Press Release: Bunch Auctions Summer Sale Highlights
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[07/06/2015]
Bunch Auctions presented over 700 lots at its annual summer catalog sale on June 28th, 2016 at their showroom in Chadds Ford, PA. The buyers appeared undeterred by the early summer heat; the sale was well attended and proved to be strong across all categories.
Furniture was one of the largest portions of the day and included a truly diverse array of home decor. A new generation of younger, retail buyers helped prices for contemporary designers, including Ethan Allen, Maitland Smith and Galimberti Lino, to exceed estimates and reveal the changing tastes in the auction market. One such piece was a gold tone Chesterfield sofa that brought $1,500 {est. $200/400} and a modern Steinway grand piano that sold for $9,000. More traditional tastes were highlighted by a painted Dutch cupboard ($2,700) and two ornately carved Chinese chairs that sold for $1,000 and $2,200, respectively, to a collector based in Hong Kong. Later in the day, there appeared to be a small revival in the prices of clocks to the bemusement of auctioneer Bill Bunch, a renowned clock enthusiast. The sale presented 40 models, including a variety of tall case clocks. Early 18th Century Pennsylvania designs brought as much as $4,500.
The fine art category largely showcased a family of artists spanning several generations. The earlier portion featured works from 19th century German émigrés Walter and Ferdinand Moras. The latter owned a renowned lithography house in Philadelphia and this collection offered diverse pieces ranging from paintings, printed material, and lithographic stones. A scrapbook that belonged to Ferdinand, which included several hundred trade cards from turn of the century Europe, sold to a buyer in the room for $2,300 {est. $200/400}. The focus turned to the 20th century illustrative works of Eugenie and Katherine Wireman, descendants of the Moras’ and students of Howard Pyle. Their preliminary sketches and paintings generated drew the attention of many bidders. Other illustrators were also featured in the sale, including works by Frank Earle Schoonover, John Falter, and John Wolcott Adams.
Several lots of historical importance came to the block for the June Sale, drawing collectors from across the globe. Amongst the most prized lots was a set of books by John Hawkesworth documenting the three voyages of Captain James Cook to the Pacific. In the 18th century, they were some of the most sought after publications. Eager bidding from online and phone bidders brought the final price to $11,000. The set was shortly followed by a rare, handwritten letter by American philosopher and revolutionary, Thomas Paine. The 1804 letter concerned Louisiana residents’ request for statehood and was published in The Aurora, a Philadelphia periodical. This important piece of American history brought $12,000. A photograph of Raising “Old Glory” by the Marines at Iwo Jima, contemporaneous to the historical event, accompanied by an archive of WWII and Naval history photographs sold for $900 {est. $200/300}.
The sale was punctuated throughout the day by smaller categories that drew the attention of specialized collectors. An early highlight was a pair of Art Deco diamond-set 18K white gold earrings which hammered down at $7,000. Several vehicles were sold in the afternoon, crowned by a white 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible. A later run of Native American attire brought several surprises, including a fringed leather riding outfit that hammered down at $1,000 {est.$60/120}.
After a day of even bidding, Asian decorative arts drew a crowd of eager collectors and bidding wars. A rare Qianlong-style double-gourd vase brought $2,100 which shortly preceded a pair of monumental Chinese Cloisonné censers for $4,500. A pair of crane decorated vases surprised the audience after dueling bidders brought the final price to $2,900, well above its $100/200 estimate. Rounding out the day, an unusually decorated Famille Rose palace vase sold to an enthusiastic collector in the room for $12,000 {est. $3000/5000).
Bunch Auctions invites you to a view a fully illustrated catalog with sales results on their newly released website at bunchauctions.com.
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Contact
Colleen Deemer
Telephone
610-558-1800
cdeemer@williambunchauctions.com
Website
BunchAuctions.com
