: An eagle carved by John Haley Bellamy of Kittery, Maine, was the
highlight of the Robert L. Foster sale September 3 and 4 when it
sold for $60,500, triple the high estimate. The 26-inch eagle
with a banner reading "Don't Give up the Ship" went to an
out-of-state collector.
The 1,200-lot sale drew a full house each day. Auctioneer Robert
L. Foster noted that bidding was strong both days, and bidding on
the nice country pieces across the block was consistently
energetic to the end of the sale. Absentee bids were especially
abundant.
A gleaming gilt weathervane in the full-bodied form of a ram was
another star and it sold for $36,300 to a collector. Although the
vane was consigned by an area woman, it came from Vermont and had
a lengthy history, documentation of which accompanied the lot.
A handsome Federal tiger maple tall case clock with a bird's-eye
maple door panel sold for $9,350. The moon phase dial was signed,
"James Jones, Deerfield." Which Deerfield, New Hampshire or
Massachusetts, was not indicated although auctioneer Robert L.
Foster agreed that it had a New Hampshire look to it.
The fine gilt ram-form weathervane had a Vermont history and
sold for $36,300 to a collec-tor who had a lot of competition.
Another tall clock in tiger maple, found lying in a dark
attic, was dark and alligatored but sold for $6,050. With a little
loving care, it should sing.
A silver tankard made in about 1774 by London maker William
Grundy sold for $2,860, while a Tiffany silver flower bowl with
the original frog was nicely chased and scrolled and realized
$1,100.
Three animal paintings by Sidney Lawrence Brackett attracted
attention and blew past their anticipated $1,500/3,000. A picture
of a mother and her puppies realized $6,875, a cute image of a
puppy and a kitten brought $4,070, and a mother cat and three
kittens was $2,310.
A quirky and appealing 1920s folk art oil on canvas overview of
Penobscot Bay by Fay Turpin depicted the islands in the bay,
sailing vessels, the wind and activity on the mainland and sold
for $1,540 to an area dealer.
A selection of Native American objects offered stirred wide
interest. The high lot was a Woodlands beaded pouch that fetched
$3,520. A small black pot by Maria Santana was $1,870 and two
woven hats brought $870. Of several totem poles that crossed the
block a small Northwest Coast turn-of-the-century example went
for $1,050.
An entire table full of Flow Blue garnered interest and money:
despite some damage a child's tea set sold for $1,320 and a lot
of 12 plates in the Scinde pattern was $1,056.
A Federal tiger maple tall case clock by James Jones sold for
$9,350.
Firearms exhibited strength as a Belgium Browning
"Renaissance Challenger" 22-caliber semiautomatic pistol that was
fully engraved realized $2,200. Another Browning 22-caliber pistol
that was also fully engraved sold for $2,190.
A Victorian walnut armoire with burl walnut was a furniture star
and brought $4,675.
A nice diminutive mahogany secretary with blind doors in a nice
grain had scroll feet and brought $1,980 and an early English
slant lid desk was carved with a hunt scene on the lid and
griffins on the drawers and brought for $1,760.
A Rhode Island Windsor knuckle-arm sack back chair was $1,430
while another Windsor in mustard paint went for $1,210. A set of
six bow back Windsor chairs, each with nine spindles, realized
$2,190
A State-of-Maine chest in old red paint had four drawers and sold
for $2,035. Foster said he sold the piece about 25 years ago for
approximately $300. A step back cupboard in blue paint with
raised panel doors and diamond decoration brought $825.
An iron kettle was $50, and, finally a 2004 Harley Davidson
Heritage Soft-tail sold for $15,700. The local consignor is
moving overseas where he cannot use it.
All prices quoted reflect the ten percent buyer's premium.
For information call 207-563-8110 or visit
www.fosterauctions.com.
