: A Boston Sheraton mahogany and satinwood worktable made by Thomas
Seymour around 1808-1810 was the runaway highlight of John
McInnis Auctioneers' sale when it sold for $97,750. The piece,
which came from a Wellesley estate, had been authenticated by
Robert Mussey. It sold to Seth A. Thayer of Northport, Maine, who
said he was buying for a Chicago collector. Thayer, principal of
American Arts Consulting, is a co-author of American Arts at The
Art Institute of Chicago: From Colonial Times to World War I, and
former assistant curator for American decorative arts at the
institute.
Much of the material on offer had Massachusetts history. Bidding
on a fine Massachusetts Chippendale maple tall clock by Daniel
Balch of Newbury opened at $8,000 and only ended at $25,300.
Another Massachusetts tall case clock, a cherry example by John
Rogers of Newton, had a silvered dial and realized $12,650. It
had come from the collection of a former curator at the Willard
House and Clock Museum in Grafton, Mass.
A coastal New Hampshire Sheraton flame birch and bird's-eye maple
card table with inlay went for $4,312.
The sale marked McInnis' 25 years in business. As he hammered
down the lots McInnis kept a wary eye on two Verizon trucks that
had been parked outside the front door for several days. Given
the disastrous fire that threatened his sale of a million-dollar
Martin Heade painting 18 months ago, he was more than reasonably
concerned that telephone service would be interrupted.
"The Cellist," by Lilla Cabot Perry came from a Boston
collection and realized $43,125.
The space was flush with desirable paintings, the star of
which was "The Cellist," an oil on canvas portrait by Lilla Cabot
Perry that sold for $43,125. The painting, which came from a Boston
collection, had an extensive exhibition history and went to a phone
bidder.
A very good Arthur Clifton Goodwin painting of Beacon Street in
winter brought $27,600 from a phone bidder. The painting, which
hung in a Thulin frame, came from the same Boston collection.
Soren Emil Carlsen's beautifully painted 1902 "Breaking Wave" was
also from the same collection and sold for $25,875.
A selection of oil on board paintings by Cape Ann artist Aldro T.
Hibbard came from a Rockport estate. The high lot among them was
"Snow-Covered Road with Houses," $11,500; "Covered Bridge in
Winter," $6,275; and "Autumn Landscape with House," $5,750.
Eighteen paintings by Cape Ann's William Lester Stevens from the
Brookline estate of friends of the artists generated lively
interest. Top lot was "Lazy Day on the Farm" an interesting
depiction of cows that sold for $16,100. One bidder took the oil
on canvas "Ship at Dock" at $9,775 and the very colorful "Autumn
Day" for $6,562. The same buyer got "Harbor Scene from the Maine
Coast" for $4,600.
"Still Life with Peonies" by Marguerite Stuber Pearson had a
strong exhibition history and sold on the phone for $9,200.
Pearson's "Chrysanthemums" was $5,750.
Two pictures by Twentieth Century French artist Bernard Cathelin
attracted attention. "Paysage aux Bouquet de Violettes" realized
$8,625 and his "Briqueterie de San Jose" fetched $8,050.
A still life with a guitar by Cubist Juan Gris realized $9,200
and Robert Emmet Owen's "Autumn Woods" fetched a record price of
$4,600.
Arthur Clifton Goodwin's painting of Beacon Street, Boston, in
winter realized $27,600 on the phone.
A rocky coastal scene by Rockport artist Frederick John
Mulhaupt sold for $2,415.
Frederick Edwin Church's "Morning Sunrise" was expected to soar
but on the morning of the sale it was withdrawn for further
research.
A large pair of KPM plaques with images painted after Utrillo
with a beggar girl and a beggar boy blew past the estimated
$1,2/1,800 to $14,950.
A handsome red leather fire bucket with a banner reading "Perform
and Preserve" and the name Sewell Phelps sold to an absentee
bidder for $7,475.
A Frederic Remington bronze head cast by the Roman Bronze Works
in New York sold for $13,225.
A Civil War sword presented to Major A.A. Powers by members of
his regiment sold for $3,450. It had come from a Marblehead,
Mass., home. A Native American painted drum in wood and hide was
signed and sold for $6,900. It was decorated with an image of a
buffalo on one side and an Indian design on the other.
An American pewter flagon made by Samuel Danforth of Hartford
bore his mark and brought $9,200.
Things have come to a pretty pass when a Honda outprices a Rolls
Royce. A 2003 Honda with slightly more than 2,000 miles realized
$15,525 but a 1976 Rolls Royce was a far more modest $5,175. As
he hammered it down, McInnis emphasized that the Rolls was in
fairly iffy running condition and required some work. Still, it
was a great-looking automobile.
All prices quoted reflect the 15 percent buyer's premium.
For information call 978-388-0400.
