New England Auctions, Branford, Connecticut
Photos courtesy New England Auctions
Esoteric might be one word to describe Fred Giampietro’s New England Auctions’ February 13 sale in the Branford, Connecticut, gallery. Offerings fell into various collecting categories, including Americana, folk art, military, medical, scientific, Native American, and woodworking.
The double-sided painted wood trade sign, 25" x 38½" x 3", reading “Alice Robat / Armenian / Needlework Shoppe / Decorative Linens & Laces / Underwear Made To Order,” retains the original hanging brackets and sold for $18,750 (est. $800/1200).
The top lot was a double-sided painted trade sign, 25" x 38½" x 3", reading “Alice Robat / Armenian / Needlework Shoppe / Decorative Linens & Laces / Underwear Made To Order” that was estimated at $800/1200 and sold for $18,750 (including buyer’s premium).
The set of eight circa 1897 pastel studies for murals at the Library of Congress by Scottish-born Walter Shirlaw (1838-1909) opened at $1000 and sold for $10,000 (est. $2500/4500). The studies, each 19¼" x 7 1/8" (sight size), represent eight muses of science: physics, mathematics, geology, botany, zoology, chemistry, astronomy, and archaeology. Each retains identifying labels. Shirlaw, born near Glasgow, Scotland, relocated with his family to New York as a toddler and later studied at the National Academy of Design, New York City. At the age of 32 he traveled to Europe and studied in Munich, Germany. On his return to New York he was among a group of artists who established the Society of American Artists and was its first president.
Another top lot was a set of eight circa 1897 pastel studies for murals at the Library of Congress by Scottish-born Walter Shirlaw (1838-1909). The set opened at $1000 and sold for $10,000 (est. $2500/4500). The murals, each 19¼" x 7 1/8", represent eight muses of science: physics, mathematics, geology, botany, zoology, chemistry, astronomy, and archaeology. Shirlaw, born near Glasgow, Scotland, relocated with his family to New York as a toddler and later studied at the National Academy of Design, New York City. At the age of 32 he traveled to Europe and studied in Munich, Germany. On his return to New York he was among a group of artists who established the Society of American Artists and was its first president.
The 19th-century Chinese sword with a 31" long blade was estimated at $150/250 and sold for $6250. It was deaccessioned by the Deep River Historical Society, Deep River, Connecticut.
No sale of the esoteric would be complete without a full human skeleton. This 63½" tall, fully articulated, early 20th-century example is a retired teaching aid on a presentation stand. It realized $3500 (est. $1500/2500).
This large 19th-century telescope with the original tripod on casters is not in working order and has no optics. In brass and wood, the telescope measures 85¾" long, and at full length the tripod is 77". Estimated at $500/800, the telescope went for $5250.
This large and comprehensive tool collection of several hundred pieces in a period storage chest, 23 5/8" x 38" x 24¼", includes planes, plumb bobs, measuring tools, hand drills, punches, saws, and compasses and includes brand names such as Stanley, Disston, and Woodward. Estimated at $1500/2500, the chest and its contents brought $6250.
The cherry highboy by Eliphalet Chapin (1741-1807), with pine secondary wood, was made in East Windsor, Connecticut, circa 1780. Measuring 71 5/8" x 37½" x 19", it realized $5000 (est. $5000/8000).
A selection of swords consigned by the Deep River Historical Society included a 19th-century Chinese sword with a 31" long blade that sold for $6250. Medical and scientific lots included an early 20th-century fully articulated human skeleton, 62½" tall, that realized $3500 and a large 19th-century telescope, with the original tripod but not in working order, that sold for $5250. A large tool collection of several hundred pieces in a period storage chest, including planes, plumb bobs, measuring tools, hand drills, punches, saws, and compasses, brought $6250; and a cherry highboy, 71 5/8" x 37½" x 19", by Eliphalet Chapin (1741-1807), made in East Windsor, Connecticut, circa 1780, realized $5000.
For more information, visit (www.newenglandauctions.com) or call (475) 234-5120.
This mid-19th-century New England Shaker box in early, probably original paint, 5½" x 13½" x 9 5/8", was estimated at $800/1500 and sold for $5000.
This 19th-century flower-gathering basket in excellent condition, 14" x 28" x 15", estimated at $250/500, sold for $1375. It is evident that the basket had been made with care.
The mid- to late 19th-century carved and painted wood billethead, 44" x 5", decorated with a red, white, and blue shield, sold for $5000 (est. $1000/2000).
This carved and painted robin, 5 1/8" x 9½" x 2 1/8", by Maine lighthouse keeper Augustus “Gus” Aaron Wilson (1864-1950) with incised tail feathering and metal legs realized $3625 (est. $250/500). Wilson was a master decoy carver whose birds have sold in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The primitive painting of a house with many doors, 10¼" x 18¼" (sight size), oil on artist’s panel, circa 1840, in a period gold leaf frame, sold for $2375 (est. $500/1000).
The child’s water tank wagon is graceful in its simplicity in painted wood and metal. The early 20th-century wagon, 22" x 12½" x 34½", with 15" diameter wheels, is numbered “3” and sold for $2750 (est. $200/400).
The hooked rug, 26½" x 64", circa 1920, is decorated with dogs, whose names appear to be Bob and Rose, stars, a horseshoe, crosses, and a heart. It opened at $600 and sold for $4500 (est. $500/1000).
The tin sconces, circa 1840, decoratively incised, each 16" x 4" x 3½", found their way to a new collection for $2750 the pair (est. $400/600).
The folk-art sunflower garden ornament, circa 1920, carved and painted wood, 12" x 12" x 2", 18½" high with the stand, brought $2500 (est. $200/400).
This early abolitionist scene painted on bone depicts a man in chains kneeling below the words “Thank Heaven for Liberty.” The 2" diameter bone medallion dates from around 1840. It sold for $1375 (est. $200/400).
The German-made antique electric helmet in the original carrying case was likely used for therapeutic reasons. Its batteries are labeled “Alfred Gantz.” The case measures 10½" x 19½" x 7 7/8", and the helmet, which appears to be adjustable, is 8½" x 9". The lot sold for $2500 (est. $400/600).
The Pennsylvania Amish Bars quilt, with stitching of diamonds and scrolling feathers, wool and cotton, 78" x 68", circa 1920, sold for $2000 (est. $1000/2000).
The group of nine early American and English wood planes, most of which are numbered or otherwise identifiable, including Stanley numbers 95, 100, and 100½ and a Sargent number 81, brought $7500 (est. $500/1000).
“Vapopathy / Sold Here” reads this 5½" x 10½" sign from the early 20th century in gold leaf and mother-of-pearl under glass, in an 8½" x 13½" period gilt frame. The sign was estimated at $150/300 and sold for $2500. Although the purpose of vapopathy is not crystal clear, a November 12, 1893, advertisement published in The Johnstown Daily Republican announced “Bottles / for Covering / Vapopathy/ for Rheumatism / 25¢.” The remedy was available from pharmacists Sutliff & Livingston, 8 North Market St., Johnstown, New York.
Originally published in the May 2025 issue of Maine Antique Digest. © 2025 Maine Antique Digest
