Hesse Galleries Early Lighting Sale Sparks Competition

OTEGO, N.Y.

:The Eleanore Segel Early Lighting Collection brought strong auction prices at Hesse Galleries on March 3-4. A highly charged and competitive atmosphere was created by the nearly 60 absentee and telephone bidders bidding against strong audience participation.

The audience was appreciative of the collection and enjoyed its overall originality, quality and diversity.

Sale highlights included a wooden Betty lamp holder with original finish that sold for $5,610, a wood and tin four-arm candle chandelier for $3,520 and a primitive adjustable tiger maple double candleholder floor stand for $4,480.

Other notable lots were a scarce wrought iron and tin adjustable peg lamp holder with whale oil fonts, $2,200; a standing wrought iron two-arm candleholder with penny feet, $1,750; a wooden taper holder with original wax, $1,210; an Eighteenth Century flintlock tinder pistol, $1,650; an adjustable loom light, $1,155; a primitive adjustable wooden floor stand candleholder, $2,860; and a mechanical tin candleholder with adjustable reflector, $2,420.

One particular piece, a copper cone snuffer with an impressed design of an American eagle and Federal shield, 3 1/8 inches high, brought an unexpected price of nearly $1,000, selling for $962.

All prices quoted include the ten percent buyer's premium. For more information, www.hessegalleries.com or 607-988-2523.