Review by Z.G. Burnett, Photos Courtesy New Haven Auctions
Found at a New Jersey estate and most likely from the Philadelphia area, this “Good Intent Engine” fire parade hat tipped its $400/800 estimate to achieve $8,060.
BRANFORD, CONN. – New Haven Auctions by Fred Giampietro, hitherto known as New England Auctions, conducted its online-only Americana, Antiques & Fine Art Discovery Auction on September 13. The 446 lots were sourced from estates in the area, including European and American antiques, fine and decorative arts, Asian art, Judaica, Oriental carpets, silver and jewelry. Buyers joined by phone, online, in-person and absentee bidding in this lively sale. All but four lots sold, and the auction’s total amounted to about $270,000.
Musical instruments were a strong category, including a Steinway grand piano that topped the sale at $12,400 ($3/6,000). The piano was in very good condition and had been recently serviced, as well as reconditioned in 2003 by its previous owner. Steinways like this have been selling high of late, especially in estate auctions. According to Giampietro, they are the “premier piano for professionals and accomplished musicians.” He continued, “We generally do pretty well with pianos, but Steinways are the gold standard.” A Gibson guitar in excellent condition (Serial 9133 22) bid to $5,040. Another grand piano by Weber also sold in the top lots, however, this was a player piano with inlaid wood that had been rebuilt in 1993. It rolled up at $2,852.
This charming pair of folk art penguins sauntered away with $5,040 against their $150/300 estimate.
Folk art also made a good show with two whimsical lots. A Nineteenth Century American fire parade hat painted black with yellow letters reading “Good Intent Engine” sold for $8,060. The hat was in very good condition with some old paint and restoration, and a monogram on its top surface. “It came from a New Jersey estate sale, but is probably from the Philadelphia region,” said Giampietro. “There was a lot of bidding activity [for the hat] on all the phones and online.” Waddling behind in price was a pair of folk art penguins of unknown origin. “They just walked in one day,” laughed Giampietro. Their “curb appeal” earned the penguins $5,040 from an online bidder.
Two antique, room-sized Oriental carpets also ranked high in the sale. The first came in third place behind the “Good Intent Engine” hat at 186 by 120 inches at $5,890, and in fourth place was another that measured 140 by 118 inches for $5,040. Both were in “excellent” to “very good” condition with minor wear and imperfections. Another large carpet (142 by 98 inches) in similar condition achieved $2,852 ($1/2,000), as well as a monumental runner, 166 by 78 inches, that went to an internet buyer for $2,016 ($500-$1,000).
This Steinway grand piano scaled up to $12,400, playing against its $3/6,000 estimate.
Painted country furniture with fine form was popular; the highest selling was a “beautiful oyster white” painted chest with an unusual, curved apron resembling a demilune terminating in ogee feet. “I personally love that chest,” Giampietro commented. “It had all the elements: proportion, beautiful condition, you just wanted it.” The chest went home for $3,472. Other notable pieces were a red-painted Queen Anne drop leaf table that sold for $1,860, and a two-part inn-keeper’s desk in yellow paint for $1,240.
Fine art was also represented in the sale, much of it coming from collection consigned by a family in the Shenandoah Valley. Foremost among these was an early English portrait of a young man, dressed in the characteristically adult fashion of the era with a church steeple in the background of the likeness’s woodland setting. The stretcher was inscribed “Alexander Small 1842,” but nothing else is known about the painting. Nonetheless, it sold for $3,024 to an online bidder. Following in this category was a 1933 portrait of two Airedale Terriers by British artist William Lucas, known for his paintings of dogs and horses, which sold for $2,604.
Prices quoted with buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. New England Auctions’ next sales will take place on October 22 with Part Two of the Stephen Center Collection, and on October 23 with an Estate Sale Auction. For information, www.newhavenauctions.com or 475-234-5120.
