The Mount Lebanon Shaker workstand sold for $491,400, won by Woodbury, Conn., dealer David A. Schorsch. Also shown is a chrome yellow oval carrier that realized $105,300. The maple and pine piece had an elegant carved handle, three fingers with meticulously placed copper points and was in beautiful condition.

It took no time at all for a world record to be set at the July 30 Willis Henry Shaker sale. Early in the sale, a Mount Lebanon Shaker workstand sold for a whopping $491,400. Bidding opened at $50,000 and danced around between the phone and the room. The successful and most tenacious bidder was Woodbury, Conn., dealer David A. Schorsch, who outlasted all comers while speaking into a cell phone throughout the proceedings.

The workstand, which is open between the top of the work surface and the upper section, is attributed to Orren Haskins of the Mount Lebanon community and is a gem. As Christian Goodwillie, curator of collections at Hancock Shaker Village put it, “That’s the Rolls Royce!” The workstand came from the Ed Clerk collection and as Will Henry offered the piece, he noted that it was “Ed’s pride and joy.”

Even though it was well accepted that a superb chrome yellow oval carrier was exceptional, a stillness swept the saleroom when Bob Wilkins took it for $105,300 after a flurry of bidding. The maple and pine piece had an elegant carved handle, three fingers with meticulously placed copper points and was in beautiful condition.

When a butternut and poplar cupboard over six drawers brought $93,100, it became clear that Will Henry had a million dollar sale on his hands. The cupboard was signed “J. Munson” of Mount Lebanon and had descended in the family of the original purchaser.

A full report of this sale will appear in a future issue.

-Frances McQueeney-Jones Mascolo