GARTH’S KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH IMPRESSIVE AMERICANA AUCTION The January 12th auction at Garth's is an "outstanding assemblage of country Americana and folk art that is hard to find," recounts Garth's CEO Jeff Jeffers.
News-Antique.com - Jan 07,2013 - “The compilation of these collections were truly a labor of love,” begins Garth’s chief executive, Jeff Jeffers. “Together, they represent an outstanding assemblage of country Americana and folk art that is hard to find.” The collections to which Jeffers refers belong to an unnamed Texas gentleman and John and Rose Anna Kolar of Hudson, Ohio; both selling at Garth’s on January 12, 2013. The release of the catalog just before the Christmas holiday has created quite a buzz. “The phones are ringing and emails flowing in,” remarks Jeffers. “It has been a terrific response. I think people are excited to see such breadth of quality, color and folk aesthetic under one roof, and we are proud to represent it.”
Highlighting the auction are a number of folk art items, including a highly desirable and important tobacconist Indian figure attributed to the shop of Samuel Anderson Robb (New York, late 19th century). The well-carved Indian princess wears an elaborate headdress and retains her original polychrome paint. Mounted on a period base with iron wheels, the 79”h royal figure is estimated at $25,000 - 50,000. Also sure to attract attention is a terrific prancing carousel horse (Est. $6,000 - $9,000) by Charles Looff, one of the earliest and foremost Carousel designers. For lovers of the figural form, there really is no shortage of options in the auction. A life-size saddle-maker’s horse model (American, late 19th century) with original paint and made of wood, iron and plaster, stands 15 hands high and should bring between $6,000 - $10,000. A dozen highly sculptural weathervanes will also be featured, including a large example depicting a full bodied cow standing an impressive 27.5” in height and 43.5” in length. Attributed to New York and made of copper, the highly detailed and monumental cow has a pleasing verdigris surface and is estimated at $2,000 - 4,000.
A large collection of unusual Americana advertising signs will hit the block during the one-day session, including an advertising clock with eyeglasses: the two-sided wall mount clock is labeled “Roy Victor”, topped by a pair of glasses (having one red lens and one blue) and measures 49.5” in height. It is estimated at $2,000 - 4,000. A rare late 19th century museum banner with original paint features automated dancers at “Thompson’s American Museum of Curiosities” and is estimated at $3,000 - 5,000. A 20th Century example from Springfield, Ohio, the "Imperial Res't, Home Cooking” double sided sign has holes cut for lighting. In original paint and an impressive size (60” wide by 43” high), the sign is expected to fetch $1,500 - $2,500. Five barber poles offer five different versions of a classic form and range in estimate from $200 - $2,000. “Trade signs speak to the whimsical side of Americana collecting, I think,” comments Jeffers on the selection. “Personally, I appreciate the color and forms - and, particularly the charm of the message.” Buyers who also appreciate the genre will have choices ranging from “Occident Flour” to “The Horseshoe Riding
