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Carmel Estate Auction Features Diverse Artworks, Decorative Arts & More At Turner Auctions + Appraisals

Artist: Ira Yeager (1938-2022). Title/Description: Tiger with Boy and Animal Friends. Signature: Signed lower right. Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: Five panels 72" x 20" (together in frame); total size 72" x 110 7/8". Condition good. Estimate $15,000-$20,000.

Online Auction Features Over 300 Lots on July 13

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, June 26, 2024 – Turner Auctions + Appraisals is pleased to present a Carmel Estate Auction on Saturday, July 13, 2024. The sale features a diverse and eclectic array of artworks, decorative arts, militaria, sterling and silver items, pens, furniture, Native American pottery, Asian items, and more, primarily from the 19^th-21^st centuries. Most are from a single estate in Carmel, California; other collections and estates from California are also represented in the auction.

Among the artworks are oil and watercolor paintings, etchings, woodblocks, lithographs, prints, architectural plates, Eastern European icons, and sculptures. Noted artists include Ira Yeager, Leroy Neiman, Michael Stidham, Yoshiko Yamamoto, Patrick (Hinds) Swazo, Dino Paravano, Kent Ullberg, and Keith Christie. Decorative arts come from several traditions and cultures: from the U.S. are Charles Lotton and Van Briggle vases, plus an extensive selection of Native American pottery and sand paintings from the Navajo, Hopi, Santa Clara, Zuni, and Jemez. From China are dishes, bowls, vases, carved coral figures, snuff bottles, scroll paintings, and a Miao headdress. From Japan are Imari platters, a kimono, enamel vases, dolls and figures, boxes, screens, prayer beads, a 1920s coronation costume, calligraphy, blue and white porcelain, and more. There are also several groupings of Asian ceramics.

Ballpoint and fountain pens come from Parker, Waterman, Tiffany, Cartier, and Cross. Sterling and silver items include a tea set, figures, flatware, tableware, and serving ware from France, Germany, England, and Russia. There is a diverse selection of militaria: U.S. Navy commissions, collections of commendation medals and navy cap ship ribbons, dress swords, a World War II bicorn hat and naval dress set, several books, and antique armor. Among the furniture lots are small tables, chairs, wooden chests, clocks, and boxes. Rounding out the sale are candlesticks and candelabra, an English/Australian pub sign, duck decoys, large fish replicas, painted masks, and an antique carousel horse.

Turner Auctions + Appraisals begins its online auction on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:30 am PDT; sale items are available for preview and bidding now. The online auction will be featured live on multiple platforms: LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable, Bidsquare, and Turner Auctions + Appraisals’ free mobile app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Apps (“Turner Auctions”). All are easily accessed through ‘Upcoming Auctions’ at the company’s website: www.turnerauctionsonline.com/upcoming-auctions.

Here below are some highlights of the upcoming online sale (please see auction information and lot details in the online catalog).

Lot 4: Artist: Ira Yeager (1938-2022). Title/Description: Tiger with Boy and Animal Friends. Signature: Signed lower right. Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: Five panels 72″ x 20″ (together in frame); total size 72″ x 110 7/8″. Condition good. Estimate $15,000-$20,000.

Lot 47: Artist: Kent Ullberg (1945- ). Title/Description: Marlin. Signature: Signed Ullberg at base, numbered 9/20, and foundry stamp for Art Castings of Colorado. Medium: Bronze, mounted on terrazzo stone and wood base. Size: Approx. 27 1/2″ x 15″ x 9 1/2″; total with base 29 3/4″ x 17 1/2″ x 12″. Condition: Good. Estimate $2,000-$4,000.

Lot 46: Artist: Michael Stidham (1935- ). Title/Description: Four Permit Fish in Shallows. Signature: Signed lower left. Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: 24″ x 36″; 32 1/2″ x 44 5/8″ (frame). Condition: good. Estimate $3,000-$5,000.

Lot 80: Artist: Keith Christie (1935-2017). Title/ Description: “Break Away” (cowboy and bull). Signature/Date: Signed and dated in sculpture, 1987. Medium: Bronze sculpture mounted on revolving wood stand. Size: 12″ high x 14″ long (total height with stand 14″). Condition: Good. Together with: Jumping Cholla: Genesis of a Bronze Sculpture. By Keith Christie. Flagstaff: Northland Press, 1981. Paperback. Good; tape to spine, some scuffing to covers. Estimate $800-$1,200.

Lot 2: Artist: LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012). Title/ Description: Silverdome Super Bowl, 1982 (49ers-Bengals). Signature: In pencil lower right. Numbered: In pencil lower left: 24/300. Medium: Serigraph. Size: 29 1/2″ x 39 3/4″ (sight); 38 1/4″ x 47 3/4″ Condition: Toning. Estimate $800-$1,200.

Lot 96: Artist: Patrick (Hinds) Swazo (1929-1974). Title/Description: “Fire Bird” (abstract). Signature: Signed center right and verso. Medium: Oil on canvas. Size: 19 1/2″ x 16″; 27 1/2″ x 23 1/2″ (frame). Condition good. Estimate $700-$900.

Lot 116: Carousel Horse, Late 19th/Early 20th Century. The gray running horse with open mouth and flying tail, a red saddle, and a colorfully painted decorative blanket; approx. 30in high x 48in long x 10in wide. Condition: Wear, spots of paint/surface loss, some cracks in wood, and old repairs. Estimate $2,000-$3,000.

Lot 104: Pair of Gilt-Bronze Angel Candelabra. The candelabra formed of angels standing on ball-topped plinths, each with five candleholders. 28in x 12in x 12in. Estimate $600-$800.

Lot 204: A Japanese Gold Crane Motif Ceremonial Kimono. 20th century. The court-length ceremonial/wedding cream silk kimono with gilt trim and embroidery of cranes/ borders and brocade applique, red silk lining with a padded hem; with a wood display bar. Condition: overall good, some scattered light soiling. Estimate $500-$700.

Lot 127: English/Australian Pub Sign, The Sailor King. Late 19th/Early 20th Century. “The Sailor King” single-sided pub sign, Sheldrick’s Family Ales & Spirits (Sheldrick’s Brewery, Australia?); painted on wood panels, depicting King William IV on a ship with British flag and cannon, a masted ship in the background; 41 34″ x 35 1/2″. Condition: the wood shows shrinkage; the painting has possibly been touched up over time, and the surface shows a yellowed varnish. There is a vintage tag for a London removal company stapled to the back. From the family of Captain Carleton Cole Champion, Jr. (1896-1971). Estimate $400-$600.

Lot 188: Chinese Carved Coral Figure of a Beauty. The carved coral figure of a Beauty wearing a sun hat and holding a basket of flowers, on a base carved in the form of rocks and plants. 11 1/4″ H (base 4 1/2″ W). Condition Report: overall good; tiny crack on one wrist; tiny edge chips to a few petals; one missing finger; a few of what look to be naturally occurring small holes at base. Estimate $700-$900.

Lot 241: French Silver Swan Motif Coffee/Tea Set, with Candlesticks. An ornate French first standard silver set consisting of a wood-handled coffeepot (7 1/2″) and teapot (7 1/4″), a sugar (5 3/4″), and a spigot tureen with wood ball feet stand (18″ total); all with swan/bird forms and garlanded lid finials. Marked on bases/shoulders: “G & [over lion] B [in diamond],” and “[left-facing Mercury head] / 1 [in irregular hexagon].” Together with a pair of sterling weighted low candlesticks (4″) (light scuffing/tiny dents). From the family of Captain Carleton Cole Champion, Jr. (1896-1971). Estimate $600-$800.

Lot 132: Japanese Naval Officer’s Dagger. Late 19th/first quarter 20th century. A Japanese Naval Officer’s dagger, with gilt-brass hardware and a pebble-painted metal scabbard; the grip of faux shagreen with a cherry blossom Menuki, the flower repeated on the pommel and scabbard. Blade approx. 8 1/4″; overall length 16 5/8″. Condition: the blade with light speckling of rust; wear to gilt; a crack in shagreen. Together with a framed board (dagger once mounted, now detached). Provenance: Understood to have been presented to a Naval family member. From the family of Captain Carleton Cole Champion, Jr. (1896-1971). Estimate $300-$500.

Lot 239: Russian Silver Bear Figurine. Early 20th century. The bear lying down, his head resting on his paws, his eyes inset glass/stones. Russian marks on base, 84 Standard Silver. 1 1/2″ H x 6″ L x 3″ W. Estimate $200-$400.

Lot 291: Two Icons, The Nativity and Saints. Eastern Europe, 19th/20th Century. Two icons, tempera and gesso on wood panel: The Nativity; and five Saints, including Marina, Eugenia, George, and Demetrius 12 1/2″ x 11″; and 12 1/8″ x 10 5/8″. Condition: some scuffing, spots/corner loss; one possibly treated later with a gloss/medium; both stretchers missing on one, one missing on the other. Provenance: Private Collection, Northern California. Estimate $200-$400.

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ABOUT TURNER AUCTIONS + APPRAISALS

Based in South San Francisco, Turner Auctions + Appraisals was founded by Stephen Turner to expand and complement the capabilities of Stephen G. Turner Associates, an auction and appraisal consulting firm founded in 2004. Turner Auctions + Appraisals presents online auctions in diverse categories of personal property (www.turnerauctionsonline.com). Among them are Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Toys, Jewelry, Militaria, Ethnic Arts, and others. The company offers a range of auction and appraisal services for buyers, sellers, and collectors. Online auctions are held several times a month. Working with leading live and online auction houses on the West Coast since 1991, Turner is a professional appraiser of personal property and seasoned auctioneer. His areas of expertise include fine art, decorative arts, antiques & residential contents. The company welcomes consignments and appraisals.

For more information about the company, please contact:

Stephen Turner, President, Turner Auctions + Appraisals, 461 Littlefield Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080

415-964-5250 / [email protected] / www.turnerauctionsonline.com

For media inquiries or photos, please contact:

Jill Turner. Rodin & Shelley Associates / 707-944-2433 / [email protected]

Find more upcoming sales and events on AuctionDaily auction calendar.

The Journey of a Contemporary Collection from Abstract to Figurative Art

Victor Vasarely (1906-1997), Bi-Syrom, 1956/76, acrylic on canvas, 71 x 108 cm/27.95 x 42.51 in (detail). Estimate: €80,000/120,000

In twelve works, the collection that a couple began in 1980 proves that abstract and figurative art are not mutually exclusive.

Dialogue keeps a collection alive, dynamic and coherent. A look at Dr. Jean-Charles C. and his wife Christiane M.’s paintings makes it obvious that they not only must have frequently talked to understand what motivated each other’s choices and preferences, but also enjoyed conversations about the artworks. They collected “objects that speak to you rather than objects that are spoken about,” says Nicolas Landau, the “Prince of Antique Dealers”. “It’s more a selection than a collection,” adds Auction Art auctioneer Grégoire Veyres. “Each piece was carefully chosen to get straight to the point. They attest to the desire to seek the best in an artist.” In the late 1980s, the Lyon-born couple visited Jacques Verrière’s gallery, one of the city’s few contemporary art galleries, with Denise Mermillon’s and the Espace Saint-Georges. Drawn to a painting by André Lanskoy (1902-1976), they took the plunge and made their first purchase. Like many artists who attended the Grande Chaumière School in the Montparnasse quarter in the late 1930s, Lanskoy was an abstract painter. The work the couple acquired, offered here at €20,000/30,000, is a prime example of his talent, combining a varied palette of colors and rigorous triangulation. Lanskoy was among the first to pave the way towards lyrical abstraction, which many New York artists would emulate after the Second World War. During a trip to Paris shortly after purchasing Lanskoy’s painting, “Jean-Charles and Christiane were amazed by the vanishing point in Maria Elena Vieira da Silva’s Drive In, a 1971 tempera on paper (€30,000/40,000) they saw in Jeanne Bucher’s gallery,” says Mr. Veyres. The couple bought it. In the spirit of discovering the Second Paris School, next came Hans Hartung’s pastel P.1961-51 (€20,000/30,000), Serge Poliakoff’s gouache Composition with White Triangle (€15,000/20,000) and an abstract, geometrical oil on canvas by Chilean painter Roberto Matta (€20,000/30,000).

Maria Elena Vieira da Silva (1908-1992), Drive In, 1972, tempera on paper, 30.5 x 57.5 cm/12.00 x 22.63 in.
Estimate: €30,000/40,000 — **Maria Elena Vieira da Silva** (1908-1992), *Drive In*, 1972, tempera on paper, 30.5 x 57.5 cm/12.00 x 22.63 in.
Estimate: €30,000/40,000

An Endless Quest

“Art dealers, who sometimes introduced the couple to new trends, often advised them what to buy,” says Mr. Veyres. “They would hang some acquisitions on the walls of their home for a few days to make sure they did not upset the balance of the whole. During their many trips, the passionate, inquisitive couple scoured modern and contemporary art museums to explore the history of painting, encounter new artists or discover a hitherto unknown aspect of an artist whose work they had already purchased. They also wanted to keep their collection alive: they sold a Bernard Buffet still life, a Jean Paul Riopelle oil on canvas, and a painting by Lyon artist Jacques Truphémus to finance new revelations.” Looking at the sale’s 12 works, a leitmotiv quickly emerges: all the painters, French or foreign, worked in Paris at one time or another. However, it also becomes clear that the collection is divided into two parts.

Roberto Matta, Composition, oil on canvas, 80 x 66 cm/31.49 x 25.98 in (detail).
Estimate: €20,000/30,000 — **Roberto Matta**, *Composition*, oil on canvas, 80 x 66 cm/31.49 x 25.98 in (detail).
Estimate: €20,000/30,000

A Collection in “Motion”

A tipping point that marked the collectors’ shift towards another artistic world can be perceived. After buying one of the auction’s most beautiful pieces, Victor Vasarely’s 1956 acrylic on canvas Bi-Syrom, 1956/76 (€80,000/120,000), perhaps they felt as though they had reached the end of their abstract art road. The mid- to late 1950s were key years for Vasarely. In April 1955, the artist published his Notes pour un manifeste (Notes for a Manifesto) during the Denise René Gallery’s “Movement” show, which brought together Vasarely, Agam, Pol Bury, Marcel Duchamp, Calder, Jacobsen and Soto. The document, today known as the Manifeste Jaune (Yellow Manifesto), developed a concept of “visual movement”, where abstract art is recomposed with algorithms and generates optical illusions. Vasarely abandoned color at this point, known as his “white-black” period, to emphasize the inalienable oneness of form and color. The manifesto was the founding act of op art. The acrylic on canvas bought by the couple was one of the first answers to the questions Vasarely raised, which continuously enriched his vocabulary throughout his life. Jean-Charles C. and Christiane M. went in the opposite direction, back to figurative art. Their tastes and encounters led them to take an interest in an artistic current that shook up the French scene in the 1960s: narrative figuration. The collection includes paintings by the movement’s leading figures, such as Hervé Télémaque, Erró and Peter Klasen, whose work was a reaction to pop art and the new realism promoted by art critic Pierre Restany. Nevertheless, they took different roads to express their opposition. Voûte n° 3 (Vault No. 3), Télémaque’s 1972 acrylic on canvas (€30,000/40,000), reveals the legacy of Surrealism, and especially of René Magritte. The white cane motif, which appears in his work from 1968 on, refers to Baron Samedi, a major voodoo priest in Haiti, the artist’s native country.

Hervé Télémaque (1937-2022), Voûte n° 3 (Vault No. 3), 1972, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 60 cm/47.24 x 23.62 in.
Estimate: €30,000/40,000 — **Hervé Télémaque** (1937-2022), *Voûte n° 3* (*Vault No. 3*), 1972, acrylic on canvas, 120 x 60 cm/47.24 x 23.62 in.
Estimate: €30,000/40,000

Works that Accompany Daily Life

Télémaque borrowed the clear line from cartoonist Hergé (of Tintin fame) to compose a scene where geometrical space has not totally disappeared. Comic strips, especially the American ones popularized by Marvel and DC Comics, are at the heart of Icelandic painter Erró’s experiments. Brakat, from 1987 (€8,000/12,000), illustrates his fascination with speed and the aestheticized violence of comic book or film heroes, which he puts into perspective in a mythology of colonial references. The couple seem to have been particularly touched by Klasen, four of whose works, acquired from Paris gallerist Michel Chiche, are in their collection. Klasen’s world is complex: he combines graphics, collage, photography and graffiti to provide a perspective on 20^th-century Totalitarianism. The use of airbrushes allows him to physically distance himself from his work and narrative. It is easy to imagine that, throughout their lives as collectors, the Lyon couple sought to narrow the distance between themselves and the paintings that adorned their walls and brightened up their daily lives. Accounts by friends and family reveal that their modernity was not always well understood by guests, who sometimes made thoughtless remarks. However, by all accounts, the bonds forged with the works, acquired until the early 1990s, were unbreakable and unalterable. Jean-Charles C., bedridden in his twilight years, asked to be taken into his living room every day to enjoy his collection.

André Lanskoy (1902-1976), Composition, oil on canvas, 73 x 60 cm/25.98 x 23.62 in (detail).
Estimate: €20,000/30,000 — **André Lanskoy** (1902-1976), *Composition*, oil on canvas, 73 x 60 cm/25.98 x 23.62 in (detail).
Estimate: €20,000/30,000

20TH CENTURY PAINTINGS & ART

Friday 28 June 2024 – 14:00 (CEST) – Live

Salle 1 – Hôtel Drouot – 75009 Paris

Auction Art Rémy Le Fur & Associés

Info and sales conditions

Catalogue

Christie’s Sale of Rhee Seund-ja Painting Sets New Auction Record for Korean Female Artist

Rhee-Seund-ja-The-Mountain-without-Shadow.-Image-courtesy-of-Christies

A new auction record for a Korean female artist has been set at a recent Christie‘s Hong Kong auction. Artist Rhee Seund-ja (1918 – 2009), the first-generation Korean abstract painter, is the new record-holder. Four additional Korean artists netted new records in the recent sale. This shows that K-art, along with K-pop, K-content, and K-food, is making strides overseas.

On May 28, 2024, Rhee Seund-ja’s The Mountain without Shadow (1962) went up for auction at Christie’s Hong Kong First Half Evening Sale at the Hong Kong Convention Center. The painting’s price went up as the phone rang repeatedly and on-site bids were made, and the auctioneer finally announced the successful bid: HKD 8.19 million (USD 1.05 million). It easily exceeded HKD 4 million to 6 million estimate. The successful bidder was an overseas collector who was bidding on-site. It was a heated contest as Francis Belin, Christie’s Asia-Pacific president, also facilitated phone bidding.

Rhee Seund-ja incorporated Eastern philosophy into her artworks for more than 60 years. The winning piece, The Mountain without Shadow, featured geometric shapes such as squares and triangles. Rhee’s work is said to reflect her longing for the children she left behind in Korea when she moved to France in 1951.

The winning bid also broke the previous record high price for Rhee Seund-ja’s works. A Sudden Law (1961), which previously held Rhee’s auction record, achieved HKD 5.67 million (USD 726,400) with Christie’s Hong Kong in 2022.

Lee Hak-joon, CEO of Christie Korea, said, “It is a day of great significance for the Korean art market,” adding, “Rhee Seund-ja has been devalued for being a woman even though she has worked with Kim Whan-ki and Nam Kwan in Paris since the 1950s, but it is in line with the trend of undervalued female artists being re-examined recently.” Rhee’s other works, A City of Uranus, April No. 1, 2007, were sold for HKD 3.78 million (USD 484,250) at an auction on May 29, 2024.

Rhee Seund-ja is attracting attention in many ways. An individual exhibition titled “Seundja Rhee: Towards the Antipodes” is being held at the 60th Venice Biennale, which opened in April. About 20 paintings featuring Rhee’s unique subtle colors are receiving positive reviews. The Biennale will run through November 24, 2024. In late May, Rhee’s Atelier Galaxy, which she used as a studio and residence in France while she was alive, was designated as a “Notable Modern Architecture Contemporary” given to cultural property-grade structures. The structure was designed by Rhee herself and completed by architect Christophe Petcollot in 1993.

Four other Korean artists (Jeong Young-doo, Son Dong-hyun, Jeon Hyun-sun, and Kim Soo-yeon) broke individual auction records at the recent Christie’s Hong Kong auction. In this sale, a total of 17 Korean artists’ works were submitted and 15 were sold. Kim Tschang-yeul‘s Water Drop, Baek Nam-joon’s Root 66, Lee Bae’s 3-88, and Kim Whan-ki’s Mountain and Moon and 21-V-68 #21 were sold over the estimated price.

Andy Warhol, Flower. Image courtesy of Christie’s. — *Andy Warhol,* Flower. Image courtesy of Christie’s.

Meanwhile, a piece from Andy Warhol’s Flower series, which drew attention even before the auction, sold for HKD 66.62 million (USD 8.53 million). It was slightly higher than the minimum estimate of HKD 62.8 million (USD 8.05 million). Works by René Magritte, Marc Chagall, and other 20th-century artists all sold.

Overall, this auction has continued the recent downturn in the art market due to high interest rates and war in 2024’s first quarter. The total amount of successful auction bids was HKD 963 million, which was less than the HKD 1.05 billion achieved in the second half of last year. The sluggish global art market is also breathing a chill into the auction industry, with news of Sotheby’s restructuring reported.

Looking for more press releases? Visit AuctionDaily for the latest updates.

Historical Letters, Documents, and Articles Offered at Everard Auctions and Appraisals This June

Group of miscellaneous correspondences and articles from 18th-century France. Image courtesy of Everard Auctions and Appraisals.

Everard Auctions and Appraisals of Savannah, Georgia will soon present its June sale of property from Lorlee and Arnold Tenenbaum, as well as various other Southern estates. In addition to a wide selection of fine art, sculptures, and Native American items, this sale will present several lots of historical letters, documents, and articles from around the world. Live bidding will begin on June 27, 2024 at 10:00 AM EDT.

Before placing a bid, learn more about some of the notable historical letters in the catalog.

18th-Century French Letters

Offered from the estate of William H. Rasch is a miscellaneous set of 18th-century French letters (lot #1096; estimate: USD 800 – $1,200). This large lot contains 22 items of correspondence, pamphlets, and commercial papers on diverse topics. Many touch on political affairs, concerning figures such as Guillaume-Chrétien de Lamoignon de Malesherbes and the French monarchy.

Letter-writing in the 18th century was a complex affair. Personal letters served as a form of social entertainment, while business and official letters hewed to strict style guidelines. Increased literacy rates and the expansion of education during the Enlightenment contributed to a swell in letter-writing. Public figures in Europe and elsewhere also used letters to address the public and share ideas, values, and remarks. The offered collection of 18th-century French letters provides a window into this different era and culture.

*Collection of letters from Jefferson Davis, Varina Davis, and Alexander Stephens. Image courtesy of Everard Auctions and Appraisals.*

Confederacy Letters

A collection of Confederacy letters from Jefferson Davis, Varina Davis, and Alexander Stephens will also cross the auction block in this event (lot #1098; estimate: $800 – $1,200). These four articles from the 1870s include correspondence between Confederacy leaders following the American Civil War. The letters are slightly worn and toned with age.

The first letter, written by former Confederate President Jefferson Davis in March of 1874, informs a friend of Davis’ plans to visit Paris. Davis faced financial ruin after the Civil War and the Confederacy’s dissolution. He pursued business opportunities in Europe after refusing numerous offers to teach and speak in the United States. Davis continued to justify his actions in the Civil War and celebrate the Confederacy for the rest of his life.

This set of Confederacy letters includes correspondence between Varina Davis, the First Lady of the Confederacy, and Robert T. Corson, as well as a letter and signed address leaf from Alexander Hamilton Stephens, the vice president of the Confederate States.

*Three Consolidated Fund of Texas & Texas Treasury warrants. Image courtesy of Everard Auctions and Appraisals.*

Texas Treasury Warrants and Consolidated Fund Notes

Three notes from the Consolidated Fund of Texas and the Texas Treasury join the collections of historical letters at auction (lot #1100; estimate: $700 – $1,000). An 1864 Texas Treasury Warrant for $20 signed by Cyrus Randolph and Clement R. Johns is included in this lot. This warrant entitled the recipient to funds from the Treasurer of the State of Texas and contains ink signatures by Texas statesmen.

The three Consolidated Fund notes date back to 1837. During this period, the Republic of Texas existed as a breakaway state from Mexico and operated as an independent republic. The region experienced numerous violent outbreaks as European settlers, Mexican citizens, and Indigenous people struggled for control. The bonds offered in this sale allowed the Texas government to consolidate and fund public debt.

*Four articles from the Bavarian royalty. Image courtesy of Everard Auctions and Appraisals.*

Bavarian Royalty Documents

Beyond North American historical letters and documents, the upcoming sale includes several items from Europe. This includes a set of four articles from Bavaria (lot #1103; estimate: $500 – $800). Among the documents is a work sealed by King Ludwig II and a letter signed by King Ludwig I. The lot includes several visiting cards containing photos of the royals.

Everard Auctions and Appraisals will offer these items and more in the upcoming Property from the Tenenbaum Estate and Other Owners sale. Live bidding will begin at 10:00 AM EDT on June 27, 2024. To find more information and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.

Check out AuctionDaily auction calendar for more upcoming events.

BILLINGS Presents SUMMER MODERN ART + DESIGN AUCTION

Hans-J.-Wegner-Papa-Bear-Chair-Ottoman-2

BILLINGS is pleased to present Summer Modern Art + Design on June 29^th, 2024 at 10 AM PDT. This sale features 375 lots of modern and contemporary American, Scandinavian, and Italian furniture, decorative arts, paintings and sculpture. View the catalog, register and pre-bid now at www.billingsauction.com.

Highlights of this sale include:

Fine Art

– Two Pablo Picasso lithographs, from the Portraits Imaginaire series

– A fine lithograph by Joan Miro entitled ‘Le Lizard aux Plumes d’Or‘ from 1971

– Additional prints by Picasso, Miro, Georges Braque and Paul Jacoulet.

Three-dimensional Fine Art

– Two fine mounted sculptures by Los Angeles-based ceramicist Adam Silverman, acquired directly from the artist.

– An ephemeral Otto Boll floor sculpture, acquired in 2023 at Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Hong Kong.

American Design

– A wonderful Arts + Crafts hall chair by Charles Rohlfs from 1901

– Four Doyle Lane weed pots in varying sizes, shapes and glazes

– Three studio-made works by Sam Maloof, including a rare set of eight dining armchairs – A polychromed ‘Chan’ coffee table by Philip and Kelvin Laverne

– Several pieces by Paul Evans, Evelyn Ackerman, Charles + Ray Eames, George Nelson, and Isamu Noguchi

– A collection of ceramics by Mineo Mizuno

– Windbells by Paolo Soleri

– A unique fountain by Stan Bitters

– Outdoor furniture by Robert Lewis and Walter Lamb

Danish Design and Decorative Arts

– An early ‘Papa Bear’ lounge chair and ottoman by Hans J. Wegner

– Vintage and contemporary Poul Henningsen lighting

– Ceramics by Gunnar Nylund

– Furniture by Finn Juhl, Borge Mogensen, Kaare Klint, Ulla Parkdahl, and Frits Henningsen.

Italian Design by

– Ettore Sottsass Jr.

– Bruno Munari

– Afra and Tobia Scarpa

– Mario Bellini

– Gaetano Pesce

French works by

– Charlotte Perriand

– Pierre Jeanneret

– Jean Prouve

– Le Corbusier

– Michel Ducaroy

– Pierre Chapo

– Andre Sornay

Luxuries and Oddities

– Two Louis Vuitton suitcases

– An elephant-shaped bidet with hammered silver insert by Gustave Keller from 1886

– A set of blackened bronze monkey candelabras

– An Belgian exercise dummy

– A Baby Grand Piano in aluminum by Johan Rippen

– A spectacular enamel and metalwork vase by June Schwarcz

– Four embossed relief panels by Jasper Johns.

All items are available for preview in person during the week before the sale, or at the preview party the night before the auction at the BILLINGS Art District warehouse in Downtown Los Angeles. Bidding is available live online, in person, via phone, or absentee.

BILLINGS Summer Modern Art & Design Auction

2124 Sacramento Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Auction

June 29, 10am

Preview

June 22: 9am – 2pm

June 24-28: 10am – 4pm

Preview Party

June 28: 6pm – 9pm

About BILLINGS

Founded in 2015 to address an absence of curated channels in Los Angeles’ design market, BILLINGS offers a platform for the sale of quality modern design, furniture, art, and decorative objects.

BILLINGS’ quarterly auctions feature 300-400+ lots spanning from the pedigreed to anonymous, classic to unusual, and rare to noteworthy. Heavily weighted in mid-century modern selections from the 1960s to the early 2000s, BILLINGS’ catalogs represent a wide range of American and international art and design.

BILLINGS’ in-house live auctions are accessible online, with options to bid in-person, online, as an absentee or by phone. Registration and pre-bidding begin three weeks before each sale.

For more information and press inquiries, contact Rich Carmichael at [email protected] or by phone at 213-584-2240.

AuctionDaily has the latest news from across the industry. Visit our news channel for more.

To Infinity and Beyond: FREEMAN’S | Hindman’s June 7, 2024 Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale Results

Left: Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist, Books and Manuscripts, FREEMAN'S | Hindman. Right: Gretchen Hause, SVP, Co-Head of Department, Books & Manuscripts, FREEMAN'S | Hindman.

FREEMAN’S | Hindman‘s June 7, 2024 377-lot Fine Books and Manuscripts, including Worlds of Tomorrow, and Americana Sale was a first for the newly merged auction houses in many ways. It also produced some eye-catching and record-setting results. Auction Daily spoke with Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist, and Gretchen Hause, SVP, Co-Head of Department at FREEMAN’S | Hindman’s Books & Manuscripts department to learn more about this important early summer event.

Auction Daily: Could you give our readers a little background on this fine books and manuscripts sale, how it came together, and its results? How long did it take your department to assemble such a well-curated group of consignments, and where did they come from?

Gretchen Hause: We began assembling these consignments in the fall of 2023, and worked diligently as a team to bring together compelling groups of objects that would be desirable on the market at auction. The property came from a variety of sources, including private collectors and estates, and was fresh to the market at auction. Our small team of three managed the cataloguing for the sale, and we each took ownership of the various standalone sessions in the sale. The auction did incredibly well, achieving both a high price realized and a very strong sell-through rate in the current market.

Lot #244, a first edition of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God, was estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 and sold for $38,100 in this fine books and manuscripts auction. Image courtesy of FREEMAN’S | Hindman. — *Lot #244, a first edition of Zora Neale Hurston’s* Their Eyes Were Watching God, was estimated at $10,000 to $15,000 and sold for $38,100 in this fine books and manuscripts auction. Image courtesy of FREEMAN’S | Hindman.

Auction Daily: The top lot in this fine books and manuscripts sale was #244, a first edition of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God. It more than doubled its high estimate to realize over USD 38,000. What made this particular example so desirable? Was your team surprised at the results?

Gretchen Hause: Copies of Hurston’s important work are very rare on the market in the original dust jacket. Typically, with an object of such a degree of rarity, bidders are willing to excuse condition flaws that they might not otherwise. In this case, the dust jacket was in very nice condition considering its rarity. We knew that bidding would be competitive, because another copy in the very rare dust jacket sold in our Cincinnati saleroom in February to incredibly competitive bidding, but we did not anticipate that the price realized would soar to such a high level – the jacket was in very fine condition, however, which contributed to the very strong price realized, which nearly quadrupled the low estimate, setting a world auction record in the process.

Lot #97, the 1953 Martian War Machine prop from the film War of the Worlds, was estimated at $5,000 to $7,000 and sold for $34,925. Image courtesy of FREEMAN’S | Hindman. — *Lot #97, the 1953 Martian War Machine prop from the film* War of the Worlds, was estimated at $5,000 to $7,000 and sold for $34,925. Image courtesy of FREEMAN’S | Hindman.

Auction Daily: Lot #97, the 1953 Martian War Machine prop from the film War of the Worlds, far surpassed its $5,000 to $7,000 estimate to change hands at over $36,000. It also generated a lot of bids! Tell us what it was like in the room as this item was under the hammer. Why do you think it did so well? And in your opinion, what type of person or institution would be interested in purchasing it?

Gretchen Hause: The bidding on the Martian War Machine prop was fast and furious, and it was a fun lot to sell as an auctioneer. We had bidders participating via absentee bid, online, and on the telephone, which generated great momentum. The prop had broad appeal to a wide cross-section of collectors, including movie prop collectors and sci-fi enthusiasts, which I believe also contributed to the competitive bidding. The rarity of this prop contributed to the high price realized, as did the exceptional provenance – the prop came from the collection of the so-called “Father of Science Fiction” Forrest J. Ackerman and had further documentation from a well-known special effects artist.

Auction Daily: What did your team learn from cataloging this fine books and manuscripts sale, and/or its results, that you can use to catalog, promote, and/or execute future FREEMAN’S | Hindman auctions?

Chris Brink: “The Worlds of Tomorrow” (the first 90+ lots) was the first of its kind at auction but also a new category for our department that didn’t include books. A good portion of this material was fresh to the market, in a category (Sci-Fi) that is still strong, which means many lots far exceeded their presale estimates. My colleague Joshua McCracken pulled from the Forest J. Ackerman archive a Science Fiction League of America member sticker, presumably the only known one, and it sold for $1,600! We learn something new here every day.

*Lot #66, an original painting by an unidentified artist used for a Tokyo CosmiCon poster, was estimated at $500 to $700 and sold for $1,778. Image courtesy of FREEMAN’S | Hindman.*

Auction Daily: And last but not least, of all the lots on offer through this sale, which one or two really called to you personally, and why?

Chris Brink: I can speak for everyone in our office and say that the cover lot of the sale (lot #66) (an original painting used in a poster for the 1977 Tokyo CosmiCon event) spoke to all of us and really emphasized the theme of the sale which was a parent with their child in spacesuits looking outward to a brighter “Worlds of Tomorrow.”

Auction Daily: And I can see why! This stunning image carried a presale estimate of $500 to $700 and traded hands at $1,778. Thank you Gretchen and Chris for your insights about this fine sale.

For more information on the June 7, 2024 fine books and manuscripts sale, visit FREEMAN’S | Hindman. Looking for more auction news and results? Check out Auction Daily’s news channel for the latest.

Thirst-quenching rarities underscored Morphy’s $1.4M Soda Pop & Advertising Auction in Las Vegas

Completely original double-sided porcelain neon Pabst sign in brilliant primary colors and marked ‘ACME CHICAGO.’ Graded 9.5 on both sides. Size: 60in x 42in x 16in. Against a $2,000-$6,000 estimate, it was the top lot of the sale, achieving $27,060.

Unique Pabst Breweries porcelain and neon sign lit up the June 7-8 sale with a winning bid of $27,060, more than four times the high estimate

LAS VEGAS – On June 7-8 at their Las Vegas gallery, Morphy’s popped the cap off an effervescent selection of vintage soda pop signs and other colorful advertising pieces at a spirited auction that totaled $1.4 million. The 1,329-lot sale was led by a gorgeous all-original porcelain and neon Pabst Breweries sign that attracted strong collector attention at the preview and went on to sell for more than four times the high estimate.

The glossy double-sided Pabst sign, marked “ACME CHICAGO” and executed in brilliant primary colors, showed off unique Pabst graphics and time-defying fine condition. Critically graded 9.5 on both sides, the 60-inch by 42-inch dazzler simply could not be faulted. It retained its original bubble, glass, inserts and “can.” The sign’s origin was documented by the original stamped metal tag reading “Local Union 15 International Association Of Sheetmetal Workers” and a second metal tag that was numbered “10720.” Entered with a $2,000-$6,000 estimate, it racked up 29 bids before claiming top-lot honors at $27,060.

Early soda fountain syrup dispensers found favor with collectors and included a stunning example of a hard-to-find Hires Root Beer ceramic dispenser with graphics of the company’s mascot, known as the “Ugly Kid.” Created by the esteemed German ceramics company Villeroy & Boch, the 19-inch dispenser was marked by the manufacturer and displayed excellent grade-9 condition, with the original metal spigot and lid still intact. It sold near the midpoint of its estimate range for $18,450.

A rare circa-1896 ceramic syrup dispenser made by Wheeling Pottery Co., was an example of the first style of dispenser ever released by the king of soft drinks, Coca-Cola. The highly sought-after 21-inch-tall soda fountain antique caught bidders’ attention because it is of a type seldom seen in the marketplace. It sold for a within-estimate price of $10,455. Another elusive dispenser, a circa-1910s production emblazoned “Drink Grapefruitola 5¢,” was decorated in an appealing palette of colors and graded a strong condition 9. It sold for $6,765 against an estimate of $1,500-$3,000.

When it comes to innovative product marketing, no other soda pop brand has ever matched the success of Coca-Cola, which blazed a trail for others who followed. Since the company’s first ad appeared in 1886 in the Atlanta Journal, its panoramic array of promotional signs and merchandise has inspired a legion of competitors who’ve battled for dominance – some more skillfully than others – in the lucrative soft drink market. Several lots in the auction demonstrated the ingenious way in which Coca-Cola inserted its product into every aspect of American life, often using the power of suggestion. For example, as a customer entered a mom-and-pop grocery store, they might grab the Bakelite handle of a Coca-Cola door-pull sign, like the one Morphy’s auctioned for $4,920. Once inside the store, a shopper’s attention might easily be diverted by a 42-inch-tall Coca-Cola bottle on an electrified rotating base imprinted with the message “Hospitality Can Be So Easy…” And in the midst of all those reminders, a carrier carton of refreshing Coca-Cola was never far from one’s grocery cart. Pure genius! The fully-functional grade-8.5 revolving bottle with base offered by Morphy’s was chased to a winning bid of $5,166 against an estimate of $800-$1,600.

Other Coca-Cola items of special note included a rare and exceptional circa-1900 “Hutchinson” Coke bottle of pale amethyst glass with a slug plate embossed Jasper, AL. Graded 8.75, it sold above high estimate for $6,765. An unusual circa-1910s Coca-Cola die-cut leather bottle clock de-embossed with the message DRINK BOTTLED Coca-Cola / SO EASILY SERVED was graded condition 8 and sold for $5,166 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. Of a later era but certainly no less desirable, a shiny circa-1950s Coca-Cola single-sided die-cut tin sign showing a six-pack of Coke bottles in a white carton was graded 9.25. It ended its bidding run near the high estimate, at $7,380.

There were beautiful, high-condition signs for dozens of soda pop brands. A circa-1940s Orange Crush single-sided embossed tin sign with an image of the brand’s iconic “Crushy” mascot and the message “Feel Fresh! Drink Orange Crush Carbonated Beverage” was TAC authenticated and graded 8.9+. It sold above high estimate for $7,995. A great-looking double-sided painted tin flange sign with a 7Up bottle graphic and the message “We Proudly Serve 7Up” was graded 8.0 and 8.75 (per side) and sold within estimate for $7,380.

Mountain Dew was another brand that ignited bidder interest. A vibrant example of a rare single-sided vertical tin sign emblazoned “Ya-hooo! Drink Mountain Dew” displayed excellent colors and an image of a Mountain Dew bottle with whimsical “hillbilly” graphics. It rose to $4,920 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. Following right behind it, pricewise, was a rare and desirable Mountain Dew figural point-of-sale display featuring the familiar mountain man character holding a “stoneware” jug. Standing 48 inches tall and graded 8.5 out of 10, it sold for $4,428 against an estimate of $800-$1,600.

After the sale, Morphy Auctions’ president, Dan Morphy, remarked: “We’ve always known there were many active collectors of soda pop and other types of antique advertising in the western states because ever since we launched our business twenty years ago, those collectors have been bidding remotely in our Pennsylvania-based sales. Now we’re bringing the merchandise to them, which they especially appreciate because our satellite gallery is located in a city known for fun and entertainment. At every one of our Las Vegas sales we meet collectors who are new to the hobby. They tell us they love the high-quality merchandise we sell and appreciate our friendly, helpful staff. That’s very satisfying to us.”

To discuss consigning soda pop or other antique advertising to a future auction at Morphy’s, please call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. View the fully-illustrated catalog for the June 7-8, 2024 Soda Pop & Advertising Auction, complete with prices realized, at Morphy’s website: https://www.morphyauctions.com.

Sophie’s Postcard auction goes live on19th June 2024 in aid of the Royal MarsdenCancer Charity.

Since 2018, St Richard’s Catholic College has raised over £82,500 and auctioned over 3000 original artworks for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in memory of former pupil, Sophie Maria Taylor who loved art.

This summer auction has over 2000 original artworks and we are thrilled to share the names of just a few of the amazing artists who have generously donated artwork to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity: Adam Riches, Bench Allen, Billy Childish, Bob & Roberta Smith, Carne Griffiths, Curtis Holder, Dame Prue Leith DBE, David Schofield, Emiko Aida, Fearne Cotton, Gilbert & George, Heath Kane, Ian Murphy, Jack Candy-Kemp, Joe Lycett, Jen Orpin, Ken Kewley, Ken Smith, Korky Paul, Lorraine Kelly, Loui Jover, Mark Curryer, Matthew Lyons, Michael Riddle, My Dog Sighs, Nelly Edwards, Otto Schade, Peter Dennis, Peter James Green, James Field, Peter Jones, Rebecca Denton, Rev. Richard Cole, Robert E Wells, Richard Spare, Russell Herron,Sarah Graham, Susanne du Toit, Susie Hamilton, The Cameron Twins, The London Police, The Postman, Thomas Taylor, Tracey English, Trust Icon, Will Rochfort, Yeside Linney and many many more! The full contributing artist list can be seen on www.sophiespostcard.com

Sophie’s parents, James & Luiza Taylor, said “We continue to be amazed at the incredible support given by artists and enthusiastic people all over the world, and are so thankful to everyone who’s helped us keep Sophie’s memory alive in a very special way.

When Sophie was having her treatment, she found great solace in art activities at both the Royal Marsden and St Richards, and we are sure she would be very proud of everyone involved.

We find great comfort that this project is directly helping the Royal Marsden support other young people in their fight against cancer.”

Art teacher at St Richard’s and co-ordinator Miranda Pennington has been preparing for the auction for the last year and says: “We have been humbled by the incredible response to the call for artists. So many wonderful artists have donated work for this very special fundraiser in Sophie’s memory. We have received a phenomenal amount of artwork with over 2000 incredible secret postcards donated. We are on track to smash our fundraising target of £100,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with this summer’s secret auction”.

Thank you so much for
your help and support of
The Royal Marsden Cancer
Charity and this very
special fundraising event in
memory of a dearly loved
pupil, Sophie Maria Taylor
(2004-2017).

Features over 2100 original postcard-sized artworks created and donated by incredible artists, celebrities and the general public

• live on eBay on Wednesday 19th June ending Sunday 29th June

• All proceeds will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

• 200 page catalogue includes all artists and artwork available to pre order

• Postcards can be seen in the online exhibition at sophiespostcard.com

• The secret art auction is held on eBay just look for ‘sophiessecretpostcard’

#sophiespostcard

Social media links

@sophiessecretpostcard on Instagram

@strichardsart on X/Twitter

Hashtag #sophiespostcard

Contact Miranda Pennington

Email [email protected]

Phone +44 (0)1424 731070

sophiespostcard.com

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Collectors worldwide cleared their calendars for Bertoia’s $2.5M sale of John and Adrianne Haley’s antique toy and bank collection

Marklin (Germany) clockwork ‘Battleship France,’ circa 1902-1907, with numerous cannons, lifeboats and masts. Retains original wood box/crate in which it was found together with (included) museum-quality lead sailor figures in like-new condition. Book example featured on Page 200 in David Pressland’s ‘Great Book of Tin Toys.’ Near-mint condition. Sold at upper end of estimate for $78,000

Marklin clockwork ‘Battleship France’ sailed to top of prices realized at $78,000; while a stunning Shepard Hardware ‘Uncle Sam’ mechanical bank more than doubled its high estimate at $72,000

VINELAND, N.J. – For 50+ years, starting in the 1970s, John and Adrienne Haley were the go-to source for Americans seeking high-quality European antique toys. The well-connected Yorkshire couple tracked down and shipped literally thousands of German, French and British antique toys and banks to grateful buyers across the Atlantic, where such pieces rarely turned up. Those acquisitions became prized holdings in what are now regarded as legendary collections. On May 18, Bertoia’s turned the tables and auctioned the toys and banks of most interest to the Haleys’ customers: John and Adrianne’s own private collection. The 340-lot sale – which literally needed no curation – confirmed what the hobby had always suspected – that John and Adrianne adhered to the same lofty standards when purchasing their own toys as the ones they resold to their most-particular customers. The auction totaled $2.5 million dollars, with many lots defying their pre-sale high estimates.

A fleet of majestic German-made ships found the auction waters warm and welcoming. One of them, a circa 1902-1907 Marklin clockwork Battleship France, sailed to the top of prices realized. An imposing 25-inch-long craft with an exaggerated superstructure, numerous cannons, lifeboats and masts even retained its original Marklin wood box. The spectacular toy had been stored together with a supply of museum-quality lead sailor figures which conveyed as part of the auction lot. The imposing, near-mint vessel, which is featured on Page 200 of David Pressland’s classic Great Book of Tin Toys, reached the upper end of its estimate range, dropping anchor at $78,000.

It was also a fair-weather day for a circa-1890s Ernst Plank steam-and-sail ship. All original, with a hand-painted hull and matching lifeboats, the toy could be powered by a live steam engine with a single oscillating cylinder or employed as a sailboat. As was typical of Plank’s early ships, it came with a wooden carrying case designed to protect the toy’s fragile sails and rigging. Like the Battleship France, the Plank steam-and-sail ship is featured in Pressland’s Great Book of Tin Toys, on Page 59. It sold for $48,000 against an estimate of $9,000-$12,000.

Three of the top highlights in the automotive category were Pressland book examples, as well. A Gunthermann (Germany) 10-inch lithographed-tin windup open phaeton had survived for well over a century with its four original hand-painted passengers intact. An extremely rare and sought-after larger-scale toy, it cruised to $32,400 against an estimate of $15,000-$25,000.

The second of the three, an early Bing (Germany) 8-inch hand-painted tin clockwork lorry, displayed a rich red, yellow and gold color palette. Everything on the toy was original, including the striped cloth curtains and composition driver. It appeared to be in unplayed-with, near-mint condition. Dozens of bidders pursued the lot, with the winner paying $21,600 against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.

Likewise, several dozen bidders chased the third vehicle featured in Pressland’s book: a super-colorful Bing deluxe double-decker windup omnibus. Every one of its artful angles was emblazoned with eye-catching lithographed advertisements for “Heinz Spaghetti With Tomato Sauce,” “Dunlop Tyres,” “Bird’s Custard Powder” or “The Daily Sketch,” a British tabloid newspaper founded in 1909. Measuring 12 inches long, the bus sported lead wheels with rubber tires and even retained its original passenger figures for a breezy ride in the upper deck. Against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000, it ended its run at $15,600.

The Haleys’ bank collection consisted primarily of rare cast-iron mechanicals. Over their many years of collecting, John and Adrianne would upgrade whenever the opportunity arose to do so, resulting in a first-class assemblage that wowed bidders on auction day. A stunningly beautiful Shepard Hardware 12-inch-tall Uncle Sam mechanical bank was described in Bertoia’s catalog as the “finest known example” of its type. In near-mint condition, it is the very one shown on Page 252 of Dan Morphy’s Official Guide to Mechanical Banks. Against an estimate of $20,000-$30,000, it sold for an astounding $72,000.

Another big-ticket bank was the whimsical Germania Exchange made by J&E Stevens. Depicting a smiling goat holding a beer mug, perched atop a black-striped keg, this delightful production was noted in the catalog as being “one of the nicest examples [Bertoia’s has] ever seen,” with “great color and thick paint.” Prior to being acquired by the Haleys, the Germania Exchange resided in another esteemed collection, that of Wally Tudor, a trailblazer of the bank-collecting hobby. Entered with a $40,000-$60,000 estimate, it surpassed expectations to settle at $66,000.

Also seen in the pages of Morphy’s Official Guide to Mechanical Banks, a J&E Stevens “Novelty Bank” dazzled with sharp primary colors on all four sides of its mansard-style construction. While not as large as other featured banks, standing 7½ inches tall, this architectural gem in near-mint condition was in demand and garnered a substantial $13,200 against an estimate of $6,000-$9,000.

As they added to their collection, the Haleys chose not to confine themselves to any one type of toy or bank, but rather would focus on rarity, condition and eye appeal. A hand-painted Marklin gauge 3 GNR passenger car fit the bill nicely on all three counts. Measuring an enormous 17½ inches long, it could be compared in size to any other German toymaker’s gauge 4 train cars. Marked “G.N.R.” (Great Northern Railway) and “Corridor Car” on its sides, the coach’s interior, revealing seats and lavatory fixtures, could be viewed by lifting the roof. In excellent condition, it rumbled past its $8,000-$12,000 estimate to claim a winning bid of $31,200.

Another example of John and Adrianne’s appreciation of multiple toy categories was the group of nine large Erzgebirge (Germany) carved and painted-wood marching soldiers. Each of the 6½ inch-tall figures reflected a specific duty, including flagstaff bearer, bugler, leader, or soldier with pack and rifle. Entered with expectations of reaching $2,000-$3,000, the unit advanced to a well-deserved $7,200.

After the sale, Bertoia Auctions’ president and principal auctioneer, Michael Bertoia, remarked: “From the moment we packed up the Haleys’ collection, I knew there were pieces that would probably set new world records. It’s rare for a collection to come along that has such a concentration of high-quality pieces, and that can only come from decades of effort. The Haleys put in the time to create a magnificent collection, and the buyers stepped up for the opportunity to take home a toy or bank they knew they might never have the chance to bid on again.”

Bertoia Auctions is currently accepting high-quality toys, banks, holiday antiques and collectibles for their future sales. Michael Bertoia, welcomes the opportunity to discuss the consignment process with collectors, whether they have a single piece or an entire collection. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never any obligation to consign. Tel. 856-692-1881 or email [email protected]. Keep up with Bertoia’s online at www.bertoiaauctions.com.

All prices quoted in this report are inclusive of buyer’s premium as stated on Bertoia’s website https://www.bertoiaauctions.com. To view the catalog and prices realized for Bertoia’s May 18, 2024 auction, visit https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/327154_the-haley-collection-may-18-2024/.

Check out AuctionDaily’s auction calendar for more upcoming events.

Milestone’s June 29 Premier Military Auction led by D-Day-flown American Flag from ‘first wave’ to land at Omaha Beach

Complete named grouping of Imperial Japanese Army Lt. General Tatsuji Ogura, who commanded 127 Division in Manchuria in the final desperate months of World War II. Archive includes complete dress uniform with frock coat with cased shoulder boards, aguillette and cased officer’s sash; trousers and a visor hat with plume. Housed in period Japanese-made lidded suitcase. Provenance: American Armored Foundation Inc Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum; private collection of William Gasser. Estimate: $8,000-$10,000

Featured: German SS general’s uniform, WWII Japanese general’s uniform and USMC Korean War flamethrower from Virginia military museum; engraved WWII Luftwaffe dagger, MacArthur dog tag

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – American military history, from the Civil War through Vietnam, will be revisited and honored on June 29 at Milestone’s Premier Military Auction, with all forms of remote bidding available in addition to in-person bidding at the gallery. Arguably the Ohio company’s finest offering of militaria to date, the 700-lot selection is led by a US Navy D-Day archive whose centerpiece is a 48-star Ensign #10 American Battle Flag that was flown on LCI-538 during the “first wave” to land at Omaha Beach during the Invasion of Normandy, on June 6, 1944.

A near-sacred symbol of the coordinated effort in which the Allied Armies’ land, air and sea forces united to achieve the largest military invasion in history, the iconic flag was retrieved as a souvenir by Motor Machinist’s Mate First Class Frank R Maratea, who was aboard LCI-538 during its landing. Maratea’s archive also includes a WWII US Navy Commission streamer flag, his own Honorable Discharge and military papers; original photographs taken on Omaha Beach and on the deck of LCI-538, ephemera from D-Day Landings 50th Anniversary Reunion (including a photo with then-President Bill Clinton), and more. This unique grouping of highly important, impeccably-documented mementos will cross the auction block with a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$60,000.

The Omaha Beach West assault phase of “Operation Overlord” – the code name for the Battle of Normandy – was known as “Operation Neptune.” Among the auction highlights is a map of the area in and around the community of Vierville-sur-Mer, with landing plans and associated airborne plans for the D-Day invasion. The map is marked “TOP SECRET BIGOT” – BIGOT being an acronym for British Invasion of German Occupied Territory. Carefully preserved for 80 years, the map is in mint condition and carries a $4,000-$5,000 estimate.

Milestone Auctions is especially honored to offer several significant items from the now-closed American Armored Foundation Inc Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum of Danville, Virginia. With a mission to display and preserve as many tank and cavalry artifacts as possible, the 333,000-square-foot museum’s core holding was the private collection donated by high-tech entrepreneur and military history expert William Gasser. Auction highlights with museum provenance include several remarkable uniforms.

A complete “named” grouping pertains to Imperial Japanese Army Lt. General Tatsuji Ogura, who commanded the 127 Division in Manchuria during the final desperate months of World War II. The archive includes the general’s complete dress uniform consisting of a frock coat with cased shoulder boards, aguillette and cased officer’s sash; trousers and a visor hat with plume. The ensemble is housed in a period Japanese-made lidded suitcase and is estimated at $8,000-$10,000.

Another top lot from the museum collection is a US Marine Corps M2-A1 flamethrower that is a variant of, and successor to, the model used extensively in the Pacific Theater during WWII. It is fitted with an M2-2-style hourglass-shape backpack frame, with improved valves, regulators and capacity. While at the museum, it was tested and demonstrated in videos, proving time and again to be in top form. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Also from the museum, a 1940s 20mm Orlikon MK II “cutaway” cannon with a 55-inch barrel is of a type that was used for instruction by both sides during World II. Mounted on a 4-legged stand, the teaching device became a staple on US Navy warships. The auction example ship/anchor proofs throughout and is marked GM for its manufacturer, General Motors. It is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

An auction entry with tremendous name recognition is the US Army dog tag of the gallant then-future General of the US Army Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964). The tag was issued to young MacArthur when he was not yet a field-grade officer. It is imprinted with his name, the rank “1ST. LT.” and “CORPS OF ENGIN. U.S.A.” MacArthur was a first lieutenant from 1904-1906, when he served in the Philippines with his father, Arthur MacArthur Jr, who was commander of the Army’s Pacific Division. Douglas MacArthur would later command the Southwest Pacific Theatre in World War II, administer postwar Japan during the Allied occupation that followed, and lead United Nations forces during the first nine months of the Korean War. Estimate: $5,000-$10,000

A very fine example of the last model of the German Garde du Corps helmet to be manufactured prior to World War I is complete with an intact and undamaged Garde du Corps eagle and matching enlisted rank’s crown. Fitted with its correct wide Cuirassier-style domed chin scales with correct large-size state and national cockades, it is estimated at $7,000-$10,000.

From the prior century, an especially-complete Civil War/Indian Wars uniform grouping identified to Cavalry Lt Colonel Franklin Haven was also part of the aforementioned Virginia museum’s collection. It consists of a double-breasted navy-blue felt frock coat, sky-blue officer’s trousers with piping, Civil War officer’s crimson silk sword sash, knee-high leather officer’s boots with hobnails, and a post-Civil War campaign hat made by the famed San Francisco firm Pasquale Co. Additionally, the grouping includes a wartime carte de visite with a photograph of Lt Colonel Haven in uniform. Estimate: $5,000-$8,000

The auction’s comprehensive range of military antiques includes edged weapons (swords, knives, daggers, katanas, WWI Model 1918 “knuckle-duster” trench knife with scabbard), headgear including a WWI Imperial German Garde du Corps Prussian helmet; a WWII 82nd Airborne uniform grouping with insignia; a WWII combat medic’s uniform grouping with helmet; medals and insignia, photos, flags and much more.

Milestone’s June 29, 2024 Premier Military Auction will be held at Milestone’s gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby (suburban Cleveland), OH 44094. Start time: 10 a.m. ET on both days. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Milestone’s own bidding platform, LiveAuctioneers, or Invaluable. For additional information on any item in the auction, call 440-527-8060 or email [email protected]. Online: www.milestoneauctions.com