Sizzling Summer Auction Aug. 23-25
An important collection of firefighter memorabilia and tools will fire up bidding at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries three-day summer sale on Aug. 23, 24 and 25. This auction will also serve up an extensive inventory of paintings, sculpture and folk art from the East, West and around the world.
Thomaston Place owner and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “There’s nothing better than a summer auction packed with rare and one-of-a-kind pieces that exhilarate and excite collectors. We’ve worked hard to build a sale that will raise the pulse of bidders near and far.”
A rare mid-19th century painted leather Boston fireman’s parade helmet mounted with a full-body reclining greyhound dog and engraved silver presentation plaque will lead the firefighter collection. There will be a pair of 1870s period oil on tin fire pumper decorative panels depicting allegories of abundance and liberty by Philadelphia commercial artist J. Shreeve. This collection will also include painted leather fire buckets, early firefighting paintings, prints and photos, a trumpet, hose nozzles, firehouse desks, badges, and advertising items.
Now a Thomaston Place Auction Galleries summer auction tradition, the sale will offer an extensive selection of Maine artwork, with pieces by: John Stobart (1939- ), Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009), John Marin (1870-1953), Dahlov Ipcar (1917-2017), Mark Wethli (1949-), Judd Hartmann (1948- ), Waldo Peirce (1884-1970), William Thon (1906-2000), Ron Frontin (1962- ), Eric Hopkins (1951-), Edward Potthast (1857-1927), Michael Karas (1954- ), and many others.
There will also be works by important artists from further afield, such as: Jasper Francis Cropsey’s (NY, 1823-1900) “Starrucca Viaduct (PA), likely a study for his 1865 masterpiece by the same name, plus pieces by John Frederick Kensett (NY/CT, 1816-1872), Maurice Utrillo (France, 1883-1955), Armin Carl Hansen (CA, 1886-1957), Montague Dawson (UK, 1890-1973), Frederick Childe Hassam (NY/MA, 1859-1935), Emile Gruppe (MA, 1896-1978), and Edward Borein (CA, 1872-1945).
Folk art and marine items will feature strongly in the sale: with an American copper Indian chief weathervane, probably by J.L. Mott Iron Works, leading a large and diverse group of weathervanes; an outstanding grouping of early ship paintings, including works by Badger, Jacobsen and Stubbs; six lots of miniature decoys by Massachusetts master carver Elmer Crowell (1852-1953); an unusual carved owl decoy; a carved and painted State of Maine seal form plaque; eleven ship models, three sailor’s valentines, and a variety of carved walking sticks. The auction will also present a large collection of cannons.
Seven vehicles will be presented, including a 2012 Harley Davidson FL 103 motorcycle, 2005 Jaguar XK8 Convertible automobile, and a 1932 Essex Super Six street rod automobile.
Featured furniture will include: an exceptional rare Tiffany Art Nouveau mahogany boudoir desk with inset Favrile art glass scarabs, a New Hampshire Sheraton sideboard in rampant tiger maple, a 19th Century painted pine 48-drawer apothecary cabinet, a Brunswick monarch pool table with rosewood inlaid case, two lots of leather and chrome Barcelona chairs, and a selection of Eldred Wheeler hand crafted custom furniture.
Among the many other noteworthy items to be sold will be: a circa 150 AD finely woven Peruvian Nazca ceremonial mantle in spectacular condition with rich, vibrant colors; a collection of early 20th Century Tiffany Studios art glass, including a bronze and Favrile glass lily desk lamp; three men’s Rolex watches; and a 19th Century Chinese celadon jade bowl with remarkable figural carvings.
And as always, the auction will include large collections of estate jewelry, silver, Oriental carpets, lighting and fine timepieces.
The auction will begin at 11 a.m. EST each day. A complete, full color catalog, with detailed descriptions and photographs, is available, and all lots can be viewed at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ website, www.thomastonauction.com
In addition to live bidding in the auction hall, Thomaston Place accepts bids via absentee, telephone, and on the internet. Please call 1-207-354-8141 for more information, or to reserve seats in the auction hall.
The gallery will be open for previews Monday, Aug. 19 through Thursday, Aug. 22 (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day) and from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning before the auction begins.
Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Maine’s premier international auction company located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston.
