DOUGLASS, Kan. – A monumental and gorgeous signed Daum Nancy French cameo art glass vase, 19 ½ inches tall and with a winter scene, in superb condition, sold for $12,000 at a sale of the large and eclectic collection of Virginia and the late Dr. Jimmie Downing held July 11th by Woody Auction, in the firm’s remodeled gallery at 120 East 3rd Street in Douglass, near Wichita.
“What a wonderful first auction to have at our new facility,” enthused Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “The Downings were widely known among auction-goers and they attended many of my auctions. They were a spirited couple, very serious about acquiring fine quality items. We had nearly 100 bidder numbers out, 30 absentee bidders and over 750 registered online bidders.”
After Jimmie's passing, Mrs. Downing surrounded herself with beautiful French art glass and American Brilliant Cut Glass pieces, paintings, vintage quilts, pottery, Victorian furniture and more. She sold many items the way they were acquired – through public auction and without reserve. “This was a grand event as well as a grand opening,” Mr. Woody said, “a huge success.”

In all, nearly 550 lots came up for bid. Internet bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted are hammer. There is no buyer’s premium at a Woody Auction.

Other Daum Nancy French cameo pieces also did well. A small, signed pillow vase, having a yellow and purple mottled background with carved floral, wasp and spider web design, fetched $3,250; and a signed, 17-inch-tall art glass vase, having a colorful mottled background of yellow, pink, white and blue tones and a cameo carved floral décor with enameled highlights, hit $3,300.

A 4 ½ inch by 5 ½ inch signed Daum Nancy French cameo art glass bowl with a winter scene décor, signed on the base and also on one side, changed hands for $4,250; while an extra nice signed Daum Nancy French cameo art glass covered box, having a yellow, green and white mottled background with cameo carved floral décor and enamel highlights, gaveled for $1,400.

A rare, framed French cameo art glass plaque, artist signed (“J. Gruber”) an featuring a carved river scene with trees, 5 inches by 8 ½ inches, went for $4,500. Also, four framed paintings by the artist Charles Rogers (Kan./Calif., 1911-1987), a member of the “Prairie Printmakers” who often utilized a Chinese technique called “sumi-egg emulsion,” were sold as one lot for $4,000.

A beautiful 85-piece sterling silver Reed & Barton flatware set in the French Renaissance pattern (1941 period), totaling 126 troy silver ounces and housed in a fitted wooden chest, topped out at $2,750; and an 8 inch by 9 inch Moser-style art glass jewel casket, amethyst with extensive enamel floral décor and set on an elaborate Meriden silverplate base, changed hands for $1,300.

A Native American blanket in brown, gray and red tones, approximately 80 inches by 52 inches and in surprisingly good condition, breezed to $1,200; and a pair of vintage American hand-stitched quilts (one white, red and green, about 70 inches by 78 inches, the other having green, red and white floral squares, 86 inches by 68 inches, both pre-Chinese imports), brought $1,000.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s top lots, a group of 36 vintage books and booklets from around the 1930s (Tillie the Toiler, Winnie Winkle, Moon Mullins, Popeye, Joe Palooka, Felix the Cat, Barney Google, Mutt & Jeff, etc.) garnered $2,500; and a signed Galle French cameo three-color pedestal art glass vase, 16 ½ inches tall, in an unusual color combination, hit $1,700.

After an important sale dedicated mainly to R.S. Prussia and Royal Bayreuth pieces slated for Saturday, July 25th, at the Holiday Inn Airport West in St. Louis, Mo., Woody Auction has a pair of major sales planned for August. One will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, the other on Saturday, Aug. 29. Both will be held at the new Douglass facility and both will have 9:30 a.m. start times.

The Aug. 15 will feature the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Johanningmeier of Missouri and the estate of Delvin Dane of Nebraska, plus three smaller estates. Offered will be lamps by Pairpoint, Tiffany, Phoenix, Moe Bridges and Mt. Washington; English cameo, French cameo, American Brilliant Cut Glass and sterling silver, all sold to the highest bidder without reserve.

Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection you may call them at (316) 747-2694. Or, you can send them an e-mail, to info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about Woody Auction and the August auctions, please visit www.woodyauction.com; or, log on to www.liveauctioneers.com/browse/seller/woodyauction.

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