Cock of the Walk: Rare Carousel Rooster to Cross the Auction Block
Chadds Ford, PA- The Dentzel rooster is considered to be one of the rarest carousel figures. Written documentation indicates that between four and six are known to exist. Carved by the Dentzel Company in Philadelphia C 1895, they are thought to be the oldest of the Dentzel collection.
William Bunch Auctions will be offering an original Dentzel rooster in their April 25 & 26th April Two Day Catalog Auction. The Rooster will be featured in day two on April 26th beginning at 11 AM. “This is a great opportunity to own one of the rarest pieces of carousel history”, Lee Brouwer, Marketing Director at William Bunch Auctions and Appraisals said. “These figures don’t come to market but maybe once in a lifetime”.
This particular rooster hails originally from the fire company in Orange, Virginia. It was purchased in 1977 by Leon Perelman, who offered it to the city of Philadelphia. When the city refused, the original carousel was broken up, and Mr. Perelman kept only the rooster and one other figure until his death.
This is the first time in nearly 25 years that a Dentzel rooster has come to auction. The first Dentzel rooster was sold at Sotheby’s in 1989 and set a world record for the time at $148,000. The second, sold in 1991, realized $145,000.
William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals April catalog auction will span two days. Day one will focus on fine art and feature selections from the collection of Anna Brelsford McCoy as well as 75 lots from the Estate of Helena Beacham and items from the collection of Irving and Anita Schorsch at Glen Farms.
Day two will feature over 600 lots of American, European, Asian antiques and decorative arts including highlights from the Irvin & Anita Schorsch Collection, a 1953 New York Yankees signed spring training ball, early ship logs, 18th and 19thc American/European furniture, Kagawa Katsuhiro Japanese silver vase, Chinese gilt bronze and cloisonné elephant and stand, a pair of Chinese carved jade Mughal stylized floral plates, oriental rugs and more. The auction will be held live at their gallery located at 1 Hillman Drive, Chadds Ford, PA with online bidding available through Live Auctioneers and Invaluable. Preview of the auction will be April 22nd from 9 AM-5 PM, April 24th from 12-4 PM and April 25 starting at 9 AM. An illustrated catalog can be viewed online at www.WilliamBunchAuctions.com .
