Franklin native Jill Godfrey opened Sage Salon 15 years ago with two goals: (1) providing exceptional hair and beauty services in a warm and welcoming environment; and (2)creating opportunity for the next generation of stylists to thrive as professionals. In celebrating Sage Salon's 15th anniversary in business, Godfrey feels she accomplished both objectives.

“When I started working in the business at 21, I posted an ad in the newspaper offering $5 manicures and people would ask ‘for both hands?’,” laughed Godfrey. “So, creating an environment for stylists and technicians to grow as professionals as well as their clientele list was important to me and that’s something we’ve been able to do.”

Part of that growth meant embracing social media, particularly Instagram. Godfrey remembers her niece Taylor, as a young stylist out of Tri County Vocational being obsessed. “She posted everything! And to be honest, she kind of got made fun of for it at the time.” What Godfrey noticed is that the stylists posting to Instagram were developed a clientele in less than two years that used to take five to 10 years.

“That was a real eye opener for me as many of our stylists not only built lucrative clientele lists but developed sponsorship opportunities with hair product companies while generating income as influencers on social media,” said Godfrey.

Covid presented a new challenge for the beauty industry. Sage Salon responded in a novel way.

“While COVID was happening, the younger stylists wanted to do something, so they went on Behind The Chair University and they took classes at home. One of our stylists, Steph, got inspired to submit her first Behind the Chair Awards haircoloring entry - and she got nominated! That's how it all started, and I went with her to our first awards show experience,” said Godfrey. “Since then, other stylists have submitted work and placed very highly. Attending the Behind the Chair Awards, which is like the Oscars for those in the beauty industry, has become an annual outing for us. It’s helped many on our staff receive more training and create relationships in the industry with other professionals and beauty product companies.”

Sage Salon has called 648 Old West Central Street in Franklin home since 2015 (the Salon’s first location was in Bellingham). Sage Salon currently employs 15, comprised of stylists, nail technicians and other staff.

“I don’t know if I could have imagined back in those early days that Sage Salon would become what it has,” said Godfrey. “I feel blessed to have a team that feels more like family and that we’ve been able to build something that customers love, and that stylists want to work here.”

Sage Salon offers a wide range of beauty services, including: hair styling, makeup, nails (list). Appointments can be made online at https://www.sage4you.com/ or by calling 508-528-5008. Hours for Sage Salon are as follows: Monday, 10am-6pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-6pm; Saturday, 9am-4pm; and Sunday, 10am-4pm).

Atlanta, GA -- Some of the brightest stars in the fine art galaxy – names such as Marc Chagall, Raoul Dufy, David Hockney, Pablo Picasso, Ludwig Bemelmans, Carlos Nadal and Georges Braque – will be represented, sometimes multiple times, at the auction of the Bridget and Jerome Dobson collection slated for Thursday, May 16th, by Ahlers & Ogletree, online and live at the Atlanta gallery.

“Since the 1970s, the dynamic duo of Bridget and Jerome Dobson has written award-winning episodes of several iconic daytime TV soap operas, including General Hospital, Guiding Light, As the World Turns and Santa Barbara,” said Robert Ahlers of Ahlers & Ogletree. “Between writing sessions, the couple collected incredible art on their travels around the world. Now, it will all be sold at auction.”

The auction’s undisputed headliner is the French/Russian artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985), whose signed 1980 tempera on Masonite titled Peintre, Ange et Amoreaux (Painter, Angel and Lover) is expected to realize $200,000-$300,000. The Dobsons purchased the work at a Sotheby’s auction in 1998. It comes with a COA from Jean-Louis Prat, an agent of the Comité Marc Chagall (ref. 92005).

Marc Chagall (born Moishe Shagal) was an early modernist painter, associated with the École de Paris as well as several major artistic styles. He created artworks in a wide range of formats, including painting, drawings, book illustrations, stained glass, stage sets, ceramics, tapestries and fine art prints. The art critic Robert Hughes referred to Chagall as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the 20th century."

There are several artworks in the sale by Carlos Nadal (1917-1998), the French-born Spanish painter of the Fauvist school. They include a 1992 oil on canvas work titled Salon Rojo, signed lower left and titled, signed and dated to verso. The painting has a label on verso for The Bruton St. Gallery and measures 35inches by 45 ¾ inches (canvas, less the frame). The work should change hands for $25,000-$35,000.

An oil on canvas laid to board by Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962), the Austrian-born American artist best known as the illustrator of the iconic Madeline children’s book series, is titled Oh, Genevieve, Where Can You Be? The painting is tall and thin, at 66 ¾ inches by 22 ½ inches, and is unframed and apparently unsigned. The Dobsons purchased it at a Sotheby’s auction in 1999 (est. $20,000-$30,000).

There are three paintings in the sale by Bemelmans. In 1953, Aristotle Onassis commissioned Bemelmans to paint fifteen mural panels for the playroom on his yacht The Christina, named for his daughter. The murals were painted after illustrations that appeared in several of the author's Madeline books, adaptations from originals in Madeline's Rescue and Madeline and the Bad Hat.

Another artist whose name will be chanted more than once is Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953). His gouache and watercolor on paper titled La Plage d’Etretat (Etretat Beach) is titled lower center and signed lower right. It’s included in the supplement to the Catalog Raisonne of Watercolors, Gouaches, and Pastels by Raoul Dufy, reference As-0270. It has an estimate of $20,000-$30,000.

Dufy was associated with the Fauvist movement. He gained recognition for his vibrant and decorative style, which became popular in various forms, such as textile designs, and public building decorations. Dufy is most remembered for his artwork depicting outdoor social gatherings. He was also skilled in drawing, printmaking, book illustration, scenic design, furniture design and in planning public spaces.

A black and white lithograph on Arches paper by David Hockney (British, b. 1937), titled Big Celia #2 (1981), is #82 from an edition of 100 (est. $18,000-$26,000). The sheet is 52 ½ inches by 57 ¼ inches (the frame is 62 ¾ inches by 67 ½ inches). As an important contributor to the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, David Hockney is considered to be one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.

Stepping briefly away from fine art for a moment, a circa 2nd century Roman marble trapezophorus (or table support), modeled as a lion with stylized mane, open fanged mouth, rounded chest, and rising on a monopedia paw foot with plinth base, apparently unmarked, has a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-$16,000. It was last purchased at Christie’s in 1996 and is 33 inches tall by 10 inches wide.

A large, circa 4th century BCE attic red figure terracotta bell krater (vessel for mixing water with wine) with Dionysus god of fertility, wine, and pleasure, having a rolled rim above an inverted bell shape body, flanked by lug handles, the whole rising on a pedestal foot, decorated on one side with a scene of a seated nude Dionysus holding a long staff, 16 inches tall, should hit $8,000-$12,000.

A pair of 19th century Italian walnut and mixed wood veneer commodes in the Neoclassical taste, having marquetry and parquetry inlay with bird and floral roundels to the top, three drawers with urn roundels, and rising on tapering feet, apparently unmarked, is expected to bring $6,000-$8,000.

Several artworks by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973) will cross the auction block. A Chope visage (A.R. 434) painted earthenware ceramic jug (or pitcher), #94 from an edition of 300 that was conceived in 1959, decorated with a blue face, stamped 'Edition Picasso' and 'Madoura Plein Feu’, with painted marks 'Edition Picasso' and '94/300', 8 ¾ inches tall, has an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.

Also carrying an estimate of $5,000-$7,000 is a 1966 etching with drypoint on paper, a Picasso artist’s proof of 15 titled Venus Foraine, pencil signed lower right and ink stamped on verso 'Succ. Pablo Picasso Coll. Marina Picasso'. The etching was acquired from the Fay Gold Gallery in Atlanta. It measures 12 ½ inches by 16 ¼ inches (paper; the frame is 32 inches by 35 ½ inches).

There are seven original greeting card artworks by Georges Braque (French, 1882-1963) in the sale. An example is a mixed media and gouache on paper, titled Carte de Voeux (1958), inscribed ‘Mes Bon Voeux’ and signed and dated (est. $4,000-$6,000). The 3 ¾ inch by 5 ¾ inch card (paper, minus frame) was previously in the Douglas Cooper collection and purchased at Christie’s in 1992.

An 18th or 19th century Italian walnut refectory dining table in the Renaissance taste, having an egg and dart and dentil apron, and rising on a trestle base with volutes, now having a larger glass top, apparently unmarked, acquired on a trip to Europe and originally installed at a monastery refectory, overall 31 ½ inches tall by 128 ¼ inches wide by 45 ½ inches deep, should sell for $4,000-$6,000.

An ancient Greek bronze votive lamp from around the 5th century BC, cast in the form of a ship with dolphin, a pierced hole near the front perhaps for a wick, 1 ½ inches tall and 5 ¼ inches long, with a later stand, acquired from Christie's New York in 1996, has an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.

An ancient, circa 400-200 BCE Greek Hellenistic terracotta figural sphinx ewer, the seated sphinx having a woman's head, a lion's body with fully unfurled wings with applied pierced button punts at each apex, and a high arching strap handle, the whole resting on a circular base, should command $3,000-$5,000. The piece was acquired from the Royal Athena Galleries in Beverly Hills in 1990.

The auction has a start time of 10 am Eastern, with the live auction taking place in the Ahlers & Ogletree gallery located at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard NW in Atlanta. Online bidding will be provided by the Ahlers & Ogletree website (AandOAuctions.com), as well as Bidsquare.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Previews will be held Monday, May 13th, from 10am-5pm; Tuesday, May 14th, from 10am-5pm (with extended evening hours from 5pm-7pm); and Wednesday, May 15th, from 10am-5pm, in Ahlers & Ogletree’s Atlanta gallery. All times quoted are Eastern. The public is invited; no appointment needed.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the auction of the Bridget and Jerome Dobson collection slated for Thursday, May 16th, online and live at the Atlanta gallery, visit www.aandoauctions.com. You can also follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

An 1864 autograph endorsement signed by President Abraham Lincoln celebrating hard work; a 1981 speech draft extensively annotated by President Ronald Reagan relating to Reaganomics; and a Type 3 Apollo XI insurance cover boldly signed by all three crew members of the first moon-walking NASA mission postmarked July 16, 1969 are just a few of the expected top lots in University Archives’ online-only auction slated for Wednesday, May 15.

The Rare Signed Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction will start at 10:30 am Eastern time. All 433 lots in the catalog are up for viewing and bidding now – on the University Archives website – www.UniversityArchives.com – as well as the platforms Invaluable.com, Auctionzip.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

“Our May auction contains over 430 lots of unique and outstanding historical items, including many from U.S. Presidents and First Ladies – from James Madison to Joe Biden and Frances Cleveland to Laura Bush,” said John Reznikoff, the president and owner of University Archives.

He added, “Many of the presidential lots relate to Ronald Reagan and range from hand-inscribed speech drafts, autograph notes signed, and endorsements, to signed photos and personally owned books, tableware, silverware, and decorative arts. Other collecting categories include Aviation, Space & Exploration, Science, Civil Rights, Early America, Entertainment, Sports and Military.”

Lot 81 is the autograph endorsement signed by Abraham Lincoln dated August 15, 1864, in part: “I am always for the man who wishes to work.” The endorsement is believed to be associated with a now-missing recommendation letter addressed to military authorities at a Washington, D.C. cavalry depot. Since many horse-wranglers at Giesboro Point were freedmen, it’s possible the unknown jobseeker was a freed slave (est. $18,000-$24,000).

Lot 112 is the 10-page, partly typed speech draft extensively annotated by Ronald Reagan, with over 450 words in his hand, plus edits, cross-outs and arrows. Many of Reagan’s handwritten additions went directly into the final draft of his “Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the Program for Economic Recovery,” presented on April 28, 1981, in which Reagan outlined his ambitious plans to reduce taxes as part of Reaganomics (est. $12,000-$15,000).

Lot 180 is the Type 3 Apollo XI insurance cover signed by all three crew members of the first moon-walking NASA mission: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, postmarked July 16, 1969 from the Kennedy Space Center. It was the first time NASA introduced signed insurance covers to protect astronauts’ families against death or injury (est. $9,000-$12,000).

Lot 397 is a one-page autograph letter in German signed by Albert Einstein, dated September 29, 1937, and addressed to fellow physicist Cornelius Lanczos. The letter features about 200 words in Einstein’s hand as well as around six mathematical formulae including Rik = 0, Einstein’s second-most famous equation after his groundbreaking E = MC2. The letter underscores Einstein’s continued quest to crack the theory of general relativity (est. $25,000-$35,000).

Lot 414 is a rare color photogravure after Henry Sandham by Boussod, Valadon & Cie., circa 1896, depicting the 1894 Temple Cup baseball playoff game. The panoramic print gives people a view of the baseball diamond dotted with Baltimore Orioles and New York Giants, as well as the elegantly dressed spectators gathered at the New York Polo grounds (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 237 is a two-page typed letter signed by Martin Luther King, Jr. on Dexter Avenue Baptist Church stationery dated November 13, 1958, following his near assassination. At the time, MLK, Jr. was trying to plan and budget for a 10-day side trip to the Soviet Union in order to observe firsthand Soviet attitudes towards people of color (est. $20,000-$30,000).

Lot 304 is a collection of 45 antique Japanese tsubas (or decorative sword guards), collected by a lifetime connoisseur. The tsubas vary in age, material and subject matter, providing a nice cross-section of wonderful examples. Lovely artistic representations in applied gold and silver include monkeys, cranes, and other characters from Japanese myths and legends (est. $20,000-$30,000).

Lot 282 is a hotel restaurant table decoration / promotional card for the Palm Terrace, Beverly Hills Hotel, boldly signed by Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, circa summer 1952. The couple would wed two years later, in 1954. The autographed piece of ephemera is accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original collector, an 11-year-old boy (est. $15,000-$25,000).

Lot 251 is a splendid copperplate engraved broadside of the Declaration of Independence drawn by Benjamin Owen Tyler and printed by Peter Maverick, circa 1818. Tyler’s version is often considered “the first correct copy” of the Declaration of Independence, because previous printed versions featured a different title and often omitted the Signers’ names (est. $8,000-$10,000).

Lot 239 is a one-page typed letter signed by Malcolm X, dated August 27, 1958 and addressed to his wife, Betty, who was visiting Boston. Malcolm X urges his wife to socialize with “Sister Muhammad” (Clara Muhammad, the wife of Elijah Muhammad) and “Minister Louis” (Louis Farrakhan, who was then the head of the Boston Nation of Islam mosque) (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 58 is a lovely assortment of women’s accessories personally worn by Jackie Kennedy during a 1960 presidential campaign “Time” magazine photo shoot. The lot consists of a pair of pale pink satin elbow-length gloves, along with a matching evening clutch and coin purse. The items were gifted by Ms. Kennedy to her personal secretary, Mary B. Gallagher (est. $6,000-$8,000).

Lot 267 is a display case featuring a coin silver teaspoon hand-crafted by celebrated colonial silversmith Paul Revere, and possibly presented to Alexander Hamilton. The teaspoon is suspended in a floating mount within a mirrored shadowbox that enables the viewer to see Revere’s maker’s mark and the monogram “A.H.” on the handle terminal (est. $3,500-$4,500).

University Archives has become world-renowned as a go-to source for rare items of this kind. It is actively seeking quality material for future auctions, presenting a rare opportunity for sellers. Anyone who has a single item or a collection that may be a fit for a future University Archives auction may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111, or email him at john@universityarchives.com.

University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Rd. (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives and the 433-lot Rare Signed Autographs, Manuscripts, Books & Memorabilia auction scheduled for Wednesday, May 15th at 10:30 am Eastern time, please visit www.universityarchives.com. Updates are posted frequently.

About University Archives:
University Archives was founded in 1979, as a division of University Stamp Company, by John Reznikoff, who started collecting stamps and coins in 1968, while in the third grade. Industry-wide, Reznikoff is considered the leading authenticity expert for manuscripts and documents. He consults with law enforcement, dealers, auction houses and both major authentication companies. University Archives’ offices are located at 88 Danbury Rd. (Suite #2A) in Wilton, Conn. For more information about University Archives please visit www.universityarchives.com.

Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. will spring into May with three online-only auctions totaling more than 1,100 diverse and highly collectible lots. These will include a Toys & Historic Ephemera auction featuring Part 2 of the late Howie Meyer Legacy collection on Friday, May 10th; a Toys, Advertising & Coin-Op auction on Saturday, May 11th; and a Petroliana & Advertising auction featuring the late Syl Rumas collection on May 12th.

Bidders please take note: the May 10th sale is different from Miller & Miller’s normal process.
It is an online-only sale with no live webcast portion. All lots are open for bidding now and will automatically close in sequential order starting at 5pm Eastern time on Friday, May 10th.

Taking the auctions in order, May 10th contains 340 lots of toys and militaria, with Howie Meyer the undisputed headliner. “If one word describes Howie Meyer and his toy collecting, that word would be ‘fun’, said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “His interests ranged from the mid-to-late 20th century and he had a great collection of pressed steel and tinplate toys.”

Condition was a foremost factor for anything Mr. Meyer collected. Themes include Disney and comic characters, ice cream, construction, space, Western and Americana. His interests also included World War and anti-Axis propaganda posters and ephemera, figural sewing tapes and other oddities. Whatever Howie collected, it had pizzazz and distinction,” Mr. Miller remarked.

Lot 198 is a complete, new in box Shell oil tanker truck from Smith-Miller (aka Smitty Toys), made in America in the 1980s. The die-cast steel truck, 35 inches in length and number 209 of just 250 produced, includes the original foam-lined shipping container. These high-quality trucks were crafted by Fred Thompson, who resumed ownership of the firm in 1979 (est. $600-$900).

All estimates quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars.

Lot 211 is an interesting collection of Tijuana Bibles and erotic ephemera from the 1920s to the 1940s. Subjects include popular comic strip characters and movie stars of the period. Most are 3 inches by 4 inches, while the largest is 8 ½ inches by 5 ¾ inches. Other erotic ephemera includes booklets and postcards. The collection, in overall good condition, should command $600-$900.

The May 11th Toys, Advertising & Coin-Op auction will feature 390 lots of advertising signs, soda advertising, toys, automobilia, petroliana, breweriana, pinball machines and coin-op machines. Included are the lifetime collections of the late Robert Spittel, the late John (Don) Ferguson and the late John D. Anderson. “It’s a fresh-to-the-market jolt of nostalgia, ranging from coin-op and pinballs to advertising, toys and historical finger food,” Mr. Miller said.

Lot 622 is a Genco Motorama coin-op driving game, made around 1957 by Genco Corp., a U.S.-based company that released approximately 238 machines under the Genco name. The machine, with dimensions of 59 inches by 44 inches by 28 inches, is in good condition, with the original playfield showing some fading. It’s marked “Genco” and carries an estimate of $9,000-$12,000.

Lot 684 is an early and exquisite John H.R. Molson and brothers single-sided porcelain Montreal India Pale Ale corner sign (Canadian, 20th century), 24 inches by 16 ½ inches. “IPA” is scripted beneath the profusely illustrated crown and anchor logo that’s central to the sign. The sign is in very good condition, with good color and gloss and outstanding graphics (est. $9,000-$12,000).

Lot 621 is a Bally Gilligan’s Island pinball machine made in America in 1991 and fully restored. The early and sought-after DMD display machine is a fun, family-friendly game that even plays the theme song from TV’s Gilligan’s Island. The goal of the multi-ball game is to collect the ingredients and save the island from Kona, the volcano. The pre-sale estimate is $6,500-$8,000.

The Petroliana & Advertising auction on May 12th is a three-part event that puts the spotlight on the Supertest petroliana collection of the late Syl Rumas of London, Ontario (signs, Canadian gas pumps, cans and ephemera, much of it unused), plus petroliana selections from the collection of the late Ken Hatt of Inverness, British Columbia (signs, Red Indian ephemera, Red Head tins).

Lot 995 is a White Rose Gasoline “Slate Boy” double-sided porcelain service station sign, made in Canada in the 1940s, 48 inches in diameter, marked “Vilas Enamel Products Ltd, Cowansville, Que” lower edge. This sign isn’t chalky and has great color and gloss (est. CA$9,000-$12,000).

Lot 1067 is a round Supertest Gasoline double-sided porcelain sign, five feet in diameter and contained in the aluminum frame and hardware, made in Canada in the 1940s. The sign is in excellent condition save for small patches of porcelain loss on each side (est. $8,000-$12,000).

Lot 982 is a Canadian 1930s Wayne Model 65 B-A gasoline pump, painted steel with applied decals. It has the original reverse painted ad glass and an attractive Art Deco “skyscraper” design. The globe is reproduction. The pump stands 77 inches tall by 27 inches wide and has been restored to British American colors. It is expected to change hands for $5,000-$7,000.

While these are online-only auctions with no live gallery bidding, bidders can tune in to the live webcast on auction days, to watch lots close in real time. Here’s a link to all three auctions:

https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-DG6789/toys-ephemera-part-ii-howie-meyer-collection

https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-DG64NM/toys-advertising-coin-op

https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-D92YOF/petroliana-advertising-featuring-the-late-syl-rumas-collection

Bidding is also available via LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the May 10th-12th auctions, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in luxury watches, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to always provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

Three vibrant and colorful paintings by the legendary Nova Scotia folk artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970) sold for a combined $79,060, and a 19th century French Bontems caged singing bird automaton played a sweet tune for $10,030 in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd’s online Advertising, Canadiana & Historic Objects auction held April 13th.

All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars and include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

Maud Lewis has been featured in numerous Miller & Miller auctions in recent months, always with positive results. Of the three of her paintings in this auction, the top performer was a late 1965 or early 1966 mixed media on pulpboard (beaverboard) titled Cow in Spring Meadow. It was signed “Maud Lewis” lower right and bested the $25,000 high estimate by bringing $30,680.

The other two paintings signed by Ms. Lewis were a mixed media on artist board titled Covered Bridge in Winter, which featured blue loops that almost certainly dated it to the second half of 1965 ($25,960, beating the $23,000 high estimate); and a mixed media on Masonite titled Two Deer in Winter, a serial image found only in the 1960s, that sold within estimate for $22,420.

Also sold was a group of six handwritten letters from Maud Lewis to John Kinnear, all from 1966-1967 ($9,440). Kinnear was a London, Ontario artist and friend who worked as an agent for Ms. Lewis in the late 1960s. Ms. Lewis stated in one of the letters that she had finished decorating some dustpans supplied by Mr. Kinnear. It was signed, "Maud Lewis" ($9,440).

In a related lot, a framed working pencil sketch on paper titled Alberta by A.Y. Jackson (Canadian, 1882-1974), depicting a small village with a church and low hills in the background, supplied by Jackson to John Kinnear, as suggested by Jackson's 1967 letter to Mr. Kinnear (also offered in this sale), artist signed lower left but undated, rose to $4,425.

The circa 1885 French Bontems caged singing bird automaton was housed in a bronze cage and stood 18 ½ inches tall, with applied scenic Sevres plaques surrounding the base panels. Included was a crank-style winding key. It was mechanically functioning and made $10,030.

The auction overall was packed with 414 lots of general store items, art glass, Canadiana, advertising signs, Western collectibles, pottery and stoneware, art, and lamps and lighting. Headlining the event was the Greg Hisey Collection. Mr. Hisey’s “Ghost Town Blues” in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan was a bed and breakfast where travelers immersed themselves in the past.

Working with themes of early Western transportation, veterinary and general store, Mr. Hisey collected advertising and furnishings right out of a ghost town. Additions to the catalog were remarkable, too, including late 19th century automata, rare Canadian political posters and folk art, decorative art glass, silver, bronzes, and early lighting. East met West in this very diverse sale.

“This was an eclectic auction and performance varied by category,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Petroliana and soda advertising performed well, while niche markets such as veterinary medicine advertising were variable. We found that uncirculated, fresh to the market material performed the best. Collectors are energized by things they haven’t seen before, and their memories are sharp and long. The goat wagons and historic objects relating to early transportation languished, while key advertising soared past our expectations.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction, in which a total of 464 online bidders placed a combined total of 7,402 bids, for a gross of $478,785. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and the Miller & Miller Auctions website. Of the 414 total lots up for bid, 99 percent of them were sold and 48 percent of the top 50 lots exceeded estimate.

A Canadian Gilson, Guelph Dixie "Ace" Tractors sign from the 1910s, an embossed lithographed single-sided tin sign, 13 ¾ inches by 20 inches, blew past its $5,000 high estimate to sell for $7,670. Gilson Manufacturing was a Wisconsin company that opened a plant in Guelph, Ontario in 1907. The Dixie Ace tractor was made in Guelph in 1919-1920.

A circa 1891 Conservative Party of Canada poster lithograph, encouraging voters to embrace tradition and protectionism by reelecting Sir John A. Macdonald (1815-1891) Prime Minister, 39 ¾ inches by 26 ¼ inches (paper, less frame), featuring his official campaign slogan (“The Old Flag, The Old Policy, The Old Leader”), gaveled for $4,720, which was within estimate.

A wooden veterinary remedies store display cabinet from the 1900s for Dr. Lesure's Famous Remedies (Keene, New Hampshire), the tin lithograph panel depicting a horse in profuse detail peering out of an oval stone opening, one of the "holy grails" in veterinary patent medicine collecting that came with the original advertising booklet, achieved $4,130.

A circa 1906 self-framed single-sided tin lithograph sign for the Hickman-Ebert Wagon Company (Owensboro, Ky.), one of the great self-framed tin signs, titled “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree”, a stunning lithographic image from the golden age of advertising, marked, “Chas. W. Shonk Co. Litho, Chicago”, 25 ½ inches by 37 ½ inches, commanded $5,900.

A 1911 bronze yacht racing trophy from the Motor Yacht Club of Germany & Austria, in the form of a dish displaying a mermaid clutching a skiff, signed “Gustav Gurschner (1873-1970) and measuring 7 inches tall by 8 inches wide, fetched triple the high estimate for $4,730.

To watch a brief YouTube video wrap-up of the auction, please click this link: https://youtu.be/J5T4Qv6Ecq8

Next up for Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is a Toys auction featuring the Late Howard Meyer Legacy Collection on Friday, May 10th, followed by a Toys, Advertising & Coin-Op auction on Saturday, May 11th; then a Petroliana & Advertising Auction on Sunday, May 12th.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the auctions slated for May 10th-12th, visit: http://www.millerandmillerauctions.com

About Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.:
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is Canada’s trusted seller of high-value collections and is always accepting quality consignments. The firm specializes in luxury watches, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to always provide collectors with a trusted place to buy and sell. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (519) 573-3710; or, you can e-mail them at info@millerandmillerauctions.com. To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.