Date: Fri 02-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Rowes

Full Text:

Wagner Estate At Rowe's

By Rita Easton

CARLISLE, PENN. -- The estate of Richard H. and Ruth Nickel Wagner of Carlisle

was offered at Rowe's Auction in two sessions on January 29 and 30.

The Wagners were known as long-time collectors and also the recipients of many

heirlooms passed down by family members. According to David Rowe of the

gallery, attendance was at about 300 for the first session, which focused on

525 lots of antiques, and a crowd of approximately 80 was drawn on the second

day, with interest in the offered children's books and toys.

A small, softwood four door wardrobe, with two paneled doors over three

drawers, standing on ball feet, in original old red wash, drew the starring

bid of $2,900; and an apothecary cupboard with 12 drawers below, arranged in

rows of four, having two open shelves above, in softwood of pine or poplar,

circa 1820, with original finish somewhat dry, reached $2,800. Both pieces

were purchased by dealers.

A pair of two armed Victorian gaslights, in original condition and undrilled

for wiring, sold as a single lot to a dealer at $2,600; and a single hanging

Victorian light fixture, all original, with a decorative bulbous glass center,

realized $1,100.

A poetry and prose book embellished with a theorem of a basket of fruit,

achieved $2,100. Commenting on the theorem, Rowe remarked, "It was like in

school, kids pass around stuff and write things in them. In those days they

wrote and drew much more romantic things and embellishments. [The purchaser

was] buying the theorem. That was the main piece."

A three-wheeled cart, in the form of a horse pulling a wicker basketry seat

large enough for a child, garnered $1,800; and a handsome rocking horse

brought $800. Tiny but elegant, a 22 inch wide by 20 inch high cast iron

parlor stove, standing on three curved legs, with relief designs of flowers

decorating the doors and panels, reached $450; and an 18 inch high Victorian

brass and gilt musical birdcage, unmarked by the maker, the birds within

described by Rowe as having ruffled feathers and "not in mint condition, maybe

a six or a seven out of ten, made $1,350.

A child-size, three-piece parlor seating set, comprising two bentwood chairs

and a bentwood settee, went out at $480; a 12 by 14 inch political silk flag

for Theodore Roosevelt's 1912 political campaign, proclaiming "National

Progressive," sold at $260; an unsigned valley landscape oil on canvas was

purchased at $1,100; a silk needlework mourning scene depicting a woman at a

graveside, in good condition except for a slight stain on the background,

achieved $1,350; an oil on masonite portrait of Abraham Lincoln by local

artist Bloser sold at $300; and six Peters' broadsides advertising hunting

ammunition ranged from $350 to $950.

The Golfer's Alphabet, a book illustrated by A.B. Frost, garnered $350; a

large hatbox, in yellow wallpaper with drawings of settlers, brought $450; a

bronze fountain top of a young boy holding a goose, unsigned, fetched $600; a

fractur in four pieces, depicting a story of metamorphosis, went out at

$2,000; a bookstore broadside of "The Blackberries" sold at $700; a volume of

Knave of Hearts by Maxfield Parrish, reached $1,250; a 1908 golliwogg doll

made $450; a set of clown ten pins inspired a $600 bid; and most of the

children's books ranged from $25 to $500.

Rowe's Auction does not charge a buyers premium.