BOSTON, Mass. – October 23, 2002 - www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, Inc., one of the nation’s leading auctioneers and appraisers of antiques and fine art, will hold a two-day Discovery auction on Thursday, November 15 and Friday, November 16, 2002 in its Bolton, Mass. gallery. The Thursday evening session begins at 7:00 p.m. Friday’s session begins at 10:00 a.m. and features two copies of Old New England Pictures, a very rare Wallace Nutting book of prints. The books were deaccessioned to Skinner by a New England civic institution.

Produced between 1913 and 1917, Nutting had originally intended that 200 copies of the work be published, but only 12 of the books were ever issued. Originally, Old New England Pictures was designed to have 64 pages of text and 32 hand-colored, titled mounted photographs, each signed by Nutting. All twelve copies of the books are accounted for, but no two books contain an exact assembly; with all in varying states of condition or not fully completed. Of these two copies for sale, one is complete and is labeled as having been given to the institution by Wallace Nutting.

The completed edition of Old New England Pictures is being offered with an estimate of $4000-6000. The second edition carries an estimate of $1000-1500. It has all of the text pages, but only 8 of the mounted photographs. The second copy does include handwritten editing notes and changes. Two others of the fully completed books are in the Library of Congress, and five are in private ownership.

Other Nutting-related material in the sale includes Nutting’s large collection of glass lecture slides and projection equipment.

“Wallace Nutting was a significantly influential figure in American popular culture and can be credited with creating a popular interest in Americana, antiques and interior decorating. His prints are very collectible in general, and these rare books are extremely so, since their production was so very limited.”

Other offerings in Skinner’s November Discovery auction include a broad selection of clock, plus Skinner’s usual array of Discovery merchandise such as estate furnishings, decorative accessories, carpets & rugs, and artwork from the 18th – 20th century.

An auction catalog is available for $11 from the subscription department at Skinner/Bolton (978-779-6241 ext. 240). They can also be purchased at the gallery for $9. Prices realized at the auction will be available in real time at www.skinnerinc.com. Buyers who are unable to attend the auction can view the sale and leave bids online at www.skinnerinc.com. For more information on consigning property for future Discovery auctions, please contact Skinner’s Discovery department at 978-779-6241 or via email at discovery@skinnerinc.com. For Skinner’s full auction schedule visit our web site at www.skinnerinc.com..

Note to Editors: Photos available upon request. Contact Catherine Riedel at 978-779-6241 x 231.

About Skinner:
With galleries in Boston and Bolton, Mass., Skinner is a one of the nation’s leading auction houses. As a full-service auction house, Skinner provides auction and appraisal services for all manner of antiques and fine art, and its appraisal experts are regularly seen on the PBS series, The Antiques Roadshow. Skinner conducts auctions year-round and has received world-record prices for many pieces sold at auction. Departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. For more information on upcoming auctions, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com.