On Nov. 7, part two of the three-part auction of the Bob Ferraro collection ended at Glass Works Auctions of Lambertville, N.J. Forty-seven bottles brought $216,412, with only one bottle not selling. Some of the highlights of the auction were a number of bitters and whiskey bottles in the shape of a barrel. "This is a popular and attractive form, highly sought after by collectors of antique bottles," said Jim Hagenbuch, the company’s owner. "They were also some of Bob's favorites, and he had some of the best."
The highest priced item in the auction was an extremely rare barrel embossed “W. Wolf / Pittsburgh” in sapphire blue, selling for $23,000. "It is one of only two known examples,” exclaimed Hagenbuch. "Bob bought it in 1995 when the Charles Gardner collection was auctioned at Skinner's. At that time it was the only known example and remained so until a few years ago when a second one was discovered."
Lot 53, an embossed “Favorite Bitters / Powell & Stutenroth,” went to a Western collector for $21,850. "Only four or five exist," said Hagenbuch. “Bob bought it when we auctioned the Dr. Burton Spiller collection in 2000.”
Another barrel, an embossed “Dr. Chandler's Jamaica Ginger Root Bitters / Lowell Mass.” in a rarely seen brilliant yellowish lime green color, sold to an Ohio collector for $17,250. "In the world of antique bottles, color is king," said Hagenbuch.
Lot 61 sold to a Connecticut collector for $19,700. Embossed “Dingens Napoleon Cocktail Bitters / Buffalo, N.Y.” in a rare yellowish green color, although not a barrel, it was the third highest priced bottle in the sale. "Dingens Bitters are found in a number of different colors and forms, with the ‘drum’ being the most popular," said Hagenbuch.
Prices reported include a 15 percent buyers premium. Part three of the Bob Ferraro collection ends Monday, Jan. 9, 2017.
For more information, call 609-483-2683 or email info@glswrk-auction.com.