The premise that quality items will bring quality bidding held true at Cordier Antiques & Auctions’ Two Day Spring Antique & Fine Art Auction held May 22 and 23.  The sale covered a range of collecting areas and produced strong results overall including a Samuel Yelling hanging light for $6,250 (estimate $3,000 to $6,000) and an oil on board painting of a monster by Argentinian artist Roberto Aizenberg for $7,000 (estimate $1,500 to $2,500).  The 780 lot sale was held over two days in Camp Hill, across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg.

The multi-consignor sale featured items from over one hundred consignors including estates and collectors.  Over 300 people were in attendance during the two days in addition to phone and absentee bidders.  More than 375 bidders were pre-registered to bid via the Internet through ArtFact which also provided an online catalog of the auction.  Prices quoted do not include the buyer’s premium (10% to 15%).

Saturday’s session began with coins and gold continued to produce good prices.  The sale featured five PCGS graded MS66 St. Gaudens $20 gold pieces that sold for between $2,500 and $2,750 a piece.  Other American gold included an 1893 $10 Eagle gold piece for $700.  Foreign gold also did well with Russian rubles and Swiss 20 francs realizing $150 to $325.  Books, paper and ephemera followed coins and featured an archive of hundreds of original drawings and manuscript material relating to the artistic career of Henry Harmony.  Harmony was a self taught graphic artist who worked in New York and Boston sketching and cartooning political, social and theatrical events during the 1920’s.  The collection included the diplomatic papers of Harmony’s father Julio who was an American diplomat and consul to Spain.  The papers included examples signed by Grover Cleveland and William McKinley that sold for between $350 and $390 each. 

The auction included other autographed items including a Fidel Castro signed and inscribed slip of paper at $650 (estimate $300 to $600) and a wonderful set of signed and inscribed Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hendron photographs from the movie “The Birds” at $550 ($500 to $700).  Both lots were consigned by the family of Marcus (Max) Tax, a musician, composer and journalist who worked for the Foreign Press Association during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Another item of note was a miniature portrait on ivory with attached hair locket that was part of a New Jersey/Philadelphia Quaker family archive.  Purported to be of Joel White who “went down in a diving bell when first invented”, the portrait generated intense bidding, hammering down at $1,500 to the Internet on a $300 to $600 estimate.

A Confederate autograph album belonging to Lucy Darby Richardson of Lexington, Kentucky was a highlight of Weapons & Military.  The album featured approximately thirty Confederate soldier signatures including many members of Morgan’s Brigade and what was thought to be that of Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan himself.  Morgan was the leader of Morgan’s Raid in July of 1863, the farthest north any uniformed Confederate soldiers would penetrate during the Civil War.  The album realized $1,800 to the Internet.  An Internet bidder was also successful on an original Nazi NSDAP building eagle at $900 (estimate $250 to $500).

Collectibles offered something for everyone from music boxes and sports autographs to collections of cow creamers and political buttons.  One unique item was a Bobb’n Head The Beatles bobbin head set in its original box with original inserts.  In mint condition, the set sold for $450.  A large lot of 1930’s Boy Scout items belonging to Robert and John Sigafoos of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, including a sash with 22 Merit badges and an Eagle Scout award, saw strong bidding between the floor and a phone bidder with the phone bidder prevailing at $1,700.  Among the several music boxes offered was a large carved walnut coin operated Polyphon upright music box with seventeen discs.  It sold to an absentee bidder for just under the low estimate.  A 1954 Gibson ES-175 D electric guitar in excellent condition sold within estimate to an Internet bidder at $2,500.  Among the Toy offerings was a Tete Jumeau bisque head bebe at $600 and a unique 5” circa 1900 composition Brownie doll in a Motorman outfit at $140.

Among the silver offerings in Saturday’s session were several lots of Portuguese silver which attracted strong bidder response.  A pair of ornate Portuguese Renaissance Revival candelabra realized $1,300 to the phones while a four piece tea set sold for $1,500 to a bidder in the room.  That same bidder was successful on a fish set once owned by the consignor’s grandmother Maria Francisca de Saldanha da Gama, a descendent of Vasco da Gama.  Several lots of George III English and Scottish silver pieces were offered as were four lots of Persian silver.  The room was successful on a Camusso Peruvian six piece sterling tea set for the low estimate of $1,500 and a circa 1912 Tiffany & Co. sterling presentation loving cup at $750.  Two lots of Tane Lunt (Mexico) sterling were offered, a pair of candleholders ($600) and a compote ($650) while sterling flatware sets continued to show robust results.

Saturday’s sale concluded with over 130 lots of jewelry.  The top lot was a lady’s 18K yellow gold stampato style bracelet.  Weighing 136 grams, it sold within estimate at $4,700.  An emerald and diamond ring set with a 15.12 carat cabochon emerald and 3 ctw of diamonds sold just below estimate to the room at $3,000.  Among the several lots of Native American jewelry offered was a Zuni fetish necklace consisting of approximately three dozen small carved stone figures.  Estimated at $75 to $100, the necklace saw a frenzy of bidding before hammering down to the Internet at a surprising $2,500.  Among diamond jewelry was a fine 2.81 cwt Edwardian diamond brooch set with 82 Old European cut diamonds that realized $2,750 to the room.  Five Rolex wristwatches were offered including a lady’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 18K gold that sold within estimate at $3,250.  Also selling within estimate at $3,250 was a Deco Tiffany & Co. 14K gold mesh handbag with filigree frame and clasp set with cabochon stones.  Other highlights included a Mexican Matl silver necklace and earrings at $1,500 (estimate $600 to $800) and a Victorian Etruscan micro-mosaic brooch at $900 (estimate $600 to $800).

Sunday’s session began with furniture and rugs and prices were somewhat soft.  A Federal style sideboard by Council Craftsman sold to a dealer in the room at $1,200 as did an Arts & Crafts dresser with mirror attributed to Stickley at $900.  A Sheraton writing desk from the William Randolph Hearst collection and still retaining the original Gimbel Brothers hangtag and Hammer Galleries letter sold within estimate at $1,400. 

Ethnographics offered buyers over 50 lots of African masks and sculpture in addition to Native American and aboriginal items.  Among the Canadian aboriginal pieces was a stylized serpentine carving of a polar bear.  Signed under base and retaining an Alberta, Canada gallery label, the carving sold to the Internet for $750 (estimate $150 to $300).  Several scrimshaw pieces were offered including a small woven basket with a carved horn finial in the shape of a whale’s fluke.  Estimated at $50 to $100, the basket soared past its estimate hammering down to floor at $600.  The highlight among Asian Arts was a signed Chinese blue and white Imari figure of a seated Buddha.  The piece saw strong Internet bidding, realizing $1,100 on a $100 to $200 estimate.  A Russian bidder online was successful on a Japanese tapestry of a garden scene at $500 (estimate $150 to $300).

Decorative Arts included over fifteen lots of American and English pewter including a pair of candlesticks hallmarked for Henry Hopper (New York City, second quarter 19^th century).  Estimate at $200 to $400, the pair sold to the Internet for $800.  Of local interest were a pair of monumental cast bronze and wrought iron andirons from the Thornwald Mansion in Carlisle.  The mansion was built in 1909 for Lewis Sadler who often entertained national politicians and the elite.  The consignor’s mother purchased the andirons at an auction of the mansion’s contents.  Fittingly the pair sold to a local dealer in the room within estimate for $2,100.

Among the offerings in Ceramics and Glass was an Orrefors Graal vase by Edward Hald (1883-1980).  Designed with a three dimensional view of fish and aquatic plants, the vase sold to the room for $450.  A pair of pink cased glass mantle lustres hammered down at $550 while a signed Lalique Lucca vase realized $425. 

Over 95 lots of art were offered including an interesting Folk Art portrait of a woman on tin.  Found hidden in the walls of Pineford Manor, Middletown, Dauphin County when it was torn down in the 1950’s, the profile portrait could not be firmly attributed to any of the known portrait painters of the period but was still a find at $265.  Another interesting piece was an oil on canvas board painting by Argentinian artist Roberto Aizenberg (1928-1996).  Depicting a monster in yellow and red on a landscape background, the painting generated a surprising amount of interest, selling to a South American collector on the phone for $7,000 (estimate $1,500 to $2,500).

Prints were also offered including several by Erte and Louis Icart.  A 1929 Icart hand-colored drypoint entitled “Four Dears” hammered down at $700 while a color lithograph from the same year entitled “Sappho” realized $425 to a collector in the room.  Among the Erte pieces was a serigraph entitled “Oriental Tale” that sold for $650 to the same collector.  While only a few pieces of sculpture were included in this sale, the results were not disappointing.  A large 48” marble sculpture of Persiphone circa 1840 to 1860 realized $4,100 (estimate $1,000 to $3,000) while a marble bust of a gentleman of the same period sold for $1,800 (estimate $1,000 to $3,000).

Horology and lighting concluded the sale but saw several key lots crossing the block.  A massive two part 60” Black Forest carved wall clock having an S. Marti & Cie movement and featuring expertly done high relief carvings hammered down within estimate at $5,600 to a phone bidder while a Christian Eby (Manheim, Lancaster County) tall case clock in very good condition sold for $4,250.  Offered just a couple lots short of the end of the auction was a hanging light fixture by Samuel Yellin (Philadelphia, 1885-1940).  The large and finely wrought light just surpassed its high estimate, selling for $6,250 and ending the auction on an exciting note.

Information on Cordier Antiques & Auctions can be found www.CordierAntiques.com.  Questions can be directed to Cordier Antiques & Auctions at auctions@cordierantiques.com or by calling 717-731-8662.

A 1954 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar and a fine collection of bronze sculpture from the Estate of Harold M. Garonzik will headline Cordier Antiques & Auctions’ Fall Auction in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.  The single owner Stratocaster includes exceptional provenance and is estimated to sell between $20,1954 Fender Stratocaster000 and $40,000.  Items from the Estate of Harold M. Garonzik, a lifelong collector from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, will include an exceptional 36″ Sevres palace vase and over ten high quality bronzes including pieces by Claude Michel Clodion (French, 1738-1914) and Auguste Moreau (French, 1826-1897).  Other auction highlights include a Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signed baseball, paintings by Matthew Harris Jouett and Harry Leith-Ross, and a Russian Bolin silver and enameled cigarette case.  Also to be included are collections of slave documents, Victorian Valentines and art glass, canes, and rolling pins.  The 700 plus lot sale will be held over two days in Camp Hill, across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg.Saturday’s sale will feature a large and varied offering of books, documents and ephemera. Leading off the category will be a collection of slave and Civil War documents including several archives of soldier letters.  A Civil War field desk with provenance tying it to the 9th New York Heavy Artillery is estimated at $500 to $750 while signed documents by Joshua Chamberlin and President Andrew Johnson are both estimated at $500 to $1,000.  A single owner collection of Victorian Valentines will offer several lots of handmade pieces in fine condition.  An important offering among books will be a copy of The Martyr’s Mirror printed by the Ephrata Cloister in 1766.  This rare and important book is physically the largest volume printed in Colonial America and this copy features what may be a unique printed paper liner.  It is estimated at $2,000 to $4,000.  Among ephemera will be a rare copy of the German language Stages of Man broadside printed by G.S. Peters in Harrisburg during the 1830′s.  Among the most important broadsides printed in Pennsylvania for the German market, it is estimated at $2,000 to $4,000.  Autographs will also be featured and will include a set of The Beatles autographs signed on a single sheet (estimate $2,500 to $5,000) as well as autographs from Marilyn Monroe, Ernest Hemingway, Clara Barton, and James Buchanan.

The highlight among collectibles will be the single owner 1954 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar.  Estimated at $20,000 to $40,000, the guitar was purchased in Carlisle in 1954 by the consignor John Hippensteel, lead singer of a popular 1950′s Central Pennsylvania Western swing band called The Blue Ridge Boys.  Also of note is a Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signed baseball obtained by the consignor’s maternal grandfather who ushered at Ebbets Fields.  The ball was signed at an exhibition game at Dexter Park and is estimated at $5,000 to $7,500.  Collectibles will also feature a Vendo V39 Coca Cola machine in original condition as well as single owner collections of rolling pins and canes.  Among the weapons to be offered in Saturday’s session will be a Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver and a European military flintlock musket with bayonet, both estimated at $750 to $1,000.

Toys will offer several fine lots including a Roullet et Decamps automaton cat in a milk can (estimate $800 to $1,200).  When activated, the piece plays a tune while the cat’s head rises up and licks the can.  Other lots of note include a Lionel 390E standard gauge freight set (estimate $600 to $800), a Unique Art Jazzbo Jim tin windup (estimate $400 to $600), and a Wolverine Merry-Go-Round (estimate $250 to $500).  Other tin lithographed wind-ups will be offered, including Marx, Chein and Alps, in addition to trains and dolls.

Silver will include many fine offerings including a Russian 88 silver, jeweled and enameled cigarette case circa late 19th century.  Decorated with an elaborate scene of two swans on a tree lined stream, the case is marked for the well known Bolin family of court jewelers and is estimated at $3,000 to $5,000.  An early 20th century Russian 875 silver cigarette case will also be offered as will a pair of Loring Andrews repousse compotes (estimate $500 to $750) and a unique sterling presentation box presented by the 19th century actor Lawrence Barrett to actress Mary Anderson (estimate $600 to $800).  Many fine sets of sterling silver flatware will be sold including patterns by Gorham, Towle, Stieff, Westmoreland and Wallace.

Saturday’s session will conclude with over one hundred lots of jewelry and watches.  Of note is a 2.71 ctw diamond and platinum ring featuring a center .97 carat diamond and a custom made 14K gold wrap (estimate $2,500 to $3,500).  Among other diamond jewelry offerings will be a 3.70 ctw diamond bracelet (estimate $1,000 to $2,000), a 1.5 ctw diamond and platinum ring (estimate $1,500 to $3,000), a pair of 3.98 ctw diamond waterfall earrings (estimate $1,500 to $2,000) and a 1.55 ctw diamond cross pendant (estimate $600 to $1,200).  Among other offerings will be a man’s 2.38 carat emerald and diamond ring and an 18K gold enameled owl pin.  A fine selection of hand carved cameo pendants will also be sold as will over fifteen lots of Native American jewelry and a large 14K enameled Masonic badge. Among watches will be an American Waltham 18K Appleton Tracy pocket watch.  With a beautifully enameled case, the watch is estimated at $1,000 to $2,000.

Sunday’s session will lead off with ethnographic, Asian and decorative arts.  Several lots of Pre-Columbian artifacts will be offered as will a Greek Tanagra figure circa 4th century AD (estimate $200 to $400).  A highlight of Asian arts will be a fine Chinese Export tobacco leaf cider jug.  Decorated with tobacco leaves, flowers and bird in overglaze enamels, the jug is in excellent condition and estimated at $500 to $750.  Two pieces from the collection of Langdon Warner (1881-1951) will be sold including a Chinese celadon bowl and a Chinese phosphatic glazed stoneware bowl.  Mr. Warner was an expert consultant to the Arts and Monuments Section, G.H.Q. of the Supreme Commander during World War II and a well known expert, author and collector of Asian arts.  Decorative arts will feature a Tiffany Studios letter rack in the lovely and popular Pine Needle pattern (estimate $750 to $1,000) and several high quality boxes including a large gilt bronze mounted box with hand painted porcelain inserts (estimate $600 to $800).

Ceramics will lead off with American porcelain and pottery including several lots of Dedham Pottery Rabbit dishes.  A collection of redware and stoneware will be sold including a jug attributed to Cheevers Meaders (estimate $150 to $300) and a vessel attributed to Jacob Medinger (estimate $250 to $500).  Art pottery will be well represented and will include a pair of Rookwood elephant bookends, an Anton Lang diminutive pitcher and two pieces of Hampshire Pottery including a large embossed lamp estimated at $700 to $900.

A large and ornate palace vase by Sevres will be the highlight of European ceramics.  Standing an impressive 36″ high, the vase features a large hand painted allegorical scene signed “L. Fournier d. Baudry” and well as a hand painted portrait to the back and recurring musical and stage themes overall.  The piece is estimated at $8,000 to $12,000 and is one of many exceptional items from the Estate of Harold M. Garonzik, a lifelong collector from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Other pieces from the estate include a Royal Vienna portrait vase (estimate $1,000 to $2,000) and a pair of Continental bisque figurines.  Also to be offered will be a fine Capodimonte figural covered stein (estimate $800 to $1,000), a Mintons Tiffany dinner service (estimate $1,500 to $3,000) and a single owner collection of over one hundred oyster plates.

Glass will feature Victorian art glass including over eighty jack in the pulpit vases as well as a fine amber cut to clear bowl with elephants and a Hawkes sterling mounted cocktail pitcher with original stirrer.  Also to be offered is a large 19th century blown glass flip and a cobalt Stiegel type footed salt, both estimated at $200 to $400.

Fine art is set to offer many key lots in the two day sale including a portrait by Matthew Harris Jouett (American, 1788-1827) of Judith Swann Boswell, wife of Dr. William Hall Richardson.  Consigned by the family, the painting carries an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.  Other important paintings by American artists include a landscape by Harry Leith-Ross (Pennsylvania, 1886-1973) (estimate $4,000 to $6,000), a still life of flowers by David Burliuk (Russian/American, 1882-1967) (estimate $3,000 to $5,000) and a watercolor of birds by George Miksch Sutton (American, 1898-1982).  Artists local to central Pennsylvania will be featured and will include such well known names as Ira Deen, Victor Shearer, Talbot Alden Turner, Paul Bloser and Karl Foster.

European artists will also be offered among them a portrait of a soldier by Etienne Prosper Berne-Bellecour (French, 1838-1910) (estimate $2,000 to $4,000), a landscape by Otto Eduard van Pippel (German, 1878-1960) (estimate $2,000 to $4,000) and a portrait of a girl by Dorothea Sharp (English, 1874-1955) (estimate $3,000 to $6,000).  Several important works on paper will be sold including a John James Audubon elephant folio Plate CCXCI Herring Gull from Birds of America estimated at $5,000 to $7,000.  Of local interest is a rare uncolored version of An Attempt to Burn John Harris after the painting by William Reeder (estimate $2,500 to $5,000).  Portraying the attempt by Indians to burn John Harris outside his home in Harrisburg, the original painting is housed in the Pennsylvania Governor’s mansion.

Exceptional bronze sculptures and artwork from the Estate of Harold M. Garonzik will be a significant addition to Sunday’s fine art offerings.  Over twenty-five lots from Mr. Garonzik’s collection will be sold including a 31-½” bronze entitled “L’Aurore” by Auguste Moreau (French, 1826-1897).  Estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, the piece bears a presentation plaque to the base indicating it was awarded to a Senator Duval by the Pharmacists of the Haute-Savoie, a French department in the Alps in 1898. An impressive 44″ bronze sculpture lamp of a Norse warrior by Edouard Drouot (French, 1859-1945) will also be included as will bronzes by Marius Jean Antonin Mercie (French, 1846-1916), Claude Michel Clodion (French, 1738-1814), and Isidore Jules Bonheur (French, 1827-1901) to name just a few of the artists that will represented.  Artwork from the estate includes paintings by Edouardo Vitali (Italian, 19th century), Fabio Cipolla (French, born 1854) and Paul Gagni (French, 1893-1962) as well as a fine French Monbro Fils gilt bronze clock.  From a separate consignor will be a fine bronze 22″ bronze entitled “Paysanne au Champ” by Alfred Boucher (French, 1850-1934).  Circa 1890 with a Siot-Decauville Paris foundry mark, the bronze is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000.

Horology will be offering several tall case clocks including a fine Federal cherry and mahogany bonnet top by Samuel Hill, one of the best known Harrisburg, Pennsylvania clockmakers.  It carries an estimate of $15,000 to $17,500.  Another Pennsylvania clockmaker will be represented by a cherry castle top tall case by John Shellenberger, Thompsontown, Juniata County.  Originally built for David Walker, founder of Walker Township, Juniata County, it has been consigned by the great-great-great-grandson of Shellenberger and is estimated at $10,000 to $12,000.  Wall and shelf clocks will also be offered including a Marti & Cie for Tiffany marble shelf clock, two LeCoultre Atmos clocks and an Ansonia Queen Elizabeth wall clock.  Lighting will follow and will provide several slag glass hanging and table lamps as well as a hand wrought Arts & Crafts floor lamp.

Furniture and rugs will conclude Sunday‘s session and will begin with an impressive 12′ by 8′ eight-fold coromandel room screen made in Hong Kong circa 1880 to 1920 (estimate $3,000 to $5,000).  A late 17th/early 18th century English gateleg table with barley twist legs carries an estimate of $1,500 to $3,000.  A unique offering will be a 19th century mahogany ship’s wash stand.  Complete with pull down sink with ceramic bowl and storage compartments, the piece is estimated at $600 to $800.  Continuing the fine items being offered from the Estate of Harold M. Garonzik is a 19th century Louis XV style bombe vitrine (estimate $2,000 to $3,000).  It features upper and lower panels painted with figures and landscapes framed in ormolu.  Other pieces to be offered include a Victorian cylinder roll desk secretary, a signed Windsor chair, a Classical carved drop leaf table and a Kittinger partner’s desk with chair.

A full online catalogue of the two day auction is available by visiting www.CordierAntiques.com.  Questions can be directed to Cordier Antiques & Auctions at auctions@cordierantiques.com or by calling 717-731-8662.