Couple’s Curiosity Nets $36,000 At Auction

A family curiosity hanging in a Newtown kitchen for decades sold for $36,000 on September 9 at Fairfield Auction, 53 Church Hill Road in Newtown. The 29-inch hewn maple stick with a ball shaped end and iron spike was brought to local auctioneers Jack and Rosie DeStories for a routine evaluation several weeks ago. The DeStories determined the object was a Native American ball club.

“We recognized this was an early and likely important Native American artifact and once our full scope of marketing was unleashed collectors, dealers and institutions from a dozen states were calling with interest,” said the seller, who remained anonymous.

When it came to the auction block, seven telephone bidders stood ready. Bidding began at $17,000 due to competing absentee bids.

In short order the bid rose to a final selling price of $36,000 and was pronounced sold by auctioneer Rosie DeStories, bringing a thunderous applause from all in attendance.

According to Fairfield Auction’s Jack DeStories, “We are very pleased with the results. It is probably the greatest satisfaction in this business … finding a great object that could have just as easily been sold at a tag sale and getting a tremendous result. The consignors were simply thrilled.”

Other items in the auction ranged from antique furniture to paintings, jewelry, and even a card autographed by Alfred Hitchcock that sold for $175.

Fairfield Auctions conducts auctions every six weeks and offers free evaluations of antiques, art and other curiosities at its Newtown gallery by appointment. The DeStories can be reached by calling 364-1555.