Hepplewhite
Secretary Reaches $81,700 at Northeast
MANCHESTER, N.H. - Putting to use the wisdom provided in his book
"... Good, Better, Best," author/dealer/advisor and
Northeast Auction American furniture expert Albert Sack sat in
the front row of Ron Bourgeault's auction with a private retail
female client and assisted in bidding a Hepplewhite secretary to
the top slot. The two-day Northeast auction, which took place
this past weekend, March 1 and 2, grossed an impressive $2.6
million with the auctioneer citing "tremendous retail
participation."
The sale featured more than 700 lots of Americana, Continental
and European furniture, accessories and paintings, including a
prime selection of period American case-pieces - virtually all of
which sold to retail buyers.
Leading the way was the Hepplewhite secretary in figured mahogany
and birds-eye maple veneer executed by an "up to now unrecorded
but... superior master-craftsman" from the prominent North Shore
or Portsmouth center. The original bill of sale accompanied the
piece, dated July 7, 1811, and listing a price paid in full of
$37, although it was generally thought the name on the bill-head
was not that of the maker, but of a retailer.
Bidding on the lot opened at $10,000 and progressed between 2 of
the 6 active phone bidders and Sack's client. Moving initially in
$1,000, then $2,000 increments, bidding for the attractive
secretary progressed methodically to $34,000, where it appeared
the piece would be hammered down. Just prior to Bourgeault
pronouncing the piece sold, a late bid from the opposite side of
the front of the room was executed by a female client seated with
Brock Jobe of Winterthur. The action once again resumed a steady
pace with determined bidding from the two ladies resulting in the
lot eventually selling to Sack's client at $91,700, including
premium.
Highlights from Saturday's session included the opening lot, a
nest of six Nantucket baskets signed Polhamus that sold for
$25,300, and two Bennington flint enameled lions from the
collection of Dr. Louis Wasserman selling at $16,100 each.
A complete review will appear in a future issue.
