This Tiffany & Co. silver-plate hot water urn from the Nineteenth Century was the top lot in the sale. It surprised by surpassing its $200/300 estimate to sell for $2,400. The hot beverage dispenser with an 1854-1869 mark was ornate; it had scrolled side handles, a surface with intricate floral and foliate repousse decoration, Greek key and beaded trim and a dolphin head spigot.

THOMASTON, MAINE — There were a few surprises at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ Trendsetter sale on May 24, a one-day teaser sale of 295 lots conducted under the firm’s Thomaston Light umbrella. One of them was a Tiffany & Co silverplate hot water urn from the Nineteenth Century that was estimated $200/300. The hot beverage dispenser with an 1854-69 mark was ornate; it had scrolled side handles, a surface with intricate floral and foliate repousse decoration, Greek key and beaded trim and a dolphin head spigot. The cartouche had a dent but was engraved “RHB from JSB,” and 18½-inch-high urn sold for $2,400.

A lot of 10 loose farming scenes, all Associated American artists prints of lithographs,sold for $2,250 against a $200/300 estimate.

A lot of 10 loose farming scenes, all Associated American artists prints of lithographs, sold for $2,250 against a $200/300 estimate. Artists represented included Thomas Hart Benton (1889-1975); Dale Nichols (1904-1995); two by Samuel Thal (1903-1964); two by Edmond Mario Granville (1905-1969); John Steuart Curry (1897-1946); two by Georges Schreiber (1904-1977) and Luigi Lucioni (1900-1988).

Crossing the block with a leather case in which they were discovered, a lot of letters dating from the 1840s to the 1870s, mostly from the family of Isaac W. Dyer, printer and lawyer of Portland, Maine, and the Mattocks family of Danville Vt., was estimated $300/400 and finished at $1,125.

Letters dating from the 1840s to the 1870s, mostly from the family of Isaac W. Dyer, printer and lawyer of Portland, Maine, and the Mattocks family of Danville, Vt., comprised a lot of Nineteenth Century letters contained in a leather case. Generally woman to woman, the contents concerned family events, but with some business letters and gossip from the men, too. The letters from the war era referred obliquely to events but mostly dispensed local news. Several of the women attended academies and worked as teachers. The lot included the leather case in which they were found. Estimated $300/400, the lot finished at $1,125.

Fetching $1,125 was a floral still life oil on canvas by Massachusetts artist Andrew Shunney, depicting a vase of autumn flowers rendered in knifed impasto

Fetching the same amount was a floral still life oil on canvas by Massachusetts artist Andrew Shunney (1916-1978). Depicted was a vase of autumn flowers rendered in knifed impasto, signed lower right, in a gilt ridged slat frame with linen liner. The painting measured 31½ by 25½ inches.

Looking ahead to another season, a bidder doubled the $400 high estimate for this full length silver fox coat by Saga Fox, with pink rayon lining and concealed pockets, taking it to $875.

It’s never too early to add that fur coat to one’s wardrobe. In this case, it was a full-length silver fox coat by Saga Fox, with pink rayon lining and concealed pockets. It more than doubled its $400 high estimate, leaving the gallery at $875.

Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For information, www.thomastonauction.com or 207-354-8141.