Bray & Co Auctions – Americana from New England Collections
Saturday, September 21st, 10am
PREVIEW September 19-20 10am-4pm or by appointment
BID IN PERSON OR ONLINE www.brayco.com
info@brayco.com (603)427-8281
55 Green Street; Portsmouth, NH

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — On September 21, Bray & Co. Auctions will offer a broad selection of American folk art, furniture, fine art, advertising, history and technology and more gathered from New England estates and private collections. Bidding for this event is live online and in person in the firm’s downtown gallery.

Leading the way is a small group of art pottery, sculpture and other fine art, including a newly discovered painting of a Kittery, Maine, home by Russell Cheney (1881-1945). One of the seacoast’s most celebrated artists, Cheney’s work is currently the focus of an exhibition at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.

Early scientific instruments and related material collected over several decades will also cross the auction block. Among the many highlights is a rare mahogany and glass vacuum pump crafted in the 1860s by Boston Instrument makers E. Ritchie & Sons. Also included is an elaborate model steam engine and copper burner made by Benjamin Shaw (1832-1890) in 1874. Shaw is best known for inventing the seamless stocking and for building Ossipee Mountain Park in New Hampshire.

Neon signs, colorful carved figures and other folk art and advertising round out the sale. Of special note is a large carved and painted figure of a kewpie that sat on the back of Hendlers ice cream truck in Baltimore in the 1920s. It is one of only a few known to exist.

Additional highlights include historically significant photographs and paper ephemera. A rare 1860s CDV by Philadelphia photographer Charles Crane features a large electrostatic machine used by Benjamin Franklin during his experiments with electricity in the 1740s and 50s. The original machine is now in the collection of the Franklin Institute.

Preview is September 18-20, from 9 am to 2 pm. Auction begins at 10 am Eastern time.

Bray & Co. Auctions is at 55 Green Street. For information, 603-427-8281 or www.brayco.com.