Roesen Resonates at Roan’s
ROAN Inc. had the privilege of offering a range of quality Art, Antiques, Furnishings and Collectibles in our Annual Pre-Christmas Auction, garnered from a variety of private collections and estates throughout greater Pennsylvania & NY state.
Held over two days, Friday & Saturday, December 20 & 21, 2024, we hosted a full house of live bidders along with worldwide participation from online bidders which created a perfect storm of intense bidding on highly sought-after articles.
Topping the two-day event was a pair of still-life oil paintings by German American artist, Severin Roesen. Consigned from a local private home, the pair sold for $80,000 and will be staying in the Williamsport area where Roesen’s reputation is strong, and his art is desirable. ROAN Inc. has offered and sold more of Roesen’s works than any other gallery across the nation. We are glad to see that his works are recovering and again bringing more respectable prices.
Although not the typical art sold in ROAN Inc. Auctions, a bright abstract watercolor signed and dated by known artist Alexander Calder, piqued the interest of a local collector for $7,500.
Additional local interest items included a pair of antique wrought iron floor torchiere lamps from the original Park Hotel at Williamsport, PA. The lamps were consigned from a local collector and historian and for a resounding $13,000 sold to another local collector. Supplementary lighting incorporated in the auction included a swirled Mother of Pear melon ribbed satin glass parlor or table lamp for $1,100; an antique Aladdin ‘Lincoln Drape’ oil table lamp with Aladdin shade for $425 and an antique brass cigar lighter oil lamp for the same amount. A Bradley & Hubbard jeweled brass oil parlor lamp in original condition sold for $575 while miscellaneous miniature lamps (most with some type of condition issue) ranged from $50 to $130 each.
The Antique Regina upright floor model disc player offered in Saturday’s session was purchased by a collaboration of supporters of Williamsport’s Rowley House Museum. The music box will be a great addition to the curated collection of displayed antiques, for a handsome price of $6,000.00
Watches, Sterling Wares Jewelry and Coins are always of interest in our auctions. A Jaeger-LeCoultre 1904 US $20 Gold Coin Wristwatch sold online for $4,800; a beautiful, cased set of Reed & Barton ‘Cameo’ sterling flatware sold for $3,700 and a two-tone yellow gold Victorian mourning ring sold for $800. The few $2.50 gold coins offered brought $400 - $500 apiece and the silver coins ranged – i.e. $35.00 face 90% Silver Half Dollars sold for $600.
A selection of antique stoneware pieces were spread throughout the auction. From a Clinton Co. home, the piece drawing in the most attention was a Cowden & Wilcox 1 ½ gallon grey jug with cobalt flower in a wreath and hat-form spout. A surprising $3,200 was realized for this jug while others including a Sipe, Nichols & Co (Williamsport) decorated batter jug sold for $1,800 and a rare antique Norton B&A Railroad four-gallon water jug with script lettering went home for $1,500.00
A few specialty items throughout the two-day period include an antique new old stock Orange Crush tin sign that realized $1,700; an antique ‘Richfield’ gasoline pump globe (one sided) sold for $700; (2) antique ‘Mills’ one-arm bandit 5-cent slot machines for $550 and $475; an antique WWII US Army-Airforce Nordon Bomb sight brought $500, and an antique Hamilton Maritime chronometer realized $700.
A ‘J. Douglass’ Huntingdon PA antique long rifle along with other antique and reproduction firearms were offered in our line-up. The Douglass came in on top at $1,900 while a ‘Dawson & LaGeose’ Williamsport, Ind. fine reproduction side by side long rifle brought $1,500 and a John Trout, Williamsport PA antique long rifle sold for $650.00
A modest amount of furniture included in the auction comprised of an exceptional one-drawer antique Sheraton paint decorated stand that was battled over until landing at $1,900. A unique cow horn chair with matching ottoman sold for $1,200 and a ‘Terrestrial’ World Globe, by Kittinger, sold for $650.00
A wide variety of antique & vintage Christmas ornaments and decors were offered. Ringing in the holidays as the top candidate was a colorful life size wooden Nutcracker, selling for $1,000.00. An antique Hubley cast iron coin Santa still bank came in at $350, a circa 1940s Santa working automaton from Turner’s Department Store, Bellefonte PA realized $225 while other lots varying in age and description sold for $120 and under. An antique horse drawn cutter sleigh sold for $500.
Speaking of Christmas, toys and related collectibles were offered. A near mint vintage Kenner ‘Alien’ toy with box grabbed attention of $850. An antique Tonka No. 0875 Builder’s Supply Fleet toy truck with original box sold for $750 and an R. John Wright Limited Edition ‘Winnie the Pooh’ 7-piece set sold for $500. A Vintage/Antique Bull Dog pull toy went to a collector for $425 and an antique brass barrel toy/scale model artillery cannon sold for $250.00
All in all, the two-day auction was a success with many happy bidders leaving with their new treasures.
Please note that the prices given do not include the additional buyer’s premium or fees.
