Skinner to Auction Extensive Collection of Microscopes, Clocks July 16th, 2011
Boston, MA – June 25, 2011 – Skinner, Inc. will auction nearly 600 lots of antique microscopes, compasses, watches, clocks and more on Saturday, July 16th, 2011 at the Marlborough gallery, 274 Cedar Hill Street, Marlborough, Massachusetts.
Antique Microscopes, Compasses and Lathes
The event features the important early microscope collection of Serafino Avella, which includes pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries. Examples range from simple botanical microscopes to sophisticated compound binocular microscopes. Also to be auctioned is an extensive assortment of more than 1,000 prepared microscopy slides. Most are labeled by the preparer, and they are organized in fitted cabinets.
There are fine examples of surveying compasses, including lot 183, an 18th century compass made in New England by John Dupee. The intricately detailed, walnut compass is estimated to sell between $1,500 and $2,500.
A truly unique item available is lot 212, one of the most complete ornamental turning lathes to come on the market in many years. These sophisticated early machines could create all manner of complicated forms and elaborate designs. This Holtzapffel & Deyerlein ornamental turning lathe was made in London around 1827. It has a mahogany bench with foot treadle, flywheel and drawers below the iron bed. The tall chest has shelves fitted to store accessories, many of which are included. The lower doors store thirty-six turning tools marked Holtzapffel with handles of rosewood and other rare woods. Auction estimates for this piece range from $15,000 to $25,000.
Timepieces: Antique Clocks and Watches
The auction will include many timekeeping devices. The watch featured on the back cover of the catalogue, lot 312, is a Patek Philippe & Co. chronograph register 18 karat gold hunter case watch. Made in Geneva, Switzerland in 1882, this piece features an 18 karat rose gold case with PPC mark which opens to reveal the enamel dial marked M. Scooler, New Orleans, No. 6521. The inside rear lid is engraved Presented by Friends Dec. 25, 95, the cuvette is engraved No. 65214 Made to Order for M. Scooler, 105 Canal Street, New Orleans La, by Patek Philippe & Co. Geneva. This lot is accompanied by an “Extract from the Archives” from Patek Philippe dated December 11, 2009, providing the details of date of manufacture. The auction estimate ranges from $40,000 to $60,000.
Another noteworthy watch is lot 315, made by the American Watch Company of Waltham, Massachusetts around 1862. This 18 karat gold watch was presented by Abraham Lincoln to David Dudley Field. Field met Lincoln in Chicago in 1847 while a member of the “Barnburner” Democratic Party. By 1856 Field and Lincoln had both become Republicans. A member of a distinguished family, Field was often on opposite sides of the political discourse with Lincoln, but obviously highly respected as an advisor and frequent visitor to Lincoln at the White House. This watch is presented in its original rosewood box, and has an auction estimate ranging from $30,000 to $50,000.
There are many unique and high-quality antique clocks set for sale. Lot 331 is especially interesting; it is the only known 90-day duration (i.e. it only requires winding every three months) wall clock, and the only wall clock known with “Fay’s escapement.” Made by E. Howard & Co., Boston, c. 1858, the walnut clock features Fay’s patented escapement mounted on the front. Henry C. Fay of Troy, New York, patented his “walking pawl” or “silent” escapement on May 11, 1858. The auction estimate for this unique piece ranges from $80,000 to $120,000.
From a wonderful collection of early Connecticut clocks comes lot 333, a Curtis & Clark spring-powered shelf clock made in Plymouth, Connecticut circa 1825. Its mahogany case with carved columns flanking the painted iron dial is signed Curtis & Clark, Plymouth, Conn. The clock has Arabic numerals and reverse-painting on its glass. According to Chris H. Bailey in “Heman Clark and the ‘Salem Bridge’ Shelf Clocks,” NAWCC Bulletin Supplement No. 13, 1980, pp. 22-26, Heman Clark undoubtedly designed and made the prototype for the Connecticut spring-powered shelf clock. An 1824 contract extant outlines the production of 200 of these clocks. Few survive to this day. This example was owned by the late Kenneth Roberts and was displayed for many years at the American Clock and Watch Museum, Bristol, Connecticut during his tenure as Director. The auction estimate ranges from $15,000 to $25,000.
Previews, Catalogue and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, July 14th from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., Friday, July 15th from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 16th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. On Friday, July 15th there will be a Gallery Walk at 7:00 p.m., preceded by a reception at 6:00 p.m. Register for the Gallery Walk at http://conta.cc/ClocksEvent
Illustrated catalogue #2555M is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery for $32. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive! To register for real-time bidding go to http://www.skinnerinc.com/buy-sell/skinner-live.php. Or, for more information call 508-970-3000.
About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the world’s leading auction houses for antiques and fine art. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner’s appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, American & European Paintings & Prints, European Furniture & Decorative Arts, 20th Century Design, Fine Ceramics, Fine Silver, Fine Jewelry, Couture, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Works of Art, Fine Wines, Rare Books & Manuscripts, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, Fine Judaica, Antique Motor Vehicles, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Discovery and Science, Technology & Clocks. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Marlborough, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.
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Contacts
- Robert C. Cheney, Director of Science, Technology & Clocks, 508-970-3244, clocks@skinnerinc.com
- Kate de Bethune, Director of Marketing, 508-970-3231, kdebethune@skinnerinc.com