COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Fraktur Workshop To Take Place Feb. 29 “Fraktur from A to Z” Will Be Held At Dewees Tavern In Trappe, Pa. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 7, 2020 • VOL. 51, NO. 6
Big Turnout For Morphy’s $2.3 Million Auction Of The Susquehanna Collection 16th-Century Suit Of Armor With Royal Provenance Realizes $270,600 Gold and silver may set the standard for commodities on Wall Street, but medieval steel was the metal that ruled the day on Jan. 16 at Morphy’s $2.3 million auction of the Susquehanna Collection. To the delight of a packed house that had gathered to bid on a 40-year collection of early Pennsylvania antiques and European heirlooms, a rare and outstanding early 16th-century composite suit of armor with royal provenance claimed top-lot honors at $270,600. “The suit of armor was a constant source of interest in the runup to the sale and a very popular attraction at the preview,” said Morphy Auctions founder and president Dan Morphy. “We were contacted by collectors from all over the world who wanted to bid on it. They were very familiar with its provenance and importance.” The ca. 1510 to 20 Maximilian suit of armor, which is similar to an example shown in a book published by the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled “Of Arms and Men: Arms and The ca. 1510-20 composite Maximilian suit Armor at the Metropolitan 1912- of armor, assembled in the early 1920s from 2012,” was assembled in the 1920s period pieces (some with royal provenance) by Dr. Bashford Dean (1867-1928). by Met curator Dr. Bashford Dean, first Dr. Dean, who was the first presi- president of the Arms and Armor Society, dent of the Arms and Armor Society sold for $270,600. and first curator of the Arms and Armor Gallery at The Met, used period elements in composing the historically accurate 75inch-tall suit. Some of the components came from the distinguished This exceptional and important pair of American Revolutionary War flintcollections of lock officer’s pistols, each inscribed for its original owner, “Robert Carl, Prince of Roberts 1775,” formerly in the collection of R.H. Coleman, president of Prussia, and the Remington Arms Co., sold above high estimate for $110,700. Princes Radziwill, Nieswiez Castle, Lithuania. Its preauction estimate was $75,000-$150,000. The 219-lot Susquehanna Collection boasted many exceptional and historically significant 18th-century firearms. A pair of Revolutionary War flintlock pistols dated and marked for their original owner, “Robert A fraktur drawing of an alligator and two mermaids, Roberts 1775,” had once been possibly by Jacob Otto of the late 18th-century/early owned by R.H. Coleman, 19th-century Lancaster County, Pa., Otto family of president of Remington Arms Continued on page 2 fraktur artists, sold for $19,200.
Dive into the colorful world of Pennsylvania German fraktur in a handson workshop at the new Center for Pennsylvania German Studies in Trappe, Montgomery County, Pa. Taught by Lisa Minardi, the workshop will provide a detailed overview of “Fraktur from A to Z.” Participants will learn about the materials, tools, and techniques used to make fraktur; how to identify the This birth and baptismal certificate for Johannes Graff, many different types of frak- printed at the Ephrata Cloister about 1784 and decorated tur and the artists who by Henrich Otto, is one of the fraktur that will be examined made them; and how to use in the workshop. fraktur for genealogy or historical out, a second date will be offered research. The workshop will include later this spring. The workshop fee a close look at over four dozen frak- is $100/person, which includes tur and include tips on how to dis- museum admission, special tour tinguish historic examples from of the Center for Pennsylvania German Studies, plus fraktur modern fakes. handouts, and The workshop will be on presentation, Saturday, Feb. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 workshop. Register online at p.m. at the Dewees Tavern, located www.historictrappe.org/events/. For information, email at 301 W. Main Street, Trappe, Pa. Advance registration is required. info@historictrappe.org. Future The workshop is limited to 12 par- workshops on redware, textiles, ticipants on a first-come, first- and other topics are also being served basis. If the program sells planned.
Hearts And Flowers Sale At The Emporium Holidays Abound In February Every four years, there is an extra day to the calendar in the form of Feb. 29, also known as Leap Day. Put simply, these additional 24 hours are built into the calendar to ensure that it stays in line with the earth’s movement around the sun. This year, 2020 is a leap year, thus February will have an extra day for antiquing. The January sales display at the Historic Burlington Antique and Art Emporium was very successful, and the dealers are extending the 15- to 20-percent winter sale until the end of February. During the cold days of winter, the Emporium is a great destination for antiques, art and collectibles. The Emporium is a 14,000square-foot building housing 50 individual booths and 65-plus cases where shoppers can search for antiques from the early 1800s to the collectibles of today. February is filled with unique holidays, the third Monday of the month will be a day for the American presidents, while the second day of the month, the groundhog will predict an early spring or another six weeks of winter.
The celebration of Mardi Gras starts on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 25, and the most romantic day of the year falls on Friday, Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day. The entire month of February is celebrated as American Heart Month, Black History Month, and National Wedding Month. The Emporium sales display case will be filled with items celebrating the holidays of the month, including hearts and flowers for that special someone. The Emporium, located at 424 High St., Burlington City, N.J., is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays until 7 p.m. The 65 Emporium dealers are always adding new items to their inventory, and with Valentine’s Day rapidly approaching, the Emporium offers great gift ideas for that special day. The coffee pot is always on, and complimentary snacks are offered. Find the Emporium on the web or Facebook or call 609-747-8333 for directions. Happy antiquing!
AAN Current News
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Gold Ingot From Alaska’s Gold Rush Era Brings Top Dollar At Holabird’s Western Americana Auction on page 12
American Bottle Auctions To Sell Part Two Of The Ken Fee Collection Of Rare Bitters Bottles on page 14
The 72nd Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Conference on page 15
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 6 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7
FEATURED AUCTION: Bodnar’s Auction - February 8, in Edison, New Jersey - Page 2
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 15