Public sale Motion In Peterborough, N.H.
PETERBOROUGH, N.H. – Charlie and Dudley Cobb have been within the antiques enterprise since 1967 and have been conducting auctions because the Nineteen Eighties, turning into full-time auctioneers in 1987. The corporate specialised in Nineteenth Century and earlier Americana, a lot of it sourced from native estates. The April 30 sale, grossing about $200,000, was their final, with gallery fixtures and their intensive analysis library included within the sale.
It’s ironic in a approach that for a corporation that cherished and targeting Nineteenth Century American antiques that the best priced merchandise in its last sale could be a mid-Twentieth Century portray by an Indian artist. However that’s what occurred. The portray, described within the catalog as “an Indian portray of a person taking part in a stringed instrument” with an illegible signature, offered for $48,000. The first curiosity within the portray got here from India, and it’s a powerful chance that the “illegible signature” was that of S.H. Raza (1922-2016), certainly one of India’s most distinguished painters and winner of quite a few awards. The Cobbs determined to not point out that identify, gave it a really low estimate and let {the marketplace} resolve its value. Bidding started at $5,000 and moved slowly to the ultimate $48,000 value. To say that it was a pleasing shock to the Cobb household, in addition to the 50-60 individuals within the gallery, could be an understatement.
The sale included numerous different work, firearms and jewellery that did effectively, and it was a Pennsylvania walnut Queen Anne tall chest that introduced the second highest value of the day, $10,800. From Chester County, with three-over-two-over-four graduated drawers, it retained its unique brasses and had an outdated refinished floor. The development was uncommon and was described within the catalog as “the unique body consists of two entrance to again slats with wood nuts and bolts attaching it to the underside of the chest, every leg is then hooked up to the slat.” The knees have been carved with bellflowers.
Different paintings included an unsigned portrait attributed to Sir Joshua Remolds (1723-1792), primarily based on an outdated paper label on the reverse, which mentioned “Marquis of Granby Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds.” It had some situation issues and offered for $7,800. There have been additionally two scenes of the American West by Charles Muench, (b 1966), One was titled “Sienna Backcountry Lake” within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The title of the opposite was “Dawn, Kearsarge Lakes,” additionally within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Every had been purchased by the consigner instantly from the artist and every offered for $4,200. The artist’s gallery immediately is in Nevada, in these mountains. A Nineteenth Century portrait of a pretty girl on a KPM porcelain plaque earned $6,600. A big thangka Tibetan silk portray depicting a central seated Buddha, surrounded by quite a few small Buddhas, earned $5,100.
This sale had an fascinating collection of firearms. Main the choices was a Dublin Citadel Brown Bess flintlock musket, circa 1750-90. These weapons have been the first British army lengthy arms from 1722 to 1854, and most have been made on the Tower of London. This instance was marked on the lock plate “Dublin Citadel” and likewise marked “GR.” It reached $6,600. An instance of the primary mass-produced musket manufactured by a US nationwide armory realized $1,560. It was a mannequin 1795 Springfield kind 1 flintlock musket, designed by Eli Whitney, and was dated 1806 on the butt plate. An fascinating piece of historical past in good situation realized $720. It was an 1861 US percussion rifle, altered and embellished by a Native American tribesman. This rifle was made by J.T. Hodge and A.M. Button on the Trenton Locomotive and Machine Firm below contract to the federal authorities. The lock plate is marked 1865. After the Civil Struggle, weapons resembling this, used to battle Native People, have been issued to US army items stationed at frontier forts. Typically, after a battle, weapons have been picked up on the battlefield by the Native American and modified by them to suit their wants, resembling shortening the barrel to be used on horseback. This instance had a shortened 15þ-inch barrel. Native People usually embellished their prizes with tacks, and on this case, 70-star head tacks have been hammered into the inventory. These tacks have been available at frontier buying and selling posts.
The firearms choice additionally included a small assortment of “muff pistols.” These small pistols have been designed to be hid in girls’s hand-warming muffs for defense towards highwaymen whereas driving in carriages. An engraved, circa 1800 pair of European flintlock pistols, with 2ý-inch barrels went out for $660. There have been further examples.
As talked about, Cobb included showcases and fixtures on this sale. Most went fairly moderately, however he had bother discovering a purchaser for one, a big, two-part wood gun case. The catalog estimate was $60-$100. Cobb didn’t get a gap bid at $30. Nor at $20, nor at $10. He lastly mentioned “it’s gotta go – I’ll pay whoever takes it away $5.” That labored, he discovered a keen “purchaser” and mentioned, “That’s solely the second time in my profession I’ve needed to pay somebody to take one thing away.”
A number of days after the sale, Cobb reminisced about his many years within the enterprise.” My spouse and I have been antiques sellers lengthy earlier than the auctions started. When enterprise slowed down, a number of the different sellers I knew requested me to do a few auctions. Stuff wasn’t promoting in retailers, however the auctions labored. In order that’s when our household – we’ve all the time been a household enterprise – mentioned what route we must be taking, and everybody agreed that auctions have been the way in which to go. So I purchased this constructing and our complete method modified. As quickly because the web turned a “factor,” we began with a web site for the auctions and there was no going again. We have been one of many first to get on board with the web. We have been doing enterprise with individuals all around the nation, and later, all around the world. The Indian portray that did so effectively on this sale is an ideal instance – within the outdated days, that may have offered for a number of hundred {dollars} to a seller within the room. Now individuals all around the world can see issues like that and the outcomes converse for themselves. The times of individuals coming to an public sale, bidding on what they favored, paying for it and taking it house have been gone. Now we needed to learn to cope with absentee and telephone bids. That was all new. I figured that if the New York public sale homes might do it, so might we. My greatest fear at the start was about being certain that we’d receives a commission. Nevertheless it all labored out. What I’ve missed most currently is that we don’t get the crowds we used to get. I like individuals; I actually loved assembly individuals and making new pals. It was a very good life, and we had quite a lot of enjoyable. However now that we’ve offered every little thing, Dudley and I are trying ahead to a brand new lifestyle and we’ll take pleasure in that, too.” Charlie is now 82, and so they plan to take pleasure in retirement, residing in a spacious house within the massive, historic Noone Mill constructing in Peterborough, which they restored. Nick Prior and Molly Williams, two educated longtime staff, have determined to proceed within the public sale enterprise, forming an organization, Peterborough Auctions, which is able to proceed to do enterprise in The Cobbs constructing however not in the identical house.
Costs given embrace the customer’s premium as acknowledged by the public sale home. For data, www.thecobbs.com or 603-924-6361.
Cataloged as Nineteenth Century, this well-carved wood hand, doubtless of olive wooden, might have been earlier. It was a snuff field and introduced $1,920, effectively over the estimate.
An early “Lightning” amber coated fruit jar was marked on the entrance in raised letters, “Commerce Mark Lightning” and on the underside “Putnam 227.” It appeared like a very good purchase, incomes simply $36. It had the unique wire lid holder and lid and was in good situation however for some put on on the lid.
A gray-green jade determine of a camel was cataloged as Seventeenth Century. Bringing $1,200, it was 3 inches lengthy.
An outdated handwritten label on the again of this portray learn “Marquis of Granby Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds.” It had some situation points however offered for $7,800.
Jewellery choices included two 18K diamond necklaces made by Kat Florence. This one, with a flower, offered for $2,520. The second, with a coronary heart as a substitute of the flower, offered for rather less, $2,400. Each have been signed.
There have been numerous books within the sale, largely offered in heaps. Nonetheless, a primary printing, first version of Hemingway’s Outdated Man Of The Sea was offered by itself and realized $420. The mud jacket was price-clipped.
With some small edge chips, this pair of dolphin base Sandwich candlesticks, with blue candleholders mounted above clam-broth dolphins, offered for $300.
Within the unique body, this marked KPM portrait plaque earned $6,600.
The Cobbs’ gross sales normally embrace ethnographic objects. This Chokwe feminine Pwo masks, from the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola reached $1,200.
There have been about 50 individuals within the gallery when the sale started.
Through the preview, a set of six chairs designed by A. Sibau have been displayed with the Moser desk. The chairs offered for $840.
The sudden spotlight of the sale was this mid-Twentieth Century Indian portray of a person taking part in a stringed instrument. With an illegible signature, it offered for $48,000. It might have been achieved by well-known Indian artist S.H. Raza, however that identify was not talked about within the catalog.
Thomas Moser made this cherry desk in 1997. It was marked below the highest “Thom Moser Cupboard Maker, Auburn, ME” and realized $1,560.
Charlie Cobb stands subsequent to one of many two Muench work, whereas busy speaking with well-wishers and outdated pals.
A portion of the ethnographic objects on show previous to the public sale.
Charlie Cobb and spouse Dudley. She began shopping for and promoting antiques in 1967 when the couple lived in New Jersey.
About 11 inches tall, this early Steiff Mickey offered for $648. The button within the ear was lacking, but it surely had the unique paper label studying “Mickey Mouse copyright Walt Disney.”
There have been greater than 80 Grueby tiles on this lot. Colours diverse; all have been marked. The group offered for $780 to a purchaser within the room.
There have been two Tibetan silk thangka work within the sale. This one, though with situation points, was the upper priced of the 2, bringing $5,100. It was 55 by 32 inches, and the second offered for $780.
One of many issues that make auctions enjoyable was the sale of this massive wood gun show cupboard. Since this was Charlie Cobb’s final sale, all fixtures needed to go. Cobb couldn’t get a gap bid at $30. Nor at $20, nor at $10. He lastly mentioned “it’s gotta go — I’ll pay whoever takes it away $5.” That labored and he mentioned, “That’s solely the second time in my profession I’ve needed to pay somebody to take one thing away.”
Muff pistols, with brief barrels, have been designed to be hidden in hand-warming muffs utilized by girls vacationers for defense. This engraved, circa 1800 pair of European flintlock pistols, with 2½-inch barrels went out for $660. There have been a number of others within the sale.
There have been two scenes of the American West by Charles Muench. One was titled “Sienna Backcountry Lake” within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The title of the opposite was “Dawn, Kearsarge Lakes,” additionally within the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Every offered for $4,200.
At $6,600, this Dublin Citadel Brown Bess flintlock musket, circa 1750-90, was the best priced firearm within the sale. These weapons have been the first British army lengthy arms from 1722 to 1854, and most have been made on the Tower of London. This instance was marked on the lock plate “Dublin Citadel” and was additionally marked “GR” for George Rex.
This 1861 US percussion rifle, altered and embellished by a Native American tribesman, realized $720. After the Civil Struggle, arms resembling this have been issued to US army items stationed at frontier forts. Typically, after a battle, weapons have been picked up on the battlefield by the Native People and modified by them to suit their wants, resembling shortening the barrel to be used on horseback. This one had a shortened barrel and was embellished with brass stars hammered into the inventory.
Charlie Cobb determined to promote his reference library, collected over many years, as one lot. Mistake. The 12 packing containers with quite a few good titles introduced $270, in all probability lower than $1 a e-book.
If somebody needed a big signal, this might need been the one. It was 243 inches lengthy and 34 inches tall. Derby’s was a Peterborough enterprise, established in 1882. The signal, with massive, utilized letters and numbers, went out for $450.
Simply when it regarded like some costs for American furnishings have been rebounding, this slant entrance made one surprise. The cherry Hepplewhite desk with an outdated refinished floor had a line inlaid slant lid opening to a divided inside with two secret drawers, but it surely introduced solely $180.
The best priced piece of furnishings within the sale was this Pennsylvania walnut Queen Anne tall chest that introduced $10,800. It retained its unique brasses, had an outdated refinished floor and a few uncommon building particulars.
