(NEW ORLEANS, La.) – Merchandise from a prominent French Quarter collector, items from other important local estates and Part 3 of the John Scheffler Mardi Gras Collection are just part of what will come up for bid at a massive, two-day auction event planned for Feb. 15-16 by Crescent City Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.

In all, over 1,300 quality, mostly fresh to the market lots will cross the auction block, including many original works of art (featuring oil paintings by renowned regional artists), period American and European (mostly French) furniture, Newcomb and George Ohr pottery, estate jewelry, antique lighting and clocks, sterling silver, fine decorative accessories and more.

Exhibition previews will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, through Friday, Feb. 14 (except on Sunday, when the gallery is closed), from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. A late evening preview will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12, until 8 p.m. It will include a book signing for the recently released Noel Rockmore and Shirley Marvin – Our Journey to the Discovery of Rockmore, by Shirley, Rich and Tee Marvin.

An oil on canvas by Rockmore (La., 1928-1995), featured on the cover of that very book – titled Self Portrait of the Artist, 49 ½ inches by 27 ½ inches – will be in the auction. It should bring $3,000-$5,000.  An oil on board by renowned Louisiana folk artist Clementine Hunter (1887-1988), titled The Watermelon Picnic (circa 1960), is also expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000.

A 19th century oil on canvas work by Belgian artist Petrus Van Schendel (1806-1870), signed and titled Young Woman by Candlelight (38 inches by 28 ¼ inches), should hammer for $10,000-$15,000. Also, a 1902 oil on canvas by Marc Decoster, titled Portrait of a Gentleman With a Cigarette (possibly Czar Nicholas II of Russia), is estimated to command $2,000-$4,000.

The auction will also feature two works by Georgia-born New Orleans artist Alexander J. Drysdale (1870-1934). One, an early 20th century oil wash on cardboard titled Moss Draped Oak Tree, pencil signed by the artist, should hit $4,500-$6,500/ The other, an early 20th century oil on canvas titled Moss Draped Oak and Cypress, also signed, is estimated to rise to $6,000-$9,000.

Turning to antique clocks and lighting, a rare pair of cut crystal gasoliers, quite possibly Baccarat, made around 1900 and now electrified, 59 inches tall by 39 inches in diameter, is expected to garner $8,000-$12,000; and a late 19th century three-piece brass and rouge marble clock set, the clock measuring 20 ¼ inches tall by 12 ½ inches wide, should hit $1,000-$1,500.

Period French furniture is expected to wow the crowd. A 12-piece Renaissance Revival carved mahogany dining room suite by Emile Leger should reach $8,000-$12,000; and a carved oak vasselier (traditional French style china cupboard serving hutch and buffet), circa 1874, from Brittany with inlaid relief carved Maria Regina cupboard and doors, should fetch $1,400-$1,800.

A French Empire-style ormolu mounted carved mahogany four-piece salon suite from the late 19th century, consisting of two side chairs, a fauteuil and a settee, is expected to change hands for $1,500-$2,500. Also from the furniture category, a massive late 19th century Baroque Revival carved oak bookcase, 97 inches tall, should make $1,200-$1,800.

A set of eight carved mahogany Chippendale-style dining chairs from the late 19th century is estimated to breeze to $2,000-$3,000.  Fans of estate jewelry will be dazzled by the selection of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, tanzanites and pearls.

Part 3 of the John Scheffler collection will feature a Mardi Gras parade bulletin dated Feb. 7, 1910 (Proteus), titled Astrology (est. $450-$650), plus 25 other bulletins; a Mardi Gras ball invitation dated Feb. 11, 1902 (Comus), titled The Fairy Kingdom (est. $400-$600), plus 32 other invitations; Also offered in the Mardi Gras category will be the cape and collar worn by Lucille Armstrong as the Queen of Zulu in 1973, and several crowns and scepters.

Returning to artwork, offered will be an original oil on canvas by Robert Rucker (La., 1932-2001), titled The Steamboat Natchez, signed and framed, 15 ½ inches by 19 ½ inches (est. $4,000-$6,000); and two works by Alberta Kinsey (La., 1875-1952), one titled French Quarter Patio With Winding Staircase, the other titled French Quarter Patio (both est. $2,500-$4,500).

Rounding out some of the auction’s expected stars are a Newcomb Pottery matte glaze vase made in 1927 by Sadie Irvine, 3 ½ inches tall; two pieces of George Ohr pottery (a cup and a candlestick); an 86-piece set of sterling flatware by Wallace, in the Grand Baroque pattern (est. $3,000-$5,000); and a fine pair of gilt bronze and marble dog bookends (est. $1,400-$1,800).

Online bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com (the new name for Artfact.com). Start times will be 9 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, Feb. 15 (when lots 1-750 will come up for bid), and 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16 (when lots 751-1,293 will cross the block). A buyer’s premium of 18.5 percent will be applied to all purchases (cash or check).

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the Feb. 15-16 sale is available on request. All lots can be seen online, at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming Feb. 15-16 auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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