estimated at $1,000-2,000. This early midcentury teaching tool was made in San Antonio, TX by Thurman Fleet. Its faux vertebrae and bones are chrome-plated and are mounted to a 34 x 9 x 11” black board. The model retains its original manufacturer’s plaque on its reverse, noting it was patented in 1940 and hold patent number 219975. 

Dr. Thurman Fleet (American, 1895–1983) was a well-known chiropractor who practiced in San Antonio, TX starting in the early 1930s. He integrated traditional chiropractic techniques and holistic health principals and practiced his own brand of treatment called Concept Therapy. This included his Zone Therapy method which included healing the six functional “zones” of the body: the glandular, eliminative, nervous, digestive, muscular, and circulatory zones. It is suspected that this Spinal Demonstrator Model on offer may have been used to teach his proprietary methods. 

This event features a fine collection of materials related to the tattoo industry. Lot #53, a collection of tattoo flash from American-made tattoo supply company Spaulding & Rogers, is estimated at $600-900. The archive includes 117 total, 1980s-era photo-copied flash sheets which have been hand-colored. Each is housed in a protective sleeve and measures 11 x 14”. Images include birds, flowers, religious themes, as well as Asian and gothic motifs, among many others. 

“Tattoo flash” refers to the sheets of paper displayed in the windows of tattoo parlors to advertise the shop’s different available tattoo designs. The word “flash” was borrowed from the carnival and sideshow communities, and refers to eye-catching displays intended to catch the attention of large numbers of people. Many of the tattoo lots in this sale came from the estate of Thomas Dale Spratlin (1948-2022) of Austell, GA. Professionally, he was known as “Dr. Tatu” and he ran a tattoo shop in Mableton, GA for many years. 

Sideshow and carnival collectibles are also key categories in this signature auction event. Lot #369, a painted canvas double sideshow banner for a Sword Swallower and Fire Worshipper, is estimated at $1,000-2,000. It was illustrated and signed by Fred Johnson and produced in Chicago by O’Henry Tent & Awning. It measures about 200 x 138″ overall when fully displayed. 

Fred G. Johnson (American, 1892-1990) was one of the most famous – and prolific – sideshow banner artist of the 20th century. He was referred to as “The Picasso of Circus Art.” His illustrations usually featured dramatic headlines, bold colors, and caricatured, freak show style performers. Interesting, he was entirely self-taught and had no formal art training. His work has been displayed in numerous circus museums over the years, including the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL. 

This mid-fall sale rounds out with taxidermy, sci-fi and horror books and movie posters, crime scene photos, and other category-spanning relics. Lot #146, a first edition, first printing of Stephen King’s (b. 1947) Night Shift, is estimated at $1,000-2,000. It was published in 1978 in Garden City by Doubleday & Company, Inc. This rare book measures 10 x 9 x 1” and includes several of his now legacy tales, including Jerusalem’s Lot, The Mangler, Sometimes They Come Back, The Ledge, The Lawnmower Man, Quitters, Inc., Children of the Corn, and others. 

For more information on Potter & Potter Auctions’ September 27, 2025 Cabinet of Curiosities event, please see www.potterauctions.com.