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PA Auction Center Holds Catalog Sale With Antique Cars, Tools, Toys, And Zook Dioramas FRIDAY JANUARY 29, 2021 • VOL. 52, NO. 4
Paul Manship Exhibition At The Wadsworth Atheneum Examines The Artist’s Conversation With Antiquity “Paul Manship: Ancient Made Modern” Opens Feb. 11
A 1964 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Brings $10,500 PA Auction Center held a large cataloged multi-consignor sale on Jan. 9 at 1141 Wea Wit Street in East Earl, Pa. There were 162 registered bidders onsite and 957 online. A nice array of tools, local collectibles, and This Abner Zook public auction farm scene diorama sold for $27,500.
A collection of 34 pedal tractors averaged $450 each, with the top seller being a John Deere 130 that brought $700.
Paul Manship’s “Fire (from The Four Elements)” was commissioned in 1914, and installed 1921 in the American Telephone and Telegraph Building, 195 Broadway, New York City (designed by Wm Welles Bosworth), parcel-gilt bronze relief. The image is courtesy of Gerald Peters Gallery, private collection, courtesy of the estate of Paul Manship. One of the most celebrated American sculptors of the early 20th century, Paul Manship (18851966) blended ancient motifs to fit modern sensibilities. After studying at the American Academy in Rome (1909-12), Manship returned to New York City, where his dramatic, energetic works in bronze reinterpreted forms, stories, and styles of the past for the modern American age. His streamlined, Art Deco style and ability to represent his subjects at peak moments of drama attracted critical acclaim, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s. Seen together in this exhibition, his signature bronzes and associated sketches paired with ancient artifacts illuminate how Manship became a master of sampling imagery and
David Cruz Joins Morphy Auctions As Firearms Specialist on page 2
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Treasures Donated As Trash
Holabird’s Five-Day Auction Featured Wide Range Of Collecting Categories on page 5
“What’s It Worth: Antiques Minute” By Mike Ivankovich
Paul Manship’s “Diana” was cast 1925 (one of a pair), and is bronze on marble base, Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy,Andover, Mass., a gift of an anonymous donor. Courtesy of the estate of Paul Manship.
Paul Manship’s “Prometheus,” ca. 1933, is bronze with gilding, from the Minnesota Museum of American Art, bequest of Paul H. Manship, courtesy of the estate of Paul Manship.
antiques did well. Prices realized on a few highlighted items included an Abner Zook public auction scene diorama bringing $27,500. Another Abner Zook diorama, a covered bridge scene in winter, sold for $21,000. Additional examples included an Abner Zook winter scene, $7,500, and a 2003 Joel Zook covered wagon with six-mule hitch selling for $1,500. A #240 Fisher anvil on metal
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melding disparate visual elements from multiple cultural traditions. “Today we call this a mash-up,” says Erin Monroe, Robert H. Schutz Jr. associate curator of American paintings and sculpture at the Wadsworth. “It’s a practice that has permeated popular culture, in music, fashion, and the visual arts, for example.” “Paul Manship: Ancient Made Modern,” the first museum exhibition in 30 years and novel in its examination of this aspect of the artist’s work, will be Continued on page 2
I’ve stated many times on my “What’s It Worth” radio show that I believe we’re in the “golden age of nonprofit donations.” What I mean by this is that as the baby boomer generation moves, downsizes, and passes on, the value of many of their antiques, collectibles and household items has declined in value. They no longer want them, and their children don’t want them. With shifting markets, declining prices, and changing tastes, auctioneers are picky for consignments. Many antique and collectible dealers are buying less because they are selling less. With fewer or, in most cases, no shows, the outlets to sell have been reduced, and many dealers are investing less capital in inventory. For many, a viable option is to donate no longer wanted items to a nonprofit group who will re-sell to benefit a specific cause, but, in many cases, the investment of having an appraisal should be conducted to avoid a “treasure” from being identified as “trash.” Whether by the original purchaser or the family who has inherited unwanted estate items, all too often treasures are being
donated as trash today. For example, an $800 Rookwood art pottery vase was donated as a chotchkee. A $1,500 18-carat gold bracelet was donated as costume jewelry; a $2,500 sterling silver flatware set was donated as silverplate; a $4,500 original modern artwork was donated as a reproduction print; and a $20,000 diamond wedding ring was donated as a cubic zirconia. What’s it worth? This “treasure donated as trash” list is obviously just a fraction of donation mistakes made daily throughout the country, and nonprofits love it. To prevent this from happening to you, consider having a professional appraiser perform a house or estate contents appraisal. Pick one who has no interest in buying from you.
Mike Ivankovich is an auctioneer, appraiser, home downsizing expert, and host of the “What’s It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser” radio show that airs live in the Philadelphia area on Friday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. EST on WBCB 1490 AM and on the internet at www.WBCB1490.com. To learn more, visit www.AskMikeTheAppraiser.com.
Americana And International Auction At Pook & Pook On Jan. 28 And 29 on page 7
“Ideals Magazine: The Perfect Season-ing” on page 8
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 4 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 5 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 5
FEATURED AUCTION: Milestone Auctions - Premier Firearms Auction - January 30 - Page 3
AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 6 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 7