Woody Auction has two major events lined up for March and April: an American Brilliant Cut Glass auction on Saturday, March 16th and an R.S. Prussia auction on Saturday, April 6th. Both will feature outstanding single-owner collections and will be held online and live in the auction hall located at 130 Third Street in Douglass. Start times for both auctions will be 9:30 am Central time.
The March 16th sale is nicknamed a “Presidential Auction Weekend” because it features the collections of two past presidents of the American Cut Glass Association (and because it’s sure to make headlines). The collections of Wilbur and the late Mary Bluhm (ACGA president, 2006-2008) and Leon and Carol Torline (ACGA president, 1998-2000) contain some of the most profound pieces of brilliant cut glass.
“These dedicated collectors spent decades collecting some of the finest examples of ACG out there,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction, adding, “This is an event not to be missed. It will be highlighted by a rarity beyond description – a centerpiece in the Crystal City pattern (aka Wedding Ring) by J. Hoare, with a sterling ring that takes your breath away.” The lot has an estimate of $20,000-$25,000.
The April 6th auction will feature nearly 350 lots of quality R.S. Prussia pieces, led by the collections of Dr. Joe and Faye Krick of Tennessee, showcasing some incredible examples of the best of the best; and the late Jerry House of Michigan, whose collection will fill out the remaining part of the auction with flawless examples of Seasons and Melon Eaters. It’s a must-attend event for collectors of R.S. Prussia.
“If you are unable to attend in person, be sure to register via LiveAuctioneers.com for what’s sure to be one of the finest Prussia collections to cross the auction block in nearly 50 years,” Mr. Woody said. “And, as always at Woody Auction, there are no reserves and no buyer’s premium for those attending live and paying with cash or check. We urge everyone to make plans today, to attend live or online.”
The magnificent ABCG centerpiece in the Crystal City pattern by J. Hoare is the undisputed star of the March 16th auction (both auctions overall, actually). The piece boasts three handles and an incredible sterling silver rim with winged serpent handles and feet. The centerpiece comes from the collection of the late Tom and Mildred Jacks and is 8 ¾ inches by 14 ½ inches (bowl only, 4 inches by 9 ¼ inches).
Other star lots on March 16th include an ABCG round tray signed Egginton, in the Arabian II pattern, 14 inches in diameter and a fantastic example, pulled from the Bill Atzenhoffer estate (est. $5,000-$8,000); and a ABCG green cut to clear vase by Dorflinger, in the Montrose pattern, 11 ¾ inches tall, also a fantastic example, featuring a hobstar base, from the Bluhm collection (est. $1,500-$2,500).
An ABCG ice cream tray by Dorflinger in the extremely rare Mandarin pattern, pulled from a California private collection, has an estimate of $2,000-$3,500; an ABCG two-quart pitcher in the Imperial pattern by Libbey, 10 ½ inches tall, with a pattern cut handle and hobstar base, is expected to rise to $1,500-$3,000; and a triangular-shaped ABCG bowl in the Columbian pattern, designed by W.C. Anderson for Libbey circa 1893, having only a small pattern base chip, should finish at $1,500-$3,000.
The April 6th auction will be led by a hard-to-find swan center bowl marked R.S. Prussia in the Icicle & Medallion mold, 15 inches in diameter with five medallions featuring swans along with a center scene. A professional hairline repair is the only blemish on a fantastic bowl that should bring $2,000-$4,000.
A perfect example unmarked R.S. Prussia tankard with a winter scene portrait, 13 inches tall, white and green with pale pink tones, having a satin finish and nice gold trim, should command $2,000-$3,500; while an R.S. Prussia unmarked two-handled vase with brown tones in the rare Tiger décor, a fine example of a desirable and visually arresting vase, 11 ¾ inches tall, has an estimate of $2,000-$3,500.
A companion to the Tiger décor vase is the two-handled, unmarked R.S. Prussia vase with brown tones in the rare Lion décor, also 11 ¾ inches in height. It should hammer for $2,000-$3,500. Also up for bid is a marked R.S. Prussia tankard with a rare double scene – including an Old Man in Mountain and a Swan scenic décor – with nice gold trim highlights, 13 inches tall. It has an estimate of $2,000-$3,500.
Here is an online link to both catalogs: www.liveauctioneers.com/woody-auction-llc. Bidders are encouraged to register 48 hours in advance. Absentee bids will be accepted with a written statement indicating the amount of the bid. The deadline is noon Thursday, March 14th for the March 16th auction; and Thursday, April 4th, for the April 6th auction. Absentee bids will be charged a buyer’s premium of 15 percent of the selling price plus shipping (10 percent when paying by cash or check).
Telephone bidding is available for lots with a low estimate of $1,000 or greater for the March 16th auction and $750 for the April 6th auction (low estimates can be found on LiveAuctioneers.com). Email your phone bid list to info@woodyauction.com by noon Wednesday, March 13th, for the March 16th auction, and Wednesday, April 3rd, for the April 6th auction. Include your name, address, primary phone number and backup phone number. You will get a phone call to confirm receipt of your telephone bids.
“Keep in mind, even though you may get an excellent deal on your prices in this auction, shipping costs remain the same and may seem high compared to your winning bids,” Mr. Woody said. “We do our best to keep shipping costs as low as possible while wrapping everything securely to arrive in excellent condition. We charge the bidder what we pay for the materials, and pass our UPS discount on to you.”
Woody Auction has attempted to call any flaws that can affect the value of an item. Condition reports are not available for online only auctions, but Woody Auction will stand behind the items’ condition. Common nicks and scratches have not been called. The prevailing sales tax will be charged to all buyers unless they are reselling the items. In this case, a sales tax exemption license must be provided.
As for area lodging, Woody Auction has several suggestions: the Comfort Inn in Augusta, Kan.: 316-260-3006 (mention Woody Auction for a single queen or king room rate of $79 plus tax when booked directly with them); Holiday Inn Express, Andover, Kan.: 316-733-8833; and the Hampton Inn, Derby, Kan.: 316-425-7900. All three are located within a 15-20-minute drive of the Woody auction hall.
To learn more about Woody Auction and the auctions slated for Saturday, March 16th, and Saturday, April 6th, starting at 9:30 am Central time both auction days, please visit www.woodyauction.com.
