“Automobilia” comes in many forms. Often, these objects are cross collectibles (i.e. ashtrays). One of the most interesting early ashtrays is the one pictured.

The tray is from the early 1900s and made of cast metal. It has no manufacturer’s mark, but is probably French. It depicts a very early motorist driving his car at a great rate of speed (somewhere around 35 miles per hour). Embossed on the ashtray is a road sign reading “1.000km” and some geese scattering.

Much early automobilia depicts the age of speed and the dangers the speeding auto brought to the rural countryside. It is no wonder the farming community pushed for restrictive motoring laws such as the Red Flag Law in England, which required a person to walk in front of the auto carrying a red flag to warn anyone of the approaching motorcar.

The value of this ashtray is in the range of $250-$350, if you can find a good example.

Saturday, July 19: Silver Flatware
Harlowe-Powell — Gallery Auction

Harlowe-Powell presents an important auction on July 19. This sale is diverse and well represented in all areas of furniture, porcelain, silver and decorative items.

Look in particular at the collection of silver flatware, Lots 1299, 1093 and 1095. They have the English King pattern by Tiffany and the King Pattern made by S. Kirk and Son. Why buy? Summer is a great time to invest in silver as prices tend to get higher as the temperature drops, and the English King and King patterns are always in demand.

There is a portrait that caught my eye, Lot 1111, a late 18th-century, early 19th-century small portrait of a gentleman with no attribution. It has been relined and is in what appears to be its original period frame. It has no particular merit as far as provenance is concerned but does evoke a response. It is what we call a “good work” done in a painterly fashion.

Two pieces of furniture got my attention, Lot 1400 and Lot 1378. Lot 1400 is a late 18th-century, early 19th-century Southern slant-front desk made of walnut with pine as its secondary wood. The interior is well represented with drawers and a cubbyhole. It also appears to have its original hardware, which is unusual. The estimate for this piece is $1,500 to $2,500. Most likely it will exceed this estimate. I would guess, upon examining the construction, that it is probably from the North Carolina Piedmont. Why buy? This, in my opinion, may be a second-level collector’s piece, meaning it does not have all the detailing of one that is more finely executed, but is still considered important because there is a finite number available. Estimate: $1,500-$2,500.

Lot 1378, a fine example of an English Regency armchair, made of beech wood and decorated with ebony and gilt finish, would be, from a decorator’s standpoint, a fine addition to an eclectic interior design. Estimate: a “reel you in” $200-$400.

Thursday—Saturday, July 31-Aug. 2: Tobacco-related Collectibles
Mebane Auction 16th Annual Carolina Country Store Auction

Mebane Antique Auction Gallery presents its 16th Annual Carolina Country Store Auction. This no reserve, no online bidding, live on-site auction in Mebane, N.C., has more than 3,000 lots from the estate of Richard Flynt of Haw, N.C.
Here is possibly one of the most comprehensive collections of tobacco-related collectibles (152 in all); Black Americana; Pepsi Cola collectibles, which include reproduction advertising, signs, bottles, calendars, thermometers, clocks and original one-of-kind advertising artwork. The collection also contains peanut and candy jars, gas station memorabilia and fixtures, vintage milk bottles and 20 lots of whiskey and beer collectibles.

JULY AUCTIONS

July 19: Cowan’s Auctions — Cowan’s Discovery Auction

July 19: Harlowe-Powell — Gallery Auction

July 19: Ivey-Selkirk — July Jackson Rooms Auction

July 31-Aug. 2: Mebane Auction

by Christopher Kent
Director of Evaluations, WorthPoint
– Please send your antiques, art and collectibles news about auctions to news [at] worthpoint [dot] com, and put “Auction News” in the subject line.

Don’t Smoke!…Collect Tobacciana

What a great area to collect in and it is hot! Whether it is pipes, tins, silks, baseball cards, signs or porcelain, there is something for everyone.

This field also intersects with other collecting fields creating that crossover into other collections.It is fine art with porcelain figural humidors, risqué ladies, beautifully carved pipes, boxes and trays.

What other types of tobacco items can you think of and what do you collect?