Reed & Barton tea set hits $11,000 at Hatch auction A Reed & Barton "Francis I" sterling tea and coffee set with matching tray sold for $11,000 at a multi-estate sale held February 21-23 by Richard D. Hatch & Associates in Flat Rock, North Carolina.
REED & BARTON STERLING TEA AND COFFEE SET WITH MATCHING TRAY SOARS TO
$11,000 AT RICHARD D. HATCH & ASSOCIATES' MULTI-ESTATE SALE HELD FEB. 21-23
(Flat Rock, N.C.) - A Reed & Barton “Francis I” sterling tea and coffee set with matching tray, totaling over 270 troy ounces, sold for $11,000 at a massive three-day multi-estate sale held February 21-23 by Richard D. Hatch & Associates. The set included a teapot; coffee pot; sugar and creamer; and 22” x 30-1/2” handled tray. It was the top lot in a sale that grossed more than $500,000.
“Many fine silver pieces changed hands at this sale and perhaps that's not surprising,” said Richard D. Hatch. “With commodities like gold and silver soaring in value against a declining dollar, I think you'll see more and more people going through their attics and hutches to consign some really great heirlooms. It's a wonderful opportunity for dealers and collectors alike to bid on these fine items.”
Other leaders in the silver group included an Alvin sterling “Bridal Rose” flatware service, 267 pieces, with lots of servers, dinner and luncheon and some monograms ($8,500); a sterling flatware service for 12, “Old Colonial” by Towle, 135 pieces weighing 121 troy ounces ($4,000); and a sterling flatware service for 12, “Chantilly” by Gorham, 117 pieces, with servers, 99 total troy ounces ($2,200).
“Overall, the sale was a huge success,” Mr. Hatch remarked. “We had over 500 people in attendance, plus more than 1,700 online bidders through eBay Live and LiveAuctioneers.com. The sale had over 60 consignors, mostly the cream of the crop from various estates and local folks downsizing. The selection was amazing, with great examples of art glass, silver, artwork, furniture and porcelains.”
Mr. Hatch noted that after 28 years in the auction business, he now had the chance to sell items for clients who were buyers over 20 years ago. He added, “They thought highly of me when buying, and it's a nice tribute that they are choosing me again when selling. It has even been written into several estates' wills that I was to handle their collections. That is a compliment and a high honor.”
Additional highlights from the sale follow. Prices quoted do not include a buyer's premium.
Unfortunately, the auction's anticipated top lot – the only flag of its kind known to exist from the Second Georgia Infantry Regiment of the Confederate Army, crafted in 1860 by eight ladies in Burke County, Ga. -- did not sell because it failed to meet the reserve. But the sale also featured a pair of important Civil War-era presentation swords and they did change hands, for a combined $8,500.
One was from the 37th Illinois Volunteers, apparently an 1840 Cavalry saber, with a 33” blade (half shiny, half gray), with the wrap and sharkskin intact, hanging rings also intact and metal scabbard. It went for $6,500. The other was a Chatellerault sword, 7th Indiana Volunteers, belonging to
