: A rare Gustav Stickley writing desk designed by Harvey Ellis
topped David Rago's Craftsman Auction this past weekend, May
22-23, with sales totals exceeding the $2.5 million mark.
The writing desk, consigned from a home in Maine and one of three
known examples, was inlaid with pewter and fruitwood in an Art
Nouveau fashion. Bidding on the lot opened at $32,500 with action
coming from Beth Cathers and Robert Kaplan of Cathers and
Dembrosky and a couple of telephone bidders. The piece, estimated
at $40/60,000, eventually sold to Kaplan and Cathers, bidding
from the rear of the room, for $58,750.
Other top lots included a George Ohr teapot in a bright red,
white and green mottled glaze that sold for $35,250, and a
Tiffany hanging leaded shade in the Greek key pattern that
realized $36,425. A complete review will appear in a future
issue.
-DSS
