: Michael Strawser of Strawser Auctions in Wolcottville, Ind.,
conducted a two-day Fiesta, Kitchen Kraft and Harlequin auction
on September 11 and 12, selling more than 1,500 lots. Bidders
represented 21 different states and Canada.
The highlight of the auction was an extremely rare ivory
experimental individual teapot. The auction house said it has
been rumored that there are only three of these known to exist.
This one was in mint condition and it was signed Fiesta.
Competition came down to an absentee bidder, three telephone
bidders and one in the auction room.
To bid on the telephone, bidders were required to make a $7,500
opening bid. The floor bidder dropped out at $12,000 and it came
down to two telephone bidders with the final price being pushed
to $20,075. The price set a world auction record for Fiesta,
surpassing Strawser's previous record of $13,000 for a 10-inch
maroon vase sold a few years ago.
There was great interest in the many other pieces of Fiesta,
Kitchen Kraft and Harlequin over the two days, including an ivory
red striped footed salad at $990; 12-inch vases - cobalt at $990,
light green at $935, ivory at $880 and yellow at $825; a red
ironstone sauce boat stand at $495; carafes - red, cobalt and
ivory at $385 each; a red footed salad at $523; red disc juice
pitcher at $523; chartreuse juice tumbler at $605; red marmalade
at $341; turquoise figure 8 tray at $297; Riviera juice set at
$341, Rhythm turquoise spoon rest at $303; and Harlequin spruce
green marmalade at $300.
Prices reported include ten percent buyer's premium.
