A No Reserve Auction In New Jersey. Some Good Guessing Some Bad

The crazy world that is DC these last few weeks continues. Last night I headed home via the bus up Wisconsin Ave. Its not much more than two miles between the store and home. It took me an hour and a half. This city is still a mess and all this has been keeping me from my duties. Its called exhaustion. At any rate I reviewed Rago's auction results and I was pretty good at most guesses and bad at a few.

There were some great deals and it shows that our economy is still creating environments for great buys. Here again are my bids and what the items sold for. That was fun!
Sorry about the size of the pictures. Blogger software problems.

On February 12th and 13th, Rago's Auction House in Lambertville, NJ, is holding a big no reserve auction. No reserve means that there is no minimum that the auctioneer won't accept. As a result there no estimates as to where the bidding should begin. This makes for great fun amongst us auction hounds and can, with the right circumstances, result in a great buy.

Since there is no minimum bid denied to start the lot, the first offer can be way low. If there aren't enough people interested in the item, that price can stay low. It doesn't happen often but it does happen. This is a big auction so the chances for the great buy are good.

This a very large auction and a reflection of the the times. People are selling their treasures. Its not a fire sale, but obviously the house has many items it wants off the inventory list. Folks, this is an opportunity to grab something that might be on your list for a great price.

So this could be fun and a bit o'work and embarrassment for your friend Homer. I'm going to take a guess at what I think these items are worth. Most of them are outside my area of expertise, okay I'm Nooo appraiser but I have been doing this for awhile so I have "minimum" confidence..yea that was a pun. I'd love to hear what your estimate thoughts would be.This will makes the comments section funto read. Its a huge catalog which you can view here. I chose just a few items that I'll keep my eye on. Lets look.


Lot 178: TWO AMERICAN SILVER TANKARDS R & W Wilson octagonal coin silver tankard with engraved floral motif, Philadelphia, ca. 1825-1846 together with a Victorian sterling tankard with unknown hallmarks...
My bid is $800.00
SOLD FOR $336.00. Boy was I off there. Not a good start.



Lot 200: MIES VAN DER ROHE Pair of chrome and wicker lounge chairs. 34" x 21 1/2" x 30"
My bid $1,600.00
SOLD FOR $1,708.00. A good guess. Whew.



Lot 242: GLENN APPLEMAN Red ceramic Packard cookie jar. Dated 1980. Signed Appleman. 8 1/4" x 16" x 9 3/4"
My bid $300.00. Remember Warhol! That would be a great buy.
SOLD FOR $458.00. Not a bad guess.



Lot 328: DONALD DESKEY / BENNETT Pair of brass and enameled cast iron andirons. 15" x 8" x 17 1/2"
My bid $250.00. They look like aliens! Live Long and Prosper.
SOLD FOR $366.00. I might have stayed in too $300.00.



Lot 334: GILBERT ROHDE / HERMAN MILLER Pair of mahogany, burled walnut and rosewood etageres with steel pulls and interior adjustable shelves, each with glass doors and single shelf...
My bid $2,000.00. Electic mid century. Yea baby!
SOLD FOR $1,220.00. Went too high for those.



Lot 339: ART DECO Pair of club chairs upholstered in forest green leather. 34" x 32" x 34"
My bid $3,500.00. I love them, very Astaire/Rogers.
SOLD FOR $732.00. My goodness, perhaps they weren't in good shape. My bad.



Lot 352: FREDERICK WEINBERG (Attr.) Four faux bamboo bar stools with enameled steel bases and vinyl upholstery. Unmarked. 30 1/2" x 16 1/2" sq
My bid $900.00. Very Mrs. Robinson. I'd put faux leopard on them and have a Manhattan.
SOLD FOR $397.00. Somebody got a great buy.




Lot 429: MODERN Console table with glass top on enameled steel base. 29 1/2" x 48" x 16"
My bid $600.00. Its a classic, you could put that anywhere.
SOLD FOR $366.00. A steal!! I'm not doing well am I?



Lot 589: HARVEY PROBBER Cabinet with two leather-covered sliding doors concealing three drawers on one side and single shelf on the other, over a lower shelf on tubular brass legs...
My bid $800.00. Again, yeaa baby. Very "What is James Wearing."
SOLD FOR $183.00. OH MY GOODNESS..so way off.



Lot 593: BAKER Solid brass and glass tray table, its base in a bamboo pattern. Unmarked. 18 1/2" x 37 3/4" x 24"
My bid $999.00. My favorite piece. A total classic..so I ruined my bid.
SOLD FOR $427.00. I missed it, I missed it!!



Lot 861: MCHUGH (Attr.) Settle with reverse tapered posts and X-shaped arm inserts. 36" x 62" x 26 1/2"
My bid $400.00.
SOLD FOR $458.00. Finally, pretty close.



Lot 915: WELLER FOREST Two trumpet-shaped vases and a pitcher. Hairline to rim of pitcher. All stamped Weller. Pitcher: 5 5/8" x 6 1/2"
My bid $1,700.00. A roadshow favorite. Yawnnnn
SOLD FOR $397.00. What do I know?



Lot 1007: TANG STYLE Pair of carved wood red lacquered horses. 30 1/2" x 36" x 14"
My bid $400.00. That would be a great buy. Fingers crossed.
SOLD FOR $122.00. A decorative steal. Darn they went for nothing.




Lot 1013: ASIAN Two Chinese porcelain jardinieres or goldfish bowls, 20th C. Tallest: 12 1/4"
My bid $400.00. Low I'm sure.
SOLD FOR $61.00. Yes $61.00.



Lot 1073: NINE PAIRS OF BOOKENDS Shakespeare, Recumbent Lions, Town Crier, Bradley and Hubbard Book Reader, Liberty Bell, Native American and others, 20th century, tallest 7"..
My bid $489.00. I might be close, what do you think?
SOLD FOR $397.00. Close.



Lot 1077: BURL WOOD BOWL Shallow with much interior wear, uncertain origin and age. 10 1/2 X 3 1/4"
My bid $450.00. Could be way off.
sold for $397.00. I surprised myself.




Lot 1127: RICHARD GINORI Tea set with service for eight includes teapot, sugar, creamer with underplate, demitasse with saucers and cake plates. Marked Richard Ginori Italy...
My bid $1,200.00. Pretty set.
SOLD FOR $976.00. Good guess Homer.




Lot 1133: MINTONS FOR TIFFANY & CO. Gilt decorated porcelain dinnerware. Thirty-nine pieces include thirteen bowls, fourteen salad plates and twelve bread plates.
My bid $2,000.00. Can't put it in the dishwasher!
SOLD FOR $732.00. A deal I'm sure.



Lot 1167: BRONZE Pair of stylized conch shells. Each: 4 1/2" x 7" x 5"
My bid $300.00. Just like them.
SOLD FOR $976.00. Guess I wasn't alone in liking them.



Lot 1217: DECORATIVE Side table with white and blue porcelain trivet. 17" x 14" x 10 1/2"
My bid $250.00. That would be fair.
SOLD FOR $244.00. Right on the money.


Lot 1248: OCEANLINER DECK LOUNGE CHAIR, c. 1910 folding hardwood lounge with caned seat, back and foot rest. Provenance: Pacific & Orient ocean liner. 31" x 60" x 23"
My bid $425.00. Thinking bout trips past.
SOLD FOR $427.00. A great way to end my guessing game!

I don't think I did too bad and it was a fun challenge.