What:              Precious Metal Auction (Online)

When:             Opens Thursday, July 5, 2018, at 10:00 a.m.

                       Closes Thursday, July 19, 2018, starting at 10:00 a.m.
                       Gallery Preview Tuesday, Jul 10, 2018, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Where:             Preview at Witherell’s, 1925 C Street, Sacramento 95811

                       Exclusively on witherells.com

Who:               Brian Witherell, nationally recognized TV appraiser and Witherell’s COO

Why:               This premiere auction features graded coins, art-silver, jewelry and weighable precious metals.

Sacramento, Ca. | Thursday, June 28, 2018 –  Valuable and rare, that’s what classifies a precious metal. While some people might think that a penny is just a penny, polished collectors know that there are vintage pennies worth a million dollars. Quarters, dimes, half-dollars, and silver dollars minted before 1964 are 90% silver and depending on the denomination and year issued could be worth more than its face value. Witherell’s premiere Precious Metal auction will feature graded coins as well as historic silver, art silver, jewelry and weighable precious metals.          

A primary highlight of this premier auction is a Pre-American Revolutionary War era porringer by the Boston silversmith Samuel Burt (1724 – 1754). Samuel, the Burt’s first-born, became the apprentice of his father John Burt (1962 – 1745) at a very young age. The Burt family was one of the most prominent families that produced silver in 18th-century Boston. “It’s an underwhelming item with an overwhelming story,” says auctioneer Brian Witherell. “For approximately ninety years the Burt family played an active part in silver making in Boston.”

The idea of this piece was made by a contemporary of Paul Revere and witness to our countries founding years is a powerful thought. It carries a $1,000-2,500 estimate and has a starting bid of $500.

We are also featuring a piece with California interest, an exceptional Tiffany & Co., inkwell presented to the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, San Francisco on the occasion of their fiftieth anniversary.  It depicts a large gilt globe elevated on a massive cresting wave surrounded by four waveform inkwells with swirling silver water uniting them. Surmounting a substantial oval bronze base. Marked, "Tiffany & Co Makers Sterling Silver 925-1000" on silver lower edge and marked, "Tiffany & Co Makers Bronze" on the base edge. The base bears Art Nouveau style plaque reading, "1863 Fiftieth Anniversary 1913 / Fireman's Fund Insurance Co., San Francisco / Presented by F. Herrmann & Co. New York / Managers - Atlantic Marine Department." Overall dimensions: 11.5"h x 30"w x 19"d. Accompanied by a large framed photograph depicting the centerpiece in situ. Auction estimate is $20,000-40,000. 

This auction will also include the last pieces from the legendary Edwin Illof Collection which is being sold to benefit Sacramento State physics department portions of which have become part of the permanent collection of the Crocker Art Museum.

Rounding out the sale are a few coins and gold jewelry including an 18k cast nugget "blob" pendant and chain weighing 157 grams.

The public auction preview will be held at the Witherell’s Gallery on Tuesday, July 10 from 1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. This online auction will be exclusively on  witherells.com with a 15% buyer's premium and free shipping on invoices over $1,000.

About Witherell’s

Witherell's experienced team of appraisers and auctioneers have been handling fine art and objects of value since 1969.  Rooted in a passion for beautiful and special objects, this Sacramento–based family business hosts contemporary auctions with an international reach.  Whether buying or selling, clientele can count on Witherell's for a seamless experience with exceptional service. COO, Brian Witherell is an author, lecturer and frequently invited expert on Public Television’s Antiques Roadshow.

Learn more, visit: www.witherells.com or call (916) 446-6490

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