Kentucky long rifle hits $98,875 at Philip Weiss auction A fine and rare flintlock type Kentucky long rifle made in the early 1800s by John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Md., sold for $98,875 at a sale held Nov. 17-8 by Philip Weiss Auctions in Oceanside, N.Y.
News-Antique.com - Nov 28,2007 - RARE JOHN ARMSTRONG KENTUCKY FLINTLOCK LONG RIFLE FROM EARLY 1800s
HITS THE MARK FOR $98,875 AT NOV. 17-18 SALE HELD BY PHILIP WEISS AUCTIONS
(Oceanside, N.Y.) – A fine and rare flintlock type Kentucky long rifle, made in the early 1800s by John Armstrong of Emmitsburg, Md., sold for $98,875 at a multi-estate sale held November 17-18 by Philip Weiss Auctions. The auction featured items from prominent area estates and included rare books, important photographs and militaria. The rifle was the top lot in a sale that grossed around $750,000.
“The old adage really is true: high-end merchandise brings high-end prices,” said Philip Weiss. “People were lining up to buy everything in sight. About 1,200 lots changed hands and we probably had 200 or more people over the course of the two days, plus a ton of absentee bids and very active phone and Internet bidding.” The online component was facilitated through eBay Live / LiveAuctioneers.com.
The John Armstrong rifle was in exceptional condition, with a barrel measuring 46 inches and an overall length of 61 inches. Features included a blade-type front sight and open rear sight; a beautifully carved stock, believed to be curly maple, with floral scrolls; a cheek rest with silver plate with a Federal eagle and the word “Liberty”; and a striker plate engraved on the side with the scrolled letters “JA.”
Following are more highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 13% buyer’s premium.
It seems just about every Philip Weiss auction features at least one original “Peanuts” page, drawn by the late cartoonist Charles Schulz. This auction happened to have four – all dailies – and they gaveled for a combined $108,480. One was from 1952, two were from 1963 and one was from 1965; all were in super condition. “We’ll have more ‘Peanuts’ pages in our January sale,” Mr. Weiss promised.
Four original posters pertaining to the Pennsylvania Railroad and executed in the 1930s went for a combined $48,475. Leading the group was a travel poster by Edward M. Eggleston (1883-1941) and titled “Atlantic City – America’s All-Year Resort.” It soared to $14,500. The 25” x 41” illustration featured an image of a beautiful woman holding a green towel at the Atlantic City beach boardwalk.
Three of the posters were executed by Mr. Eggleston; the fourth was done by Grif Teller (1899-1993). Both men were accomplished genre artists and illustrators. The other three posters included two promoting Atlantic City and one advertising Washington, D.C. The prices ranged from $4,000-$13,500 per lot. These were original poster art creations, not giclee reproductions; the high prices reflected that.
Original comic book cover art from Adventure #280 (“Superboy,” circa 1960), drawn by the noted illustrator Curt Swan and still in its original state, with all balloons and paste-ups, hammered for $35,030. This fresh-to-the-market offering, consigned by the original owner who bought it while on a visit to DC Comics in the early ‘60s, featured Superboy with Lana Lang and a mermaid in a lab scene.
