In its largest Variety sale to date, an 1149-lot auction, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates sold a Chinese carved jade buckle in the form of a dragon for $7,475. The buckle, dating to the late 19th or early 20th Century, was estimated at $100-200. (Lot 785).

STRONG CHINESE OBJECTS REALIZED HIGH PRICES

Other Asian artifacts brought strong bidding and high prices. A lot of 18 assorted Asian beads in amber, glass court beads, etc., realized $4,312.50. The original estimate of $100-200 was exceeded by internet bidders, enthusiastic for several different objects in the lot. (Lot 792). A lot of three snuff bottles sold for $2,990, against a $100-200 estimate. The bottles were made of Peking glass and rare stonewares; a Chinese yellow silk altar cloth, depicting a five-clawed dragon amidst chrysanthemums, dating from the late 19th Century, sold for $2,070, also against an estimate in the hundreds.

CAST IRON BANKS, NOT THE ONLY STORY IN TOYS

A wooden box made to hold a Magician mechanical bank, embossed on one end J. & E. Stevens, dating to the end of the 19th Century, sold for $6,900. (Lot 167). Such boxes are rare survivors, and the buyer, a NY-area collector, has the bank that fits within the box. Originally estimated at $200-300, the box became a focus for collectors, with bids on the phone, via absentee bidders, and in the room.

The bank box was part of the massive collection of the late Betty Jane Renn of Sunbury, PA which included over 375 banks of all types. Of these, a rare “Tabby Bank” by J & E Stevens & Co., sold for $5,750 over the $300-500 estimate (lot 178).  This set a new auction record price for this bank; bidding was between a phone bidder and a bidder in the house.  Another bank, the Black Americana specimen of the “Bad Accident,” sold for $4,025, nearly four times the pre-sale estimate of $1,000-1,500. (Lot 163).

PORCELAIN SHAVING MUGS LEAP OVER ESTIMATE

The day-long sale included a selection of occupational shaving mugs.  Of these, a very rare example painted with a male Gymnast on a horizontal bar, marked for Limoges, France, sold for $4312.50 (Lot 1083)

FINE ARTS NOT LEFT BEHIND

In a small but strong section of fine art, an 1846 Philadelphia Circus lithograph print of “Madame Macarte, In Some of Her Favorite Acts,” dated 1847, sold for $2,645 against a $200-300 estimate. (Lot 66)  Another print, Georges Rouault’s “Circus of the Flying Stars: The Ballerinas,” dated 1934, sold for $1,725 against an $800-1200 estimate (lot 701). Hisao Domoto’s abstract watercolor/gouache, dated 1966, realized $1,265, nearly three times the $300-500 estimate (Lot 656).

These are highlights but the entire sale was very strong, and included such collectible areas as dolls; toys; knives; silver; costume and fine jewelry. In each of these categories bidding was very aggressive and prices were strong.  More than seven thousand live and absentee bids came in via ArtFact; LiveAuctioneers and the Evans website; as well as those entered by more 150 phone and in-house bidders at the Evans gallery. The sale realized $281,307.00 including the 15% buyer’s premium, with participating bidders from 18 countries.

After the auction, Jeffrey S. Evans noted, “This was our highest grossing variety auction to date with all categories performing well, especially the banks, knives and silver. Bidders responded very positively to the fresh, quality merchandise that we were able to offer with no reserves and with attractive estimates. In addition, our detailed catalogue descriptions including accurate condition reports, instills confidence and draws repeat buyers to our auctions.”   

The next sale at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is of 18th and 19th Century Glass, including Early American Pressed Glass, on September 28th, 2013. The sale includes items from the collections of the late Hobart “Hobie” Porter of Glen Ellyln, IL; the collection of Jessie and the late Eugene Long, of Broadway, VA; rare examples from the Rudolph Evers estate collection of Bridgewater, VA and others. The catalogue will be posted by September 20 and the auction is on preview September 25, 26 and 27, as well as the day of sale. This auction will be followed by the October 1 auction of Late 19th – Late 20th Century Ceramics. For further information, please go to www.jeffreysevans.com or call 540.434.3939.