There were loads of quality “smalls” in the February sale conducted by Ted Wiederseim Auctioneer in Ludwig’s Corner, Pennsylvania. One of the most charming (it was the top lot of the two-day auction) was a Louis Vuitton miniature steamer trunk. Known affectionately as a “flower box,” it measured only 5-1/2 inches high by 11 inches wide. The diminutive trunk opened at $4,500, and cruised to $14,000, excluding buyer’s premium. The top lot, and all of the other items in this treasure-filled sale might have “missed the boat” had a predicted 12 to 18 inch snowstorm not been downgraded to a third of that, allowing the sale to go on as scheduled, and with standing room only.
More than 700 lots crossed the block during the Friday and Saturday sale, and there was enthusiastic bidding both days for the variety of articles, from redware, stoneware, Staffordshire and Delft, to silver, antique guns, paintings, and furniture.
Here are additional highlights of the sale: A group of four, grape-form kugels (the largest was only five inches high) sold, after spirited bidding, for $2,500. A Dr. Daniels Veterinary Medicine oak display case made $2,000. Among numerous lots of redware, a plate with slip decoration, “St. Fidelas Martyr” sold with its estimate, for $950. A set of German silver flatware, marked 800, did $1,500; and a cast bronze stag-form lamp, circa 1920, brought $1,000. A rare Joslin’s tabletop globe turned in a final bid of $2,300. Highlighting the Friday evening session was a very well executed oil on canvas painting of fishing boats by Samuel Hester Crone (American, 1858-1913). It sold on the phone to a relative of the artist, for $7,000.
Interesting items offered on Saturday included a Wurlitzer Multi-Selector tabletop jukebox that went to an absentee bidder for $4,000. A standing figure of Ben Franklin sold for $1,300. Although there were few lots of furniture, the pieces offered were very well received, with a Chippendale carved mahogany mirror with the maker’s label “John Elliot,” (active 1775-1800) selling for $2,500; and a rare Sheraton mahogany flip-top gaming table, inlaid with an American eagle and rosettes, ending up at $5,250. A very nice Tucker porcelain pitcher with overall gilt decoration brought $4,500. Paintings continued to be strong. One notable example, a wonderful allegorical watercolor of Lady Liberty with an eagle, soared to $6,000.
For information on upcoming quality auctions by the firm, visit Wiederseim Associates, Inc. on the Web at www.wiederseim.com; or phone them at (610) 827-1910. Their mailing address is P.O. Box 470, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania 19425; and fax number is (610) 827-1930.