Tag Archives: stamps

Color NASA Photo Signed and Inscribed by Wernher Von Braun Fetches $14,400 in Weiss Auctions’ 2-day Sale, January 26-27

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Lynbrook, NY, USA, February 3, 2022 -/DailyVoice/- Weiss Auctions burst into the New Year with a two-day, two-session sale on January 26th and 27th, with many lots sailing past their high estimates. A NASA photo signed by German-born American engineer Dr. Wernher Von Braun sold for $14,400, while a collection of 1916-1930 Standing Liberty quarters soared to $161,000. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

“2022 started just as 2021 ended – with a strong auction, one that topped $600,000,” said Philip Weiss of Weiss Auctions. “Day 1 featured historical memorabilia, Hollywood collectibles and advertising. Day 2 was dedicated to stamps and coins. In all, we registered more than 3,000 bidders for the online-only sale. Next up is a comic and comic art sale slated for February 23rd.”

The NASA photo signed by Wernher Von Braun had a conservative pre-sale estimate of $400-$600, but bidders fought fiercely for the 11 inch by 14 inch color photo showing a view of the Earth from the Apollo 8 spacecraft in orbit around the moon. It was inscribed, “To Dr. Herbert Friedman with highest regards, Wernher Von Braun.” The photo was the top earner of Day 1.

While in his 20s and early 30s, Dr. Von Braun worked in Nazi Germany’s rocket development program. He helped design and co-developed the V-2 rocket during World War II but was never charged with any war crimes. To the contrary, he was secretly moved to the United States, along with 1,600 other German scientists, engineers, and technicians, as part of Operation Paperclip.

The collection of 1916-1930 Standing Liberty quarters, missing only the 1927-S quarter, was expected to bring six figures and it did not disappoint, besting the $120,000 high estimate by another $40,000. The circulation issue set was PCGS graded and was listed as one of the top ten sets on the PCGS/NGC Registry (under “EMPIREAA”). It was the auction’s overall top lot.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was provided by Weiss Auctions’ updated website (www.WeissAuctions.com) with Next Lot for interactive bidding. Bidding was also available through LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids were also accepted. All prices quoted in this report include the buyer’s premium.

Another Day 1 lot that stormed past its pre-sale estimate (of $100-$200) was a group of 15 Russian military medals, representing various dates and events, that was sold on behalf of the New York County Public Administrators Office, from the estate of Rene Fuss. Once again, eagle-eyed bidders and collectors pounced on the group, driving it to a final price of $11,500.

A circa 1570 close helmet – approximately 14 inches tall and almost certainly English, possibly attributed to an Earl – sold within estimate for $9,300. Close helmets were worn by knights and other men-at-arms in the Late Medieval and Renaissance eras. They were a fully enclosing helmet with a pivoting visor, used by pistol-armed cuirassiers into the middle of the 17th century.

An archive of material pertaining to American actress Lillian Gish (1893-1993) changed hands for $6,325. Included were expired passports, invitations, many letters to-and-from (including Ronald Reagan, Roddy McDowell, Patricia Nixon, John Gielgud and others; an Audrey Hepburn letter; a letter and photos from Eva Marie Saint; a letter from Sir Alec Guinness; and more.

Lillian Gish’s acting career spanned 75 years, from 1912 (in silent film shorts) to 1987. She was called “The First Lady of American Cinema” and is credited with pioneering fundamental film performance techniques. She had a leading role in the highest-grossing film of the silent era, D. W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation (1915). Her final film was The Whales of August (1987).

On to Day 2, where the runner-up top lot to the Standing Liberty quarters collection was a stamp album filled with MNH (mint, never hinged) United States stamps, from the years 1855-1959. The album, from the South Bay Collection, went for 15,500, against an estimate of $8,000-$12,000. The stamps were collected as listed in Scott: blocks of four, panes, strips and more.

A fabulous estate cover collection of 19th to mid-20th century stamps, housed in a three-drawer file, finished at $10,050. Included were examples from South and Central America, Europe and Asia – no British covers, but a nice selection of 1920s-1950s European first day covers, 19th century European covers, 1950s-1960s European first day covers, and flight and zeppelin covers.

A lot of five Morgan silver dollars, all from the Carson City, Nevada Mint and dated 1881-1885, each one graded highly at MS66, gaveled for $8,475 against an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. Morgan silver dollars were minted from 1878-1904, in 1921, and beginning again in 2021. The coin was named after its designer, George T. Morgan, and today is highly prized by collectors.

For more information about Weiss Auctions and the Comic & Comic Art auction slated for Wednesday, February 23, visit www.WeissAuctions.com.

About Weiss Auctions:
Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, estate or a collection, you may call them at (516) 594-0731; or, you can send an e-mail to Philip Weiss at Phil@WeissAuctions.com. For more information about Weiss Auctions, please visit www.WeissAuctions.com. Updates are posted frequently.

Asian Art and Antiques from The Living Estate of Mr. Richard S. Ravenal will be Auctioned October 2nd by EstateOfMind

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Middletown, NY, USA, September 10, 2021 -/DailyVoice/- Items from the living estate of Mr. Richard S. Ravenal – the now long-retired purveyor of Asian art and antiques and former owner of Asian Gallery in New York City – will headline a two-session auction planned for Saturday, October 2nd, by EstateOfMind, online and live in the Middletown gallery at 195 Derby Road. A preview will be held at 7 am Eastern.

Session 1, beginning at 10 am, will feature more than 100 lots of guns, ammunition and other militaria. Session 2, starting an hour later, will be the main sale, with the Mr. Richard S. Ravenal collection and other fine items pulled from prominent local estates and collections. Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be taken.

Also offered will be exceptional estate jewelry and watches, original artworks ranging from Old Master paintings to mid-20th century fare, sterling silver that includes flatware services as well as individual pieces, signed baseball memorabilia and hard-to-find baseball cards, coins and stamps, musical instruments, American furniture items from the 19th and 20th centuries, and collectibles.

Items from the Mr. Richard S. Ravenal collection will feature a rare, 13th or 14th century Chinese Ming Dynasty gessoed, straw-bound mud-head of Kuan-Yin, with appliqué painted lacquer over straw and mud and inlaid agate eyes. It comes from a temple in northwest China and shows the influence of the Silk Route Sung/Yuan Dynasty. It is also in a remarkable state of preservation.

Also from the Mr. Richard S. Ravenal collection is a 12th century Khmer Dynasty bronze of the Cambodian Buddhist deity Mahayana; a fine Chinese glazed pottery Buddhist priest from the Ming Dynasty, 16th century, with provenance; and a rare Shiva-Linga carved stone one-face column from the 2nd or 3rd century. Any one these would make a fine addition to any collection.

The watches category will feature a Patek Philippe 18kt gold watch, a Tiffany & Company 18kt gold watch, a rare C.L. Guinand 14kt gold chronograph pocket watch, and a 14kt gold repetition-chronograph with hunt case, 18 SZ. Jewelry will be highlighted by a 14kt gold Art Nouveau plique-a-jour necklace with diamonds and pearls, and nice large 14kt gold aquamarine rings.

Other jewelry will include a 19th century early fire opal, diamond and enameled ring; a rare 14kt Victorian mourning ring complete with a hair locket; a 14kt Art Nouveau dragonfly diamond, ruby, sapphire, opal and emerald brooch, white and yellow gold signed; 18kt Art Deco diamond and cultured pearl earrings; and a 14kt Art Deco two-carat natural sapphire brooch (unheated).

Artworks and paintings will be led by a pair of circa 1830 portraits attributed to Ammi Phillips (American, 1768-1865); a Dutch Old Master painting signed Willem Van Aelst (1626-1683); a winter scene by Emil Carlsen (American, 1853-1932); a group of works by 19th century British painter Homer Smith; a 1950s ink and paper work by John E. Heliker (N.Y., 1909-2000); and a circa 1925 watercolor signed Norman Lindsay (1879-1969), titled Other Wives and Husbands.

Silver will include a circa 1960 Danish Modern flatware service for 12 by Frigast in the Princess Furhsia pattern; a circa 1960 service for 12 by Gorham in the La Scala pattern; a circa 1950 service for 12 by Lunt in the Madrigal pattern; a circa 1940 Hallmark service for eight; a Persian silver tray weighing 55 troy oz.; three 19th or 20th century Russian silver and gold enameled teacup saucers; a large 19th century Persian Niello silver bread tray; a 19th century Persian repousse silver vase, and other pieces. Fans and collectors of silver will have much to consider.

Sports collectors will be treated to a Jackie Robinson autographed photo with certificate of authenticity; a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle with certificate of authenticity; and many baseball cards, including Roy Campanella, Hank Aaron and other stars. Collectibles will include a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 comic book (1984, graded 9.0), and a Flaming Carrot comic.

Coins and stamps will feature a 1984 Olympic proof set with gold; a 1925 Peace Dollar graded MS-66; a 1955 Mexican Cinco Pecos gold coin; a large complete coin set collection, including uncirculated (stamp series) Morgan silver dollars; a complete block of four presidential series stamps from 1938 and 1939 (Scott’s #803-834); and other philatelic and numismatic offerings.

Period American furniture will include a circa 1815-1820 birdseye and mahogany four-drawer chest (North Shore, Mass.); two Gustav Stickley side chairs; a circa 1950 Paul McCobb Planner Series table and chairs; an 18th century Hudson Valley pine tavern table; a circa 1820 classical New York Empire Cornucopia sofa; and a circa 1915 McHugh Arts and Crafts kneehole desk.

The musical instruments category is impressive and includes a rare 19th century violin bow by G. A. Pfroteschner; a violin by Joseph Odoardi with a bow by A. Schroetter; a circa 1950 Framus Barcelona model #5/26 classic tiger maple acoustic guitar; a circa 1980 Yamaha APX-4 acoustic and electric guitar; a Fender Squire 5D-7 model acoustic guitar; a Nord Electro 5-D keyboard; a Yanagisawa saxophone; two Chateau saxophones; an Andreas-Eastman straight sax; an SE custom electric guitar; assorted high-end new speakers; and other instruments and accessories.

Live, in-gallery bidding is available, but seating will be limited and all CDC, state and local regulations with regard to the COVID virus will be strictly enforced. Bidders can view lot photos and get more information at www.EstateOfMind.biz and at AuctionZip.com (ID # 11093).

Live, in-gallery previews will be held on Friday, October 1st, from 11 am-5 pm Eastern time, and Saturday, October 2nd, the date of auction, from 7 am-9 am, or by appointment. To schedule an appointment, you may call EstateOfMind at 845-386-4403. Masks are required at the previews. To learn more about EstateOfMind and the live and online estates auction slated for Saturday, October 2nd, please visit www.EstateOfMind.biz.

About EstateOfMind:
EstateOfMind was officially born in 2009 after more than 20 years of providing estate services through a former company, American Antiques & Fine Art. Owner and president Darrell Dirr, a proprietor of fine art, antique and estate sale businesses, holds a Certificate of Recognition. Mr. Dirr was nominated by the OCDSS for being a valuable community partner of PSA for 20 years. EstateOfMind is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To inquire about consigning an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at 845-386-4403; or, you can send an email to EstateOfMind2009@yahoo.com. To learn more about EstateOfMind, please visit www.EstateOfMind.biz.