Philadelphia Card Table Reaches $126,500 in Maine

Auctioneer Kaja Veilleux with the table he described as having "a significant single-family history."

Philadelphia Card Table Reaches $126,500 in Maine

THOMASTON, MAINE -- A rare Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany card table, circa 1775, captured the spotlight at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries this past Saturday, April 26, during a two-day auction as it sold for more than six times the low presale estimate.

The rare table, which belonged to an elderly woman, was actually discovered by a door-knocker, according to Velleux, that had attempted to buy the table for $15,000 along with an assortment of family silver. Thinking better of the situation, the woman decided to get a second opinion and called in Velleux. "I told her that we would get her at least $20/30,000, or we would sell it without a commission. After looking it over I felt it would bring at least $100,000."

Velleux opened the table for bidding at $5,000 and moved rapidly in $5,000 increments with initial action coming from the room. It was not long before the six telephone bidders took over with the lot soaring past the $20/30,000 presale estimates and selling to New York City dealer Leigh Keno at $126,500 including premium. Keno commented that he was pleased with his purchase and cited the exceptional deep and crisp carving and wonderful proportions.

Another highlight from the Saturday session was a set of seven Paul Revere silver spoons that had been discovered in a summer cottage on Pine Island. The rare set attracted numerous telephone bidders, although they were outdone by active bidding in the gallery with the lot selling at $31,900.

The Sunday session saw a Grueby vase, discovered in the Waldoboro apartment of an elderly gentleman, that sold at $53,900, and a nice Blanche Lazzell gouache abstract in bright colors sold at $12,100.

Prices include the buyer's premium charged. A complete review will appear in a future issue.