Here are a few notable prices of antiques sold recently at auction, as provided by press releases. All prices include the buyer’s premium when charged. We’re always looking for news of prices realized at auctions, particularly unusual or top lots. Send pictures, complete descriptions, and information to A.P.R., Maine Antique Digest, PO Box 1429, Waldoboro, ME 04572 or email them to [email protected].
Presentation phrenology skull, circa 1871, a human skull with scrimshaw on the detachable top depicting the personality traits associated with portions of the skull, including “Joyful,” “Hate,” “Brave,” “Obedience,” and 25-plus other traits, also inscribed “Presented to Dr. A. Milner, 1871,” sold for $6000 (est. $1000/2000). Winter Associates, Plainville, Connecticut, November 4.
Constantin AlexandrovitchWestchiloff (Russian/American, 1878-1945), untitled (Snowy Landscape with Cabin), oil on canvas, 22¾" x 24½" (sight size), $2250 (est. $750/1500). Winter Associates, Plainville, Connecticut, November 4.
Early painted cupboard, 18th/19th century, pine in blue paint, the top with stepped and cove molding over a surround-molded mortise-and-tenon frame with two raised-panel doors on lift-off hinges, with raised-panel sides, the frame extending to the floor, beveled backboards tenoned to the frame, the interior with three bead-decorated shelves, a replaced lock, later paint removed to original blue, with expected age and use wear, 67½" x 49" x 18", $3000 (est. $400/800). Winter Associates, Plainville, Connecticut, November 4.
By Maine artist Samuel A. Kilbourne (1836-1881), Eastern Brook Trout, oil on board, signed “S. A. Kilbourne” lower left, in an ornate gilt frame (not shown), with wear consistent with age, 7½" x 11¾", sold for $3600 (est. $1500/3000). Kilbourne was a predominant figure in the world of natural history art and the artist-publisher of Game Fishes of the United States (1879). Winter Associates, Plainville, Connecticut, November 4.
American Brilliant cut-glass round tray, attributed to Thomas Gibbons Hawkes, 15" diameter, a deeply engraved iris pattern with a fleur-de-lis monogram, no chips, cracks, or repairs, from the American Cut Glass Association Collection, $24,240 (est. $2000/3000). Woody Auction, Douglass, Kansas, November 9.
American Brilliant rare cut-glass vase, green cut to clear, in the Marilyn pattern designed by W. C. Anderson (1897-1914), Libbey blank #377, 10" x 7", hobstar base, no chips, cracks, or repairs, American Cut Glass Association collection, $7000 (est. $7000/10,000). Woody Auction, Douglass, Kansas, November 9.
American Brilliant cut-glass wine stem in the rare color of solid apple green/vaseline and the MacDonald pattern by Thomas Gibbons Hawkes, 4½" x 2¾", highly reactive under black light, only eight known, no chips, cracks, or repairs, from the American Cut Glass Association collection, $8625 (est. $1000/2000). Woody Auction, Douglass, Kansas, November 9.
American Brilliant cut-glass coffeepot, 9½" high, with a hobstar cluster with vesica, prism, strawberry diamond, and fan highlights, a fitted pattern-cut lid, a triple-notched handle, and a hobstar-cut base, no chips, cracks, or repairs, from the American Cut Glass Association collection, $3750 (est. $3000/5000). Woody Auction, Douglass, Kansas, November 9.
This E. Howard & Co. Series IV pocket watch in a heavy 18k gold original hunting case brought $4000 at Jones & Horan Horological Auctions, Goffstown, New Hampshire, on November 14.
By Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz, 1874-1926), The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin, first edition, published in New York by Printers Publishing Co. in 1908, inscribed, signed, and initialed by Houdini, “To my friend / Okito / with compliments / and best wishes / from the / author / Harry Houdini / New York April 25/1908 / may the contents of this book / bring back pleasant / thoughts of the author / H.H.” The book was from the collection of Edwin A. Dawes. Estimated at $3000/5000, it realized $33,600 at Potter & Potter Auctions, Chicago, Illinois, October 26.
This half-sheet color lithograph, “Harry Houdini / King of Cards,” 28" x 21", published by National Printing and Engraving, Chicago, Illinois, 1898, sold for $26,400 (est. $10,000/15,000). Edwin A. Dawes collection. Potter & Potter Auctions, Chicago, Illinois, October 26.
This linen-backed half-sheet color lithograph poster, 30¼" x 18¾", of Sigmund Neuberger (1871-1911), “The Great / Lafayette presents / ‘Doctor / Kremser,’” was estimated at $15,000/25,000 and sold for $20,400. It was produced in Belfast, Ireland, by David Allen & Sons Ltd. around 1909. This example is believed to be the only one extant and depicts the magician disguised as the vivisectionist Doctor Kremser, one of the many characters portrayed in the quick-change portion of his stage spectacle. It was featured in Edwin A. Dawes’s book The Great Illusionists on page 102 and on the rear dust jacket. Edwin A. Dawes collection. Potter & Potter Auctions, Chicago, Illinois, October 26.
This 86" x 39" three-sheet color stone lithograph depicts a bust portrait of Vonetta (Etta Paul, 1878-1964), “The Incomparable / Vonetta,” looking down over a huge cast of costumed characters parading through a scene. All the figures are actually Vonetta herself as various characters in an elaborate quick-change routine of her magic show. The lithograph was printed in Belfast, Ireland, by David Allen & Sons Ltd. around 1910. It was estimated at $5000/8000 and sold for $16,800. Edwin A. Dawes collection. Potter & Potter Auctions, Chicago, Illinois, October 26.
Pair of marble-top japanned black and gilt chinoiserie cabinets by Arthur Brett & Sons, England, unmarked, with shaped tops over two-door cabinets, approximately 33" x 37½" x 17", $5142.50. According to 1stDibs, Arthur Brett & Sons was a restoration and reproduction furniture firm with showrooms in Norwich, England, beginning around 1920 but had roots in a furniture company begun in 1870 by Arthur Brett’s father, Jonathan Brett, whose father before him was a chair maker in the early 1800s. The firm continues to handcraft bespoke furniture for homes and hotels. Ahlers & Ogletree Auctions, Atlanta, Georgia, November 14.
American or European Renaissance Revival giltwood and composition arched overmantel mirror, having a scrolled anthemion crest and beaded detail, 67" x 63", $5142.50. Ahlers & Ogletree Auctions, Atlanta, Georgia, November 14.
Chinese embroidered silk dragon robe, likely Qing Dynasty, depicting three four-clawed dragons with flaming pearls among emblems of the Eight Buddhist Treasures on a brown ground, 55" long, $16,577. Ahlers & Ogletree Auctions, Atlanta, Georgia, November 14.
This large lot of stereoview cards (500 to 1000) in five wooden cases included views of America, Europe, and the West Indies, some in full color. They came with two viewers and sold for $7200. Paul McInnis, LLC, North Hampton, New Hampshire, November 13.
Circa 1900 leaded polychrome stained-glass window panel depicting a vase of flowers, with textured slag glass and jewels, set in a wooden frame, 68¼" x 32½" x 1¼", $1573. Ahlers & Ogletree Auctions, Atlanta, Georgia, November 14.
Sylvester Phelps Hodgdon (1830-1906), oil on canvas, From Mt. Mansfield, a White Mountains scene, signed indistinctly lower right, with an S. Morton Vose II label on the reverse, 7" x 12" (sight size), $3960. Paul McInnis, LLC, North Hampton, New Hampshire, November 13.
Saturday Evening Girls/Paul Revere Pottery decorated pitcher signed by Ida Goldstein, 8" high, with two minor rim flakes, sold for $3000. Helen Osborne (Mrs. James) Storrow was the philanthropist who helped start the Saturday Evening Girls club in Boston. This piece descended in the Storrow family to the Vose family. Paul McInnis, LLC, North Hampton, New Hampshire, November 13.
Honoré Pellegrin (French, 1793-1869), watercolor on paper, 15 1/8" x 23¼" (sight size), titled in script Barque Mary H. Vose of Boston / Captain William Savage, Leaving Marseilles A.D. 1852, signed by the artist lower right, in the original carved frame, $3840. Labels on the back include a collection label of S. Morton Vose II, a Fogg Art Museum loan label, a Harvard class of 1931 25th reunion exhibition label, and an artist’s label. Paul McInnis, LLC, North Hampton, New Hampshire, November 13.
The top lot at the November 9 auction at Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, was Orientalist Portrait of a Greek Soldier by Cesare Felix Georges Dell’Acqua (Italian, 1821-1905). Estimated at $4000/8000, it realized $75,000. This circa 1860 oil on canvas, 33" x 25", presented in an ornate gilt frame along with a shadow box frame (frames not shown), is signed lower right “Cesare Dell’Acqua.” It possibly depicts Markos Botsaris (Greek, 1790-1823), a general during the Greek War of Independence from the Ottoman Empire. Dell’Acqua was known for his portrait, history, and genre painting.
Charles Ethan Porter (1847-1923), oil on canvas, floral still life, 24" x 20", signed “C E Porter” lower right, sold for $9000 (est. $3000/6000). Porter was from the Hartford, Connecticut, area. He is believed to be the first black artist to attend the National Academy of Design. He worked throughout his life to be a recognized artist. He is known for still life. Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, November 9.
Charles Ethan Porter’s oil on canvas study of chrysanthemums, 23" x 14", signed “C E Porter” lower right, sold for $5700 (est. $800/1400). Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, November 9.
This 18th-/19th-century Chinese hardwood table with three drawers, 33" tall with a 22" x 48" top, metal pulls, fine carving, and ornamental corners, sold for $14,400 (est. $1000/2000). Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, November 9.
This English George III mahogany partners’ writing table, circa 1830, with a tooled leather top over three brass-handled drawers on square-tapered, reeded legs, 30½" tall with a 35½" x 54" top, sold for $5500 (est. $1000/2000). Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, November 9.
Originally published in the January 2025 issue of Maine Antique Digest. © 2025 Maine Antique Digest
