Fairfield, Maine, November 21 & 22, 2008. – James D. Julia’s Spring Lamp & Glass Auction at $3 million was the largest grossing lamp & glass auction held in North America over the past twelve months and their Fall 2008 auction could even break that record. A plethora of rare lamps, exquisite glass and choice mini lamps will present a superb buying opportunity for collectors and investors alike. Dudley Browne, head of Julia’s glass & lamp division said, “With the current volatility of the stock market, investment in quality tangible assets such as rare glass and lamps is becoming increasingly enticing. After all, who ever heard of a rare Tiffany lamp fall 800 points in one day?” Indeed, Julia’s antique firearms division held a major auction this past October 6th & 7th and while the stock market plunged 10%, the world banking industry was on the verge of possible collapse, and the federal government was desperately trying to sell a $700 billion bailout package, rare guns sold readily for strong money. In addition, the low estimate of everything sold was approximately $10 million and realized a solid $12 million. A rare Colt Walker revolver sold for nearly $1 million making it the world’s most expensive firearm ever sold at auction. The collectibles market is still definitely vibrant!

The fabulous two-day sale totaling approximately 800 lots and $3.7 Million in merchandise features a stunning array of glass and lighting treasures assembled from important collections and estates from across North America. Included will be a marvelous selection of Tiffany glass, lamps and desk accessories, fine art glass, French Cameo, and Victorian glass to name a few.

The many highlights include a one-of-a-kind, extraordinary Tiffany chandelier that once hung in the First Presbyterian Church in Buffalo, New York. Purchased by the church in 1895, this mammoth piece measures 36” in diameter and is nearly 6 feet tall. Consisting of six blown out amber leaded panels separated by jeweled sections, it is suspended by jeweled chains and leaded leaf accents. It is accompanied by copies of church ledgers showing payment for the lamp in 1895. This unique masterpiece is a tribute to the creative abilities of Tiffany’s design department and is a rare opportunity with a presale estimate of $600,000-800,000.

This auction also boasts the company’s largest offering of lamps to date. Numbering over 150 examples, a grand selection of Tiffany includes a fabulous 18” tulip border table lamp with seldom seen red tulips with broad stems and leaves and two lines of rippled amber geometric panels. Fresh from a Massachusetts home, it comes with a presale estimate of $70,000-100,000. A 16” Tiffany example with yellow tulips in various stages of bloom against a lovely pale blue background carries a $65,000-85,000 estimate. An exceedingly rare 18” nasturtium table lamp with a broad bell shaped shade comprised of warm red and orange flowers among a field of green leaves and rests on an adjustable base is expected to sell for $160,000-180,000. Other rarities include a Tiffany geometric with golden amber panels accented by a line of iridescent Favrile balls around the body of the shade that carries an estimate of $80,000-100,000. A Tiffany daffodil lamp with inverted yellow flowers emanating from the top of its triangular shade with an enchanting blue-green background is expected to sell for $50,000-60,000.

A most unusual and exceedingly rare lamp, formerly of the Howard Booher, Sr. collection, is known as the Tiffany Fireball. One of only two known to exist and consisting of a globular shade ablaze with red, orange, and yellow flames licking the sides of a variegated green and amber body, it rests atop a ribbed and beaded bronze pedestal. This stunning piece is expected to heat things up to the level of $50,000-75,000. Of the unleaded variety, a scarce Tiffany emerald green linenfold lamp features a wonderful Fabrique shade, formed glass panels that Tiffany created that gave the illusion of fabric. Normally found with amber colored panels, the emerald color is quite striking. On a gold Dore base, all topped by a glass top cap, this outstanding lamp carries an estimate of $22,000-25,000. In addition will be two lily lamps, both a 10- and a 12-light example. Consisting of a bouquet of ribbed Favrile trumpet shades on slender stems emerging from naturalistic lily pad bronze bases, they carry estimates of $20,000-25,000 and $40,000-50,000 respectively.

Other lighting includes a plethora of Pairpoint puffy examples, particularly a poppy. This multi-colored example features orange and magenta blossoms among broad green leaves and carries an estimate of $25,000-35,000. An exceedingly rare 14” Pairpoint rose bonnet will continue to elude all but one eager buyer when it comes to Julia’s auction block. It consists of brilliant red and pink blossoms accented by a white butterfly alighting on a green leafy background. Nearly as captivating off as it is illuminated, it carries a presale estimate of $60,000-80,000. This is joined by a closed top rose and a closed top azalea puffy example that carry estimates of $15,000-20,000 and $14,000-18,000 respectively.

A collection of Handel includes a variety of overlay lamps such as a wonderful paperwhite example with a wavy string of flowers over panels of broad grass that carries an estimate of $6,000-8,000. A leaded cattail leaded lamp in green and brown over a butterscotch background with metal overlay comes with an estimate of $10,000-15,000. An example with panels of geometric designs over a reverse decorated silhouette landscape scene overlaid with trees that create a three dimensional effect is a special find. Resting on a bulbous bronze base with trees in relief, the lamp carries a $10,000-15,000 presale estimate. Also available will be pine tree and Hawaiian sunset overlay lamps and others.

Handel is also represented by a variety of reverse decorated lamps such as a brilliant daffodil with realistically rendered flowers against a stylized forest background. This piece weighs in at $4,000-6,000. A gorgeous Handel lamp known simply as “6688” depicts a field of stylized rose blossoms being visited by a small yellow butterfly and is expected to bring $10,000-15,000. An example known as “Treasure Island” features schooners sailing past tropical islands under a moonlit sky. It comes to the block with expectations of $9,000-15,000. And a Handel jungle bird lamp featuring a pair of vibrant macaws among a lush tropical forest carries a $10,000-15,000 estimate.
The selection continues with an array of Duffner & Kimberly leaded lamps including a beautiful orchid lamp with bold white flowers in each of its four sections, which are separated by emerald green arches of geometric panels. This exquisite piece is expected to sell for $20,000-25,000. A lively Duffner & Kimberly leaded lamp in the Art Nouveau pattern with an intricate design of swags and sunrise designs in a broad palette of color comes with a $25,000-30,000 estimate. And a variation of their thistle leaded table lamp with pointed leaves and vines forming the irregular border rim beneath a geometric pattern of mottled amber and green pendants carries a pre-auction estimate of $8,000-12,000.

In addition to the lighting will be an expansive selection of art glass including works by Tiffany, Steuben, Lalique, and others. The ever popular and forever elegant, Tiffany will be represented by a never before seen miniature agate vase with gold enamel floral decoration. The vase is featured in the renowned Louis Comfort Tiffany by Dumont. Expected to receive a lot of attention, this unique vase is expected to sell for $10,000-15,000. A very fine Tiffany blue and gold iridescent Tel El Amarna vase with its neck inlaid with delicate gold decoration around the neck. It comes to the block with a $7,000-10,000 estimate. And a gorgeous 16” Tiffany pastel candlestick with a pink foot and candle cup supporting a green stem that fades to blue is believed to be the finest example the firm has seen in their 40+ years in the business. The candlestick is expected to sell for $2,500-3,500.

A select grouping of Steuben includes a last second addition of a 10-1/2” Tyrian vase with green to lavender iridescence with leaf and vine decoration. The color and iridescence makes it the one of the best examples available and carries an estimate of $25,000-30,000. And an assortment of Lalique is highlighted in part by a rare Aras vase depicting a flock of birds around the perimeter in white opalescent glass with green patination. It comes with a $4,500-5,500 estimate. This is joined by a magnificent Archers vase with blue patination featuring an army of men aiming their bows and arrows toward the sky. This piece hopes to hit its target estimate of 5,000-6,000. And a wonderful Gros Scarabees vase in clear glass with large scarab beetles covering the outside is expected to bring $6,000-7,000.

Adding to the breadth of the sale will be an ample offering of French Cameo glass by the most sought after names in the genre including Daum, Galle, Le Verre Francais, and others. A magnificent and monumental 26” Daum swan vase with white birches and graceful birds around the outside is perhaps one of the largest of its type available. It is expected to draw $10,000-15,000. An exceedingly rare and highly sought after Daum Impressionist vase with stylized mottled trees on an internally decorated blue background comes with an $8,000-10,000 estimate. A select grouping of Galle includes a most artistic snow scene vase with a cameo and enameled bird standing out against snow covered trees and ground under a light blue sky background. This piece carries an estimate of $10,000-15,000. These are joined by several padded and wheel carved vases, Martele vases, and a number of cameo and enameled vases in varying sizes and shapes.

A fine offering of rare Victorian glassware adds to the selection including a magnificent Royal Flemish covered jar with delicate handles and enameled images of winged cherubs in a battle between a griffin on the front and back. Seldom seen, this piece is expected to sell for $10,000-15,000.

Helping to round out the sale will be a selection of jewelry and Italian enameled compacts from the Geraldine Gaba Estate of Scottsdale, Arizona, as well as Mrs. Gaba’s collection hundreds of perfume bottles. This massive collection includes many rare and unusual bottles and factices by most of the famous makers. And a collection of fine mini lamps from a Mississippi estate is highlighted by a red and white Webb cameo example with floral decoration across its base and chimney. It carries an estimate of $4,000-6,000. Also included will be marvelous examples in Rainbow Satin, Rainbow cut glass, figurals, amberina, diamond quilted mother of pearl, and many more. This is going to be a fast paced auction that you will not want to miss!
Previews: Wednesday & Thursday, November 19th & 20th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday & Saturday, November 21st & 22nd, 8-10 a.m. Auction commences at 10 a.m. on Friday & Saturday. Free full-color, detailed, illustrated brochures are available by contacting the Julia offices. Full-color catalogs are available for $39 by mail. For all the latest updates and for complete online version of the catalog, visit Julia’s website at www.juliaauctions.com. The sale will be a tremendous buying opportunity for any level of collector. For more details or consignment information, contact Julia’s at (207) 453-7125, or by e-mail: lg@jamesdjulia.com. Fax: (207) 453-2502.

Posted: 10|30|08 at 1:49 pm. Filed under: Press Release.