Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

THE TRUMPET USED BY SAM “THE BUGLER” GROSSMAN TO CALL AMERICAN PHAROAH TO THE POST IN TWO MAJOR HORSE RACES FOR AUCTION

It’s just one of many exciting lots at Philip Weiss Auctions’ next sale in Lynbrook, New York.

LYNBROOK, N.Y. – The very trumpet that Sam “The Bugler” Grossman used to call American Pharoah to the post at this year’s Preakness and Belmont Stakes races during the thoroughbred’s amazing Triple Crown run is an expected star lot at Philip Weiss Auctions’ next big sale, slated for Thursday, Nov. 19th, in the firm’s gallery at 74 Merrick Road in Lynbrook, at 10 a.m. EST.

The very trumpet that Sam “The Bugler” Grossman used to call Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah to the post at this year’s Preakness and Belmont Stakes horse races.
The very trumpet that Sam “The Bugler” Grossman used to call Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah to the post at this year’s Preakness and Belmont Stakes horse races.
Sam Grossman has been calling horses to post at Saratoga, Aqueduct and Belmont race tracks for 22 years. During that time he has called some of the greatest horses of all time to post over the course of his storied career. But the trumpet he used for these two races truly represents a piece of horse racing history. It’s marked “Zigmant Kanstul” and comes with a Belmont Stakes banner.

The auction – featuring over 700 lots – will include World War I British and American posters and Art Nouveau posters; a collection of antique advertising, including Huntley & Palmer British biscuit tins; rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, including Jimi Hendrix and Beatles signed material; two paintings by Antonio Jacobsen; and a first-edition copy of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park (1814). Internet bidding will be provided by two facilitators: LiveAuctioneers.com and Proxibid.com.

The small but select collection of rare and high-end posters will include one of French stage and film actress Sarah Bernhardt by Alphonse Mucha (Am./Fr./Czech., 1860-1939); and examples by Jules Cheret (Fr., 1836-1932), considered the creator of the modern approach to poster making; and Henri Privat-Livemont (Belg., 1861-1936) who became famous for his Art Nouveau posters.

Huntley & Palmer (originally Huntley & Palmers) was founded in England in 1822 and ran what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory. The beautifully colored and illustrated tins were part of their appeal, and collectors will no doubt eagerly snap up the ones being sold. Also up for bid will be a National Cigar Stand advertising chandelier and a hard-to-find advertising glass shade.

Beatles memorabilia is always a big hit with collectors. Being sold are several unsold tickets to Beatles’ concerts; a John Lennon signed and inscribed album cover accompanied by a certificate of authenticity by Beatles handwriting and autograph authenticator Frank Caiazzo; a 1975 WFIL (radio station) handbill, signed by Lennon; documents signed by Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Ringo; and a two-page handwritten letter with drawings by Beatles’ friend Astrid Kirchherr.

Additional rock ‘n’ roll items will feature a Jimi Hendrix Experience handout card, signed by Hendrix, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding; original handwritten lyrics by Ron Wood; a Buddy Holly 45 rpm record on the Coral label, signed on both sides by Holly; a handwritten two-page letter from Holly to his mother in 1957; and a Michael Jackson 1984 Victory Tour photo album.

Antonio Jacobsen (1850-1921) was a Danish-born American maritime artist who was both prolific (more than 6,000 portraits of sail and steam vessels) and precise (he was nicknamed the “Audubon of Steam Vessels”). The auction will feature two works by this highly collected artist, both oil on canvas. One is of the ship Colombia, while the other is a rendering of the Britannic.

Keeping with artwork, a pair of bronze depictions of horses by the American sculptor (and wife of sculptor James Earle Fraser) Laura Gardin Fraser (1889-1966) will also cross the auction block. One is a U.S. Polo Association bronze trophy, the other a bronze horse. Fraser designed a number of United States coins, most notable among them the Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar.

A collection of Civil War images (mostly tintypes, ambrotypes and albumen photos) will feature a photo of Gen. Sherman and his “Chief Bummers”; a photo of General Sheridan and his staff; a photo taken in Washington, D.C., the day Lincoln was shot; a photo of Gen. Orlando Willcox and his staff; a photo of Gen. Meade and his staff; and Civil War soldiers at Lookout Mountain.

Not one but two fabulous New York World’s Fair collections (one from 1939, one from 1964) will be sold. The 1964-65 collection will feature a large Sinclair Dinoland Gasoline cardboard sign, a poster for Sinclair Dinoland, and a folding Sinclair prize sign. The 1939 collection has an emphasis on pin-backs, buttons, badges and more. Both collections are extensive and impressive.

The auction will also include more material from the Robert (Bob) Lee military collection and the John Panza ice cream collection; military weapons; historical material (including early 19th century broadsides); a collection of 18th, 19th and 20th century autographed letters; stereoviewers and stereoview cards; and Hollywood items, to include original Emmy Awards, plus posters.

Philip Weiss Auctions has two big auctions planned for December and January. On Saturday, December 12th, at 10 a.m. (EST), a sale packed with toys, trains, soldiers, space and cap guns, die-cast, pressed steel, tin litho, dolls and more will be held. The January auction (time and date yet to be announced) will have similar items. Both auctions will be held in the Lynbrook gallery.

Philip Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (516) 594-0731; or, you can send an e-mail to Philip Weiss at [email protected]. For more information about Philip Weiss Auctions and the upcoming December and January sales, please visit www.WeissAuctions.com