Samuel Robb Cigar Store Indian fetches $94,400 at Showtime Auction Services A rare Cigar Store Indian figure, beautifully carved in the 1880s by the renowned artisan Samuel Robb, sold for $94,400 at an auction held March 30-April 1 by Showtime Auction Services in Michigan.
News-Antique.com - Apr 18,2012 - (ANN ARBOR, Mich.) - A rare Cigar Store Indian figure, beautifully carved in the 1880s by the renowned artisan Samuel Robb, sold for $94,400 at a three-day auction event held March 30-April 1 by Showtime Auction Services. The sale was held at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds in Ann Arbor, a venue that's become the site of choice for Showtime Auction Services.
The five-foot-tall Indian Chief figure had much of its original paint still intact and was in overall excellent condition. It was also the top lot of the sale. “This was one of the best-looking Cigar Store figures we've had the pleasure of selling,” said Mike Eckles of Showtime Services, based in Woodhaven, Mich. “It was no surprise to me that it came close to the $100,000 mark.”
The auction featured two blockbusting headliners: the 35-year collection of Al and Peg Araiza, collectors in many categories; and Part 1 of the lifetime pedal car and toy collection of Ed and Christy Ramsey (Part 2 will be sold Oct. 5-7, also by Showtime in Ann Arbor). In all, over 2,000 lots of investment-grade antiques and collectibles changed hands over the weekend.
“It was the most diverse auction we've ever had,” remarked Mr. Eckles, “ and also one of the most fun. It was great to have all these collectors representing around 60-70 categories all at one event. Everybody was just chatting, eating, drinking and generally having a good time. As for the auction itself, it was a huge success. Prices were robust, in virtually all the categories.”
About 350 people attended the auction live (a standing room-only crowd), while over 1,500 folks bid online (through LiveAuctioneers.com, iCollector.com and the Showtime Auction Services website -- www.ShowtimeAuctions.com). By the time the last gavel fell and all receipts were tallied, the event grossed around $2 million – not a bad haul in a still rather soft economy.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. Prices quoted include either a 10 percent buyer's premium for live bidders; 13 percent for credit card purchases; or 18 percent for telephone and absentee bidders. About 150 telephone bids were recorded.
A Rock Island Railroad reverse glass sign, 90 inches by 26 inches and saying” Rock Island Lines” on the glass and “Rocky Mountain Limited to Colorado” on the frame, in super condition, brought $60,500; and an extremely rare Bufffalo Brand Salted Peanuts two-sided outdoor wood sand sign, 10 ½ feet by 11 inches, possibly the only one in existence, hit $26,400.
A horse race wheel of fortune with very rare reverse glass layout and table (with an odds maker) went to a determined bidder for $31,900. The wheel boasted reverse glass painted panels, two of which had minor cracks. Otherwise the piece was in excellent condition. The table came with a glass layout (rarely seen), and the horses painted on the glass matched those on the wheel.
A Winchester “Factory Loaded Shells – Sold Everywhere” cloth banner, made by the Acme Sign Co. (Dayton, Oh.), 10 feet
