The summer winds might still be blowing in from Ernesto's recent pass through town, but September signals the onset of autumn and a bursting-at-the-seams schedule of big auctions through the end of the year. While Dargate revs up for a mid-October sale, Royal York, Constantine & Mayer, J.S. Dill, Three Rivers Auction Co. and Cleveland-based Internet auctioneer Aspire kick off the season during the next two weeks with some outstanding events.
Royal York Auction Gallery
After nearly a month off, owner Bob Simon can't wait to get back to the auctioneer's stand for this Saturday's sale, which will feature plenty of fine furniture, silver and other high-items. In what is becoming an increasingly more common occurrence on the local auction scene, the estate hails from a prominent Pittsburgh family that wishes to remain anonymous.
But we can drop the name of the sale's top attraction -- a Theodore B. Starr sterling silver tea set dating to the late 19th to early 20th century. With a tea and coffee pot, sugar and creamer, a waste bowl and hot water kettle, the set weighs in at 216 ounces.
Another shining example of the sale's quality is a William B. Durgin sterling silver flatware set in the Watteau pattern that includes 393 monogrammed and unmonogrammed pieces. A noted New Hampshire company founded in the 1850s, Durgin eventually sold its interests to the Gorham Silver Co.
While we're dropping names, few sound as sweet to auctiongoers as Tiffany. A carved, mahogany, Tiffany tall case clock -- signed by William H. Dufree, a noted 19th-century tubular bell clockmaker from Rhode Island -- should produce strong bidding. Interestingly, this timekeeper once belonged to Edward M. Bigelow, known as the father of Pittsburgh's city parks for his efforts in the 1880s to build Schenley and Highland parks. Today, Bigelow Boulevard is a lasting tribute to his greening of Pittsburgh.
The sale also offers antique and contemporary furniture, an interesting paperweight collection, American Brilliant cut glass, vintage wristwatches and clocks, and much more.
For a closer look at all items, visit the previews from 5-8 p.m. Thursday and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday at 5925 Baum Blvd., East Liberty. Saturday's sale starts at 9 a.m. Details: 412-661-1171.
Constantine & Mayer
Co-owner Jeff Constantine is set for what he calls one of his biggest sales in terms of quantity, with nearly 1,000 lots up for bid Sept. 16 at his Cheswick showroom. Although most of the goods will sell in the $1,000-and-under range, some notable exceptions hail from the estate of the late architectural historian Walter Kidney, a longtime employee of the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. These include a Western Pennsylvania, six-pane cherry corner cupboard, a ship's clock and some personal items.
After the 40 Kidney items, the next 960 originate from a variety of sources, including another well-known family that wishes to keep its identity secret. A Patek Philippe tank watch promises to be a top attraction, with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. Among the more significant highlights are jewelry, glassware, pottery and silver; a large selection of mostly discontinued Royal Doulton and Hummels; vintage Leica cameras; stamps and coins; and furniture from Victorian to contemporary
Previews are noon-5 p.m. Sept. 15, and 8-10 a.m. Sept. 16, followed by the 10 a.m. sale at 1306 Pittsburgh St., Cheswick. Details: 724-275-7190 or www.constantinemayer.com .
Three Rivers Auction Co.
Get ready for two sales at Three Rivers, as owner Tripp Kline closes out the summer with auctions on Sunday and Sept 17. Billed as "groovy," the first sale features 1960s furniture and other items that recall that swinging decade.
But the real attraction is the Sept. 17th bidfest that brings to the market for the first time vintage automobiles, Victorian furniture, bronze works and art. Among the furniture standouts is a carved oak dining room set from the R.J. Horner Co., a now-defunct W. 23rd St., Manhattan firm that operated from the 1880s to the 1910s.
Car buffs will flock to a well-maintained 1937 Chrysler Royal four-door, three-speed manual shift, six-cylinder sedan. The "Brewster Green" roadster comes with the original taupe mohair upholstery and is said to be in nice running condition. For the record, the original sales receipt and owner's manual are part of the deal. Since its purchase on Nov. 20, 1937, the vehicle has remained under the ownership of one family.
In addition, the Three Rivers auction features a 6-foot tall Indian slot machine and a 1940s Rock-Ola 78-rpm jukebox, as well as bronzes, jewelry, art lamps, pottery, porcelain and silver.
Previews for Sunday's sale are 3-8 p.m. Thursday. Doors open at 11 a.m and bidding starts at noon.
For the Sept. 17 sale, previews are 3-8 p.m. Sept. 14, and 10-11:30 a.m. on auction day.
Previews and sales take place at the Three Rivers showroom at the corner of W. Beau and Washington streets in Washington, Pa.
Details: 724-222-8020 or www.3riversauction.com .
J.S. Dill Auctions
C. Duane Reeves was known as "Eisenhower's florist." But special auction manager Tim Murphy adds that Reeves was a lecturer and teacher at Phipps Conservatory, antiques appraiser and a "great friend" up until his death this past July. The untouched contents of his Edgewood estate will go on sale Sept. 16 at J.S. Dill Auctions, Inc.
While working in a floral shop in Washington, D.C., Reeves created spectacular arrangements for Ike and Mamie during their second four years in the White House. Following his capital experiences, he settled in Pittsburgh to work for more than 30 years, often serving as the floral director for major area functions.
Murphy says Reeves' collection include bronzes, a "stunning" collection of Russian, hand-painted papier mache boxes; three chandeliers; a Lionel train set and other toys; jewelry; glassware; and pottery.
Previews are noon-8 p.m. Sept. 15 and 9 a.m. Sept. 16, followed by the 10 a.m. sale, at the J.S. Dill showroom, 2341 Evans City Road, Zelienople.
For information about sale items, call Tim Murphy at 412-335-5651. Details: 724-538-3700, 412-362-9001 or www.jsdillauctions.com .
Aspire Auctions
Boot up your PC for the Internet-only bidding when Cleveland-based Aspire Auctions goes online Friday for its latest sale. Co-founder Cynthia Colling says the nine-day bidarama will be the company's biggest yet at 1,175 lots. With the quantity of goods breaking Aspire's in-house records, the auction's low-end estimate registers at a cool $800,000.
Paintings will certainly fetch a good bit of the sale's earnings, particularly a John Emms oil-on-canvas scene of dogs resting after a big hunt. The Brit artist specialized in canine creations, with this work capturing a half-dozen hounds lounging after a hard day's work. If you're looking to give this puppy a good home, expect to pay between $75,000 to $100,000.
Another bright spot is a Tiffany favrile glass and gilt bronze filigree poppy lamp, circa 1899-1918. Sitting on an adjustable tripod base and topped by a conical shade with an undulating pattern of budding and blooming poppy blossoms in fiery striated orange and red glass, the lamp comes from the estate of Cleveland iron magnate Samuel L. Mather. The estimate runs from $80,000 to $100,000.
On a historical note, a silver tankard crafted in the early 1800s by Philadelphia's Liberty Browne is a fine example of early American craftsmanship. Along with his silversmithing skills, Browne served as Philadelphia's treasurer and helped form defense committees to protect the City of Brotherly Love during the War of 1812.
Almost an embarrassment of riches, the auction includes fine selections of decorative arts, Orientalia, jewelry, porcelain, ceramics and books. For a look at all auction items, click on Aspire's first-rate Web site, which features detailed high-resolution photos and extensive descriptions of every lot.
Select items will be on preview from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Aspire's Downtown showroom in the Diamond Building, 100 Fifth Ave., Suite 201. The online-only bidding starts Thursday and ends Sept. 16.
Details: 216-231-5515, 412-894-8221 or www.aspireauctions.com .
