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1864 Civil War Black Regimental Flag Sells For $196,800 At Morphy’s FRIDAY JUNE 28, 2019 • VOL. 50, NO. 26
The 19th- And 20th-Century Stahl Family Pottery In Lehigh County, Pa. Stahl’s Pottery Preservation Society Inc. Has Protected Homestead And Site By Justin W. Thomas June is an exciting month for the Stahl’s Pottery Preservation Society Inc. (SPPS) in Zionsville, Pa., which holds its annual Summer Pottery Festival at the Stahl’s Pottery historic property in Powder Valley, one of two events held each year by the group. The 32nd annu- Some of the Stahl family pottery is on display at the historic Stahl al festival event was Pottery in Zionsville, Pa. June 15. Thirty regional potters displayed and sold their work, and potting demonstrations and tours of the site were held throughout the event. The fall show is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5. The family operated on and off for more than 100 years. Russell died in 1986, and 27 living family members, including descendants of Thomas, formed the SPPS in 1987 when the contents of the historic Stahl family pottery were sold onsite at a major sale held by Maurer’s. More than 1,000 pieces of pottery were sold, some of which was green ware or pieces that were never fired, and others biscuit ware, pottery that had been fired once, then glazed, The glaze room at the historic Stahl Pottery in but never fired again. This is an Zionsville, Pa. event that I truly wish I could have attended. How many auctions for bottled glazes, molds, throwing utilitarian pottery businesses dating wheels, slip cups, tools, a small from the 19th century have there library, the actual homestead, and been? I cannot recall another in my even an old hat and apron that had lifetime. been sitting around the pottery shop The auction included all sorts of since the 1950s was sold. The SPPS wares made at the Stahl Pottery in the was fortunate to purchase the 1900s, such as historical objects, property at the sale. Part of the SPPS plaques, rooster figures, sugar bowls mission is to preserve the site and and just about every other type of interpret one of the dominant periods pottery that the Stahls produced. The of production (mid-1930s), when wood-fired kiln, pot shop, all sorts of brothers Thomas and Isaac revived the operation. The SPPS festivals are great opportunities for the public to tour the property of this revivalist pottery, including the kiln (originally built in 1933). The particular area along the Indian Creek in Zionsville referred to as Powder Valley first received its name due to having gun powder mills. The quality veins of red clay and accessibility to markets was a bounty to the pottery operation for generations. The Stahl Family Pottery In the mid-19th century, Charles Ludwig Stahl (1828-96) established the Powder Valley Pottery in Lehigh Russell Stahl signing a piece of pottery. Continued on page 2
This rare 1864 battle flag carried by the “127th Regiment U.S. Colored Troops,” handpainted by African-American artist and Union troop David Bustill Bowser, sold at Morphy’s for $196,800. It is the only surviving flag of those Bowser created for the 11 Pennsylvania Black regiments. An 1864 handpainted flag that was carried into battle by the 127th Regiment, one of 11 AfricanAmerican regiments from Pennsylvania that fought for the Union during the Civil War, has sold at auction for $196,800 on June 13. Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, confirmed that the flag was purchased by an institutional buyer bidding by phone. Believed to be the only survivor from the original 11 flags handpainted by David Bustill Bowser,
son of a fugitive slave, its distinctive artwork features the image of a black troop bidding farewell to Columbia, the Goddess of Liberty. Above the artwork, a motto reads: “WE WILL PROVE OURSELVES MEN.” “It was such an honor to have been chosen to bring this precious Civil War artifact to the auction marketplace,” said Morphy. “Its historical importance cannot be overstated.” Morphy Auctions is located in Denver, Pa. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions.
Chorley’s Spring Auction Shows That Brown Furniture Still Has Legs British Auction House Holds Country House Sale A 17th-century chest sold for 20 times its estimate to achieve an impressive £16,000 at Chorley’s Spring Country House sale. Chorley’s Fine Art and Antiques sale was a treat for traditionalists with, early oak furniture, Eastern rugs, fine clocks, works of art and model boats and planes from medieval Eastington Hall in Worcestershire. For conversion purposes, one pound roughly equals $1.27. The most popular lots from the Eastington Hall collection included two 17th-century oak back stools, one carved with the name “Dorothy Garrard” and dated
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These two 17th-century oak back stools, one carved with the name “Dorothy Garrard” and dated “1685,” the other named “Margrat Garrard,” sold for £6,000. One is mentioned in Victor Chinnery’s seminal work, “Oak Furniture: The British Tradition.”
Fifteen Years And Counting on page 8
A late 17th-century walnut and seaweed marquetry bachelor’s chest sold for £16,000.
“1685,” the other “Margrat Garrard.” Pieces of named and dated oak are rare, and the “Dorothy” chair is mentioned in Victor Chinnery’s seminal work, “Oak Furniture: The British Tradition.” This small but perfectly formed pair of chairs achieved £6,000. The previously mentioned late 17th-century chest was a walnut and seaweed marquetry bachelor’s chest, which Continued on page 5
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 7 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 9 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 9
FEATURED AUCTION RESULTS: Witman Auctioneers Inc. - Manheim, Pennsylvania - Page 7
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 10 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 15