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THBMarcks Early 20th C. Folk Art Circus Wagons and Big Top Set
About Seller
4310 Papermill Dr. NW
Knoxville, TN 37909
United States
Case Auctions is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where our gallery is located, with satellite offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Kingsport, TN – but our reach is worldwide. Established in 2005, we conduct cataloged auctions of investment-quality art and antiques under the stewardship of knowledgeabl...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJan 25, 2025
Live Auction at our Knoxville Gallery featuring 1,200+ lots from fine Southern estates and private and museum collections. Sale begins Sat. Jan. 25 at 9 AM with lots #1-783 and continues Sun. Jan. 26 at 1 PM with lots #784-1261 (separate catalog). Estates represented include Gertrude S. Caldwell, Nashville; John Z. C. Thomas, Knoxville; Dr. Larry Wolfe, Nashville; Norman Luboff; plus the collection of Jon E. Jones, Cookeville, and deaccessioned art from the Hunter Museum, Vanderbilt University Museum, the Memphis-Brooks Museum, and more. Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
View Full Catalog (783)
- Lot Description
1920's wooden handmade circus display set, constructed by model circus builder Isaac Marcks. The set is approximately on a scale of 1/2-inch to 1 foot, with 23 individual wagons/vehicles and over 400 pieces to build a circus "big top" scene with bleacher assemblies, stools, boxes, poles, canvas coverings, etc. All wagons are fully painted, inside and out, save for one which opens to reveal its salvaged cheese crate construction. Details include hand-painted Side Show signs, with1920's-30's circus personalities Milo Vagge, Wilbur Harris, and the P.G. Lowery Minstrels among others. Note: Rarely displayed, this set was thought to be lost after its disappearance from a hobby show in 1961, as referenced in a 1988 letter from (son) Donald Marcks to the consignor. A copy of this letter, along with copies of various newspaper articles regarding the Marcks family will be available to the winning bidder.
History: Isaac Salisbury Marcks (1884-1951), an electrical assembly worker by trade, was a circus enthusiast and model builder, constructing this set in the late 1920's for his sons to play with. After a visit to the Sells-Floto Circus on June 30, 1930, however, Isaac and his sons began carving another miniature set, representing in minute detail that one day at the circus. After Isaac's death in 1951, his son Donald (1923-2003) continued the tradition of carving pieces and displaying his circus at hobby shows and circus events throughout California. Eventually his extensive circus layout found its way to a permanent display at Playland (Not-at-the-Beach) in El Cerrito, CA, and were sold at auction in 2018 upon their closure. Don was also the Founder and Editor of Circus Report, a weekly magazine which he published for over thirty years as a celebration of all the show people in all the circuses around the world.
Condition
Set is in "played-with", used condition, with most vehicles in need of small repairs such as reattaching wheels or doors and straightening metal pieces. Not assembled, possibly incomplete.
- Provenance
The Collection of John Bullard, Brentwood, TN.
- Shipping Info
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The UPS Store of Bearden 865-584-0081 (press 5), fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com Click to get a quote
The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com
John & Max Express LLC NOTE: large items & white glove delivery services only (driving range limitations may apply) Contact – Dina 865-230-1568 johnmaxexpress@gmail.com
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- Payment & Auction Policies
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Available payment options
Payment must be received no later than five (5) days after the sale.
If paying with a credit card, a 3% credit card processing fee will be applied to the final sales price (i.e. hammer price + buyer's premium + applicable taxes). If you have a credit card on file with Case, any winning bids will be automatically charged (up to $3000) along with applicable fees 72 hours after you receive your invoice unless other arrangements have been made.
If paying with wire transfer, please use the following information:
Bank: Pinnacle Bank
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone # (865) 766-3000
Swift Code: PNFPUS44
Routing, Transit, ABA: 064008637
Beneficiary: Case Antiques, Inc.
4310 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Account #: NOT DISCLOSED (please refer to your invoice email for the Deposit Account Number or contact us )
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