This historically significant photograph album contains 425 albumen prints by John K. Hillers (German-American, 1843-1925), most of which were taken during John Wesley Powell’s second Western expedition (1871-72) and with the Cushing Smithsonian expedition to study the Zuni and Pueblo peoples (1877-78). There were several photographers on these expeditions, but all of these images are attributed to Hillers. Hillers had signed on with Powell’s expedition as a boatman, but during the journey he learned the craft of photography and became one of the expedition’s photographers. The album is a remarkable record of the Grand Canyon area, Native American subjects, and early Western scenes. Presented in their original 100-page 16" x 12" album, the photographs themselves range in size from 4¼" x 3" to 7" x 9", with several cut down from larger images. The images are in overall excellent condition with some toning. The album is worn, and the pages are becoming brittle. This amazing artifact is fresh to the market, having been recently discovered by the consignor in a dresser that belonged to her parents. This piece of history generated a great deal of interest with active bidding, and it emerged as the high lot of the Evans sale, bringing $23,000 (est. $5000/10,000) from a gallery bidding over the telephone.
Prowling around secondhand stores pays off! This folk art still life of a watermelon resting on a platter atop a draped table presents a very desirable image that is sharp and crisp. It is fresh to the market from a Rockbridge County, Virginia, junk shop and was actively sought after in spite of obvious significant condition problems. The painting has several large open punctures and a split in the canvas along the edge of the lower stretcher that is more than half the painting’s width. The 18" x 24" oil on canvas is unsigned and unframed and likely dates from the second half of the 19th century. This melon became the object of a duel between a Pennsylvania dealer bidding on the telephone and a Virginia collector in the room, with the painting ultimately going to Pennsylvania for $18,400 (est. $400/600).
Sooner or later anyone who attends auctions regularly will almost certainly have a face-to-face encounter with an Anna pig, a pig-form stoneware presentation flask from the Anna Pottery of Anna, Illinois. These distinctive vessels are formed as anatomically correct, somewhat elongated recumbent male pigs and filled and corked at the “south” end. Each flask is incised with different decorative elements prior to glazing. Most display maps and place-name locations of merchants. This circa 1880 flask has a lengthy personal message from Anna Pottery owner Cornwall Kirkpatrick to one Wilson Hoag, as well as a map. The 3¼" x 8" flask has painted eyes and is in very good condition with chips to one ear and one foot. This couchant cochon brought $11,500 (est. $4000/6000).
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, Inc., Mt. Crawford, Virginia
by Walter C. Newman
Photos courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates held its semiannual auction of Americana, fine antiques, and decorative arts at the company's Mt. Crawford, Virginia, facility on November 14, 2009. Although the sale consisted of a wide variety of categories with fine examples leading the way in each, it was dominated by a handful of specific items from a broad range of interests.
High lot of the sale was a 100-page photograph album containing 425 mounted images by German-American photographer John K. Hillers (1843-1925). The album was completely fresh, having been recently discovered among the possessions of the consignor's late parents. It was reported to have been found while cleaning out a dresser that the mother had purchased at an estate sale.
The Hillers album contained images captured during his participation with John Wesley Powell's second Western expedition (1871) and with the Cushing Smithsonian expedition to study Zuni and Pueblo peoples in the late 1870's. The album was hotly contested among several telephone, absentee, and Internet bidders, and it sold over the phone to a gallery for $23,000 (includes buyer's premium), well above the $5000/10,000 estimate.
It was certainly the day for surprise finds. The lot that enjoyed second place was straight out of a junk store. At first glance, one would think that was its proper place. The oil on canvas was dirty, had more than a half-dozen prominent holes in it, was loose, and the upper edge of the lower stretcher had neatly ripped the canvas across the bottom. But the still life, depicting a cut melon resting on a platter, proved to be a hot commodity with fast and furious bidding, and it sold to a Pennsylvania dealer for $18,400 (est. $400/600). After the sale Jeffrey Evans commented that after having a close look at the painting, "I thought it could bring around five thousand. [But] it did surprise me a bit."
Approximately 50 lots of Masonic-, Shriners-, and Knights Templar-related material were consigned by a single estate. Interest in those organizations has grown recently, and collectors quickly snapped up the items. All of the lots sold toward the high end of their estimates.
As is the case at most of Evans's sales, the general pottery did well. Pottery seems to remain on firm footing. The category was led by an Anna pig and a John Bell earthenware bowl. Other examples included a small polychrome decorated spittoon and pitcher attributed to either the Bell or Eberly potteries that brought $805 (est. $300/500); a New Jersey decorated stoneware jar inscribed "Liberty For*EV" that brought $2415 (est. $500/800); and a three-gallon Mid-Atlantic storage jar that made $218.50 (est. $200/300).
Then there was furniture, a category that continues to languish. Great pieces sell well, as do items with specific geographic or maker appeal. Other furniture seems to be moving at bargain prices, and published presale estimates continue to adjust downward. For example, a very nice Shenandoah Valley walnut Hepplewhite chest of drawers sold for $977.50 (est. $1000/1500); a paint-decorated country pine stand with a single drawer brought only $126.50 (est. $200/300); and a diminutive paint-decorated Pennsylvania blanket chest made $632.50 (est. $1000/1500).
One dealer summed up what may be the general feeling of many people. "There are some really great furniture buys now. But if I buy a great piece at a great price, and still have to sit on it for a couple of years before it sells, have I made a wise move? It is a tough decision where to put the money right now."
When asked for any general thoughts regarding the sale, Evans spoke about a trend that seems to be industry-wide. "Our Internet bidding continues to grow. I continue to be surprised by some of the things that sell to on-line bidders, like the Mustang at this sale." The Mustang in question was an early production 1965 hardtop in tropical turquoise. It sold for $4887.50 (est. $5000/8000). It is just hard to imagine buying a classic car on line.
For more information, contact Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates at (540) 434-3939 or (www.jeffreysevans.com).
Originally published in the March 2010 issue of Maine Antique Digest. (c) 2009 Maine Antique Digest
