COMPLIMENTARY COPY
The Emporium Spring Antique Show And Garden Market
AAN Current News
Fourth Biannual Event Scheduled For May 22 FRIDAY APRIL 29, 2016 • VOL. 47, NO. 18
Restored “Saint Michael The Archangel” Is Back On View
Rare Masonic Historical Flask Sells For $56,160 At Heckler’s A very rare Masonic historical flask showing the iconic crossed keys and star soared to $56,160 and an equally scarce “Firecracker” pint historical flask with a bust of George Washington, one of only a few known, went for $49,140 at Premier Auction #133, an Internet auction held by Norman C. Heckler & Company. The sale began March 7 and ended March 16. All prices quoted include a 17 percent buyer’s premium. In a numerical anomaly, exactly 133 antique bottles came up for bid in Auction #133, and by the time it was all over the sale had grossed more than $500,000. Lots were varied, to A very scarce “Firecracker” pint historical flask with a bust of George Washington, one of only a few known, sold for $49,140. This pint sunburst flask made by Keene Marlboro Street Glassworks (Keene, N.H.), circa 1815-30, in a unique color variation, sold for $24,570. include historical flasks, inks, bitters, early wine bottles, utilities, medicines, blown glass, sodas, mineral water bottles and even a few poisons. Most sold within estimate range yet a number sold above the estimates. “This was one of our premier sales, where we try to have a little something for everybody, from the novice to the seasoned collector, and I believe we achieved that goal,” said Norman Heckler of Norman C. Heckler & Company. “We always strive to offer bottles that are significant to the categories they represent. In this sale, historical flasks led
the way, generating the most interest.” The Masonic flask that sold for $56,160 was the top lot of the auction. It was produced The top lot of the auction was this rare Masonic historical flask showing the iconic Masonic crossed keys and star. It sold for $56,160. circa 1820-30, probably by Coventry Glass Works (Coventry, Conn.). It had a light to medium olive yellow color, with a sheared mouth and pontil scar. Some light exterior wear on the compass and square didn’t deter bidders a bit. They were attracted to the bottle’s rarity and excellent condition. The historical “Firecracker” flask with a bust of Washington on the front and “E Pluribus Unum / T.W.D.” on the back was also made circa 1820-30 but by Kensington Glass Works (Philadelphia, Pa.) to commemorate the deaths of founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, as noted on the flask. The bottle, which sold for $49,140, had a medium amber color with a strong olive tone, an extremely rare color for this flask mold. A deep fiery plum amethyst pint historical flask embossed with cannon image, and with “Genl. (Zachary) Taylor Never Surrenders - A Little More Grape, Capt. Bragg,” made circa 1830-50, probably by Baltimore Glass Works (Baltimore, Md.), realized $22,230; and a very scarce early George Washington bust flask, one of only a few known, made circa 1820-40 by Frederick Lorenz, Mfgr. (Pittsburgh, Pa.), in a greenish aquamarine color, realized $22,230.
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On Sunday, May 22, the Historic Burlington Antiques and Art Emporium will hold its fourth biannual antique show located at 424 High St. in Burlington City, N.J. Approximately 26 antique dealers will fill the front of the Emporium and the adjacent parking lot from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Most of the 65 Emporium dealers will man their booths in the shop offering discounts during show hours. The event will be rain or shine. The Emporium’s courtyard will be filled with garden and patio items for sale. Cement animals (lions, pigs, rabbits, and deer), bird baths, patio sets, iron planters,
pots, jardinieres, and decorative items are available. The old saying, “April showers bring May flowers” is true in the courtyard at the Emporium. Unusual flowers are also filling the courtyard with the vibrant colors of spring. Also on May 22, the 21st Century Antiques auctioneer Christopher Doerner and his wife Elaine have agreed to evaluate family treasures. An evaluation donation of $5 per three items will be donated to the Burlington City Music Boosters on behalf of 21st Century Antiques. The Emporium greeter at the front door will give out numbers for the Continued on page 7
Gilbert & Gilbert Sells The Logan Estate on page 6
A History Of The Ostby & Barton Jewelry Co. And Its Ties To The Titanic on page 11
J.K. Rowling’s Chair Soars To Spellbinding $394,000 The chair used by author J.K. Rowling while she wrote the first two Harry Potter books - “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” - sold for a spellbinding $394,000 - eight times it’s opening bid - at a public auction of rare books held April 6, by Heritage Auctions at t h e WaldorfAstoria hotel in New York City. The winning bidder wanted to
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A brilliant sapphire blue historical flask showing a portrait of George Washington and a sailing frigate, circa 1848-50, brought $18,720.
remain anonymous. “I was quite surprised (J.K. Rowling) would sell the chair; she originally sent it to a children’s charity,” said consignor Gerald Gray, a native of England and the CEO of AutoKontrol USA, Inc. “Following in the tradition that J.K. Rowling started with this chair, I plan to donate 10 percent of the hammer price achieved to Lumos, Rowling’s children’s charity,” said Gray. “And I truly believe it should be on display somewhere,” said Gray, who attended the auction. “The United States has such amazing theme parks devoted to ‘Harry Pottery’ so I hope it ends up on display where fans may see it.” A few years after the publication of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” Rowling donated the chair to a small auction in 2002 called Chair-ish a Child, in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC). Rather than selling it in its original form, Rowling used gold, rose, and green paints to transform the chair into a piece of literary memorabilia. It sold for $21,000. The owner then offered it in an Continued on page 7
“Breaking Ground” on page 12
Petroliana Market Strong At Recent Millers Auction Company Sale on page 13
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 10 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 8
FEATURED AUCTION: Heritage Auctions - May 2 in New York, New York - Page 2
AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 15