Maine Antique Digest, March 2017

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24-D Maine Antique Digest, March 2017
- AUCTION -
24-D
accompanied a pair of entryway light fixtures that
were sold as a single lot. The correspondence related
to the hall lantern affair was sold in two lots. And
finally the lantern itself crossed the block. With the
exception of the correspondence, all of these lots
are listed in the photo section of this report. Mrs.
Kennedy’s first letter sold for $8125 (with buyer’s
premium). The second letter and Mrs. Ausbrook’s
reply together brought $2000. Each sold well above
its presale estimate.
We will move on from the Kennedy lots after
the mention of two extremely poignant pieces. An
original invitation to the Texas Welcome Dinner
scheduled for the evening of November 22, 1963,
brought $625, and an unmailed 1963 White House
Christmas card with facsimile signatures of both
John and Jacqueline Kennedy brought $937.50.
Both sold at or near the high ends of their estimates.
The high lot of the Potomack sale was
presidential, but it had nothing to do with John F.
Kennedy. It was a leather-bound autograph book
containing a document signed by 31 presidents.
All but five of the documents were signed while
the individual was in office. The book had been
compiled as a gift to Senator James J. Couzens
(1872-1936), a Republican from Michigan. Each
document was accompanied by an engraved portrait
of that president and was presented in a reversible
archival mount. The one-of-a-kind autograph book
sold to a collector in the room for $50,000 (est.
$10,000/20,000).
The Potomack Company again offered a solid
group of Asian lots. Although this sale did not
feature the quantity of past sales, the category did
hold up with its quality. Among the Asian pieces
was a group of 55 lots from the collection of Dr.
Kaj Kalbak (Danish, b. 1909). Kalbak was sent to
Korea in the 1950s to establish a Danish medical
facility. During his time there he immersed himself
in the country’s material culture, in particular its
rich ceramics history. Eventually, Kalbak developed
a significant collection. Many of Kalbak’s pieces
have found their way into the collections of several
of Scandinavia’s national museums.
In addition to the lots noted in the photo section,
other Kalbak lots of note included a 19th-century
blue and white Korean wine bottle, together with
an unrelated blue and white decorated cover, that
brought $4062.50, more than ten times its low
estimate, and a 14th-century Koryo Dynasty baluster
body celadon-glazed molded and incised stoneware
vessel that sold within its estimate for $625.
Within the furniture category, smaller case
pieces did very well. For example, a Chippendale
walnut chest of drawers, circa 1780, and likely
from Maryland, brought $2500; a four-drawer New
England mahogany bowfront chest, circa 1800,
also made $2500; and $3125 was paid for a second
chest of that same description. All three chests sold
above their high estimates, and each was won by a
different bidder.
For additional information, contact The Potomack
Company at (703) 684-4550 or visit the website
).
These oils on canvas are by Robert Stone (British, 1820-1870).
Stone is known for his sporting images. These paintings
appear to depict scenes of open horse-drawn wagons speeding
along. The paintings are presented in matching wide carved
and partially gilt frames. They are signed but not dated and
measure 5½" x 10½" (sight size). The paintings sold to an
Internet buyer for $2812.50 (est. $1000/1500).
Howard Chandler Christy (1872-1952) is best
remembered for his illustrations depicting fresh-
faced models that collectively became known as the
“Christy girl.” This watercolor on paper drawing is
likely a fashion illustration that depicts one of those
young women in a thoroughly modern ensemble of a
short skirt, fur jacket, and wide-brim hat. The 19½"
x 13" (sight size) drawing sold to an Internet buyer
for $1000 (est. $1000/1500).
These portraits are by
William Denune (British,
active 1729-50). The
individuals depicted are
Sir Richard Oswald and
Margaret Ramsey Oswald.
Both paintings are oil on
canvas and circa 1747.
Following the American
Revolution, Richard
Oswald represented Great
Britain in negotiations
for peace, resulting in
the Treaty of Paris in
1783. The portraits of
the Oswalds sold to a
telephone bidder for $3750
(est. $3000/5000).
The Battle of Hampton Roads occurred March 8 and 9, 1862, and has been depicted
numerous times. This version of what is also often called the Battle of the Monitor and
Merrimack is by Alexander Charles Stuart (1831-1898). Stuart painted at least two versions of
the scene, this example being the more detailed. The oil on canvas measures 18" x 30" (sight
size) and is signed lower left. The painting sold in the room for $4375 (est. $2000/3000).
This document was signed
while John F. Kennedy was
president. It is the deed
transferring title of the
Kennedys’ Georgetown
home. The deed is signed by
both John and Jacqueline
Kennedy and is dated March
3, 1961. This lot includes a
telegram from President-elect
Kennedy that accepts an offer
of $102,000 for the property.
The telegram is dated nine
days after the election. It
seems he was moving into a
new residence! Although the
Kennedys’ former home is not
for sale, today it is estimated
as being worth $4 million.
This interesting document
sold in the room for $5312.50
(est. $2000/4000).