Blanchard’s Auction Service – April Online Auction
Sunday, April 3rd at 11am
1891 Morley-Potsdam Rd, Potsdam, NY
www.blanchardsauctionservice.com
(315) 265-5070 or (315) 265-7653
Preview in Person on Thursday, March 31st (3pm-6pm) at Blanchard’s Auction Hall

POTSDAM, N.Y. — Nearly 80 lots of Western Americana, including limited editions with autograph letters inserted for one of the Arthur H. Clark Company’s preferred customers (who collected Western Americana starting in the 1920s), and the same collector’s Derrydale Press shooting and fly-fishing books will kick off Blanchard’s April 3 auction. These will be followed by collections of English country house food molds, early color-printed biscuit and candy tins and novelty boxes, antique cooking implements and antique miniature food and furniture formed during six decades of research by heritage cookbook author Marilynn Brass. Many of the Brass collection items are the very examples illustrated in the Miller’s Kitchenware Buyer’s Guides to which she contributed.
According to auctioneer Kip Blanchard, “These Western books range from first editions of Josiah Gregg and Alexander Ross to California histories finely printed by Thomas Russell, the Grabhorn Press and others. The library’s greatest strength is its Southwestern Americana,” said Blanchard, “but both the California and Colorado gold rushes are represented. And it’s strong on fur trappers and Western US Army life.” Especially scarce in commerce these days is this collection’s copy of Uncle Dick Wooton (1890; Howes C-659) and Joel Palmer’s Travel Journal (1847/8; Howes P-47).

Along with books on the American West, this collector also owned Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat illustrated by Rene Bull (1913), Dickens’s Christmas Carol illustrated by Arthur Rackham (1915), Derrydale Press shooting and fly-fishing books, 1920s travel guides to China and Africa, books on the Adirondacks and World War I aviation, and several odd books out, like the first edition of Capt. William Bligh’s Voyage to the South Sea (1792).

Western Americana never especially interested culinary historian Marilynn Brass, though its regional cookbooks did. Last year she decided to part with the books and artifacts that she shared with her sister, fellow author and sometime PBS show co-host Sheila Brass. Hence, Blanchard’s April pairing.According to Marilynn Brass, Leslie McRoberts, Michigan State University’s head of Murray & Hong special collections, “went after our research library, based on a 300-page catalog a friend compiled for us. And they got it. I could not have been more pleased.” “But,” said Brass, “MSU’s Library does not collect artifacts. Well, I had followed Blanchard’s for several years, since they sold that Declaration [John Holt’s first New York printing of the Declaration of Independence], so my decision to consign to them was easy.”

For Marilynn Brass, pride of place among her collections goes to her Victorian and Edwardian country house copper food molds. “They’re in very good condition,” she said, “wholly unrestored. The copper molds required lots of polishing, and they got it from their original owners’ scullery staffs. The porcelain molds come next, more for the middle class, they didn’t require polishing or re-tinning, so they could be kept perfect at less expense by even the smallest kitchen staff. Glass ones are rare, but I found one in England long ago. I still wonder if they ever really caught on.

“Most of the colorful litho-printed tins I bought in England and Holland, though some we got traveling in France,” Brass continued. “I wish MSU had taken all the book-form candy and biscuit tins, but que sera sera. Now others will have a chance.” Far scarcer than tins are Brass’ novelty paper candy boxes made in the forms of ostrich eggs, soldier’s hat and (her favorite) George Washington sitting on a cherry stump (the stump is the box). “That box anchors my little patriotic pile.” Brass added, “Assembling my German miniature plated food was a real labor of love. It took years and years. But now it’s for others to treasure and enjoy.”

For additional information, www.blanchardsauctionservice.com or 315-265-5070.

This auction will feature the fabulous collection of copper cookware and kitchen collectibles from Marilyn Brass, one of the Brass sisters from PBS Television. Also selling a library of Western, Native American, Exploration and Sporting Books from a prominent family in the Adirondacks as well as fine selection of oil paintings and artwork by many listed artists. Other categories of interest to include: musical instruments, vintage German doll house furniture & china, early door stops and advertising tins
Bidding available through www.liveauctioneers.com
Over 100 Pieces of Antique Copper Cookware & Food Molds
Hundreds of Pieces of Antique Doll Furniture & Accessories
Huge Collection of Antique French Copper Food Molds
Miniature Porcelain Food on Plates from the Brass Sisters Collection, Cambridge, MA
Several Dozen Vintage Advertising Tins
Jacob (Sir) Epstein (1880 – 1959) Bronze Sculpture
Charles Woodbury (1864 – 1940) Oil Painting
Silvio Poma (1840-1932) Italian Landscape Oil Painting
1 of 10 Forest, Fish & Game Commission Books. All in very fine condition
Collection of Books – Many Inscribed William A. Rockefeller
Rare Captain Bligh’s Voyage to The South Sea, London 1792. Complete with all plates and maps.
Terms: Online & Absentee Bidding Available. 20% Buyer’s Premium. All items are sold as is.
Kip Blanchard, Auctioneer