Philip Weiss Auctions grosses $5.2 million in May sale Philip Weiss Auctions grossed $5.2 million -- a new record for the firm -- at a May 17-18 sale in Oceanside, N.Y. The top lot was a rare vertical coil pair of 1908 2-cent stamps that sold for $644,100
5-cent Continental special printings in existence (a tenth is in The Miller Collection). This example was perfectly centered, top to bottom and side to side.
The other was a 5-cent American special printing of an 1880 stamp, also depicting Zachary Taylor. The stamp (Scott Catalog #204) was graded Extremely Fine and had been printed on soft, porous paper, adding to its desirability. It is either the finest or the second-finest centered example of the 18 that are recorded. Only a tiny margin nick prevented it from commanding an even higher price.
The Chesapeake Collection comprised more than 50 super U.S. albums, loaded with foreign mint sets, singles and other premium material. Additional stamp, coin and paper money lots crossed the block – all on May 17 – in addition to The Newport and Chesapeake Collections. Part 3 of The Newport Collection, in September, will feature more ultra-rare U.S. stamps. Philatelists take note.
The May 18 session was more eclectic, with many fresh-to-the-market offerings in a broad range of categories. As in many Philip Weiss sales, this one included more than one original “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles Schulz. A Sunday page, dated 6-3-62 and featuring a classic kite flying scene, sailed to $79,100; and a daily strip, dated 1-11-64 and showing Snoopy in the doghouse, hit $36,160.
An early Kentucky long rifle, made and signed by S. Miller in the early 19th century, hit the mark at $8,756.50. The all original rifle, exhibiting just a little edge wear, was about 57 inches in overall length. Also, a large edition copy of “Big Game Hunting” by Theodore Roosevelt (Putnam, 1899), signed by the former president and #457 of just 1,000 copies printed, changed hands for $5,650.
An original Disney production cel from the classic 1930s film “Fantasia” achieved $5,085. The cel, featuring an image of the Pegasus family, measured about 13 inches x 9 inches (framed, 24 inches x 19 inches), with a certificate of authenticity attached to the back. Also, a signed studio photo of Humphrey Bogart, black and white and taken by photographer Henry Waxman, gaveled for $2,835.
Philip Weiss Auctions' next big sale will be a three-day event scheduled for the weekend of June 20-22. The Friday evening session (June 20, beginning at 6 p.m.) will feature about 300 lots of high-end art; pottery; porcelain; silver; and more. Already consigned are original works by Emilio Grau Sala; Eduardo Cortes; and Caroline Bell; plus an important Spanish painted panel from the 16th century.
The Saturday session (June 21, starting at 10 a.m.) will include 700-900 lots of mostly vintage trains; toys; and toy soldiers. Highlights will include Part 3 of The Steve Rathkopf Collection, comprising 1940s-'60s TV and comic character material; 200 pieces of mint-in-box or on-card Corgi, Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Solido, Schuco and Johnny Lightning cars; and outstanding sets and box lots.
On Sunday (June 22, beginning at 10 a.m.), 700+ lots will be sold, starting with the Ken Schultz Collection of ocean liner and World's Fair memorabilia;
