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The April 27 auction at White’s Auctions in Middleborough, Mass., was a successful and fast-paced event, grossing $462,000 and attracting about 75 active bidders in the gallery. Known for their straightforward approach, John White and Kathryn Black ensure their auctions are simple and efficient, with items quickly passed if no bids are immediately placed. The sale featured a diverse range of items, including paintings, gold coins, jewelry, mechanical banks, Native American artifacts, and historical memorabilia, all well-researched and cataloged.
The highlight of the sale was a Calamity Football mechanical bank by the J.E. Stevens Company (circa 1875), which fetched $7,930, the highest price of the auction. The bank, in excellent condition with original paint, was from the collection of Richard “Dick” Withington, a renowned collector and the first licensed auctioneer in New Hampshire. It retained its tag from a 2008 auction of Withington’s collection, adding to its provenance.
Seven paintings by Francis Davis Millet (1848-1912), an American painter and journalist who perished on the Titanic, were also prominent in the sale. These works came from the estate of Peter Engstrom, Millet’s biographer, who lived in the artist’s studio. The top-selling painting was a portrait of a Native American, which realized $6,100. Another early work depicting two Natives hunting, possibly painted on a cupboard door, sold for $4,270. The paintings were noted for their historical significance, as Millet was reportedly seen assisting women and children into lifeboats as the Titanic sank.
Gold coins and jewelry were another strong category. Ten one-ounce gold Krugerrands sold in five lots, each bringing $6,710, while four sets of 1994 American gold eagle coins sold for $6,100 per lot. Jewelry highlights included two silver squash blossom necklaces, one by Matilde Matl, featuring coral, amethyst, and turquoise, which sold for $4,880. An 18K gold fusee movement pocket watch by M.J. Tobias of Liverpool fetched $4,270.
Native American artifacts also performed well, with two woven rugs from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota selling for $2,684 and $1,464, respectively. Two porcupine hair battle roach headdresses brought $366 and slightly less. A group of nine early Native American stone artifacts, consigned by Engstrom, realized $5,185.
Other notable items included a Gibson B-25 Sunburst acoustic guitar ($2,196), an E.J. Jumeau closed-mouth bisque doll ($2,196), and a Civil War Navy .44-caliber Colt revolver with an engraved naval scene ($2,196). A heavily rusted 400-pound British cannon, dating to Evacuation Day in 1776, sold for $3,416. The cannon, dredged from Boston Harbor, is a significant artifact of American history, marking the British evacuation from Boston during the Revolutionary War.
One surprising pass was an elaborate Black Forest wall clock, intricately carved with hunting motifs, which failed to attract a bid at the $1,000 opening price.
After the sale, White and Black expressed satisfaction with the results, noting strong gallery attendance and some unexpected highlights, such as the performance of the squash blossom necklaces and the Dick Withington mechanical bank. The auction demonstrated a robust market for a wide array of collectibles and historical items, with buyers and sellers alike benefiting from White’s streamlined and efficient approach.
For more information, contact White’s Auctions at 508-269-9275 or visit www.whitesauctions.com.
