JSE & Associates Summer Variety Auction A Hit with Collectors

The Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates August 23 & 24 , 2019 Summer Americana and Variety Auction was a highly successful event and produced strong prices – along with a few surprises - in multiple categories. The two-day format consisted of 1,595 lots of diverse material that generated tremendous levels of participation for the firm, a strong indication of vigor in varied segments of the marketplace. Bidding was intense throughout each day with over 5,000 registered bidders from 26 countries participating in house and online.

Session I on Friday featured part one of the lighting collection of Fil (John) and Robbie Graff, St. Thomas, PA; the lantern collection of the late William C. Brinker, New Brunswick, NJ; textiles deaccessioned by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, Mount Vernon, VA; and costumes deaccessioned by The Strong National Museum of Play, Rochester, NY. All items were well received, with most examples greatly exceeding pre-sale expectations. The 529-lot offering on Friday sparked significant presale interest and produced strong results overall. Top lot from Friday, and the weekend’s biggest surprise, was a group of Chinese / Japanese textiles, which, after heated bidding, garnered $16,380 (Lot 413 – all prices include 17% buyer’s premium). Other noteworthy results from the Friday session include a cast bronze cornucopia / griffin kerosene student lamp at $2,808 (Lot 47); a free-blown, acid-etched and frosted glass lamp shade at $1,404 (Lot 174); and a group of four $1 U.S. gold coins at $1,287 (Lot 463).

Session II on Saturday consisted of the firm’s usual diverse selection of antiques and collectibles and produced strong results with numerous categories demonstrating signs of renewed energy. Featuring the Civil War collection of the late John Rodgers, Annandale, VA; material from the Fritz and Loretta Orebaugh estate, New Market, VA; a Page Co., VA estate collection; historic property descended in the Clopper-Hutton family of Montgomery Co., MD; property from the estate collection of Dan and Doris Chrisman, Roanoke, VA; and selections from the private collection of Phylis Salak, Fairfax, VA, Saturday’s session did not disappoint and produced several surprises, most notably an important group of archival material related to George M. Neese (New Market, Virginia). Saturday’s top lot at $11,115 (Lot 1453), the treasure trove of documents, including Neese’s original manuscript for Three Years in the Confederate Horse Artillery, sparked a tremendous amount of pre-sale interest and was purchased, after heated bidding, by a determined institution represented on the floor. The Rodgers’ Civil War collection also performed well on Saturday, highlighted by a fine ambrotype of two Confederate soldiers, likely brothers, at $4,095 (Lot 1324); an unrecorded Southern railway Confederate Veterans reunion poster at $3,159 (Lot 1405); and a rare 1913 Gettysburg Civil War reunion badge and ribbon at $2,808 (Lot 1406). Other noteworthy results from the Saturday session included a 1973 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, sold post-sale at $10,000 (Lot 1296); a rare Edison Fireside combination type phonograph at $3,042 (Lot 1690); and a Dr. Daniels veterinary medicine advertising cabinet at $2,691 (Lot 1088). 

After the sale, company president and auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans commented, “This sale generated robust interest across the board, from bidders near and far. The overall excitement and strong sales results reflect the freshness and quality of the merchandise offered. In addition, the auction was 99.9% unreserved, so the results are a true and honest gauge of the current market.” Evans added, “We are already assembling some exciting material for the February Variety Auction, so the winter sale should be another great event!”

The firm is currently accepting consignments for most upcoming auctions. For complete auction results, a schedule of upcoming sales, or more information, visit www.jeffreysevans.com, email [email protected], or call 540.434.3939.