: Story by David S. Smith, photos courtesy of Timothy
Gould's
Another of Timothy Gould's extremely popular auctions was
conducted on Wednesday June 9, with hefty prices posted
throughout the sale. Leading the auction was an extremely rare
fresh to the market Howard weathervane standing horse that had
recently been removed from the roof of a barn.
Gould has earned a reputation for presenting fresh to the market,
quality merchandise with virtually all of the items he sells
coming directly from homesteads and estates. "We try and do four
sales a year," commented Tim Gould, "We are a two-man and family
operation and we do not aspire to run lesser quality monthly
sales. Nothing in any of our auctions has ever been offered to a
dealer, it is all absolutely fresh to the market." Gould addeded,
"Our consignors know the rules." And further stated that this
policy has often times "painted him into a corner" as he has had
to refuse high quality merchandise that has had exposure. Gould,
however, remains confident that his policy sets him apart from
other auction houses and secures his reputation.
A Gould auction always attracts a crowd and this past event was
no exception, despite the 90-degree heat and a hall that is not
air-condi-tioned. "It was pretty hot in there," commented the
auctioneer, "but everyone kept their spirits and we had a good
sale."
The lead lot was the Howard horse weathervane that had been
discovered on a New England barn by a picker and delivered
directly to Gould. "It has the best surface I have seen on a
weathervane in 30 years," stated the auctioneer. "It had a
wonderful verdigris surface with traces of the original gilt and
original mustard color showing through."
Rare Gustav Stickley secretary desk, $30,250.
The weathervane was unusual and difficult to locate in the
Howard catalog due to the unusual size and special features such as
the tin fore-lock extending out over the horses face and the
crimped ears.
Five phone lines were active as the lot was offered with bids
bouncing back and forth for an extended period of time with New
Hope, Penn., dealers Pat Bell and Ed Hill of Olde Hope Antiques
claiming the rare weathervane at $77,000.
A selection of Arts and Crafts furniture and accessories that had
come directly from a local Maine home proved to be a "bit
disappointing" for the auctioneer, although reasonable prices
were ultimately realized. Gould had higher expectations for the
rare Gustav Stickley secretary desk in original surface that
eventually sold for $30,250, a large L&JG Stickley double
door wardrobe cabinet brought $6,600, an oversized seven-drawer
bureau by Gustav went out at $5,500 and a nice Dirk Van Erp
hammered copper vase sold at $6,050.
"The eagle might have been the trade of the sale," stated Gould
after the auction. The large carved spread winged eagle perched
on a ball, thought to have possibly been a trade sign, was
offered as early Nineteenth Century and sold at $15,950.
A nice early China Trade painting of a clipper ship, retaining
the original frame, also did well selling at $19,800.
One sleeper appeared in the auction, although it did not remain a
sleeper for to long. Found by Gould in a box of fountain pens and
cigarette lighters was a rare Colt capping device for an early
pistol. "It was a rare form," stated the somewhat surprised
auctioneer after the bidders pushed the final price to $16,500.
China Trade ship portrait, $19,800.
Other lots of interest included a New Hampshire blanket chest
in original yellow/green paint that sold at $7,700, a Rhode Island
Queen Anne candlestand brought $9,350 and a birch four-drawer chest
realized $3,300.
Paintings included a John Appleton Brown landscape that sold for
$2,310, a folky Maine portrait of a gentleman, $3,300, and a
Nathaniel Berry beach scene from Lynn, Mass., went out at $4,400.
Folk art items included a nice 7-foot-tall barber pole in good
old paint that was actively bid to $3,250, while a five-masted
schooner weathervane fetched $1,925.
A small collection of American Indian items were offered with a
pair of Arapaho moccasins selling at $3,740, a Chipowa bag
$1,870, and a Nez Perce beaded hide shoulder bag brought $990.
Prices include the ten percent buyer's premium charged.
