COMPLIMENTARY COPY
Black Unicorn Chest To Be Sold In Spring Christie’s To Sell David Rockefeller Collection By Karl Pass
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2018 • VOL. 48, NO. 7
All’s Fair: Remembering The 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair Smack Dab In The Middle: Design Trends Of The Mid-20th Century
The collection of Peggy (1915-96) and David Rockefeller (1915-2017) is being sold at Christie’s in New York City in the spring (dateto-be-determined). Involved in major philanthropic endeavors, all estate proceeds will benefit various charities. For those interested in Pennsylvania German folk art, a black unicorn paint-decorated poplar chest-over-drawers, Bern Township, Berks County, Pa., circa 1790, will be among
the offerings in this anticipated sale (est. $40,000-$80,000). It is a rare 18th-century survivor from a Continued on page 4
AAN Current News
By Donald-Brian Johnson “Meet me in St. Louis, Louis— Meet me at the fair!” Mills & Sterling, 1904 That turn-of-the-20th-century ditty is irresistible, as irresistible as the St. Louis World’s Fair itself was, for thousands of wide-eyed fairgoers in 1904. As irresistible as Judy Garland found the fair in the 1944 movie classic, “Meet Me in St. Louis.” And, as irresistible as the appeal, fair memories and memorabilia continue to hold strong today. Sure, there have been United States-based World’s Fairs both before and after. But the St. Louis World’s Fair displayed a myriad of modern wonders just as a new century began, offering up an unforgettable slice of Americana. Officially known as the “Louisiana Purchase Exposition,” the fair was originally scheduled to open in 1903, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the U.S. acquisition (from France) of that vast expanse of land. However, funding, land acquisition, and disagreements delayed the fair’s actual opening until April 30, 1904. When opening day finally arrived, the St. Louis World’s Fair proved worth the wait. From Washington, D.C., President Theodore Roosevelt telegraphed a signal that it was fair time. As the throngs poured in, flags waved, fountains cascaded, and John Philip Sousa’s band struck up a rousing musical welcome. The fair dwarfed its predecessors, taking up 1,275 acres. The four expositions that came before it, even when combined, took up just over 1,300 acres. In the “Palace of Varied Industries,” attendees could
The decorative metal tray, with depiction of one of the fair’s most popular images, Festival Hall, is 3.5-by-5 inches, est. $50-$75.
Christian Mertel Fraktur Sells For $2,576 on page 6
Fairgoers could bring all the fun of the event home with them, thanks to the “Universal Exposition Photo Book,” an official fair publication, est. $50-$75.
Heritage Auctions’ Sports Department Clears $100 Million in 2017 To Set New World Record The likeness of President Thomas Jefferson, “Father of the Louisiana Purchase,” found its way onto many souvenirs, including this Staffordshire plate, 10 inches in diameter, est. $175-$200. view the works of every type of craftsman, from glassmakers to sculptors to silversmiths. The “Palace of Transportation” gave the crowd plenty to gawk at, including the latest mode of transportation the automobile. For those wondering what the Liberty Bell really
Match Safes on page 11
Jackie Robinson Rookie Jersey Highlighted Banner Year Setting multiple industry records, Heritage Auctions’ Sports Department ended 2017 with more than $63 million in auction revenues, with total annual sales in excess of $100 million, including private sales. “We are very proud to be the first sports collectibles auctioneer to post a
The Winter Antiques Show 2018 on page 14
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The 1947 Jackie Robinson game-worn Brooklyn Dodgers rookie “color barrier” jersey, MEARS A9, which brought $2,050,000, a new record for any sports item with Heritage Auctions. The jersey commemorates the start of the Major League career of the 1947 Rookie of the Year who opened the door for the integration of baseball.
Engraved cranberry and crystal “flash glass” was a fair favorite. This pitcher is 5 inches high, est. $50-$75.
This 1948 original study for “Tough Call” by Norman Rockwell, gifted to legendary umpire “Beans” Reardon, drew $1,680,000. Crafted for the April 23, 1949, cover of The Saturday Evening Post, this oil-on-paper study represents a truer version of Rockwell’s intent than the famous final version, which resides in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
nine-figure annual sales total,” said Chris Ivy, sports auction director. “It’s a tribute to the enduring strength of the hobby and our unrivaled ability to connect with a global audience of sophisticated collectors. We are enjoying a hot seller’s market right now, and we are both humbled and grateful for the consignors and buyers that have Continued on page 4
Valentine’s Day Gifts At The Grist Mill on page 16
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 8 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 8
FEATURED AUCTION: Morphy’s Automobilia and Petroliana Auction - February 22 in Denver, Pennsylvania - Page 12
AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 10 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 19