Antique and Vintage Toys, Canadiana and Historic Objects will be Auctioned Online, Nov. 8-9, by Miller & Miller Auctions

New Hamburg, ON, Canada, October 26, 2024 -- An outstanding single-owner collection of vintage and antique toys, many of them rare German and Japanese examples, plus Canadiana and historic objects, will come up for bid in two days of online-only auctions slated for Friday and Saturday, November 8th and 9th by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., with different start times for each day.

The November 8th sale of toys, 208 lots in all, featuring the Phil Barnett collection, is an online-only auction with no live webcast portion. Lots will close in sequential order beginning at 5pm Eastern time that day. The November 9th sale of Canadiana, Toys & Historic Objects will close via live webcast starting at 9am Eastern time that day; more than 360 lots will come up for bid.

“The Phil Barnett collection affords collectors of toys, Canadiana and oddities a rare opportunity to pick from his treasure trove,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions. Ltd. “Phil is a great storyteller. Every object he collected tells a story and he took pride in his toys. From Bing to Bandai, you’ll find rarities like nowhere else, with condition that only a trained eye could vet.”

Many of the higher-dollar lots can be found in the November 9th session. These will be led by an extremely rare circa 1920 lithographed tin eight-man scull with coxswain toy made by Gunthermann, one of the elite German toy companies. The magnificent large toy (29 inches in length) depicts a racing team in blue and white uniforms on a light brown scull. It has the same synchronized rowing action as a real scull and carries a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-$12,000.

All prices quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars.

Equally scarce is the circa 1905-1910 lithographed tin toy depicting a Coupe Gordon Bennet No. 5 race car made by the Siegfried Gunthermann Adolf Weigel company. The toy retains the original toy and passenger and is in very good original condition, with the chain-driven clockwork mechanism tested and working. It’s a toy that rarely comes to auction and is found in some of the world’s best toy collections and museums. It’s expected to bring $8,000-$10,000.

An American Kentucky flintlock rifle made by Nicholas Hawk (1782-1844, Monroe County, Pa.), .46 calibre, with a barrel length of 31 ½ inches (and overall 47 inches long), should hit the target for $6,000-$8,000. The barrel is signed “Nicholas Hawk Gunsmith” in script on a brass inlay and the stock is tiger maple. Hawk built a reputation for producing high-quality firearms detailed with intricate brass and silver engravings and inlays, and this rifle is a fine example.

A Canadian Pequegnat “Nelson” Hall clock with a quarter cut oak case, made during the Berlin period (1904-1916), is considered the rarest of the Pequegnat Hall clocks. Only a few are known to exist. Features include a key, original pendulum stick and bob, original finish (with overall crazing), original beveled glass, original acorns on chains, original weights, a Berlin signed movement and a full label on the rear door. The 81 ¼ inch clock should realize $3,500-$5,000.

Switching over to November 8th, a German 1930s lithographed tin T-694 toy motorcycle with sidecar, made by Tipp & Co., a company known for their high-quality and realistic toys, has an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. It’s a great display piece, boasting excellent gloss and color, and is tested and working, in very good original condition. It’s marked “Made in Germany” below the driver’s left foot and “Dunlop Cord” on the wheels. The Tipp & Co. logo appears multiple times.

A German 1930s lithographed tin delivery cart made by Saalheimer & Strauss, in very good condition, should roll away for $2,000-$2,500. The company boasts in its 1932 catalog: “Our motorcycles are steerable and with dust-tight built-in rear wheel. The coaches are removable.” The toy is marked “Made in Germany” to the driver’s left and “Dunlop Cord” on the wheels.

A Japanese lithographed tin toy Ford Edsel made by the Asahi Toy Company is expected to reach $1,200-$1,500. It’s in very good to excellent original condition and the friction motor is tested and working. Asahi was a major post-war manufacturer of mechanical toys with an emphasis on scale-like models of then-contemporary vehicles. They had a Santa Claus logo.

Also up for bid on November 8th, several lots are expected to finish at $600-$900. Included is a 1950s German lithographed tin toy Arnold Mac 700 motorcycle, marked “Made in U.S.-Zone Germany.” After World War II, when American authorities occupied certain parts of Germany, toys, in order to be exported out Germany, had to be marked, “Made in U.S.- Zone Germany”. This toy is marked “Mac 700” on the gas tank and “Arnold” on the wheels and top front fender.

A 1950s Japanese-made Packard Patrician toy car, made by ALPS, considered one of the quality Japanese toy makers, has an estimate of $1,200-$1,500. The 16 ½ inch vehicle, marked “ALPS made in Japan, is tested and working, even retaining the original hood ornament. The Packard Patrician was more prestigious than the regular Packard. It was built for the upper class, the elites, as a way for Packard to keep pace with luxury auto makers like Cadillac and Lincoln.

A German 1930s four funnel tinplate windup toy ocean liner, likely made by Carette or Arnold, is a great display piece showing a good overall patina. It’s 9 inches in length (est. $600-$900).

A Japanese 1950s lithographed tin toy Edsel with the original box, made by HAJI, is estimated to hammer for $600-$900. HAJI produced primarily toy cars for only a short period, from 1951 to the late 1960s. Their toys were of high quality and today are highly sought after by collectors. This example is tested and working and is in very good condition. It’s marked “HAJI” on the box and the rear of the front seat bench, “Edsel” on the rear side panels, and “E” on the hubcaps.

Internet bidding will be through www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com, plus the popular bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.com. Here is a link to the Toys auction, on Friday, November 8th:  https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EYQBRR/toys-featuring-the-phil-barnett-collection. Here is a link to the Canadiana, Toys & Historic Objects auction on Saturday, November 9th: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EXK3L1/canadiana-toys-historic-objects.

This is an online-only auction. There will be no in-person event to attend, but bidders can tune in to the live webcast November 8th and 9th to watch lots close in real time. In-gallery previews will be held Wednesday and Thursday, November 6th and 7th, from 12 o’clock noon ‘til 5pm Eastern time each day in the Miller & Miller showroom, at 59 Webster Street in New Hamburg, Ontario.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the auctions on November 8th & 9th, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in watches and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

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Sculptures by Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Salvatore Albano will be Featured in Crescent City's November 8-9 Auction

New Orleans, LA, USA, October 25, 2024 -- Spectacular sculptures by Augustus Saint-Gaudens (American, 1848-1907) and Salvatore Florenti Albano (Italian, 1841-1893), and an original oil on canvas painting by Daniel Ridgway Knight (American/Paris, 1839-1924) are expected headliners in an Important November Estates Auction planned for November 8th and 9th by Crescent City Auction Gallery. 

The auction – 916 lots in all – will be held online and live in the Crescent City Gallery located at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Start times both days are 10 am Central time. Featured will be the curated Outsider Art collection of Daryl Sue and Leonard White of Covington, La.; and items from the estate of Laura Simon Nelson, previously married to Dr. James Nelson of Baton Rouge, La. 

The bronze Head of Christ by Augustus Saint-Gaudens is from the Memorial of Reverend Phillips Brooks, housed at Trinity Church on Copley Square in Boston from 1896-1907. The sculpture is 1 of 2, cast in the 1960s after the plaster original (per the original Sotheby’s catalog description). Pieces by Saint-Gaudens are highly prized. This one should bring $40,000-$60,000. 

The carved Carrara marble sculpture by Salvatore Florenti Albano was created in 1897 and titled L’Amore E Psiche (Cupid and Psyche). It has a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Albano was a Neoclassical sculptor with numerous patrons in Italy, London and New York. L’Amore E Psiche is a mature work executed in the last years of his illustrious career. 

The oil on canvas painting by Daniel Ridgway Knight, titled Lavandiere, was rendered circa the 1880s and carries a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000. Knight was an American artist born in Chambersburg, Pa., but he lived and worked much of his life in Paris, where he painted peasant women outdoors to great popular success. Lavandiere is a fine representation of his work. 

The rest of the catalog is an eclectic mix of merchandise, filled with the kinds of items people have come to expect from Cresent City Auction Gallery: fine jewelry (plus a men’s 18k yellow gold and stainless-steel Rolex Submariner black wristwatch, est. $12,000-$15,000); oil paintings by local and regional artists; French furniture; sterling silver; mirrors; art glass; and decorative accessories. 

Items range from a late 19th century Adam-style crème and verte paint decorated parcel gilt over-the-mantel mirror with Wedgwood roundels (est. $3,000-$5,000); a 20th century Story and Clark burled walnut and ebonized baby grand piano, Manhattan model with original bench (est. $2,500-$4,500); to a circa 1816-1817 English sterling silver covered dish by William Elliot of London (est. $2,500-$3,500). 

An oil on canvas painting by Pauline Lennard Palmer (American, 1867-1938), titled The New Book (1930), signed and dated lower right and housed in a 57 ½ inch by 47 ¼ inch frame, is expected to bring $5,000-$7,000. Palmer was a prolific Chicago artist and a pioneering American Impressionist, regarded by the New York Times as one of the leading American women painters. 

An oil on canvas backed by Masonite painting by Mary Jett Franklin (Ga./Paris, 1842-1928), titled Dans la sacristie de (l’eglise) Bagneux (In the Sacristy of the Church at Bagneux), 1900, should change hands for $3,000-$5,000. Franklin was an extraordinary and successful female artist of her time – a genre and portrait painter who was born in Georgia and studied in Paris. 

Paintings by local and regional artists will feature three oils on artist board by the renowned black folk artist Clementine Hunter (La., 1887-1989), including Baptism (est. $5,000-$7,000); and three enamel on carved wood panels by Herbert “Coon” Singleton (Moroccan/La., 1945-2007), including Hallelujah (Onward Brass Marching Band) and Jazz Funeral Procession (est. $5,000-$9,000). 

Paintings by noted American artists will be plentiful and will include these vibrant examples: 

- An oil on canvas painting by Charles Courtney Curran, A.N.A. (1861-1942), titled Chrysanthemums (1890) (est. $6,000-$9,000).

- An oil on wood panel painting by Addison Thomas Millar (Ohio/N.Y., 1860-1923), titled The Rug Shop, circa 1912 (est. $4,000-$6,000).

- An oil on canvas backed by board by Guy Carlton Wiggins (N.Y./Conn., 1883-1962), titled New England Meadow Land (est. $2,000-$4,000).

- A paint on found wooden barrel head by Benny Carter (N.C., 1943-2014), titled Birds Eye View of New York City (est. $2,000-$4,000).

- A painted carved wood relief mounted on wood plaque with handwritten scriptures by Howard Finster (Ga., 1916-2001), titled Angel from God, Man of Many Visions (1997) (est. $1,000-$2,000). 

Switching to French furniture, expected top lots include a 19th century French Provincial Louis XV style oak armoire (est. $1,000-$2,000); a 19th century Louis XV style marble-top parquetry bombe commode having a molded serpentine shaped marble top (est. $800-$1,200); and a pair of French Restoration carved mahogany fauteuils (open-armed armchairs), the astragal molded restrained crest over an upholstered back flanked by an anthemion topped stile (est. $500-$900). 

Other furniture pieces will feature a 20th century 11-piece Spanish Renaissance style carved oak dining group set (est. $700-$1,200); and an English leather Chesterfield sofa (est. $600-$900). 

Also up for bid will be a carved sandstone sculpture by Lonnie B. Holley (Ala., b. 1950), titled Three Faces, 1999 (est. $1,500-$2,500); a fine pair of 19th century Italian pietra dure (inlaid with precious or semi-precious stones) marble consoles (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a mixed media sculptural work by Charles Gilliam, Sr. (La., b. 1945), titled Adam & Eve, 1999 (est. $400-$800). 

Internet bidding will be provided by the company website (CrescentCityAuctionGallery.com) and app, as well as LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be taken. In-person previews will be held beginning Wednesday, Oct. 30, through Thursday, Nov. 7, excluding weekend days, from 10 am to 5 pm Central time. No appointment is necessary. 

Absentee and phone bids will be accepted until 1 pm Central time the day before the auction. A 28 percent buyer’s premium will be applied for online bidders or those paying with a credit card. A 25 percent buyer’s premium will be applied in-house. A printed catalog is available; please call 504-529-5057 or send a request via email to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

For more information regarding Crescent City Auction Gallery and the two-day Important Estates Auction planned for Friday and Saturday, November 8th and 9th, beginning at 10 am Central time both days, visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted often.

About Crescent City Auction Gallery:

Crescent City Auction Gallery is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you can call them at (504) 529-5057; or you can send an e-mail to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. All phone calls and e-mails are confidential. For more information regarding Crescent City Auction Gallery visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted often.

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Complete Set of Presidential Signatures, from Washington to Obama, will be Auctioned Online, October 30th, by University Archives

Wilton, CT, USA, October 24, 2024 -- Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 5th, to elect a new president, but a different kind of presidential history might be made less than a week earlier – on Wednesday, October 30th. That’s when University Archives, the Connecticut-based auction house, will offer a complete set of presidential signatures, from George Washington to Barack Obama, all signed while the men were in office. 

The group, gathered by a Dallas gentleman who stopped collecting the signatures after Obama’s presidency, consists of autograph letters signed; typed letters signed; and signed letters; together with a variety of signed documents. They date from 1789 to 2010 and all show bold signatures. 

The online-only auction will begin promptly at 10 am Eastern time and the presidential set, lot #89 in the catalog, has a pre-auction estimate of $400,000-$500,000. 

“There are very few complete sets of presidential autographs signed as President, mainly due to the scarcity of William Henry Harrison pieces, as he served just one month in office,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives. “Many of these sets reside in institutions and will never be offered to the public.” 

Mr. Reznikoff added that, based on a census taken by Joseph Rubinfine in 2002 and updated by Seth Kaller in 2023, “it is believed that fewer than a dozen such sets likely exist in private hands, this being one of the very best. A set of presidential signatures as President is thus scarcer than a set of signers of the Declaration of Independence.” 

The Dallas collector, who wishes to remain anonymous, was described by Mr. Reznikoff as “a man whose passion for history and preservation inspired him to assemble this phenomenal, museum-quality signers set.” 

Mr. Reznikoff is a frequent guest on TV and a main character on the hit Netflix TV show The King of Collectibles. He started collecting at age eight, when he wrote a letter to then-President Richard Nixon. He said it takes years, if not decades, to accumulate a collection like the one being offered. 

“The collector let us know that this set was, and is, stored in climate-controlled vaults, which is kind of like keeping a rare car in a garage,” Reznikoff said. “He told me the collection has never been exhibited. He hopes a new buyer will take that on, maybe even showing it at the White House with a newly installed president.” 

All of the signed items are fascinating snapshots into the lives of America’s past presidents and the times in which they lived and served. All are historically significant as well as being highly collectible. A handful of examples are as follows: 

- George Washinton. A two-page letter dated October 3, 1789 and signed “Go: Washington”. America’s first president transmits the first Acts of Congress (including the Judiciary Act of 1789 and the First Federal Budget) to Connecticut Governor Samuel Huntington.

- Thomas Jefferson. A one-page letter signed “Th Jefferson”, dated December 13, 1803. In the letter, to an unnamed Governor, Jefferson circulates the 12th Amendment to the Constitution for ratification, regarding the election of President and Vice President, to avoid a crisis like that of the 1801 election.

- William Henry Harrison. Harrison served exactly one month in office – from March 4 to April 4, 1841. In that brief time, he signed a ship’s passport (“posthumously issued”) for a doomed whaling vessel. The document, dated April 30, 1841, is signed “W H Harrison” and countersigned “Danl Webster” as Secretary of State.

- Abraham Lincoln. In a document signed (as “Abraham Lincoln”) on July 24, 1863, just three weeks after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln calls for 2,406 more men from the 18th District of Pennsylvania. It’s one of the first draft calls ever signed, and was executed a week after the New York Draft Riots.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt. In a typewritten letter dated July 28, 1939 and signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt”, FDR writes to sculptor Gutzon Borglum regarding his monumental work, Mount Rushmore, and “the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Project under the provisions of Reorganization Plan No. II, approved June 7, 1939.”

- John F. Kennedy. After Columbia Records President Goddard Lieberson sent JFK an audio recording of America’s first manned space flight with astronaut Alan Shepard, Kennedy signed a typed letter of thanks (as “John Kennedy”) on White House stationery, dated May 16, 1961, saying he was “delighted to have this memento.”

- Barack Obama. In an autograph note written on White House stationery, dated March 2, 2010 and signed “Barack Obama”, the President assures a Pennsylvania mother that he will do “everything in my power to make troops like Matthew my priority. Please tell him ‘thank you for your service’ from his Commander-in-Chief!” 

Collectors who want even more than what is offered in this collection will be pleased to learn that many items in the 490-lot catalog are items signed by past presidents that also include Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Items signed by Democratic candidate for President Kamala Harris are also in the sale. 

All lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now on the newly redesigned University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. 

Here is a link to the catalog on the University Archives website: https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-catalog/rare-autographs-manuscripts-books_E6Q0WAIS7L 

Mr. Reznikoff said the signed presidents set joins a great volume of exceptional presidential autographed material from other consignors. “A timely assortment up for auction just a few weeks ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election,” he said. Outstanding items of historical interest from the Science, World Leaders, Civil Rights, Religion, Art & Music, Aviation & Space, History & Military, and Sports categories will also pass the auction block. 

University Archives has become world-renowned as a go-to source for rare items of this kind. It is actively seeking quality material for future auctions, presenting a rare opportunity for sellers. Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or email him at john@universityarchives.com.

For more information about University Archives and the 490-lot, online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th, starting at 10am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently. 

About University Archives:

University Archives was founded in 1979, as a division of University Stamp Company, by John Reznikoff, who started collecting stamps and coins in 1968, while in the third grade. Industry-wide, Reznikoff is considered the leading authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. He consults with law enforcement, dealers, auction houses and both major authentication companies. University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Road (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives please visit www.universityarchives.com. 

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New Book Exposes The "Big Lie in My Healthcare Bill"

Oxford, PA, October 24, 2024 -- Healthcare bills are rife with error and completely dysfunctional. Yet people are forced to pay-up or get dragged into a collection process they are certain to lose and see their credit destroyed. In The Big Lie in my Healthcare Bill: Why I Don’t Owe What My Insurer Fails to Pay, Frank Lobb exposes the lie in healthcare billing and how together with a ruling from the U. S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), consumers have a simple means of stopping a healthcare bill dead in its tracks.

“According to CFPB, healthcare providers can now be made to prove a bill is accurate before it can be enforced. In other words, a consumer can force the provider to prove a bill is accurate, rather than having to prove a bill is inaccurate to escape an egregious healthcare bill. Simply put, CFPB has completely reversed the burden of proof in healthcare billing,” said Lobb, “My book exposes the lie in healthcare billing and provides a step-by-step approach to fighting these error-laden fraudulent bills and winning”.

Lobb’s a step-by-step approach requires nothing more than asking a few simple questions that CFPB is advising consumers to ask on every healthcare bill. The approach isn’t an attempt to skip out on a bill, but rather a simple no-risk means of forcing the healthcare industry to adhere to the terms of their own contracts, i.e., the terms and conditions in their secret in-network Provider Agreements.

“A recent study in Decker’s Hospital Review estimated 80 percent of the nation’s healthcare bills are in error. That’s not surprising when you consider there are some 77,000 different billing codes in the system and the participants can’t agree on how those should be applied,” said Lobb. “Insurers choose to combine the care patients receive into a single code to cut the cost of what they have to pay. Doctors, hospitals and the other providers of healthcare services bill each and every code to create a larger and more profitable bill.”

The inspiration to expose the billing restrictions in the healthcare industry’s secret Provider Agreements began years ago for Lobb.

“These restrictions were directly responsible for the death of my wife Sandra. Regrettably, I only got to see them after extensive litigation,” said Lobb.

Following that discovery were years of failed attempts to share what he had learned — years that can only be described as an absolute bust because the insurance industry with their big money fought him at every turn.

“I lost hope of ever being able to expose the misrepresentation and outright fraud that I uncovered. However, CFPB has come to my rescue,” said Lobb.

The Big Lie in My Healthcare Bill, available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble in paperback for $19.99, is not just another book on our broken healthcare system. It’s a game changer! I it not only explains the care, coverage and billing patients are ACTUALLY owed from health insurance, but it provides templates for the letters needed to demand CFPB’s new burden of proof — a burden providers cannot meet given the terms of their secret Provider Agreements.

Frank Lobb is available for speaking engagements, virtually and in person to discuss this earthshaking development in healthcare billing and can be contacted through either of two websites https://killabill.com/.

About the author, Frank Lobb:

Frank Lobb is a retired U.S. Navy pilot with a long and distinguished career outside the Navy, including roles as General Manager for DuPont Process Instruments and then for DuPont’s Environmental Services business. After retiring from DuPont, Frank served as a Principal Consultant at Monsanto and then Clean Air Engineering on regulatory law and compliance. It was this extensive background in the law and compliance that allowed Frank to be credited with forcing EPA to scrap 3-years of work on the Clean Air Act and rewrite the compliance section of Act around his recommendations. And it was this same background and expertise that allowed Frank to access and dissect the carefully hidden contractual provisions that the healthcare insurance industry uses to deny the care and coverage patients are owed from their health insurance.

Now 86, Frank, lives on a 200-acre working-farm with Angie his English wife in Chester County Pennsylvania, along with Angie’s 17 ducks and their two English Springer Spaniels. From there, together with their son and son-in-law, they own and operate the leading hardware and supply business in the region. And, in keeping with his age and longstanding promise to Angie, Frank has promised that this will be his very last book on healthcare, because he has finally found the solution to the fraud and misrepresentation in the nation’s health insurance that he has sought for so long.

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Elevate My Mind Unleashes Powerful New Single 'Working Like A Dog' On 18 October 2024

London, UK, October 21, 2024 -- London-based genre-blending sensation Elevate My Mind are here with their single 'Working Like A Dog', set to drop on 18 October 2024. This high-octane track blends gritty hip hop with the raw energy of rock, creating a song for anyone who’s ever hustled hard in the face of adversity.

'Working Like A Dog' captures the relentless grind of trying to make it in one of the world’s toughest cities. It’s an unapologetic song for those living on the edge, driven by ambition but facing the harsh realities of life in London. With fierce lyrics and intense beats, the track reflects the struggles of daily life—pushing through long hours, setbacks, and doubt—just to move one step closer to your dreams.

Elevate My Mind delivers a sound that’s as gritty as the streets of London, and yet manages to face reality with clarity. Infused with rock guitar riffs, pounding drums, and hip hop flows, ‘Working Like A Dog’ is a rallying cry for everyone who’s ever felt the weight of the world on their shoulders and still found a way to keep pushing forward.

“This song is about survival and perseverance,” says Elevate My Mind. “London can be ruthless, but if you work hard enough, there’s always a way to break through.” Their lyrics reflect the heart and soul of the city—hard-working, relentless, and never giving up.

Elevate My Mind aims to make waves in the UK’s underground music scene, and with this track, they're poised to take things to the next level. This is a song for the underdogs, the dreamers, and the ones who keep going no matter what.

"Call to Action: Help ‘Working Like A Dog’ Reach Number 1 in the UK Charts!"

Working Like A Dog is not just a song—it's a movement, and Elevate My Mind wants your support to take it to the top of the charts! "Stream it. Buy it. Share it." Let’s get this track to number one in the UK and show the world that London’s spirit can’t be crushed.

The single drops 18 October 2024 on all major platforms. Be sure to stream.

Media Contact:

Jamlet Music Publishing Editorial Team

Jamlet Music Publishing 

info@jamletmusicpublishing.com

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Paintings by Edward Seago (U.K., 1910-1974) and Le Pho (Vietnamese/French, 1907-2001) Sail Past Estimates at Auction

Atlanta, GA, USA, October 19, 2024 -- An oil on canvas Piccadilly Circus street scene by Edward Brian Seago (U.K., 1910-1974) climbed to $72,600 and an oil on silk laid to Masonite still life painting by Le Pho (Vietnamese/French, 1907-2001) realized $60,500 at auctions held October 9th and 10th by Ahlers & Ogletree, online and live in the gallery located at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard in Atlanta.

The two-day Autumn Fine Estates & Collections auction contained nearly 750 exceptional lots that included fine art by renowned artists, fine watches and other luxury accessories, exquisite Chinese export porcelain and tableware, 18th and 19th century furniture, hand-woven Persian textile rugs, Asian arts and decorative accessories. By the time it was done, the auction had grossed just over $859,000.

Edward Seago’s oil on canvas street scene titled Piccadilly Circus was the expected top lot of Day 1 and it more than doubled its $35,000 high estimate. The mid-20th century work was signed lower left and had a gallery label to verso for MacConnal-Mason & Sons, Ltd. It was 20 ¼ inches by 26 ¼ inches (canvas, less frame). Seago was an accomplished self-taught artist who worked in watercolors and oils.

The circa 1972 still-life by Le Pho titled Les Dahlias Blancs (The White Dahlias) was the top earner on Day 2, besting the $50,000 high estimate by more than $10,000. The painting was signed lower right, titled and inscribed “New York, Wally F. No. 44” to verso. It measured 19 ¾ inches by 25 ½ inches (less frame).  Le Pho was born in Vietnam and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts of Hanoi and Paris.

Following are additional highlights from the auctions, which attracted around 30-40 people to the gallery in-person each day. Internet bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Ahlers & Ogletree’s own platform, bid.AandOauctions.com. There were 38 phone bidders and 78 absentee bids recorded. All priced quoted in this report include a 21 percent buyer’s premium.

Starting with Day 1, a charming late 19th century pair of 18k yellow gold, carved bone and polychrome enamel opera glasses by George Le Sache (French, 1849-circa 1920) for Tiffany & Co. (American, 1837), with retail marks to the frame, rose to $15,730, tripling the $5,000 high estimate.

An untitled (Mother Pulling on Baby’s Stockings) graphite pencil and chalk on watermarked wove paper signed by the renowned mother-and-child artist Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), 13 ¼ inches by 10 ¼ inches (paper, minus frame) blew past its $2,000 high estimate to finish at $10,285.

An unsigned oil on canvas Portrait of a Gentleman attributed to Thomas Sully (American, 1783-1872), 32 inches by 27 inches (less frame), pictured in the book Southern Interiors of Charleston, South Carolina (a copy accompanied the lot) sold for $7,260, defeating the $4,000 high estimate.

A ladies’ Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date stainless steel, 18k yellow gold and diamond bezel wrist watch with a perpetual jeweled movement, black dial and 10 round brilliant diamond markers weighing 0.20 total carats (graded SI for clarity), with newer boxes and tags, realized $4,235.

A two-sided oil on board painting by William Samuel Horton (American, 1865-1936), with one side titled The Demolition of the House of Degas (1909) and the other side titled Mountainside Houses in Landscape (circa 1909), both works artist signed to the lower left, changed hands for $3,025.

Over to Day 2, where a 19th century untitled (Portrait of a Terrier) oil on canvas by Rosa Bonheur (French 1822-1899), unsigned, inscribed “Vente Rose Bonheur 1900”, with a paper label to verso for Robert Frank Paintings & Drawings, 12 ¾ inches by 8 ¾ inches (canvas, less frame), reached $15,730.

One of the real sleepers of the sale was the Chinese figural bronze 'foreigner' candlestick mounted as a lamp, cast in the form of a bearded pot-bellied man with draped tassels, standing on a base, apparently unmarked. It carried a modest estimate of $300-$500 but ended up selling for $3,630.

A pair of square corner Chinese rosewood cabinets in the Ming taste, each having double paneled doors opening to reveal two shelves, plus two drawers above double trap doors, riding on square legs, unmarked, measuring 71 inches tall by 54 ¾ inches wide, also found a new owner for $3,630.

A pair of Japanned black and gold lacquered tiered side tables by Maison Jansen (French, founded 1880), having a shaped top tier with a figural Chinoiserie scene and acorn finials, over bamboo motif supports, a floral motif second tier, and raised on bamboo motif legs, unmarked, hit $3,328.

A pair of small-scale Spanish green velvet and leather tub chairs, each having side pockets and pleated skirts, manufactured around 1930 and apparently unmarked, knocked down for $2,722.

Ahlers & Ogletree will close out 2024 with three more auctions: a one-day Winter Fine Estates & Collections Auction on Thursday, November 14th; a Modern Art & Design Auction on Wednesday, December 4th; and their annual Winter Jewelry & Design Accessories Auction on Thursday, December 5th. All three auctions will be held live and online. Watch the website for further details.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auction events, please visit www.aandoauctions.com. You can also follow A&O on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

About Ahlers & Ogletree:

Ahlers & Ogletree is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly at 404-869-2478; or, you can send them an e-mail, at consign@AandOauctions.com. To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the firm’s calendar of upcoming auction events, please visit www.aandoauctions.com. You can also follow A&O on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Canadiana and Folk Art Led The Way in Two Days of Online Auctions Held October 12-13 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd

New Hamburg, ON, Canada, October 18, 2024 -- An oil on canvas painting by the renowned French artist Èdouard Leon Cortes (1992-1969) sold for $25,960, more than doubling the high estimate, and two oil on beaverboard works by iconic Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis (1901-1970) combined for $60,180 in two days of online auctions held October 12-13 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

All figures quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

The Cortes painting, titled Paris at Dusk, was the top achiever in the October 12th Canadiana auction, which featured 371 lots of furniture, decoys, pottery, stoneware, Canadiana and coin banks. The Maud Lewis paintings (there were seven total in the auction) were star lots in the October 13th Canadian Folk Art sale, which featured 242 lots of folk art and carved decoys.

The circa 1908-1925 Cortes painting, a fine example of his style and work, was the expected top lot in the October 12th auction and it did not disappoint, as it blasted through its $10,000-$12,000 pre-sale estimate. The 13 inch by 18 inch painting, of Paris’s rain-soaked streets at twilight, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background, was beautifully housed in a 19 inch by 24 inch frame.

Maud Lewis is no stranger to Miller & Miller Auctions. Numerous paintings by the artist have been featured in past sales, always with impressive results. The two top earners in the October 13th auction were Train Station in Winter ($31,860) and Men on Wharf ($28,320). Both fell short of estimates but were lovely representations of Lewis’s work, as were the other five paintings.

“Last weekend was proof that collections curated by astute and renown collectors command great attention,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., adding that “64 percent of the top fifty lots in the October 12th auction exceeded the high estimate. Furniture, decoys, weathervanes, and choice pottery were the top performers. Items in an untouched original state performed very well.” October 12th was headlined by the Hamilton and Rutter family collections.

Of the October 13th auction, Mr. Miller said that “42 percent of the top 50 lots surpassed high estimates,” adding that noted folk artists Wilfred Richard, Collins Eisenhauer, Cyril Hirtle, Barbara Clark-Fleming and Aime Desmeules “pushed their high watermarks.” We are already excited for the Canadiana & Folk Art sales in 2025, Miller said confidently.

Following are additional highlights from the two auctions, in which a total of 859 online bidders placed a combined total of 12,737 bids. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and the Miller & Miller Auctions website. Of the 613 total lots up for bid, 99 percent were sold. October 12th grossed $415,714; October 13th grossed $277,595.

Starting with October 12, a finely made, high quality mahogany and white pine sideboard, possibly from the workshop of Thomas Nisbet (Saint John, New Brunswick), circa 1830, having six drawers, two cupboard compartments and two sliding doors in the upper section and retaining a rich old surface and color, realized $14,160 against a high estimate of $5,000.

A mid-20th century carved and painted black rooster by the Nova Scotia master Collins Eisenhauer (1898-1979), unsigned (as was much of his early work, but definitely by his hand), soared to $5,310 against a high estimate of $1,500. Incredible form and presence distinguished this proud black rooster, 14 inches tall, carved from wood and with glass eyes.

An early 19th-century footstool in original blue paint and having chamfered bootjack ends, with a deeply carved red, white and blue star at the center of the top that also had a scalloped border carved in relief, likely made in Nova Scotia, rang up $12,980, blowing past the $1,200 high estimate. The maker's name ("A.E. Bowden") was lettered in paint on the front skirt.

A fraktur drawn by Anna Weber (Ontario, 1814-1888), just months before her death, showing two birds facing each other perched on the branches of a stylized floral "tree", sold within estimate for $11,800. The signed, dated fraktur exhibited strong colors, with the inclusion of a pink tone, not often found in her work, all within a multi-colored perimeter diamond border.

On to October 13, where an enamel on canvas painting by Joe Norris (Nova Scotia, 1924-1996), titled Sunset with Three Yawls, finished within estimate for $10,030. The work was a serene and evocative landscape capturing a sunset over the Nova Scotia coastline and an outstanding example of what makes Joe Norris an East Coast master. It was signed lower left.

A rare and important "Circus Freak Show" by the renowned Quebec carver Gaston Bergeron settled at $5,310, about what was expected. The piece was a component of his greatest work, a fabulous miniature circus. This group of "circus freaks" included the bearded lady, the world's tallest man, and more. All pieces were carved to scale, with every detail meticulously crafted.

To watch a brief YouTube video of some of the auction highlights, click this link: https://youtu.be/8mHfyNKkQMw

Miller & Miller Auctions will conclude 2024 with the following online-only sales:

November 8-9: Historic Objects - Featuring the Phil Barnett Collection

December 7-8: Petroliana & Advertising

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the firm’s upcoming auctions, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in watches and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the firm’s upcoming auctions, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

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Paintings by Bricher, Lawson and Frieseke will Headline Shannon's Annual Fall Fine Art Auction on Thursday, October 24th

Milford, CT, USA, October 17, 2024 -- Shannon's Fine Art Auctioneers will present their annual Fall Fine Art Auction on Thursday, October 24th, at 6 pm Eastern time. The sale will take place live online at shannons.com, with bidding also available by telephone and absentee.

Shannon’s has become the leading auction house for American art and this season proves their strength in attracting quality consignments in this genre. The firm secured 15 paintings from a major private collection of American art. Many of the paintings from this group are fresh-to-the-market, having been in private hands for decades.

The top lot from this collection is an exceptional Alfred Thompson Bricher, titled Morning at Narragansett – The Turn of the Tide (1871), estimated at $150,000-$200,000. This masterful, Luminist painting depicts a mother with her two children enjoying a day at the beach, young boys playing in the gentle waves, and a couple walking in the sand. Shannon’s has sold over 100 paintings by A.T. Bricher and company owner Sandra Germain said this is “easily among the best work by Bricher I have ever seen.”

19th century American paintings are a strength of this collection. In addition to the Bricher, Shannon’s will offer a Thomas W. Whittredge, titled View of Newport Beach at $50,000-$75,000; Jasper Francis Cropsey’s Greenwood Lake, at $50,000-75,000; and still-life paintings by Levi Wells Prentice and John F. Francis.

American Impressionism is led by an Ernest Lawson work titled Boat House, Winter, Harlem River from 1918, estimated at $100,000-$150,000. It was previously in the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum and in private hands since 2010. Other fine examples of American Impressionism include paintings of New York City by Colin Campbell Cooper and Edmund Greacen.

A superb Arthur Wesley Dow painting, titled Verge of the Abyss, depicts a rare view of the Grand Canyon painted in 1911-1912. Estimated at $80,000-$120,000, this work will undoubtedly attract interest from private collectors and museums alike. The collection includes other 20th century paintings by Dale Nichols and John Atherton.

From an important Midwestern collection of American Impressionism, Shannon’s will offer Frederick Carl Frieseke’s The Rose Gown from 1915, estimated at $80,000–$120,000. This impressive 32 inch by 32 inch painting depicts a woman in a rose-colored dress holding a posy. Shannon’s has attracted a following for Frieseke with recent sales of Lady Trying on a Hat for $450,000 (2023) and Dressing for $112,500 (2024).

A local-view of Woodbury, Connecticut titled The Road that Leads to Home, by Willard Leroy Metcalf, will be offered at an attractive estimate of $80,000-$120,000. A delightful Edward Henry Potthast of Children at Play on the Beach will be offered at $60,000-$80,000. This Midwestern collection features another Ernest Lawson titled Winter Scene descended in the family of the artist and estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

A collection of five paintings by Emily Mason will headline the Modernist offerings in this auction. Mason painted in New York City and taught at Hunter College for over 30 years. Shannon’s will offer Three Musicians, a 50 inch by 40 inch oil painting from 1988 at $40,000-$60,000 and Abstract Orange, a 40 inch by 35 inch oil painting from 1981-82 at $30,000-$50,000, alongside three works on paper.

An in-person preview of all the works featured in the auction will be on display weekdays on October 14-23 and on Saturday, October 19th. Shannon’s is one of the few auction houses still producing richly illustrated color catalogs to promote their offerings. The eagerly anticipated catalog will be available in October. Contact the auction house or sign up for the mailing list online.

The fall auction at Shannon’s will feature 183 lots of paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture. To join the mailing list and for updates on the October 24, 2024 Fine Art Auction visit www.shannons.com, or follow them on social media. Shannon’s can be reached by phone at 203-877-1711; or via email at info@shannons.com.

About Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers:

Shannon’s prides itself on providing each client with personalized service, educating consignors and buyers on fine art, the auction process, and market trends. Their targeted marketing plan for each piece of art they sell is unsurpassed in the industry, which has enabled the auction house to maintain its 85% sell-through rate. Each year, Shannon’s hosts two cataloged fine art auctions in the Spring and Fall. These sales feature 200+ lots of paintings, drawings, fine prints, and sculpture from the 19th century through Contemporary. Shannon’s also hosts online auctions of Fine Art in January and June each year. These sales are hosted exclusively online with in-person previews available. Periodically, Shannon’s hosts online auctions of collections from single private owners or corporate collections. Our specialist areas include American Art, European Art, Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Fine Prints, Sculpture, Impressionism, and more.

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Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) Partners with SwipeIt to Enhance Gift Card Programs for Members

Mansfield, MA, October 16, 2024 -- Cha-ching! Holiday season is just around the corner and the restaurant industry has a healthy appetite for new customers and repeat customers.

Given that opportunity and challenge, the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) has partnered with locally owned and operated SwipeIt, based in Mansfield, MA, to provide innovative and cost-effective gift cards, selling both in-store and online via a turnkey e-commerce system, for their hundreds of members.

MARA is a non-profit organization focused on creating professional leadership and providing Asian restaurant businesses the resources and guidance needed to advance in the industry. MARA is a platform connecting Asian restaurant members with professional service providers as well as relevant governmental entities to enhance the communication, collaboration, and mutual benefits.

Founded in 1998, Swipe It provides Gift Card Programs for the small to medium sized merchant that want the look and feel of the big guys. SwipeIt collaborates directly with single units to larger multi-location concepts and franchises.

“We are delighted to help maximize the gift card experience for MARA members and their customers,” noted Larry Rubin, Founder and President of SwipeIt. He added, “Gift cards are an amazing way for restaurants to bond with new customers and provide them with the most portable of gifts.”

In addition to helping implement gift card programs, SwipeIt will be working with each restaurant to identify gift card ideas and promotions to maximize gift card campaigns. In addition to orchestrating conventional gift card programs, SwipeIt offers a turnkey ecommerce program to sell both physical gift cards as well as instant eGift Cards. Among current customers are the Phantom Gourmet, Columbus Hospitality Group, Imperial Buffet, and many others.

SwipeIt specializes in gift card programs and helps restaurant owners who just don’t have enough time to do anything other than cook, order food and manage their core restaurant functions. Many restaurant managers don’t have the time or expertise to develop a gift card program.

Monthly consulting is included in the service. SwipeIt not only helps clients set up gift card programs, but helps the restaurant sell them as well. Conversions from other gift card programs are free.

According to Capital One, a leader in the card services industry, noted that 90% of people consider physical gift cards an appropriate item to gift. Additionally, 61% of consumers spend more than a gift card’s value when redeeming, for an average of $31.75 more than the card’s value. The gift card industry in the United States is expected to reach $214.3 billion in 2024. This is a continuation of the strong growth the industry has seen, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2024 to 2028.

Since 1998, SwipeIt have been helping small to midsized businesses start and run custom gift cards. SwipeIt helps clients sell more gift cards with a turnkey ecommerce program and consulting services.

Based in New England or located on the West Coast, SwipeIt can provide online and offline card services. Clients include restaurants, hotels, day spas, liquor stores, pet supplies, pet daycare, jewelers, country clubs, auto dealers, chambers of commerce, downtown associations, hair salons, furniture stores, and any niche that can benefit from gift cards.

For more information, visit www.SwipeIt.com, or call (508) 452-7600.

Media Contact:

Steven Dubin, PR Works

SDubin@PRWorkZone.com

781-582-1061

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Items Signed by Past US Presidents, Babe Ruth, Picasso, John and Yoko to be Auctioned by University Archives, October 30

Wilton, CT, USA, October 15, 2024 -- A complete set of presidential signatures from Washington to Obama, two items signed by Babe Ruth (one graded GEM MT 10), an autograph letter in French signed by Pablo Picasso (PSA/DNA graded GEM MT 10), and a contract signed by both John Lennon and Yoko Ono Lennon will all come up for bid in University Archives’ online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction on Wednesday, October 30th, beginning at 10 am Eastern time.

All 491 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now on the newly redesigned University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Auctionzip.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

“One of the marquee items in our October 30th auction is Lot 89, a highly unique and once-in-a-lifetime set of presidential signatures from George Washington to Barack Obama, all signed as President, from 1789 to 2010,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives, adding that the museum-quality collection comes from a Dallas, Texas gentleman.

Mr. Reznikoff said the signed presidents set joins a great volume of exceptional presidential autographed material from other consignors. “A timely assortment up for auction just a few weeks ahead of the 2024 United States presidential election,” he said. Outstanding items of historical interest from the Science, World Leaders, Civil Rights, Religion, Art & Music, Aviation & Space, History & Military, and Sports categories will also pass the auction block.

The Washington-to-Obama set of presidential signatures consists of autograph letters signed, typed letters signed and signed letters, along with a variety of signed documents, all signed as President. There are very few complete sets of Presidential autographs signed as President, due mainly to the scarcity of William Henry Harrison pieces, as he served just one month in office.

Many of these sets reside in institutions and will never be offered to the public. It is likely that fewer than a dozen such sets exist in private hands, this one being one of the very best. In this way, a set of Presidential autographs signed as President is scarcer than a set of autographs from the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. The pre-sale estimate is $400,000-$500,000.

Lot 489 is a Babe Ruth signed ticket for the “R.I. Independent Amateur Softball Championship”, dated Sept. 2-7, 1941, held in East Providence, R.I., graded GEM MT 10 (est. $4,000-$5,000); while lot 488 is a Babe Ruth and Ted Williams signed ticket to a “Bachelor Party” for Crosby Turner, Jr., held in Pawtucket, R.I. on Aug. 13, 1941 and graded NM 7 (est. $3,000-$4,000).

Speaking of Babe Ruth, lot 468 is a 14 inch by 11 inch glossy photograph of George H. W. Bush as captain of the Yale baseball team, greeting Babe Ruth for an on-field ceremony in New Haven, Conn., on June 5, 1948, signed by Bush (“George Bush”) in blue pen (est. $300-$400).

Lot 134 is an autograph letter in French signed by Pablo Picasso, PSA/DNA graded GEM MT 10, on the reverse of a postcard depicting “Paix” [“Peace”], a reproduction of the original color lithograph Picasso produced for a peace conference held in Sweden in July 1958. He mentions his second wife Jacqueline and his children in the June 20, 1960 letter (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 294 is a contract signed by both John Lennon and Yoko Ono Lennon, dated Sept. 11, 1975, relating to their production company, Bag Productions, which the couple established in the 1960s and which later produced the 1971 solo album Imagine. The contract outlines terms of ownership of many signed / unsigned lithographs, album covers and colophon pages (est. $5,000-$7,000).

Lot 447 is a 3-page autograph letter in German signed by Albert Einstein in which the scientist explores both his Unified Field Theory and General Relativity. The very long scientific letter, addressed to Einstein’s friend and fellow physicist Cornelius Lanczos, includes 12 equations in Einstein's hand, as well as humorous content relating to Sigmund Freud (est. $40,000-$50,000).

Lot 205 is an archive of 18 autograph letters signed by Hawaiian missionaries, circa 1846-1849. The correspondence written by members of the 8th Company of Missionaries of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions includes vivid descriptions of a surfboard and surfing, with pen sketches; volcanic eruptions; and coastal topography (est. $18,000-$30,000).

Lot 121 is an autograph document signed in full by George Washington (as “Mr. George Washington”). The document, dated circa 1773, pertained to a 1751 land survey of 445 acres that Washington had completed over 20 years earlier for a man named Richard Seymour on behalf of Washington’s older half-brother, whose name was Lawrence Washington (est. $12,000-$14,000).

Lot 403 is a one-page manuscript document in Russian boldly signed by Josef Stalin, then a member of the Revolutionary Committee, dated September 9, [1920], and pertaining to military preparedness during the ongoing Polish-Soviet War. In it, Stalin discusses artillery and troop movements in the days leading up to the decisive Battle of Neman River (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 110 is an 8-page advance press copy of a printed speech draft signed by President Harry S. Truman, circa October 30, 1945. In the speech, Truman laid out his position on “reconversion” - the transition from a wartime economy to a peacetime one. Truman urged Americans to harness the spirit of collaboration formed during World War II to address challenges (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 392 is a one-page autograph letter in Gujarati twice signed by Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi wrote his older brother Laxmidas from South Africa on January 22, 1889, inquiring about mutual acquaintances. Gandhi signs the letter formally at the conclusion as “Mohandas Karamchand Pranam” and signs it “Gandhi” when writing out part of his brother’s name (est. $6,000-$7,000).

Lot 332 is a Civil War-dated one-page autograph letter signed by Brigadier General George Custer on April 6, 1864. Custer congratulated Captain R.R. Moffatt for his new “sabre shield” design for cavalry weapons, stating: “I am firm in the belief that the possession of it by our cavalry would give confidence and increases courage to those wearing it.” (est. $6,000-$7,000).

Lot 58 is a military commission signed by President Abraham Lincoln promoting a Connecticut native named Orson H. Hart to the rank of Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers in Daniel Sickles’s newly mustered “Excelsior Brigade” of primarily New York-based volunteers. The document, dated May 19, 1862, has a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$7,000.

Lot 20 is a scarce one-page autograph letter signed by James A. Garfield as President, dated June 15, 1881, just two weeks before he was shot by Charles Guiteau. In the letter, Garfield gives directions to a hotel-owner in the “summer colony” of Long Branch, N.J., where First Lady Lucretia Garfield was recuperating from a bout of malaria, and where Garfield himself later died (est. $5,000-$6,000).

Here is a link to the catalog on the University Archives website: https://www.universityarchives.com/auction-catalog/rare-autographs-manuscripts-books_E6Q0WAIS7L

University Archives has become world-renowned as a go-to source for rare items of this kind. It is actively seeking quality material for future auctions, presenting a rare opportunity for sellers. Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or email him at john@universityarchives.com.

University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Road (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives and the 491-lot, online-only Rare Autographs, Manuscripts & Books auction scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th, starting at 10am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About University Archives:

University Archives was founded in 1979, as a division of University Stamp Company, by John Reznikoff, who started collecting stamps and coins in 1968, while in the third grade. Industry-wide, Reznikoff is considered the leading authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. He consults with law enforcement, dealers, auction houses and both major authentication companies. University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Road (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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Holabird's Timed, Online-Only Cauldron of Curiosities Auction, Oct. 19-20, Features Numismatics, Western Americana, more

Reno, NV, USA, October 14, 2024 -- A 26-inch 18k gold chain necklace with a 1904-S Liberty Head U.S. $20 gold piece in bezel, a collection of turn-of-the century Art Nouveau postcards from the M. M. Vienne series, and an 1878 classic Spanish bullfight scene painted on tile are just a few of the highlights in a two-day, online-only Cauldron of Curiosities timed auction planned for the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, beginning at 8am Pacific time both days.

“Get ready for two exciting days packed with an array of remarkable items awaiting new homes,” said Fred Holabird of Holabird Western Americana Collections. “We invite you to join us for this fun sale, featuring collectibles in all the usual categories, and don't forget all lots open for bidding at just ten dollars. Whether you're gearing up for the holidays or just collecting for yourself, you don't want to miss out on this incredible sale. There’s something for everyone.”

Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC has capitalized on the recent success of its timed online auctions – in which rare but lesser expensive items in a multitude of collecting categories come up for bid with a starting price of just ten dollars on every lot in the catalog. Online bidding will be facilitated by iCollector.com (Holabird’s preferred platform) and LiveAuctioneers.com.

With a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000, the 26-inch 18k gold chain necklace with a 1904-S Liberty Head U.S. $20 gold piece in bezel, graded EF-AU, is the overall expected top lot of the sale. The gold chain weighs 20.9 grams. The bracelet is being offered on Day 2 as lot 2164. Also that day in the coins and currency category, a 1934A Federal Reserve Chicago note for $100, featuring Ben Franklin, PCGS certified Choice Very Fine 35, carries an estimate of $100-$300.

Day 2 features 284 lots in just three categories: sports, numismatic (coins and currency) and philatelic (stamps and covers). Day 1 has 609 lots in a veritable rainbow of collecting categories, 30 in all, to include art/décor, jewelry, textiles, collectibles/ephemera, medical, bottles, liquor and tobacco related, advertising, autographs, entertainment, banking, law/crime and kids/toys.

Also offered on Day 1 will be telegram related, travel and maps, World’s Fair collectibles, religious items, fraternal organizations, political memorabilia, militaria, books, mining and mining stocks, banking stocks, stocks and bonds (foreign), stocks and bonds (other), transportation, photographs and photography equipment, general ephemera and more.

The 1878 classic Spanish bullfight scene painted on a broken and repaired 19 inch by 13 inch tile is notable because it’s marked on the back, “Pickman E Cachina Dpaea Savilla”, and Pickman & Cachina painted tiles from Seville, Spain are highly collectible. Charles Pickman founded the ceramic factory in Spain in 1841. This intricately painted tile is artist signed “Ca E. Molina”, although nothing is known about this particular artist. The tile has an estimate of $350-$800.

Lot 1009 consists of three scroll artworks by the noted Chinese artist Wu Zeng, known for his ‘living’ paintings. The paintings, all watercolors, depict a cloudy mountain temple at sunset, two birds perched over flowers and a misty mountain scene (est. $150-$200). Also, a pair of jadeite tigers, one shown crouching lower than the other, one of the tigers 14 inches long and 6 ½ inches tall while the other is 13 inches long by 8 inches tall, will be sold as one lot (est. $350-$750).

A pair of very opulent and very fragile ceramic lamps, measuring 10 inches by 33 inches, with no maker’s mark visible, untested but with current wiring, should realize $200-$400. Also, a circa 1880 carte de visite photo depicting the conservative British politician Albert Grant (1831-1899) has an estimate of $50-$80. Baron Grant (born Abraham Gottheimer) was in the nobility of Italy. He was elected to British parliament but was unseated in 1874 for election offenses.

A collection of five cast iron toys – a cannon, an arcade RR gondola car, a Hurley Studebaker car (possibly e33), a B7P MFG dime counter, and a Hurley tow truck, blue with black fenders, all in overall very good condition – is expected to reach $150-$350. Also, a pair of vintage Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy folk art dolls, wood and cloth construction, should command $70-$100.

Back to Day 2, where the group of 13 turn-of-the century Art Nouveau postcards from the M. M. Vienne series, all depicting women of the period with colorful, ornate clothing and backgrounds, each one different, should fetch $2,000-$2,500. Also, a group of 12 postcards from Harrison Co., Ohio, depicting church and scenery scenes from Scio and elsewhere, should make $60-$100.

A Walking Liberty silver proof one-half troy pound of pure .999 silver coin, dated 2000, made by the American Historic Society, 3 ½ inches in diameter and 11 inches in circumference, with a certificate of authenticity, has an estimate of $150-$400; while a circa 1920s paper token from Canton, Ohio (“Good For / One Meal / Fred Gintz”) is expected to change hands for $40-$80.

This is a timed auction, so there will be no live auctioneer or audio/video feed. Folks can bid now, up to the day each session closes. On all three auction days, they will be able to log in to a virtual console and bid live, per normal. Each lot will open with an automatic timer that’s reset with each live bid. Once the bidding stops and the timer runs out, then the next lot is presented.

In addition to internet bidding, telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Color catalogs are available by calling 1-844-492-2766, or 775-851-1859. Anyone owning a collection that might fit into a Holabird Western Americana Collections auction is encouraged to get in touch. The company has agents all over America and will travel to inspect most worthy collections.

To learn more about Holabird Western Americana Collections, and the two-day, online-only Cauldron of Curiosities timed auction, Oct. 19th and 20th, beginning at 8 am Pacific time each day, please visit www.holabirdamericana.com.

About Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC:

Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC is always seeking new and major collections to bring to market. It prides itself as being a major source for selling Americana at the best prices obtainable, having sold more than any other similar company in the past decade alone. The firm will have its entire sales database online soon, at no cost – nearly 200,000 lots sold since 2014. To consign a single piece or a collection, you may call Fred Holabird at 775-851-1859 or 844-492-2766; or, e-mail to fredholabird@gmail.com. To learn more, please visit www.holabirdamericana.com.

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Shelly's Tea Rooms Receives "Authentic English Tea Rooms of The Year 2024 USA" Award by LuxLife Magazine

Plymouth, MA, October 12, 2024 -- Shelly’s Tea Room, a beloved destination for traditional English afternoon tea, has been named the “authentic English Tea Rooms of the Year 2024” by the LuxLife Magazine, a prestigious worldwide lifestyle magazine.

This prestigious award celebrates Shelly’s Tea Room’s dedication to preserving the rich heritage of English tea culture while delivering exceptional service and an unforgettable experience.

Located at 51 Court Street, in the heart of Plymouth, Massachusetts, known as America’s Hometown, Shelly’s Tea Rooms has become a favorite for tea enthusiasts and visitors seeking an authentic taste of England. Known for its meticulously curated selection of teas, freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, and traditional desserts, the tea room captures the essence of British charm and hospitality.

“We are incredibly honored to receive this award,” said Shelly Sinclair, co-founder of Shelly’s Tea Rooms. “Our mission has always been to create a warm and welcoming space where people can enjoy the timeless tradition of afternoon tea. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and passion of our entire team.”

She added, “We have put our life and souls into creating our Tea Rooms and are so happy and proud to share them with you. Even better is that you love it as well. That in itself is reward enough. The award is the icing on the cake - excuse the pun.”

The “Authentic English Tea Rooms of the Year USA” award is presented annually to tea rooms that demonstrate exceptional commitment to maintaining the authenticity of English tea traditions. Criteria for the award include the quality of tea and food offerings, attention to detail in the presentation, and the overall atmosphere of the establishment.

Shelly’s Tea rooms is a premium destination serving over 103 loose leaf teas, along with truly authentic English afternoon Teas, Scones (sweet & savory) and cakes as well as true English classics like crumpets.

Shelly’s Tea Rooms has built a loyal following, praised for its cozy ambiance, period décor, and impeccable service. The tea room offers a variety of traditional English tea experiences, including, Cream Tea, and Afternoon Tea, all served with a touch of elegance and history.

The British are Back

Sean and Shelly Sinclair, husband and wife team, initially owned and ran two award-winning Tea Rooms in England for 16 years.

 

Having fallen in love with the United States more than 25 years ago after many vacations in the states, the couple decided it was time to bring their English Tea Rooms revolution to America.

In addition to running their award-winning tea rooms in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Shelly’s Tea Room recently announced franchise opportunities for other entrepreneurs who would like to enjoy bringing the authentic English team rooms experience to their city.

Franchisees will receive comprehensive training and support, including assistance with site selection, marketing strategies, and ongoing operational guidance. With a proven business model and a passionate team dedicated to ensuring success, Shelly’s Tea Room franchisees will have all the tools needed to thrive in the competitive food and beverage industry.

For more information about the Shelly’s Tea Rooms franchise opportunity, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the Shelly’s Tea Room website or contact the franchise development team directly via ShellysTeaRooms.com/franchise/.

To make a reservation for tea and an authentic English tea room experience, please visit https://www.shellystearooms.com/contact/ or call (508) 927-4402.

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Andrew Jones' Design for The Home & Garden Auction, Oct. 23, Features Items from The Estate of Daniel & Natalie Schwartz

Downtown Los Angeles, CA, USA, October 11, 2024 -- Andrew Jones Auctions is excited to present the autumn edition of Design for the Home & Garden featuring the estates of Daniel and Natalie Schwartz, Rancho Mirage and Frederick Faude, Sausalito, California on Wednesday, October 23rd, online and live in the gallery located at 2221 South Main Street in downtown Los Angeles. 

This auction will feature an international array of fine and decorative art, ranging from the 17th to the 21st centuries – over 270 lots, led by Tiffany Studios Drop Head Dragonfly and Chinese Geometric Tyler lamps, Old Master to modern paintings, American, English and European silver, porcelain and glass, American, English and Continental furniture, garden appointments and more.

Daniel (Danny) Schwartz was a World War II veteran who participated in the Normandy D-Day invasion.  His rich life encompassed business success, film production, global travel, art collecting, philanthropic projects and many lasting friendships.  Danny and his wife Natalie were neighbors with Frank and Barbara Sinatra at the Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, where the good friends often golfed together.

The couples spent evenings at Melvyn’s Restaurant in Palm Springs, attended weekly dinner parties with family and friends, enjoyed trips to Las Vegas for games of Baccarat and Sinatra’s performances.  Danny and Natalie hosted Sinatra’s appointment as Honorary Mayor of Cathedral City, California in 1971.  Some mementos of this friendship include a Van Cleef & Arpels 14K yellow gold cigarette case (est. $3,000-$5,000) and a Gucci leather desk set (est. $500-$700).

Danny was a lover of horse racing and owned many champion thoroughbred horses.  The collection includes silver trophies from Garrard & Co and Tiffany & Co., highlighted by a George IV covered entrée dish from the Bachelor Duke of Devonshire service by Garrard, 1825 that became the New York Racing Association Suburban Aqueduct trophy for 1969 (est. $2,000-$3,000); four Richard Stone Reeves racehorse portraits; and other horse racing accessories.

The Schwartzes were keen collectors of important fine art and antiques.  Their residences, designed by Val Arnold, were featured in spreads of the Dec. 1988 and the Feb. 1991 issues of Architectural Digest, which capture many of the pieces on offer in this auction.  The fine art is highlighted by Nathan Oliveira’s 1979 oil on canvas Swiss Site, #II (est. $20,000-$30,000).

Also included are works by Elmer Bischoff, Maruice Brianchon, Jean Cavailles, Bruce Cohen’s Interior with glass table and green shoes, 1989 (est. $12,000-$18,000), Emile Grau Sala, Dong Kingman, Walter Snelgrove and James Weeks.  The residence was a remarkable synthesis of European style intertwined with New York modernity with splashes of a California color palette.

In that mix is select Asian works of art, 18th century European figures, English porcelain and a music room centering a Bosendorfer ebonized grand piano, expected to bring $20,000-$30,000.

C. Frederick Faude had a keen eye and was a successful art and antiques dealer with galleries in San Francisco and Sausalito.  Faude’s collection of Grace Hudson paintings was considered one of the country’s largest. This auction features seven works by Hudson, including Eagle Chief, Pawnee, 1904 (est. $8,000-$12,000).  Beyond paintings, the collection includes lamps by Tiffany Studios, highlighted by an early 20th century Drop Head Dragonfly lamp (est. $40,000-$60,000).

The fine silver offerings range from a wonderful group of Russian cloisonné enamel tableware by makers like Pavel Ovchinnikov (est. $3,000-$5,000) and Feodor Ruckert to a whimsical selection of Austrian and German wager cups.

Other highlights include Francisco Zúñiga’s bronze Hombre arrodillado, 1966 (est. $15,000-$20,000), a dramatic and monumental work by Bill Jacklin Ice skaters III, Central Park (Wollman Rink), 1989, a Jean Lurçat oil on canvas from his Table series (est. $10,000-$20,000), and vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, including a Malle Haute steamer trunk (est. $2,000-$3,000).

Also sold will be Marsh & Co. jewelry, an Arthur Espenet Carpenter Wishbone chair (est. $3,000-$5,000), a handsome set of six Genoese walnut armchairs, circa 1800 from the collection of Lorenzo (Renzo) Mongiardino, Milan (est. $10,000-15,000), a Chippendale mahogany block front chest of drawers, Boston, 1770 (est. $3,000-$5,000), a Cary's 12inch terrestrial floor globe, 1833 (est. $2,000-$3,000), fine silver from John Swift to Paul Storr, Chinese porcelain, antique rugs and Harris & McKinnon garden furniture.

Online bidding will be available on AndrewJonesAuctions.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Previews will be held in the Andrew Jones Auctions gallery on Monday, October 21st, and Tuesday, October 22nd, from 10 am to 5 pm Pacific time both days.

To learn more about Andrew Jones Auctions and the sale of items from Design for the Home & Garden on Wednesday, October 23rd, please visit www.AndrewJonesAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About Andrew Jones Auctions:

Opened in the summer of 2018, Andrew Jones Auctions is a full-service fine art and antiques auction house specializing in the liquidation of estates and collections featuring fine art, antiques and collectibles. The firm understands market trends and has foresight for the 21st century. The highly experienced staff has a wealth of knowledge with international savvy, having worked for many years at major international auction houses in North America and Europe, sourcing property from all corners of the United States. Andrew Jones Auctions’ sales are diverse and eclectic, and feature fine diamonds to contemporary art, from antiquity to the 21st century. To learn more, please visit www.AndrewJonesAuctions.com.

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Seed Planted for Newest French Florist Location in Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale, AZ, October 11, 2024 -- Fresh off the vine, a completely new and innovative florist concept is coming to Scottsdale, Arizona.

Lifelong Arizona resident and first Arizona franchisee Ronny Record has broken ground for a new French Florist location at 6501 East Greenway Parkway, Ste. 109, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. The state-of-the-art location is set to open in early November.

(Left to right) Husband and wife team and owners of the new Scottsdale, Arizona French Florist location are Nicole Record and Ronny Record. With them are Aaron Holt, Chief Operating Officer of French Florist and Philip Dickenson, Floral Designer at the Costa Mesa, California French Florist store.

“As a franchise professional for over 10 years, mostly working on the operations side of the business, I always wanted to own my own franchise,” noted Record. “I was ready to put destiny in my own hands. After much research I chose French Florist for numerous reasons. First, the industry is recession proof – people will always lavish their loved ones with flowers. Second, the company’s technology, training and marketing are unparalleled. Third, the financial performance of the company is impressive.”

Ronny Record graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He is the father of two daughters, ages 3 and 1. He and his wife are enthusiastic baseball fans.

The new Scottsdale 1200 square foot location will create four jobs from the start. For those who wish to work as a floral designer, customer service representative or driver, please contact the store at (480) 573-0396, northscottsdale@frenchflorist.com.

French Florist, a Los Angeles-based franchise, boasts vibrant, handcrafted arrangements including fresher flowers purchased directly from major farms in Ecuador, Holland, Columbia, Mexico, Canada, United States, and more.

Additionally, the new concept offers in-person or online customer service and ordering to ensure the wow factor that each recipient of hand selected flowers deserves.

Winner of L.A. Weekly’s award for Best Florist, French Florist has been family-owned and caring about customers since 1978. Seven days a week, including every holiday, French Florist offers same-day delivery.

“We are delighted to award a franchise and opportunity to Ronny Record and his family,” noted Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, second generation in the floral business. He added, “Ronny is exactly the kind of energetic, thoughtful and ambitious franchisee partner we are looking for. With the help of capable and driven people like Ronny, we will continue to grow contiguously location to location.”

Jacobson concluded, “Flowers are the music of nature. French Florist is the melody."

In addition to the new Scottsdale, Arizona location, French Florist has locations in Los Angeles, CA; Westlake Village, CA; Costa Mesa, CA; and soon to open Tustin, CA.

For more information, contact French Florist at https://frenchflorist.com. For more insight into the business opportunity in other territories, visit https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/ or call (310) 659-7700.

Media Contact:

Steven Dubin, PR Works

SDubin@PRWorkZone.com

781-582-1061

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Nye & Company will Host Two Back-to-Back Online Auctions on Three Days, October 23-25, Featuring Over 800 Quality Lots

Bloomfield, NJ, USA, October 10, 2024 -- Nye & Company Auctioneers will hold a two-day Chic and Antique Estate Treasures auction on Wednesday and Thursday, October 23rd and 24th, followed by a sale of Property Sold to Benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark on Friday, October 25th, with start times all three days of 10 am Eastern time. In all, over 800 lots will come up for bid.

Both auctions will be online-only, with bidding across multiple platforms. Phone bidding will be available on a limited basis. Featured will be a wide variety of fine and decorative arts ranging from the 18th century up to the modern day, mostly pulled from fine collections and estates out of the tri-state area. There is also a terrific mixture of traditional through the contemporary.

Starting with traditional furniture, there is a nice selection of 18th and 19th century from the Stanley Weiss collection. Collecting for over 30 years, Mr. Weiss developed a keen eye for the early American aesthetic, with an emphasis on the Queen Anne through the Neoclassical periods. His passion for quality craftsmanship and wood are evident in each piece he collected.

Highlights include a terrific Chippendale extension dining table with generous proportions, which is perfect for entertaining a large group of friends. Estimated at $2,000-$4,000, this is a great opportunity to own a piece of 18th century handmade craftsmanship.

There is also a labeled Classical card table by Samuel and Joseph Rawson, Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island. Labeled furniture is extremely rare and sought after. This historically important piece of American furniture is estimated to sell between $1,000-$2,000. The sale also includes additional card, dining and Pembroke tables being sold from the venerable collector.

There is a small but choice selection of contemporary Arts & Crafts or Mission furniture made by L & JG Stickley, which mirror designs by Harvey Ellis and Charles Limbert. The group is well constructed and can fit in a Craftsman designed home or a more modern setting because of the bold rectilinear designs. Bidding for the majority of these pieces starts at under $1,000.

Complementing the Arts & Crafts furniture is a fantastic collection of Dedham pottery from the collection of Dr. Richard M. and Mrs. Susan Pope Hays. Susan had a deep rooted passion for history, craftsmanship, gardening and reading, so it’s no wonder she was drawn to the wonderfully whimsical border patterns of Dedham pottery that highlight animals and plants.

Highlights include elephant, tapestry lion, raised cut edge quail, cut edge dolphin, the rare tufted duck, horse chestnut, azalea and so many more. Small groups of the pieces are estimated to sell for between $400-$1,000. Most of the pieces were collected over a 40-year period.

Continuing along the theme of terrific furniture design, the sale includes pieces from the highly collected New Hope, Pennsylvania furniture maker, George Nakashima, one of the 20th century’s leading furniture designers and the father of the American Craft movement. His hand selection of wood and use of clean lines translates well with today’s modern living.

Highlights include a turned walnut desk with pedestal estimated to sell for between $8,000-$12,000. This piece is signed, dated and bears the client’s name on the underside. There is also a walnut center table estimated at $7,000-$10,000. Additional pieces include walnut armchairs and cabinet pulls. The texture, grain and warmth of the wood is mesmerizing.

The sale also features a nice selection of American folk art from New England and New York City collections. Highlights include silhouette portraits by the celebrated French artist Auguste Edouart, who worked in the U.S., primarily in New York and Boston, between 1839-1849. His work can be found in The National Portrait Gallery in London, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, The New York Historical Society, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and many more. The works by Edouart are expected to sell for a very reasonable $300-$600. 

There is also a stunning, yet folksy American School portrait of a young gentleman seated in a yellow Windsor chair, unsigned and estimated at $1,500-$3,000. Another riveting piece is a carved black-painted eagle surmounting a pair of shackled hands. One can imagine this was done as a commentary of the desired and needed freedom of the enslaved. Powerful and moving, this work is a reminder of darker days and the desire to ensure that all men and women are created equally. This bold sculpture is estimated to sell for between $3,000-$5,000.

Shifting gears to Modern and Contemporary Fine Art, Nye & Company is pleased to be selling more property from the NAMITS collection, featuring a terrific selection of contemporary sculpture from European Masters. Highlights include a bronze maquette by the celebrated British Artist Henry Moore. Titled Interior Form, the work was cast in 1966 and is number 4 out of 6. Estimated to sell for between $30,000-$50,000, this piece is a true show-stopper.

The collection also includes a large-scale outdoor bronze by the French artist Richard Texier, titled Homo Mundo. The piece is over seven feet tall and is expected to sell for $15,000-$30,000. Another fantastic piece of outdoor sculpture is by another celebrated French artist, Mauro Corda. Titled in English as The Walking Man, this bold bronze is estimated to sell for $10,000-$20,000. If you don’t have the exterior space for Corda’s grand sculpture, fear not. There are several smaller interior sculptures featuring the human form. These range in price from $3,000-$10,000.

Another exciting piece of sculpture is believed to be by the celebrated artist Harry Bertoia. This branch form sculpture made from welded cut nails was purportedly acquired directly from the artist by Michigan collectors Frank and Margaret Shilling around 1947. It was last sold at the Phillips auction house in New York City in 2002 for over $50,000.

For the more traditional minded, there is a superb watercolor by the celebrated sporting artist Ogden Minton Pleissner. Believed to depict the Engelhard Camp on the Restigouche River, this flyfishing watercolor captures the very essence of fishing in Canada and encapsulates the moment every fisherman longs for. This piece is estimated to sell for between $10,000-$20,000.

Nye & Company is also especially pleased to be working with the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark, Inc. This splendid organization’s mission is to build affordable homes for low-to-moderate income families in Essex, Hudson and Union Counties. The robust Critical Repair provides the necessary repairs to keep veterans and seniors at risk of homelessness in the place they call home. Through the generous donation of a corporation’s art collection, Nye looks to raise as much money as possible through the sale of fabulous pieces of art and photography.

Highlights include a superb watercolor of Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, which is reminiscent of Edward Hopper’s well-known watercolor. This piece is priced at $700-$1,000 and signed by the artist T. Lameyer. Another highlight is a large-scale Cityscape at Sunset on canvas and estimated at $1,500-$3,000. This piece is only initialed by a yet identified artist C.N. Charles Clinton Pitcher also created a brilliant and impressively scaled watercolor of the branches of a snow-covered sycamore tree. This piece is estimated to sell for $800-$1,200.

There is also a work by the well-known artist Neil Welliver. This woodblock print of Little Marsh is expected to sell for between $1,500-$2,500. The purchases from this charitable organization are also eligible to be sold without sales tax, so be sure to bid a little higher to help support this fantastic organization.

Real time Internet bidding and absentee bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, BidSpirit.com and the Nye & Company Auctioneers website: www.nyeandcompany.com.

Everyone is encouraged to come by the gallery or view the sale online. People can bid in absentia and online. An online preview will be held from October 9th thru October 25th at the bidding sites listed above. For additional images, condition reports or info about an object, folks are invited to visit the Nye & Company website or send an email to info@nyeandcompany.com.

For those who would like to inspect the items in person, Nye & Company will hold a public exhibition October 14th -18th from 10am to 4pm Eastern time each day and then again October 21st-24th from 10-4. There will also be extended viewing hours on Monday, October 21st from 5pm-7:30pm, honoring the terrific work of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark, Inc.

For more information about Nye & Company Auctioneers and the Chic and Antique and Property being sold to benefit Habitat for Humanity, Greater Newark online only auctions on Wednesday through Friday, October 23rd -October 25th, visit www.nyeandcompany.com. The full color catalog will be available to be viewed shortly at www.nyeandcompany.com, www.Liveauctioneers.com, www.BidSpirit.com and www.Invaluable.com.

About Nye & Company Auctioneers:

For more information about Nye & Company Auctioneers and the Chic and Antique and Property being sold to benefit Habitat for Humanity, Greater Newark online only auctions on Wednesday through Friday, October 23rd -October 25th, visit www.nyeandcompany.com. You can reach them by phone at 973-984-6900, or via e-mail at andrew@nyeandcompany.com.

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