October 5, 6 & 7, 2022 – Americana & International Auction at Pook & Pook

Over three days on October 5th, 6th, and 7th, Pook & Pook will present our largest ever Americana & International sale. The outstanding quality and quantity of antiques and artwork that has come through the auction house’s doors this year continues to amaze. It was difficult to limit the sale to just over 1,400 lots. Featuring nine private collections and estates from the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions, with further consignments of European, and Asian antiques, fine art, and accessories, and a large variety of silver, there is literally something for everyone. 

Lot 17, Francis Portzline fraktur birth certificate, Union County ink and watercolor fraktur birth certificate for Benjamin Limbert, b. 1843. Estimate $4,000-$6,000

Session One begins with the Collection of Max and Polly DeHart, a family home collection of rural Pennsylvania antique furniture and utilitarian items, from their farm in Milton. The DeHarts’ interest was in collecting and preserving the work of local artisans. Guided by their friend Bill Koch, they discovered many fine Central Pennsylvania works. Among the treasures are three lovely Pennsylvania Dutch cupboards: a Northumberland County painted poplar two-part cupboard, 19th c., retaining its original red surface, originally found in the Rissers Mill Homestead; a walnut two-part cupboard, ca. 1810, with chamfered corners, the base with shell carved doors and French feet, provenance: William Koch; and a painted poplar two-part cupboard, 19th c., retaining its original red wash surface, provenance William Koch. Also of note are a watercolor scherenschnitte dated 1759, signed Hanz George Petry, the border with figures and a steer; a Jacob Maentel (1763-1863) pair of watercolor and gouache bust length portraits of a husband and wife; a William Otto (Pennsylvania, 19th c.) Mahantongo Township, Schuylkill County ink and watercolor fraktur birth certificate for Lidia Otto, b. 1843, provenance: Hattie Brunner 1961; and three Francis Portzline (Pennsylvania 1771-1857) Union County ink and watercolor fraktur birth certificates, Benjamin Limbert, b. 1843, and Elizabeth Schneider, b. 1825.

Several other of the many fine fraktur lots include: a Pennsylvania pen and ink fraktur for Abraham Grase, born 1802, with bold spread wing eagle, potted flowers, and angel heads, with provenance from the John Gordon Collection of Folk Americana, Christies, January 18, 1999; a Central Pennsylvania ink and watercolor fraktur for Johannes Schuct, born 1828, Centre County, with profusely decorated bird trees emanating from hearts, provenance: David Wheatcroft. 

The Estate of Elaine B. Buck of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Many will know and remember Elaine of Elaine Buck’s Antiques. A long-time dealer and presence at the Pennsylvania Antiques Show, her specialty was Pennsylvania paint-decorated furniture and decorative arts. Of the two hundred lots offered, massive New England burl bowls and carved and painted bird trees perch atop a myriad of colorful painted furniture, which includes a large pine bench table, 19th c., retaining an old blue/green surface; a Pennsylvania painted pine two-part corner cupboard, late 18th c., retaining an old scrubbed blue surface; and a Pennsylvania painted two-part Dutch cupboard, mid. 19th c., which retains its original sgraffito grained surface, a full bodied copper cow weathervane, 19th c., with cast zinc head, retaining an old verdigris surface with traces of gilt.

For the voyagers at heart, we present a collection of boats by Frank G. Griffin of Saginaw, Michigan (1863-1936). Griffin was a tinsmith and sheet metal worker. In 1924 he was the first prize winner in a nationwide contest conducted by Popular Science to discover the most unique personal hobby. Griffin created ship models after lengthy research, working from blueprints with no dimensions. From an elaborate painted tin Spanish Galleon with cannons and working portholes, standing 33 ½” h., to a Viking ship, a three mast schooner, a USS Constitution frigate, to a sidewheeler paddle steamer boat model measuring 43” long, Griffin’s love of ships is evident in every minute detail.

Ending Session One are several collections of Historical Blue Staffordshire, eighty-five lots in all. A Private Pennsylvania Collection of Historical Blue Staffordshire occupies fifty-seven lots, with both a Lafayette at Franklin’s Tomb tea and coffee service and a MacDonnough’s Victory tea and coffee service, as well as America and Independence plates, platters, and pitchers, and a wide variety of local and New England subjects to include Pennsylvania Hospital, Upper Ferry Bridge over the River Schuylkill, New York From Heights Near Brooklyn, Castle Garden Battery New York, the Landing of Lafayette, Peace and Plenty, Capitol Washington, Mount Vernon Near Washington, and Christianburg Danish Settlement on the Gold Coast Africa.

Lot 584, Chester County, Pennsylvania Queen Anne walnut spice chest on frame, ca. 1740. Estimate $12,000-$18,000.

Session Two begins with fine art. Artworks include Charles Henry Demuth (1883-1935), a Lancaster, Pennsylvania painter whose academic credentials include Drexel University, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Academie Colarossi, and Academie Julian. According to the Demuth Museum, Demuth began spending his summers in the New Hope artist enclave during his PAFA years 1908-1911., sketching and painting the environs. This watercolor view of Lambertville, New Jersey bears a Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Water Club, 10th Annual Philadelphia Water Color Exhibition 1912 label verso. Other notable art lots include a profile portrait by Jacob Eichholtz, a watercolor profile portrait by Jacob Maentel, a William Louis Sonntag, Sr. oil on canvas landscape with gentlemen fishing on the banks of an idyllic tree lined river; two oil on canvas landscapes by Hermann Ottomar Herzog; a Thomas Birch coastal scene with rowboats and sailboats; a Francis Silva Old Connecticut Port; a David Brumbach watercolor of the Star Barn, a Gothic Revival Lancaster landmark; and fine early oil on canvas renditions of Gilbert Stuart’s iconic Lansdowne portrait of George Washington, and Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware. Two French entries are highlights: a Theodore Rousseau (1812-1867) Barbizon School landscape is from a Melrose Park, Pennsylvania collection; and the French Academic, Julien Dupre (1851-1910) oil on canvas of a peasant woman with cows is from a Main Line, Pennsylvania estate. From a Carlisle, Pennsylvania collection comes a very special Corinne Mitchell (American 1914-1993) abstract oil on burlap landscape West Virginia, signed and dated ’75. Corinne Mitchell has the honor of being the first African American to have a solo exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Also from the Carlisle collection comes a Hattie Klapp Brunner (1890-1921) cabin scene. The marquee artwork in the sale is an oil on canvas by Indonesian artist Affandi, who is one of Southeast Asia’s most important 20th century painters. Balinese Cock Fighter is a visceral portrait. Dated 1966, it is painted with thick impasto, using paint tubes and his hands. Affandi felt that direct contact with the canvas made it possible to imbue the painted subject with human spirit, and to quickly capture the emotion in the moment.

The Michael and Susan Hudson Collection is a beautiful assortment of mostly 18th century furniture and decorative items from their historic 1739 home, the Philip Rogers House, in Warwick Township, Pennsylvania. Over twenty-four years the Hudsons collected period items to decorate their home. Susan was particularly well-placed to collect, as a Committee Chair for the Chester County Historical Antiques Show, and a Guide at the Winterthur Museum, she became acquainted with the prominent antiques dealers of the region and obtained many special pieces. One highlight is an exquisite Chester County Queen Anne walnut spice chest on frame, ca. 1740, with two tombstone panel doors enclosing a fifteen-drawer interior, resting on a three-drawer base, supported by graceful cabriole legs terminating in Spanish feet, standing 37” h., with a 20th century Mabel Brady Garvan provenance. A Massachusetts Queen Anne mahogany wing chair, ca. 1765 has an elegant arched back and outward scrolling arms, over cabriole legs ending in pad feet joined by stretchers. A 1770 Chester County Queen Anne tiger maple tea table has a Joe Kindig and Donald Shelley provenance. A Chester County, Pennsylvania silk on linen needlework sampler inscribed Alice B. Cheyney’s work – 1817, Mary H. Walter teacher, with potted flowers and trees, all within a trailing vine border is one of a group of exceptional Chester County works created between 1800 and 1830 as discussed by Betty Ring, Sue Swan, and Margaret Schiffer.

Other important needlework includes a scarce Marietta, Pennsylvania silk on linen memorial needlework, dated 1827, inscribed Eliz Groshs work made in Marietta in Mrs. Buchanans School in the year of our Lord 1827, with women flanking a memorial under a willow tree, all under a wide floral arch.

The top weathervane lot will be a swell bodied copper running stag ca. 1880, retaining an excellent old verdigris and gilt surface. A swell bodied copper horse and rider weathervane, late 19th cl, and a full-bodied copper peacock are also not to be missed. A carved and painted Cigar store Indian maiden, late 19th c., is attributed to the workshop of Samuel Robb, New York.

Important redware includes a Pennsylvania redware charger, 19th c., with yellow slip bird on branch decoration and George Horace Lorimer Collection provenance; and a Pennsylvania Snow Hill Nunnery redware bowl, 19th c., with yellow and green slip decoration, two examples among many more.

The Collection of Dr. Robert P Shack, of Short Hills, New Jersey is a selection of highly desirable American art and antiques, including a Massachusetts Chippendale mahogany tall case clock, late 18th c., the eight day works signed Benjan. Willard Roxbury; a Philadelphia Queen Anne walnut tall case clock, ca. 1760, the eight day works with brass face, signed John Wood Philadelphia; a Johann Berthelsen (1883-1972) New York City winter landscape, Metropolitan Opera House Looking Towards Times Square, 1965; attributed to Robert Feke (1707-1751) oil on canvas portrait of Captain William Stoddard, with exhibition labels verso; a Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany dining chair, ca. 1770, with a cabochon crest, shell carved apron and knees, and ball in claw feet, with Bernard & S. Dean Levy provenance; and a New England Queen Anne burl veneer high chest, ca. 1755, with herringbone drawer surrounds.

Like opening the big 120-count box of Crayola crayons, the sales room is a blaze of color with stacks upon stacks of 19th c. firkins and bentwood pantry boxes in every shade of the rainbow, with original surfaces ranging from mellow to brilliant.

From the Estate of Peter Tillou comes a Berks County, Pennsylvania swivel barrel long rifle, approximately .50 caliber, attributed to Adam Angstadt (1740-1812), with a boldly figured maple stock with engraved four piece, openwork patch box, and silver inlays, 36 ¾” barrels, estimate $8/12,000. Another highlight is the 1999 Bentley Azure convertible, in British racing green with buttery pale tan leather interior and only 23,200 miles on the odometer. According to Motor Sport Magazine, Bentley leather “is sourced from Southern Germany and only from bulls.” The figured wood veneers are perfectly matched. There is a convenient umbrella in the trunk. These are but a few of the infinite number of luxury details that make this car, when new, command an eye-popping $399,000.

Other clocks and include a New Jersey Chippendale walnut tall case clock, late 18th c, the eight day works with painted face, signed Morgan Hollinshead Moores Town No. 66.

Other furniture includes, from a New York Collection: an Alfred/Sabbath day Lake, Shaker maple and walnut sisters’ sewing desk, early 20th c.; a Mt. Lebanon, New York Shaker pine bupboard and case of drawers, and a Mt. Lebanon Shaker cherry and pine tailoring counter, attributed to Amos Stweart (1802-1884), initialed AS and dated 1873, illustrated in Rieman & Burks, The Complete Book of Shaker Furniture. From a New Hampshire collection is a Connecticut Queen Anne cherry high chest, ca. 1765, with fan carved tympanum and bonnet drawer. From a prominent Philadelphia collector is a Pennsylvania Chippendale walnut tea table, ca. 1770, with suppressed ball standard and ball and claw feet. Not to miss is a Soap Hollow, Somerset County, Pennsylvania painted pine chest of drawers, dated 1870, attributed to John Sala, retaining its original stenciled decoration on a red ground. 

Pennsylvania dower chests are also a highlight, with a Berks County painted poplar downer chest dated 1786, inscribed Christinna Linnen and retaining its original decoration with potted tulips and pinwheel flowers and heart corners; a Dauphin County painted pine dower chest signed John Seltzer 1807, retaining its original potted tulip panels and wavy salmon surround; a Mahantongo Valley painted pine dower chest dated 1813, inscribed Christina Rebbuck, together with a printed and hand colored fraktur birth certificate for Christina, illustrated and discussed in Reed, Decorated Furniture of the Mahantongo Valley; and a Berks County painted pine blanket chest, attributed to Jacob Blatt (1801-1878), retaining its original vibrant salmon decoration, illustrated in Fales, Amerian Painted Furniture.

Lot 904, Thomas Commeraw, Manhattan, New York stoneware jug, ca. 1805. Estimate $1,000-$2,000

Session Three begins with a fine forty-piece collection of New York and other stoneware that comes to us from Michigan. Among the Clarkson Crolius, John Remmey III, Paul Cushman, Seymour, Warne & Letts and Boston Jonathan Fenton and Frederick Carpenter examples are four very special works by Thomas Commeraw, America’s first Black pottery owner. Living and working in the Lower East Side of Manhattan from the 1790’s to 1820, Commeraw’s Stoneware was a thriving business, producing an estimated thousand pots annually. Another highlight is a stoneware jug, ca. 1830 decorated with an incised eagle clutching a fish in one talon and a small bird below the other talon, with a star above, and a preening bird on the side.

Other important stoneware lots include a New York crock, ca. 1800 attributed to John Remmey III, Manhattan-Wells, with incised decoration of a Hudson River sloop, the opposing side with bold incised tulip; an important Morgantown, West Virginia two-gallon stoneware jar, ca. 1860, with dark cobalt decoration of a camel and a cow under a tree with a milkmaid figure, rouletted band on shoulder, having an unusual impressed stamp of opposing figures at a table, stamped Morgantown Pottery below capacity mark. For a detailed discussion of stoneware produced at the Thompson Pottery see Hunter (ed.) Ceramics in America 2011, pp. 111-137. Also highlighted is a stoneware harvest jug, probably Pennsylvania, with cobalt date 1869 and scrolling initials WC, the handle, spouts, and top with profuse cobalt floral decoration. The top lot of stoneware will be an outstanding Chester County, Pennsylvania two-gallon stoneware watercooler, 19th c., with a bold cobalt spread wing eagle clutching an olive branch, with a banner inscribed J.P.M. Grier’s Stoneware Pottery M. Jordan – All Kinds of Stoneware Constantly on hand, and a single flower with swag verso. This is a scarce form by this potter and probably his finest work extant. The Mount Jordan Pottery was operated by the Grier family from 1828 until 1910, provenance: purchased at an onsite auction for the Estate of Ralph J. Grier II in Oxford, PA, August 1994. Estimate $10/15,000.

Important silver lots include both Georg Jensen six-piece and four-piece sterling silver tea and coffee services; an American silver teapot made by Joseph Shoemaker (Philadelphia, 1793-1829); the top silver lot is a pair of Paul Revere Jr. coin silver tablespoons, Boston, Massachusetts, ca. 1789, monogrammed JHB, estimate $20/25,000. The silver ends with several examples from across the pond, leading the way to the final segment of the sale, the European and Asian material.

For further inquiries, or if you have an item you would like to consign, please visit us at www.pookandpook.com or email info@pookandpook.com. The gallery exhibition for this auction will start on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at 9AM. Rounding out the month of October will be three additional sales, Coins & Jewelry on the 26th, The Barry & Nancy Yodis Country Primitives sale on the 27th, and an Online Only Decorative Arts auction on the 28th. November brings another Native American Indian & Ethnographic auction. The year will end with several pre-holiday auctions, including Antique Toys on December 1st! If you are interested in consigning to an upcoming auction, please email info@pookandpook.com or call (610) 269-4040 to speak with an appraiser.