Marklin ‘Blenheim’ clockwork riverboat, Germany, 1909, 13 in. long, est. $8,000-$9,000. Bertoia Auctions image.

VINELAND, N.J. – If all the nautical toys in the world were lined up in a single fleet, their captain would surely be Dick Claus, whose magnificent 30-year collection of antique boats is being offered in two parts this year by Bertoia Auctions of Vineland, New Jersey. Part I of the Claus collection, a 220-lot array of ships and related toys, will be auctioned on Saturday, May 12. Part II will be sold in November.

Led by some of the finest known examples of Marklin ships, the May 12 auction roster will bring to life the colorful images seen in Claus’s 2005 reference book The Allure of Toy Ships: American & European Nautical Toys from the 19th and 20th Centuries.

“I’ve read Dick’s book cover to cover probably 50 times, but the privilege of handling and cataloging the toys in his collection taught me double what I thought I knew. There’s nothing like seeing and examining items of this quality firsthand. This is a collection that merits the attention of all ship collectors,” said Bertoia Auctions specialist Rich Bertoia.

Marklin ‘Kaiserin Augusta Victoria’ steam-powered ocean liner, German, 46 in. long, est. $90,000-$100,000. Bertoia Auctions image.

The collection’s flagship is the large and impressive Marklin Chicago paddlewheeler featured on the dust jacket cover of Claus’s book. It sits at the very top of the list of select favorites that Claus retained in his private collection after publication of his book.

Claus always liked Marklins because most are named after and depict actual seagoing vessels of their time, such as the Maine, the Brooklyn, and the Olympia. He regards them as “toys with history.”

The collection’s massive, steam-engined Marklin Kaiserin Auguste Victoria, which replicates the Hamburg America ship launched in 1905, was a prized acquisition – in Claus’s words: “a wonderful example of an ocean liner that measures 46 inches long and weighs a hefty 30 pounds.” Purchased at an auction in upstate New York, it came from a doctor’s estate. Further investigation revealed that it had been kept for many years in a dry barn and probably had never been played with.

Marklin submarine, Germany, circa 1930s, 22 in. long, est. $4,000-$4,500. Bertoia Auctions image.

“Being stored in a barn is probably what saved it. There are far fewer pristine boats than there are toys,” Claus said. “This is because so many boats were placed in water for play and never dried off afterward.”

Among the many important, large-scale Marklins in the collection is a Providence paddlewheeler, a line-for-line production based on a majestic steamer that was launched in 1866. But boats need not be oversized in order to be beautiful and collectible. The auction includes toys that are only a few inches long but still immensely appealing.

For example, Claus has always appreciated the charm of Issmayer toys, especially a 3-inch-long tin wind-up sailboat with a painted bisque figure of a sailor boy that rides along as the craft tacks side to side.

Gunthermann clockwork eight-man scull, German, lithographed tin, 29 in. long, est. $10,000-$12,000. Bertoia Auctions image.

“I really like this particular toy, which might even date to as early as the mid-19th century. We would not even have known it was an Issmayer if it hadn’t been written on the toy’s box, which luckily was retained,” said Claus.

In addition to ships and boats of every description, the auction includes a great variety of sailor figures, ranging from early German-made Heydes to 1930s Barclays figures. Also, there are U-boat submariner’s badges, a few navy recruitment posters, and what Claus calls “oddballs,” like a German beer mug from a 1909 torpedo boat squadron.

Marklin clockwork zeppelin, German, tin with celluloid rear propellers, 17 in. long, est. $7,000-$9,000. Bertoia Auctions image.

The Claus auction also includes a number of toy zeppelins, a category that attracted him because of their historical significance and his own fascination with the Hindenberg. While a young boy, Claus saw the giant airship from a distance as it was moored at Lakehurst, N.J. One year later, the Hindenberg tragically went down in flames.

“At one time, zeppelins were thought of as the future of aviation. People were intrigued by them, but of course that all ended when the Hindenburg blew up,” Claus said.

The best piece in Claus’ airship collection – a small Graf Zeppelin – was made in 1929 by Heyde. It comes in a box with numerous accessories – pilot, co-pilot and entire landing crew, plus gas cans, ropes and other small accessories. Claus describes the set as “marvelous, and the only one I’ve ever seen.”

Bing clockwork double-decker trolley, Germany, lithographed tin, 9¼ in. long, est. $3,500-$4,500. Bertoia Auctions image.

Approximately 20 European trolleys have been included in the May 12 auction, as well. An ingeniously designed Issmayer O gauge lithographed clockwork trolley departs a small station, climbs a 4-ft. track to the top, then reverses, switches tracks and returns to the station, triumphantly ringing its bell upon arrival. “That’s pretty neat engineering for around 1910,” Claus observed.

Those who are fortunate enough to acquire a toy from the Dick Claus collection will have the assurance of knowing they own a piece that has come from one of the most discriminating collectors of the last two generations.

Heyde circa-1905 Sea Battle ‘Panzer Flotte’ set, Germany, est. $6,000-$7,000. Bertoia Auctions image.

“Dick has always gone for the best. His collection has more top of the line Marklins than I’ve ever seen in any one collection – even Malcolm Forbes didn’t have as many,” said Rich Bertoia. “There are going to be a lot of very happy collectors at the May 12th auction. Dick has already done all of the globetrotting and tracking down of rare pieces. Now they’ll all be available at once.”

The May 12 auction of the Dick Claus collection will begin at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Preview weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on auction day. All forms of bidding available, including live via the Internet through www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Tel. 856-692-1881, e-mail toys@bertoiaauctions.com. Online: www.bertoiaauctions.com.

1958 Mickey Mantle World Series road jersey leads prices realized at $114,000

1958 Mickey Mantle NY Yankees game-used flannel road jersey attributed to the 1958 World Series, $114,000. Grey Flannel Auctions image.

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Grey Flannel Auctions’ Winter Classic auction held live at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards in Baltimore was a smashing success, grossing $1,187,599 and achieving a 100% sell-through rate. The Feb. 11 auction featuring 107 lots of choice baseball, basketball, football and other professional sports memorabilia chalked up an astonishing average price of almost $11,500 per lot.

The day’s top seller was a 1958 Mickey Mantle New York Yankees game-used flannel road jersey attributed to the World Series of that year.

“This jersey is symbolic and important, not only because it was a World Championship season for the Yankees, but also because Mantle drove in two home runs during that year’s Series,” said Richard E. Russek, president of Grey Flannel Auctions.

The jersey presented all of the essential identifications high-end collectors look for, including an inside collar strip reading “Mantle 1958,” a contemporaneous Wilson manufacturer’s tag with washing instructions and the size “42” imprinted on it, and a letter of authenticity. The shirt was originally sourced from a trainer with the mid-1960s Ft. Lauderdale Yankees Class A affiliate, who, in turn, had obtained the garment from the club’s general manager, Ed Bastian. Entered with a $10,000 reserve, the coveted jersey slammed in a winning bid of $114,000. All prices quoted in this report include 20% buyer’s premium.

1962 Philadelphia Warriors vs. NY Knicks official scorer’s score sheet with original program and press ticket from Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, $108,000. Grey Flannel Auctions image.

Following closely behind the Mantle jersey was a historical basketball treasure documenting Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game of March 2, 1962. The package included the official scorer’s score sheet from the Philadelphia Warriors vs. N.Y. Knicks game, an original game program with Chamberlain photo, and a clipped ticket for “Working Press.” Accompanied by a full LOA from James Spence Authentication, whose experts validated the signatures, the well-preserved ephemera selection scored a winning bid of $108,000 – more than 10 times its reserve.

1971 Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles World Series Game 1 game-used and autographed home jersey, $45,000. Grey Flannel Auctions image.

Jerseys from all major sports met with success at the Grey Flannel event. A 1971 Frank Robinson Baltimore Orioles World Series Game 1 game-used and autographed home jersey was bid to $45,000 (reserve $5,000); while a game-used home jersey that New York Islanders center Bryan Trottier wore in Game 5 of the 1981 Stanley Cup Finals made $30,000 (reserve $2,500).

Championship jewelry was aggressively pursued. George “The Iceman” Gervin’s 2005 San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship ring with original box realized $54,000. From the top echelon of gridiron history, Bernardo Harris’ 1996 Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Championship player’s ring – in mint condition and festooned with diamonds – flew past its $10,000 reserve to settle at $45,000.

2005 George Gervin San Antonio Spurs Championship ring with original box, $54,000. Grey Flannel Auctions image.

“We’re grateful to all of the consignors and bidders who made our Winter Classic such an exciting event,” said Russek. “We now look forward to our May 30 auction, which contains a classic photo of Babe Ruth taken by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Nat Fine. This photo is immediately recognizable to all baseball fans. It’s the type of American treasure you’d expect to see in the Smithsonian.”

Additional information about the May 30 auction will be available soon on the Grey Flannel website: www.greyflannelauctions.com. To contact Grey Flannel, call 631-288-7800, ext. 223; or email info@greyflannelauctions.com.

1,260-lot sale includes brewery, automotive, tobacco, Mr. Peanut, many other categories

Coca-Cola trompe-l’oeil window display, 1937, 47 x 51 inches, among the rarest of all Coke advertising items, est. $15,000-$20,000. Morphy Auctions image.

DENVER, Pa. – A wealth of rare antique signs, figures and other promotional items from the golden era of advertising is currently on display at Morphy’s central Pennsylvania gallery, all to be auctioned on Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. The 1,260-lot sale incorporates a fantastic array of signage, with the centerpiece being the revered Coca-Cola advertising collection of the late Michael Narvaez. Also featured are Moxie items from the Dick Shay collection, as well as other soda pop lots.

The Friday session begins with a collection of 120 occupational shaving mugs. Top lots include mugs with depictions of a steam pump, horse-drawn delivery wagon and an open-air truck. Additionally, a rare mug with a photographic image of a steam accessory will be offered.

Cast-iron Standing Frog doorstop, 14 inches, est. $3,500-$5,000. Morphy Auctions image.

More than 80 figural cast-iron doorstops, doorknockers, bookends and other novelties will follow. Among the most coveted doorstops are a standing frog, standing honey bear and rabbit. Other standouts in the group include a cast-iron Nichols doorknocker, est. $700-$1,000; and two carnival targets – a paratrooper, $2,000-$3,000; and a mechanical owl, $3,000-$5,000.

Highlights among the 170 lots of general store and mixed advertising include a near-pristine Skinner’s Satin (Holyoke, Mass.) oval sign with the image of an Indian in a full headdress. It is the only example Morphy’s experts have ever seen and is estimated at $8,000-$12,000.

An embossed tin Sweet Orr Overalls sign is in near-mint condition and expected to make $6,000-$9,000; while an extremely rare 1905 Beeman’s Pepsin Gum wood-framed tin sign that came directly from the Beeman’s factory could make $8,000-$12,000. The ever-popular Mr. Peanut weighs in at the auction with a $7,000-$12,000 estimate for a beautiful 3½-ft. figural Hamilton scale in original, untouched condition. It is one of 30 Planters Mr. Peanut items to be offered by Morphy’s. Many other popular characters are depicted within the lineup of 50+ advertising figures to be auctioned.

Sweet Orr & Co. Overalls advertising sign, tin, circa 1890s, est. $6,000-$9,000. Morphy Auctions image.

Collectors of tobacco-related advertising will find plenty of tempting items in this sale, like the circa-1880s Pride of Durham Smoking Tobacco tin [Wells & Hope Co.] with a lion motif, $3,000-$6,000. Another beauty in the tobacciana grouping is the circa-1910 Stein Club Havana Cigars sign in excellent condition with strong colors.

“We’ve estimated the Stein Club sign at $4,000-$8,000, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it went higher,” said Morphy’s CEO Dan Morphy. “A few years ago a different example of this very scarce sign sold for over $20,000.”

Frank Fehr Brewing Co. Bock Beer poster, est. $2,000-$3,000. Morphy Auctions image.

The effervescent Saturday session will focus predominantly on the 400 lots of Coca-Cola advertisements, ephemera and other rare and desirable Coke items from the collection of the late Michael Narvaez.

Well liked by his fellow collectors, Michael Narvaez had a passion for collecting that blossomed after his retirement from the Coca-Cola Co. in 1979. Michael and his wife, Joyce, became restaurateurs and decorated their Salinas, Calif., establishment The Recipe Box exclusively with beautiful antique and vintage signage and promotional items for the world’s favorite soft drink. Their collection encompassed festoons, lighted signs, clocks, posters and calendars.

Morphy’s specialist in Coca-Cola advertising, Gary Metz, said Narvaez loved sharing his collection and was “a responsible custodian of anything he acquired…handcrafting beautiful walnut frames and using either museum glass or UV-filtering Plexiglas to protect and preserve the calendars and advertising he framed.”

1898 Coca-Cola calendar, very rare, book example from ‘Petretti’s Coca-Cola Price Guide,’ est. $20,000-$30,000. Morphy Auctions image.

One of the top pieces in the Narvaez collection is a matted and framed 1898 calendar, one of very few known, featuring a beauty of the day and estimated at $20,000-$30,000. An 1899 Coke calendar, est. $10,000-$15,000, is another of the more than 60 Coke calendars in the sale. The calendars span a pop culture timeline that begins in 1898 and runs through the 1940s. Another rarity, a 1910 Coke poster is estimated at $7,000-$10,000.

An incredible 2-piece window display from 1937 stands 4 ft. tall and depicts a revolving door with a trompe-l’oeil view inside a restaurant and soda fountain. Advertising “The Pleasantest Place in Town,” this colorful slice of Main Street American nostalgia carries a presale estimate of $15,000-$20,000.

A Coca-Cola leaded-glass hanging globe made by Metropolitan Glass Company is one of only about a half dozen known examples. “All that are known came out of New York,” said Morphy. “This one was in a soda shop in Queens. When it closed, the owners gave the globe to their Coca-Cola deliveryman as a gift. It has remained in the man’s family ever since, passing down through three generations.” Estimate: $12,000-$18,000.

Leaded-glass Coca-Cola hanging globe with 200 glass panels, late teens to early 1920s, est. $12,000-$18,000. Morphy Auctions image.

The remainder of the session is devoted to Moxie items from the collection of Dick Shay, a now-retired Ohio native who spent many years scouring the United States for the rarest and best pieces available. An elusive Moxie tip tray from the early 1900s is estimated at $1,400-$1,800. Leading the selection of general soda pop advertising in Saturday’s session is an embossed tin Modox sign in excellent-plus condition. It features the image of an Indian in full headdress and is expected to reach $7,000-$12,000.

Both the April 20 and 21 auction sessions will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live or LiveAuctioneers.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.morphyauctions.com or www.liveauctioneers.com. For additional information, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy Auctions online at www.morphyauctions.com.

‘Portrait of Anna Maria Borghese’ (née de Ferrari, 1874-1924), painted by Vittorio Matteo Corcos (Italian, 1859-1933), oil on canvas, 71 x 43¾-inches, est. $15,000-$25,000. Sterling Associates image.

CLOSTER, N.J. – Following the overwhelming success of its inaugural Estates Auction in December, Sterling Associates is preparing a March 31 follow-up event that features an exciting array of antiques and art from some of New Jersey’s finest homes.

The 350-lot sale includes a superb selection of paintings, sculpture, 18th- and 19th-century furniture, and autographed historical ephemera. A special offering of Chinese ivories and Asian porcelain has been added in response to the strong demand shown for this category in Sterling’s debut.

The fine art section is led by the wonderful Portrait of Anna Maria Borghese (née de Ferrari, 1874-1924), painted by Vittorio Matteo Corcos (Italian, 1859-1933). The framed 71 x 43¾-inch oil-on-canvas portrait depicts the young Italian noble in a pastel pink dress, her arm resting upon a terrace railing. Exhibiting outstanding technique in both its delicate flesh tones and shadings of background foliage, the appealing artwork is entered in the sale with a $15,000-$25,000 estimate.

Art Nouveau gilt bronze vase with foundry mark “E. Blot Paris Vrai Bronze,” signed ‘Jouant,’ 25½-inches tall, est. $4,000-$6,000. Sterling Associates image.

One of the highlights of the decorative arts section is a 25½-inch patinated gilt bronze Art Nouveau vase with the foundry mark “E. Blot Paris Vrai Bronze.” The artist, Jules Jouant (French, 1882-1921), skillfully created a relief image of a seminude young woman playing a lyre beneath a crescent moon and stars, with a swan swimming in nearby willows as its background. The dual-handled vessel is profusely carved with telescoping tree branches that terminate in flowering branches. The vase’s presale estimate is $4,000-$6,000.

A pair of figural gilt bronze compotes came from a home whose owners appreciate the elegance and perfection of 19th-century French design. Scrolling cabriole embellishments and a bird and acanthus leaf motif garnish the pedestals, each of which supports a shell-shape bowl. The pair will be offered with a $6,000-$8,000 estimate.

Another elegant duo is the pair of circa-1840 French chenets of gilt bronze mercury. Created for use as fireplace adornments, the 16-inch-tall chenets depict a three-dimensional cherub and fairy, respectively, each figure seated on a pedestal and holding a lengthy garland of flowers. Together, they are estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

Pair of circa-1840 French chenets of gilt bronze mercury, 16 inches tall, est. for pair $4,000-$6,000. Sterling Associates image.

Sterling Associates’ owner, Stephen D’Atri, is especially pleased to have amassed an exceptional grouping of Asian antiques to offer to bidders in his upcoming sale. He said he is giving bidders what they want, based on the results of his first auction.

“The star of our December sale was an 18th-century Qianlong cloisonné censer with kirin lid, which we had estimated at $6,000-$8,000. It attracted multiple Asian bidders over the phone and Internet, and ended up selling for $28,750 (inclusive of 15% buyer’s premium). That sent a clear signal that the demand for top-quality Asian antiques is not relenting,” said D’Atri.

A selection of 19th- to early 20th-century Chinese, Japanese and Indian ivory figures from three different estates. Sterling Associates image.

The March 31 auction includes a sizable grouping of Chinese, Japanese and Indian ivory figures coming from three different estates. All are of old ivory, and date to the 19th or early 20th century. A few of the figures are of Shiva goddesses, and one particular highlight depicts Quan Yen with a baby, riding atop a wave with a dragon emerging. The group of four Immortals exhibits very fine tooling and could possible be Japanese.

An interesting lineup of antique and vintage ephemera has been cataloged, as well. A portrait of George Washington, framed together with a 1795 document signed by the first U.S. president, is estimated at $12,000-$16,000. The document confirms the appointment of “Richard Dickinson of Connecticut” to the position of “Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Saybrook.” The historical 18th-century document signed in Philadelphia was acquired from the home of a distant Dickinson relative who is now deceased.

1946 letter written by Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, then a prep school student, to “Miss Ethel Skakel, Manhattanville College.” Skakel ended up marrying one of Kennedy’s elder brothers, Robert. Estimate: $400-$600. Sterling Associates image.

A holographic letter written by Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy in 1946, long before his days in politics, is addressed to “Miss Ethel Skakel, Manhattanville College.” [Skakel ended up marrying one of Kennedy’s elder brothers, Robert.] The chatty letter, written in longhand on Cranwell Preparatory School stationery, speaks of upcoming exams, having to do “manual labor” for getting caught “fooling around one night,” and also reminds Ethel that she “forgot to include six dollars and the stubs for the chances” in her last letter. The lot is estimated at $400-$600.

Antique doll collectors won’t want to miss the grouping of 16 antique and vintage dolls to be auctioned. Many types are represented, including German bisque-head, composition and cloth dolls. Manufacturers include Simon & Halbig, DEP, Heubach Koppelsdorf, and J.D. Kestner.

Estate collection of antique and vintage dolls, mostly of German manufacture; bisque, composition and cloth examples. Sterling Associates image.

Stephen D’Atri will be exhibiting highlights from the March 31 auction at Stella’s Pier Antiques Show in Manhattan on March 17-18. He invites all interested parties to view a handpicked auction selection and visit with Sterling Associates staff members at booth #4300.

Sterling Associates’ Spring Fine & Decorative Arts and Furniture Auction will be held on Saturday, March 31, starting at 12 noon Eastern time. It is structured as a hybrid auction in which previewing is available at the physical gallery, but all bidding is exclusively absentee, by phone or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.

“The way our auctions work, all bidding is conducted remotely, but we’re very much a permanent brick-and-mortar company where anyone can come in to inspect the goods,” said D’Atri. “It will be run exactly like a live auction, but without a live audience.”

The live gallery preview is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 27-30 inclusive. The gallery is located at 70 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 07624.

For additional information on any item in the auction, call 201-768-1140 or e-mail info@antiquenj.com. Visit Sterling Associates online at www.antiquenj.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

HERSHEY, Pa – “Toys, toys and more toys,” said Ronald M. Vastola, Outreach Coordinator of USA Theatres, producers of this weekend’s exciting, new event called the American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show.

“There will be an impressive timeline of toys and collectibles on exhibit, dating from the late 1800’s to the late 1980’s,” Vastola said. “Exhibitors are already loading up their vehicles, in preparation of this weekend’s event,” he added.

The show will feature numerous dealers buying, selling and trading all sorts of antique toys and collectibles, such as tin toys, cast iron toys, mechanical toys, banks, character toys, action figures, playsets, model kits, dolls, diecast vehicles, lunchboxes, advertising items, posters, rock-n-roll memorabilia, penny arcades, slot machines, trade stimulators, fortune teller machines and jukeboxes, according to USA Theatres.

“This show is so diverse that you will find anything from hand-painted turn of the century toys to vintage Beatles memorabilia,” Vastola said.

The American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show is set to debut this Saturday, March 3, at the Eastern Civic Center, located at 90 Harding Road in Old Greenwich, Connecticut (only 40 minutes via train from Grand Central Station NYC).

General admission into the event is $10 for adults and free for children under 12. Early buyers are welcome Friday evening at 6:00 p.m. and also Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. for $20 per person each day. Parking is free.

A variety of food and beverages will be available for purchase at the show, provided by Joemomma Foods, Inc. of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

For more information, visit the website, www.usatheatres.com/conventions

For hotel accommodations, attendees are encouraged to contact the Hilton Stamford Hotel & Executive Meeting Center, the official hotel of the American Antique Toy & Coin-Op Show. The hotel is conveniently located just 1.4 miles, 4 minutes from the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

Mention the show to receive a special room rate of just $79 per night (promo code: AMA). The hotel can be reached by visiting their website www.hiltonstamfordhotel.com or by calling them directly at (203) 967-2222.

Veteran celebrity journalist Barrett to donate proceeds to foundation benefiting seniors

Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen (French/Swiss, 1859-1923), ‘La Rue: Affiches Charles Verneau,’ lithographed color poster, artist-signed and dated 1896, 90½ by 116¼ inches, est. $50,000-$70,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. – The southern California auction house Clark’s Fine Art is preparing its spacious gallery for a March 10 sale filled with beautiful artworks, quality furniture and decorative art. The 310-lot sale features several important West Coast consignments, including artworks from the collection of trailblazing entertainment columnist Rona Barrett. Proceeds from the sale of the Barrett collection will benefit The Rona Barrett Foundation, which provides assistance to seniors in need.

Additionally, the auction includes highly collectible drawings from the Diane and Sandy Besser collection; and desirable contemporary prints from the Irv Wiener collection. Furniture, paintings and decorative art objects have come directly from the Estate of Harold Berkowitz and the Estate of Guy McElwaine, who was chairman and CEO of Columbia Pictures during the 1980s.

Alexandre-Marie Colin (French, 1798-1873), ‘Man and Woman by the Shoreline,’ oil on canvas, est. $6,000-$9,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

The caliber of fine art to be offered sets the tone for the entire sale. The selection is led by a Theophile-Alexandre Steinlen (French/Swiss, 1859-1923) lithographed color poster, artist-signed and dated 1896. Titled La Rue: Affiches Charles Verneau, the vividly colored impression depicts a bustling street scene populated with a cross-section of French society. Bright and lively, the massive six-panel Art Nouveau poster measures 90½ by 116¼ inches and is expected to make $50,000-$70,000.

Other 19th-century paintings to be auctioned include an Alexandre-Marie Colin (French, 1798-1873) oil on canvas titled Man and Woman by the Shoreline, est. $6,000-$9,000; and Hugh Bolton Jones’ (American, 1848-1927) Farmers Tilling the Fields, a 30 by 50-inch oil on canvas that could harvest a winning bid of $4,000-$6,000. Boy with Dog, a 19th-century Continental school oil on canvas, measures 40 by 30 inches and is estimated at $2,000-$4,000. All three artworks are from the Estate of Guy McElwaine.

Jacob Thompson (British, 1806-1879), ‘River Landscape with Horsemen and Peasants,’ est. $20,000-$30,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

An outstanding 1837 British painting, after 17th-century artist Aelbert Cuyp, is Jacob Thompson’s (1806-1879) River Landscape with Horsemen and Peasants. A signed work, it is estimated at $20,000-$30,000. Peasant Girl in Field, a 1917 oil on canvas by the Polish artist Antoni Piotrowski (1953-1924), is signed and dated both at lower right and on verso. Its estimate is $5,000-$10,000.

The distinctive grace of the hand of Vietnamese artist Le Pho (1907-2001) is seen in his signed Flower Still Life, a tranquil 28¾ by 21¼-inch work that the consignor acquired from the Wally Findlay Gallery in Beverly Hills. Estimate: $10,000-$15,000.

Guy Dill (American, b. 1946-), monumental painted and welded-steel sculpture, est. $15,000-$25,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

California artists are well represented in the sale. A monumental painted and welded-steel sculpture by Guy Dill (b. 1946-) could realize $15,000-$25,000; while Charles Arnoldi’s (b. 1946-) acrylic painting on chain-sawed multilayered plywood, titled Untouchable, is entered in the sale with a $7,000-$9,000 estimate. A 48-inch-square untitled mixed media on canvas by Mary Ann Corse (b. 1945-) was acquired directly from the artist, whose abstract works have been shown at the Guggenheim and Whitney Museum of American Art. It carries an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.

Other American artists include visualist and sculptor Robert Longo (b. 1953-), whose 1989 End of Season – a mixed media work numbered 9/11 on the artist’s label on verso – carries an $8,000-$12,000 estimate. The Longo comes from the Irv Wiener collection, as does a selection of prints by Louise Nevelson, Terry Winters, Carroll Dunham, Barbara Bloom and Helen Frankenthaler. The art selection continues with an Edward Curtis (1868-1952) platinum photograph titled Standing Woman in Dress and drawings by John Sloan and David Burliuk (Russian, 1882-1967).

Robert Longo (American, b. 1953-), ‘End of Season,’ mixed media, numbered 9/11, est. $8,000-$12,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

A Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941-) blue and gold work of acrylic and metallic paint on paper is framed with glass, reflecting the medium for which the Seattle-based artist is so widely acclaimed. It is estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

A beautiful array of Reuge music boxes will be auctioned, with estimates ranging from $200-$400 for an inlaid marquetry box that plays four songs to $1,000-$2,000 for a singing automaton bird box with oval pop-up. Also by Reuge, a musical erotic pocket watch, Louis XVI style, has a 15-inch gold chain and colored stone inlays and key. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000.

Archive of letters written by Charles Manson to his attorney, Irving Kanarek, during the infamous Helter Skelter trial, est. $1,000-$2,000. Clark’s Fine Art image.

Interior furnishings include a dining set, sideboard, mahogany cheval mirror and a sparkling leaded-crystal chandelier with 20 lamps, estimated at $2,000-$4,000. In addition, the auction features Chinese porcelains, sterling silver wares, an antique carousel horse, and a collection of letters Charles Manson wrote to his attorney, Irving Kanarek, during the infamous Helter Skelter trial.

Clark’s Fine Art welcomes all forms of bidding for its March 10 auction, including live at the gallery, absentee, by phone, or live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. The gallery is located at 14931 Califa St., Space A, Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles), CA 91411. The auction will begin at noon Pacific Time. Preview 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 5 through Friday, March 9, and from 10 a.m. till noon on auction day.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call 818-783-3052 or e-mail gallery@pacbell.net. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com. Visit Clark’s website at www.estateauctionservice.com.

San Francisco, CA  –  Feb 21, 2012

After analyzing membership records at www.Marks4Antiques.com, it quickly became evident that an increasing number of antiques professionals prefer using online methods to research their items.  “Almost half of our registered members are either antiques appraisers or auctioneers” says John of Membership Services at www.Marks4Antiques.com.  All other members are antiques dealers, online sellers or collectors.  The company believes that this validates their efforts in constantly researching and enhancing their members-only content.

One of the main advantages of using online tools to research antiques and collectibles is that they are always updated in real time.  Most members often contribute content by asking questions or pointing out latest news and market trends.  This information is then made available to all other members immediately and saves a great deal of effort and, very frequently, money by avoiding costly mistakes.

Another important reason is that access to online reference material is instant.  An internet connection to one’s mobile device or laptop is all that is needed to tap into thousands of makers’ marks & hallmarks, pricing results, historical context and timeline perspectives when researching any collection, whether at the office or on the road.  “I really appreciate the quick help as usual and the extra information you provide is top notch ” emailed Ron Leftwich of JLP Auctions in Culperer, VA, who conducts over 100 estate auctions per year at his own auction house and as many or more on clients’ premises in neighboring communities.

Even so-called traditional antiques professionals have begun embracing online research tools.  “We receive so many donated items all the time” says Annick Notter, Curator at the Museum of Art & History of La Rochelle in France.  “Subscribing to Marks4Antiques.com has cut down the time to process our items significantly and increased the accuracy of our attributions and market value estimates ten-fold” she added.  For the same reasons, many charity shops and non-profits are also members.

Although inventories for some antiques dealers or sellers may vary over time, antiques appraisers at many auction houses are the most frequent visitors of the members-only resources at Marks4Antiques.com.  “We sell upwards of a thousand precious antiques & collectibles every two weeks to a world-wide and sophisticated audience” said Colin Smith, President of Hampstead Auctions in London, UK, during a recent telephone interview.  “All of these items have to be researched with utmost accuracy before listing and advertising.  We are ecstatic that we can now check our facts instantly and also ask any questions when in doubt” he added, referring to the Help Guaranteed feature of Marks4Antiques.com.  As part of their benefits, members can send questions and receive an unbiased and confidential reply at no extra charge as often as they wish.  “It’s like having an antiques expert on retainer at all times” he says.

About www.Marks4Antiques.com

Founded in 2004, Marks4Antiques.com has been a pioneer in creating online research services to help members identify and appraise antiques or collectibles online. Members can swiftly find accurate information on makers marks, hallmarks, company & artisan signatures or logos.  Fake or reproduction marks are displayed side-by-side to authentic ones for easy and quick comparison.  Searchable databases also include millions of auction records to research prices or values for all categories of antiques and collectibles, with no need to send photos or descriptions.  All content is constantly updated and always available 24/7 from any computer or device connected to the Internet.

Contact email: Contact@Marks4Antiques.com