(Aurelia, Ia.) – An outstanding single-owner collection of fine European and American art glass; china; vintage lamps; miniature kerosene lamps; period furniture and more will be sold over the weekend of May 24-25 at the Aurelia Community Center, currently under construction. Over 900 lots will be auctioned. The collection is from Mary Brinkman and her late husband, Jim, both of Aurelia.
The sale will be conducted by Woody Auction of Douglass, Ks. “Jim and Mary specialized in Victorian glass and china, and furnished their home with an eclectic mix of furniture styles in oak and walnut,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “With Jim’s passing (in 2006), Mary is turning her attention to another passion, foster parenting. She is sharing with the public her wonderful treasures.”
The Brinkmans began collecting in 1978 and in 1982 opened an antiques shop called The Cedars-Antiques. The store thrived at several retail locations over the years, and they did business from home, too, for mail-order and anyone who wanted to stop by and “talk antiques.” “We enjoyed visiting with people who had similar interests, as they enjoyed looking at the things in our home,” Mary said.
Before 1978, neither Jim nor Mary had much interest in antiques. Then, they inherited a set of Haviland china that was identified by a friend as rare and collectible. They decided to display the set in an antique curved-glass china cabinet, which they bought at auction. But it wasn’t until they moved into the family farmhouse – a rambling, four-story home in rural Iowa – that things got interesting.
“Here was this big house with good old woodwork and wonderful hardwood floors, and it just seemed natural to want to fill the place up with antique furniture,” Mary said, “so that’s what we did.” Again, they attended area auctions to find what they wanted, and noticed that the first items that always came up for bid were “the dishes” — an auction catch-phrase for glass, porcelain and china.
“It amazed us that some things sold for $10, while others went as high as $500 or even more,” Mary recalled. “We couldn’t figure out why, so we started asking questions, and the more we learned the more interested we became. Before long, we were out scouring the shops, yard sales, flea markets, auction houses and elsewhere for items. They’d often take detours while on a fishing trip.
Today, the collection comprises nearly 1,000 items, although the Brinkmans had always expressed a personal preference for R. S. Prussia; C.F. Monroe (Wave Crest, Kelva and Nakara); and miniature art glass lamps. “Those are the things we loved, but we knew from a business perspective it made sense to diversify,” Mary said. “But I couldn’t ever learn it all, so don’t ask me anything about jewelry, dolls or vintage clothing.”
Anticipated top lots are difficult to single out because there are so many things collectors will find desirable. A few items certain to wow the crowd include a rare, glass-eyed ceramic miniature “Bat Lamp” (one of only three known); a 12” Daum Nancy five-color cameo pedestal handled ewer with “Columbine” floral décor; and a Victorian bride’s basket set on a silver-plated “Three Cherubs” stand from 1897.
Other choice lots will include a Wave Crest swirl mold hinged jewel box with “Fish” decor; a 17-1/2” raisin-colored Mary Gregory satin pedestal handled ewer (the finest Woody Auction has ever offered); a rare 6-3/4” x 7” signed Wave Crest (banner mark) egg crate mold hinged box with young woman portrait; and a 10” Royal Flemish vase with multi-colored segments and gold highlights.
Also to be sold, but no less important, are the following items, listed in no particular order:
A fine pair of 14” Heubach bisque bicycle rider figurines; a signed Quezal jack-in-the-pulpit shaded vase with gold iridescent interior; an 11-1/2” signed Royal Doulton two-handled “Babes in the Woods” vase; a 7” signed Crown Milano swirl mold vase with “Guba” duck décor; and a miniature 9” cut glass rainbow-colored oil lamp with tulip-shaped shade.
Also: a 9” Majolica figural “Brownie” sailor candlestick holder; a 10-1/2” Mt. Washington decorated Burmese vase with “Guba” duck and cattail motif; a 9-3/4” x 9-1/4” Webb Burmese double fairy lamp epergne with gilt metal frame holding two clear signed Clarke bases; an 8” Moser cranberry horn-shaped liquer flask; and a 13-1/2” Charlotte Rhead pottery-handled ewer with “Trellis” pattern. Over 30 pieces of Charlotte Rhead will be offered, including some rarer patterns.
Also: an 8” K.T.K. Lotus Ware “Tuscan” pattern cylindrical vase, white, with floral and colored décor; an 11-1/4” signed Muller Fres Luneville two-color cameo cut vase with scenic décor; a Pickard (etched china) two-handled vase with “Pheasant” scene and floral decor; a 6” Alexandrite jack-in-the-pulpit rose bowl-shaped vase; and a 6” English Cameo biscuit jar with silver plate lid and bail.
Also: a 20” cranberry-to-pale-blue four-lily epergne with three hanging baskets; a 7-3/4” carnival glass “Two Flowers” pattern spatula footed bowl with “Amberina” color; a huge 75” x 55” oak bow front four-pillar china cabinet with mirror back, leaded glass and carved columns; a 7” Libbey “Maize” pattern cruet with original stopper; and a 70” x 45” Victorian walnut flat-front library cabinet.
Sure to create excitement for locals who appreciate fine Victorian furniture will be a bedroom suite that graced “the daughter’s bedroom” in the Higgins’ Mansion in Spencer, Iowa. The set consists of a bed with high back and footboard, a large dresser with mirror and a large commode. Both the dresser and commode have white marble tops. The wood is butternut and oak with much ornate carving and inlay of wood pattern on the drawers and curved panels over the bed and dresser.
The previous items will be sold on May 24. The following items will be sold on May 25: a 21-1/2” shiny yellow cut velvet art glass Gone With the Wind lamp, electrified; a 5” Royal Bayreuth red figural “Santa Claus” milk pitcher in perfect condition; and a 7-3/4” pink satin melon rib vase with yellow Coralene drape. The May 24 session will start at 9:30 a.m.; the May 25 session starts at 11 a.m.
For more information on this important sale, and to view photos of all of the items to be offered, you may log on to the Woody Auction website at www.woodyauction.com. Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly at (316) 747-2694. Or, you can inquire by e-mail at [email protected].
