The successful bidder who paid $16,940 for the exceptional red painted Indian Chief motorcycle at Robert L. Foster’s annual summer sale September 2–3 was so elated at his prize that he jumped up and down in glee. He was an exuberant Florida collector. The gem had come from a local house.
Tiffany also brought gratifying results as an L.C. Tiffany bronze floor lamp with a Favrile and pulled feather glass shade sold for $15,950. The signed lamp, which was made with a counter weight, went to a collector. Another desirable Tiffany piece was the signed Tiffany Studios desk lamp with animal designs and a slag glass liner that went for $4,180.
The two-day sale comprised around 1,000 lots from area estates that summoned some 450 bidders to the gallery alongside Route One. Without telephone bidders or Internet bidding, the sale progressed smoothly and bidders had much in the way of fresh material to choose from.
They also had a shot at some unusual examples of American history such as the complete set of Morgan silver dollars offered from 1878–1921 that sold for $14,850. The dollars that feature the image of Lady Liberty are known as Morgan dollars after their designer George T. Morgan, who went on to become chief engraver of the US Mint. A collection of colonial paper and coin currency fetched $2,530 and a $1,000 bill from 1934, which had never been circulated, fetched $1,980.
New England furniture was sought after. An Eighteenth Century Chippendale oxbow chest with fan carving realized $9,075 while a handsome maple and bird’s-eye maple tall clock by Augusta, Maine, maker Frederick Wingate from around the 1830s realized $5,500.
An Eighteenth Century Connecticut Valley Queen Anne corner cabinet fetched $3,300 and a Queen Anne candlestand with chip carving and a turned urn base brought $1,540. An elegantly formed Queen Anne cherry lowboy was a reasonable $1,430. A step back pine cupboard in two parts with nine-light glass doors over three drawers and two cupboard doors went for $3,025. A set of six Windsor chairs in mustard paint and vivid decoration came from an area estate and sold for $2,475.
Then there was a substantial Seventeenth Century English oak tester bed that attracted great attention and went for an equally substantial $7,150. A Continental marquetry desk with foldout surfaces for writing and reading and an array of interior compartments sold for $4,950.
The highlight of the Victorian furniture on the block was a large mahogany dining table with six leaves and carved with paw feet that went to $2,530.
A 1909 Steinway & Sons “O” model parlor grand piano went from one local musical home to another for $10,450.
The star of the paintings was an oil on canvas picture of mailboxes by Stephen Morgan Etnier that realized $9,350. While Etnier painted up and down the Atlantic Coast, he painted in Maine for about 35 years.
Another Maine picture was the 1923 John Marin watercolor of nearby Port Clyde that also attracted interest and went for $2,475.
A 1928 oil on board painting of a nude by illustrator Leo Sielke sold for $1,925 and an early folk portrait of a woman was $1,870. A Nathaniel Currier large folio engraving of the clipper Flying Cloud sold for $1,650.
A Civil War journal kept by Maine soldier John K. Collins of the Mounted Rifle Rangers recorded the events from 1861 to 1862 and included drawings of Major General Benjamin Franklin Butler and Ship Island in the Mississippi River. It brought $3,300.
A quite nice Maine dome top dovetailed bride’s box with pretty grain painting was $3,410 and a 1934 autograph quilt attracted $1,925.
A Northwood carnival glass “Good Luck” bowl in ice blue was considered rare and brought a strong $2,860.
An imposing Nineteenth Century gilt bronze chandelier 12-branch chandelier sold for $3,410 and a seven piece sterling tea and coffee service by Sanborn of Mexico City realized $2,310.
What’s an Americana sale without a weathervane? A selection of same included a running horse gilt example that brought $1,870.
Ivory of interest included a pair of whale’s teeth without engraving that realized $1,705 and a sailor’s ivory pie crimper that brought $1,485.
Another nautical lot of note was the 6-foot, 3-inch pond sailer made in the 1930s that fetched $1,540.
A terrific toy in the form of a horse-drawn Hood milk delivery wagon with a driver and a milk crate with separate milk bottles fetched $1,760.
A beautiful onyx cameo carved with a pleasing image of Queen Elizabeth I set in a 16K gold frame embellished with 16 diamonds sold for $5,225.
A 1958 McCormick Farmall Club tractor in fine working condition found a buyer at $2,860. That particular model was the only Farmall built with an L-head engine.
A group of firearms including an 1863 Sharps .52 caliber carbine new model that was popular on both sides of the Civil War sold for $2,420. An early flintlock musket drew $2,420 and a lot of two World War II Colt 45 commemorative pistols brought $1,925. A Spencer Civil War era repeating carbine drew $1,430.
All prices quoted reflect the ten percent buyer’s premium. For information, www.fosterauctions.com or 207-563-8110.
