A bronze grouping after John Rogers, titled “The Picket Guards,” is expected to sell for between $10,000 and $15,000 in the Jan. 16, 2010 vintage firearms, Civil War and militaria auction, hosted by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – An important cataloged auction comprising more than 700 lots of rare and vintage firearms, Civil War items and other militaria will be held Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010 at 11 a.m., by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery.

“This auction will feature a fine and diverse collection of items from the Civil War through World War II, as well as many pre-Civil War pieces,” said John Fontaine. “Included will be 300 vintage firearms, a collection of more than 300 swords, daggers, bayonets and other edged weapons, plus uniforms, accessories, flags, paintings and prints, letters, ephemera, daguerreotypes, tintypes, books and more.”

The auction will also be the first one to feature a new policy at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery: zero percent consignors’ commission on high-end consignments. “This is our way of thanking our many consignors who have helped make our past auctions so successful, and of insuring that these same folks and others like them with wonderful collections will consign with us in the future,” Fontaine said.

Zero percent consignors’ commission is just one highlight of the auction. The single session event will be held onsite and via the Internet, with multiple online bidding platforms, to include the one custom designed specifically for Fontaine’s and accessible via their website, at FontainesAuction.net. The other platforms include LiveAuctioneers.com, Proxibid.com and iCollector.com. In addition, phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. A free full-color catalog is available by calling 413.448.8922.

A dark blue 14th New York Utica Citizens Corp officer's coat from the Civil War is estimated to sell for $2,000-$4,000.

Vintage rifles, pistols, carbines and revolvers will dominate the day’s offerings, but the top lot just may end up being a fantastic bronze grouping after John Rogers, titled “The Picket Guards.” The group shows two Union soldiers dressed in Zouave jackets and armed with muskets. They are centered by a 2nd Lieutenant armed with a sword. The fine polished gold finish group should hit $10,000-$15,000.

Rifles will be offered up in abundance. Expected top earners include a Colt model 1855 military rifle, .56 caliber and a nice example of a rare Colt (est. $12,000-$15,000); a full-stock Kentucky rifle, 48 caliber, with a beautiful tiger maple stock and 43 ¾-inch octagonal barrel (est. $3,000-$5,000); and a Remington Zouave rifle with “1863” marked on the barrel and a bright shiny bore (est. $3,000-$4,500).

Other rifles of note include a flintlock full-stock Kentucky rifle with 41 ¼-inch octagonal barrel, .48 caliber and nice stock (est. $2,000-$4,000); a Remington Zouave percussion rifle, .58 caliber, with 33-inch barrel with 7 grooves (est. $3,000-$4,000); a full-stock flintlock plain Kentucky rifle, .60 caliber (est. $2,500-$3,500); and a 1939 German Mauser model 98 SS Nazi rifle (est. $2,000-$3,000).

A Florida state Confederate stars and bars flag, with 8th star added for Virginia, could gavel down for an estimated $2,000 $3,000.

Revolvers are also expected to do well, too. A Colt first model Dragoon revolver with .44 caliber barrel, good bore and matching serial number (#5658) should command $12,000-$16,000. Other stars of the category include a cased Colt model 1851 Navy revolver, .36 caliber, with a great bore (est. $8,000-$10,000); and a Colt single-action Army revolver, .44 caliber, in superior condition (est. $6,000-$7,000).

Additional revolvers will include a Remington new model Navy revolver, conversion to .38 rimfire, marked patented in 1858 and 1863, with a very good bore (est. $3,000-$4,000); a C.R. Alsop Navy model revolver, Civil War-era, .36 caliber, made in Middletown, Conn. (est. $2,500-$3,000); and a Colt model 1860 Army revolver with matching serial numbers that date to 1867 (est. $2,000-$3,000).

Some pistols will be offered as multiple lots. Examples include a wonderful cased pair of D. Egg percussion dueling pistols, British made, 19th century (est. $4,000-$6,000); a pair of English flintlock pistols by the premier London gun maker Henry Nock (est; $3,000-$5,000); and a unique cased set of Remington rolling block pistols and a genuine Bowie knife—all Civil War-era (est. $3,500-$4,500).

Additional multiple-lot pistols will include an elegant pair of flintlock pistols with 9-inch Damascus barrels that are about .56 caliber, in perfect working order (est. $2,500-$4,500); a cased pair of flintlock dueling pistols, the case engraved with “Jefferson Davis 1861” (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a cased set of percussion pistols with 7-inch round cannon style barrels, .52 caliber (est. $2,000-$3,000).

Single-lot pistols will feature a Colt third model Dragoon, .44 caliber, with the top of the barrel marked “Saml Colt New-York” and the cylinder stamped “W.L. Ormsby” (est. $8,000-$12,000); a unique double-sided leather case concealing a small pinfire gambler’s pistol that functions perfectly (est. $3,500-$4,500); and a Remington 1871 Army rolling block pistol, Civil War-era (est. $3,000-$3,500).

Carbines will include a highly unusual Austrian flintlock carbine made in 1842, possibly a factory prototype that never made it to production (est. $3,500-$4,500); and a Triplett & Scott 7-shot repeating carbine with 30-inch barrel and nice bore (est. $2,500-$3,500). Also sold will be a massive Hudson Bay flintlock punt gun, 8 feet long and weighing more than 50 pounds (est. $2,500-$4,000).

Following are additional anticipated top lots from a broad array of categories, all military:

• An exceedingly rare Confederate Bowie knife with black leather belt and cap box, the belt having a copper-colored brass buckle and the knife in a tin with a 9-inch blade (est. $4,000-$6,000).

• A 14th New York Utica Citizen’s Corp Civil War officer’s coat, dark blue, with a row of 9 buttons down the front and large UCC buttons on each side, in excellent condition (est. $2,000-$4,000).

• A pre-World War II (model 1934) light cavalry sword (Poland), with nickel-plated scabbard, brass pommel cap, brass stirrup guard, black wood groove handle and rear finial (est. $2,000-$3,000).

• A muzzle-loading brass signal cannon, small but heavy, with a 22-inch brass barrel, 1.4-inch bore and a breech end of tube marked “Wm. Read & Sons” over “Boston” over “6” (est. $2,000-$3,000).

• A rare Andersonville lithographic print titled “Let us forgive, but not forget” and detailing some of the atrocities committed at Andersonville Prison in the Civil War, framed (est. $2,000-$3,000).

• A Florida state Confederate stars and bars flag, said to have been designed by Nicola Marschall, with seven original stars and an eighth later added, for Virginia in 1861 (est. $2,000-$3,000).

For more information about this auction, call 413.448.8922, e-mail to info [at] fontaineauction [dot] com or visit the Fontaine’s Auction Gallery Web site.

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I think my love affair with “old things” formed when I was a young child growing up in the heart of Appalachia. I can close my eyes and see the tiny, two-room log cabin that my grandmother called home. On occasion, she would open a large trunk whose contents she would gingerly remove. These inspections for us children were an “eyes only” affair. She would patiently explain what each of the wondrous items brought forth from the trunk was, and then, after carefully rewrapping, it would be placed back into the trunk.

I have come to realize that my grandmother was the keeper of her family’s history. I think all families have one. Of all the items we were shown, the ones that still captivate my imagination are a watch, a cap and a handkerchief. These were not a part of our family, but were rather the last earthly items that belonged to an unfortunate Confederate solider who was killed while trying to return to his home in the South. Our family had, at least for a while, been the keeper of his history, as well. I can still hear my grandmother’s voice as she explained that “one day his family will come, and you are to give them these when they do.” Of course, his family never came to reclaim them. Unfortunately, these items, as well as much of my grandmother’s and our family’s history, were lost when her cabin burned. As I grew older, when I saw something similar to an item that had been in her home, I bought it. I never considered myself a collector then. I was just trying to “replace” that which had been lost.

As a newlywed in the early 1970s, it was easy to convince myself that we could more readily afford “old” furnishings from thrift shops or auctions. You see, I still wasn’t a collector. I was a “thrifty” wife. While we were shopping for our home, I persuaded my husband that an older home would be a much wiser investment because they were made so much better and had character that new, modern homes lacked. Now I was a “wise shopper.”

Even as we purchased and moved into our 150-plus-year-old home, it was easy to rationalize that purchasing new furnishings simply would not look correct in the house. We would need to find items that would match our “new” old home. I think this was the point that I became aware that I was a collector of “old things.”

I find that there are so many different things that I am drawn to that I would probably need a warehouse instead of a home if I could purchase everything that I would like. My collecting now mainly centers on dolls and a variety of antiques, including Victorian mourning items, ephemera and children’s books and clothing. My main collecting passion does still remain dolls, but I think, like many collectors, there are so many interesting and unusual items that it is almost impossible to limit yourself. Or is at least that is the case for me.

July 1794 Magazine and Lady's Fan, 1904

I have several issues of The Lady’s Magazine. The one above is the July 1794 issue. Published by John Wheble in Great Britain, it was a monthly magazine and was among the first to be devoted to women. The cost was six pence (or roughly nine cents), and each issue contained articles of interest to ladies, such as patterns and fashion plates. The issues I have are in really good condition as they are printed on rag paper—a stronger type of paper, usually cotton based, which is more archival in quality. The fan is dated 1907 and was made by Raphael Tuck & Sons of London. It is actually a greeting card that would have been sent to a lady from her beau. She could then use it as a fan. I have only seen a few antique fans like these, but I have seen some beautiful, reasonably priced reproduction for sale.

Dunlap's American Daily Advertifer May 18, 1791

I also have a small collection of newspapers dating from 1791 through the Civil War era. I can well remember the thrill of acquiring the above newspaper, to actually be holding a item that was current when George Washington was still our president. Dunlap’s American Daily Advertifer was a daily Philadelphia newspaper published by John Dunlap that cost four pence (roughly six cents). Publication was temporarily suspended because of yellow fever from Sept. 16-Nov. 30, 1793. This newspaper is also made of rag paper, which explains how it has survived in very good condition.

Children's Books 1854-1888 and Diary

I think one reason that I am enamored with Victorian children’s books is not only that the stories they contain are very interesting, but they also taught children to be kind, patient and to love one another. I have found many inscriptions in my books that indicate they were given as Christmas or birthday gifts. The four pictured above are my favorites from my children’s book collection. They are beautifully illustrated, and each contains numerous stories and poems. The small diary was never used and contains its original pencil.

Victorian Hair Memorials

I have written several blogs about Victorian mourning rituals and items. I know that while some find these items morbid and some may find those of us who collect them to be slightly odd, I find them fascinating. It is not hard for me to imagine how dear these items were to those that were left behind: remembrances that kept the departed close. Each of the two flowers are made from human hair and measures 5 inches long and date to the 1870s. The brooch in the middle is from the 1860s and is 2 inches wide. I have read several books on how these items were made, and to me, it would take a true artist to turn out items of such delicacy and beauty.

Antique Dolls, circa 1860-1900

I guess this takes me back to my first love, antique dolls. Oh, the childhood secrets and stories these children’s toys could tell us if we could but listen. The bisque-head doll on the left is simply marked with a # 5 and is 13 inches tall. The china-head doll in the center is 12 inches tall and dates to the 1860s. The doll on the right is 16 inches tall, dates to 1875 and is a wax over papier-mâché.

Each antique we touch is a lesson in history. They have the ability to transport us back to another time, to tell us their stories of a bygone era. Isn’t it wonderful the many things we can find to be the caretakers of for our short time here?

I hope you have enjoyed a small glimpse into some of the items that I collect. So what do you collect? I’d love to know.

Letha Berry is a Worthologist who specializes in dolls and accessories, but has several other interests as well.

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