It was too early to confirm the record prices paid at auction as Antiques and The Arts Weekly went to press with this initial review of the blockbuster New Hampshire Weekend Auction presented by Ron Bourgeault’s Northeast Auctions, although, clearly there were many.
The highly diversified sale, this past weekend, February 23–25, offered nearly 2,000 lots and grossed an impressive $6.1 million. According to Bourgeault, it was the fresh material consigned directly from the descendants of historical figures, the offering of numerous prestigious collections and institutional deaccessions that electrified the large crowd in attendance.
Somewhat out of character for a Northeast sale, it was the stellar assortment of smalls that consistently attracted the major attention and garnered the top prices throughout the sale. The top lot of the auction came from the selection of jewelry that was offered early on Sunday morning as a diamond and platinum necklace by Caldwell and Company, containing more than 75 carats of diamonds, sold for $253,500.
Other top lots included a 1769 map by William Prince titled “A New Plan of Ye Great Town of Boston in New England in America” that sold on Saturday for $230,500. A signed Abraham Lincoln document to General John Dix dated July, 17, 1863 brought $116,000, and a pewter flagon from the Charles Swain collection attributed to New York pewterer John Will was hammered down at $138,000. With furniture prices pale in comparison, two lots led the list with a triangular base tavern table and a William and Mary highboy each bringing $44,080. A complete review of the auction will appear in a future issue.—DSS
