Bunch Auctions presented over 700 lots at its annual summer catalog sale on June 28, at its showroom in Chadds Ford, Pa. The buyers appeared undeterred by the early summer heat - the sale proved to be strong across all categories.
Furniture was one of the largest portions of the day and included a diverse array of home decor from various eras. A new generation of younger retail buyers helped prices for contemporary designers, including Ethan Allen, Maitland Smith and Galimberti Lino, to exceed estimates and reveal some of the changing tastes in this market. One such piece was a gold tone Chesterfield sofa that brought $1,500 (est. $200-$400) and a modern Steinway grand piano that sold for $9,000. More traditional tastes were highlighted by a painted Dutch cupboard ($2,700) and two ornately carved Chinese chairs that sold for $1,000 and $2,200, respectively, to a collector based in Hong Kong. Later in the day, there appeared to be a small revival in the prices of clocks to the bemusement of auctioneer Bill Bunch, a renowned clock enthusiast. The sale presented 40 examples, including a variety of tall case clocks. Early 18th century Pennsylvania examples brought as much as $4,500.
The fine art category largely showcased a family of artists spanning several generations. The earlier portion featured works from 19th century German émigrés Walter and Ferdinand Moras. The latter owned a renowned lithography house in Philadelphia and this collection offered diverse pieces ranging from paintings, printed material, and lithographic stones. A scrapbook that belonged to Ferdinand, which included several hundred trade cards from turn of the century Europe, sold to a buyer in the room for $2,300 (est. $200-$400). The focus turned to the 20th century illustrative works of Eugenie and Katherine Wireman, descendants of the Moras’ and students of Howard Pyle. The preliminary sketches and paintings generated drew the attention of many bidders. Other illustrators were also featured in the sale, including works by Frank Earle Schoonover, John Falter, and John Wolcott Adams.
Several lots of historical importance came to the block for the June Sale, drawing collectors from across the globe. Amongst the most prized lots was a set of books by John Hawkesworth documenting the three voyages of Captain James Cook to the Pacific. In the 18th century, they were sought after publications. Eager bidding from online and phone bidders brought the final price to $11,000. The set was shortly followed by a rare, handwritten letter by American philosopher and revolutionary, Thomas Paine. The 1804 letter concerned Louisiana residents’ request for statehood and was published in “The Aurora,” a Philadelphia periodical. This important piece of American history brought $12,000. A photograph of raising “Old Glory” by the Marines at Iwo Jima, contemporaneous to the historical event, accompanied by an archive of WWII and Naval history photographs sold for $900 (est. $200-$300).
The sale was punctuated throughout the day by smaller categories that drew the attention of specialized collectors. An early highlight was a pair of Art Deco diamond-set 18 carat white gold earrings which brought $7,000. Several vehicles were sold in the afternoon, crowned by a white 1966 Cadillac Coupe DeVille convertible. A later run of Native American attire brought several surprises, including a fringed leather riding outfit that sold for $1,000 (est. $60-$120).
Later in the sale, Asian decorative arts drew several bidding wars. A rare Qianlong-style double-gourd vase brought $2,100, which shortly preceded a pair of monumental Chinese Cloisonné censers selling for $4,500. A pair of crane decorated vases surprised the audience after dueling bidders brought the final price to $2,900, well above its $100-$200 estimate. Rounding out the day, an unusually decorated Famille Rose palace vase sold to an enthusiastic collector in the room for $12,000 (est. $3,000-$5,000).
For further information, visit www.bunchauctions.com.