Thomas Brooks desk brings $49,450 at Hal Hunt auction A magnificent rosewood cylinder desk, made in the 1860s by Thomas Brooks, sold for $49,450 at the sale of the contents of the Kirkwood mansion held Sept. 5 by Hal Hunt Auctions in Eutaw, Alabama.
attributed to the Herter Brothers and with a Greek & Key design changed hands for $4,600; a wonderful crocheted mahogany Empire sideboard, 60 inches wide by 44 inches tall, soared to $18,975 (double the pre-sale estimate); a Federal claw-foot butler’s desk with hidden compartments coasted to $10,350; and an Empire black marble-top pier table gaveled for $4,600.
A nice carved griffin marble-top library table found a new owner for $5,000; an important work table with pull-out side lap desk breezed to $5,462.50; a fine pair of similar matched Empire mint julep cabinets, 36 inches wide by 35 inches tall, sold for $4,887.50 each; a fine rosewood secretary desk, 45 inches wide by 8 feet 9 inches tall, brought $9,775; and a mint Federal claw-footed sofa hit $5,175.
An impressive New York Empire work table, labeled J. & J.W. Meeks, went for $5,175; a J.H. Belter armchair with pink upholstery in the Rosalie with Grapes pattern demanded $6,900; a sterling silver service by Internation, in the Wildrose pattern, crossed the finish line at $2,012.50; a gold gilt pier mirror (11 feet 5 inches tall) made $5,750; and antique Paris porcelain vases brought $300-$3,000 each.
About 30 original oil paintings were offered, many of them portrait pieces. Top achievers in the group included an 1863 signed portrait by Nicolla Marschall, who designed the first Confederate flag and Confederate uniform ($8,050); and a monumental oil on canvas rendering of three girls and their dog, unsigned, from a Maryland estate ($8,050). Other pieces brought prices between $2,500 - $11,000.
A fabulous gold gilt over-the-mantel mirror, 5 feet tall, gaveled for $4,025; an Empire Classical armoire, 6 feet wide by 8 feet 4 inches tall, commanded $5,175; an Empire armoire with mirror doors made $9,200; a flamed mahogany Empire armoire brought $7,475; a rosewood work stand attributed to Belter hit $5,175; and a pair of laminated rosewood side chairs attributed to Meeks realized $8,050 each.
Hal Hunt Auctions’ next big sale will be the world-famous jukebox and advertising collection of the late John Gurrech of Houston, Tex., to be held Saturday, Oct. 3, beginning at 10 a.m., in Hal Hunt Auctions’ spacious gallery facility, located at 5925 Highway 43 in Northport, Ala. Offered will be dozens of rare and vintage jukeboxes, all lovingly restored by Mr. Gurrech, plus rare advertising items.
Hal Hunt Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (205) 333-2517, or, you can e-mail them, at halhunt@bellsouth.net. To learn more about Hal Hunt Auctions and the Oct. 3 sale of the John Gurrech Collection, please log on to www.halhunt.com. More information will be posted as the date approaches.
