Jeffrey S. Evans 40th Semiannual Premier Americana two-day event held the first weekend in July was a wonderful way to kick off summer. Day one, held July 2, was the single-owner session featuring the collections of the late Theodore (Ted) and Alvina Breckel. Offered was the entire contents of their 18th-century Oley, Pa., farmhouse. The home was packed with 18th- and 19th-century New England and Pennsylvania furniture as well as folk art, fraktur, weather vanes, stoneware and everything else in between. Leading this session was a folk art, paint-decorated pine trinket or dresser box by either Jonas or Jacob Weber, who were active in northern Lancaster County, Pa., in the second quarter of the 19th century. The Webers were known for creating pieces featuring polychrome surfaces, and this small example, which measured 3-by-5 inches, was decorated with a two-story farmhouse and trees on the front panel with florals on the end pieces and lid. Thirty-nine bids were placed before the winner took home the prize to the tune of $37,500 (est. $4,000-$6,000). Prices reported do not include a 24.5-percent buyers premium. American artist Ben Austrian (1870-1921) was best known for his realistic depictions of barns as well as farmyard animals, particularly chickens. His high attention to detail was a major draw. Interest in Austrians work was evident at this sale, as an oil-on-canvas barnyard scene with hen and chicks sold for $24,000 (est. $6,000-$9,000). The work featured nine chicks around a mother hen with a cracked egg in the foreground. Of the stoneware offered this first day, a political jug attributed to the Fulper Brothers surprised many. In a beehive form, with an applied strap handle, this Bristol-slip jugs political statement was its endearing quality. Done in cobalt slip-trail, the jug wore a poem, Billy Bryan he likes his wine / And Sewell like his Gin / So all the Loyal Democrats, / Dont want the cusses in. Standing 11 1/8 inches high, this ca. 1896 jug realized $18,000 against an estimate of $300 to $500. The second day of Jeffrey S. Evans Premier Americana sale, held July 3, featured just that, wonderful items from major collections with the emphasis being on the rare Virginia and other Southern material this auction company is known for offering, and yes, those desirable pieces led the day. Of major importance was the Stirewalt Family, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, folk art, paint-decorated yellow pine diminutive blanket chest that lived up to its $40,000 to $60,000 estimate by surpassing that mark, bringing $65,000. The piece is attributed to Jacob Stirewalt (1805-69) and/or John N. Stirewalt (1802-36) of New Market, Va. And whats not to love? The construction of the chest included applied reeded molding to the hinged rectangular lid. The rectangular case featured wedged-dovetail construction. The chest sat atop four turned and ebonized feet mortised through the bottom of the case. The decorations sealed the deal with the chest retaining its original yellow and black stenciled designs against a deep red ground. Included was freehand sponging to the case, while the lid presented an eight-point Virginia star flanked by odd green-bodied small birds and foliage. The case also displayed two large facing Virginia parrots, with each end piece sporting large spread-wing eagles. The ca. 1835 chest measured 17.75-by-27.5 inches. The auctions catalog noted, The present blanket chest is one of an important group of paint-decorated chests attributed to the Stirewalt family of New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va., that are all linked by parallels in construction, materials, and decoration. It is unclear at present exactly who is responsible for the construction and decoration of these boxes, but it is clear that the effort was likely a collaborative one, given the degree of variation found in the group. Regardless, Jacob and / or John Stirewalt of New Market, Virginia, and Rowan Co., North Carolina, seem to be at the center of the story. Most Stirewalt-attributed boxes are small, and there are, relatively speaking, very few documented blanket chests from the group, making the present lot quite rare. Research is ongoing. The buyer of the chest was the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Many other Virginia pieces crossed the auction block, with two pie safes causing a stir. A tiger maple example from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia was bid to $23,000 (est. $5,000-$8,000). The punched tins featuring stars, tulips, and a chain-like pattern of concentric circles were attributed to the shop of Moses Alexander (1815-1901) and William Alexander (1820-1901) of Waynesboro, Va. A Valley of Virginia walnut and cherry punched-tin sideboard safe having a long rectangular top with a cut-out gallery over four short dovetailed drawers above four hinged doors all on raised cut-out bracket feet came in at $21,000 (est. $8,000-$12,000). The eight punched tins had a design that included a central fylfot with corner fans. Two desirable bird-related items also sold this second day. A first octavo edition which included six volumes of The Birds of America, From Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories, by John James Audubon, New York; published by John James Audubon, Philadelphia, J. B. Chevalier, 1840-44, turned heads. This set, which included volumes I, II, III, V, VI, VII, containing 428 plates lithographed and hand-colored by J.T. Bowen of Philadelphia, sold for $22,000 (est. $3,000-$5,000). And an American folk art purple martin birdhouse in castle form with extensive detailing work such as roofed turrets and a central keep realized $10,000 (est. $1,000-$5,000). It measured 36.5 inches high. Its polychrome-painted surface was very good considering its age and weathering from outdoor use. Jeffrey S. Evans Summer Americana three-day auction will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Aug. 26, 27, and 28. To learn more, visit www.jeffreysevans.com.