Wolcottville, IN -- The Leberfeld Collection of majolica – a collection so vast and important it was featured in one of the first coffee-table books on the subject (Majolica by Nicolas Dawes) – will come up for bid at an auction planned for Saturday, October 12th, by the Strawser Auction Group, online and live in the Wolcottville gallery at 200 North Main Street.

The October 12th event is actually one of three days of auctions planned by Strawser, with the Leberfeld Collection being the headliner that day in front of other select consignments. Nearly 250 pieces of majolica – the highly glazed, lead-based pottery first introduced by the Minton Pottery Company in England in 1859 – from the Leberfeld Collection will come up for bid.

Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com. Here is a link to the catalog: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/343204_the-leberfeld-majolica-collection-auction/.

Jerry Leberfeld and his wife Aviva amassed one of the most important majolica collections in the world – over 400 pieces, which they displayed in their New York apartment. Many of the pieces were featured in Majolica Mania and exhibited as part of the Majolica Mania Exhibit in New York City and Baltimore. Also, Jerry served as president of the Majolica International Society.

The expected top lot in the October 12th auction is a rare and monumental Minton majolica Victorian wine cooler designed by Pierre Emile Jeannest (1813-1857), shape no. 631 in a cylindrical form with fox and ram heads around the top with four hunt figures plus hounds bringing down a fox and deer with two vintagers on the cover with a wine barrel. The wine cooler, 25 inches tall, is expected to realize $30,000-$40,000.

A complete circa 1875 Minton tete-a-tete, shape no. 1349, consisting of a yellow lychee teapot, a gourd-shaped sugar, a thistle formed creamer, a pair of yellow cups and green saucers with a floral center and a quatrefoil-shaped tray with a green border and yellow trellis sides, the tray 12 ½ inches in diameter, has an estimate of $12,000-$15,000.

An iconic Minton majolica monkey garden seat modeled as a seated monkey with a nut below a cobalt buttoned cushion with tassels atop a basketweave base, shape no. 589, 18 inches tall, should fetch $6,000-$9,000.

A circa 1875 Minton majolica banana leaf garden seat designed by Hugues Protat, of waisted cylindrical form with large banana leaves and bamboo feet and seat, is expected to rise to $3,000-$4,000.

A Minton majolica iconic lobster tureen with shell handled base decorated with seaweed and shells, with a large lobster on the cover atop a bed of shells and seaweed, shape no. 1523, 13 ½ inches tall, has a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$4,000.

A scarce Minton majolica Renaissance wall mounted candle holder with bearded man holding a torch, 19 inches tall by 16 inches wide, should finish at $2,000-$3,000.

A Minton majolica cobalt pair of trumpet vases, one with morning glory flowers and leaves, the other with foxglove flowers and leaves, 12 ½ inches tall, is expected to ring up $2,000-$2,500.

A hard-to-find Minton majolica cobalt Ming Tree large jardiniere, shape no. 2373, 12 ½ inches tall and 21 inches wide, with a professional repair to the rim, is estimated to earn $1,200-$1,500.

A rare Wedgwood majolica umbrella stand in the form of a tree trunk with two woodpeckers, 20 ½ inches tall, carries a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

An equally scarce Wedgwood majolica cobalt elephant punch bowl with the bowl being supported by four elephants as feet, and four grotesque mask handles, 6 ½ inches tall by 12 inches wide, is expected to achieve $2,000-$3,000.

A hard-to-find Wedgwood majolica game dish with a running rabbit on one side and a pair of hounds on the other, having two guns forming the handle and with game birds and a rabbit on the cover, 10 inches long by 7 inches tall, should earn $2,000-$2,500.

A Wedgwood majolica mermaid vase clock designed by Hugues Protat circa 1871, shape no. M1719, 14 ½ inches tall, with professional repair to the bird’s wings, is expected to change hands for $1,500-$2,000.

A Wedgwood majolica cheese keeper with cow finial and scene of a man and woman with cows in a meadow, on cobalt ground, 11 inches tall and 11 inches wide, with repairs to the cow’s ears and horns as well as rim repair to the base, has an estimate of $1,200-$1,500.

A fine example from Copeland is the rare 1876 majolica memorial vase, 10 inches tall, retailed by J.M. Shaw & Co. (New York City) in the form of three back-to-back eagles guarding the American flag, made as a souvenir for the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition (est. $6,000-$9,000).

A preview will be held in the Strawser Auction Group gallery in Wolcottville on Friday, October 11th, from 4 pm-6 pm Eastern time. The buyer’s premium for live, in-gallery bidders will be 10 percent (not the usual 15 percent); for online bidders it will be 19 percent (not 24 percent).

Strawser Auction Group prides itself on keeping buyers’ premiums low for its many clients. In addition to live and online bidding, phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

To learn more about the Strawser Auction Group and the Saturday, October 12th auction of the Leberfeld majolica collection with other fine consignments as one auction in a four-day auction event, please visit www.strawserauctions.com. To view a flip-booklet for the auction, click here:

https://flipbooklets.com/pdfflipbooklets/the-leberfeld-majolica-collection

About the Strawser Auction Group:
The Strawser Auction Group is always in the market for quality items for future auctions, especially majolica, Fenton, Pickard, Mt. Washington and R.S. Prussia. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call Michael Strawser at (office): 260-854-2859 or (cell): 260-336-2204; or, you can email him at michael@strawserauctions.com. To learn more about the Strawser Auction Group, please visit www.strawserauctions.com.

SelecTech, Inc., a leader in the manufacture of innovative flooring products with long-term value and immediate benefits, will exhibit October 22-24 at the annual SMTA International Expo. The Expo will be held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois.

SMTA is an international network of professionals who build skills, share practical experience and develop solutions in Electronics Manufacturing (EM), including microsystems, emerging technologies, and related business operations. With more than 50 locations throughout the world, the SMTA International is an annual event that brings all the locations together.

“Our StaticStop flooring mitigates the transference of static electricity. That’s of great importance to electronics manufacturers on a couple of levels. First on the production end, where static electricity can damage product. Second, on the user/customer end. Electronics these days tend to be smaller and more sensitive to static electricity. That means the customers of electronics manufactures also must take precautions, like ESD flooring, in protecting their investment in new electronic equipment,” said Thomas Ricciardelli, president of SelecTech, the parent company to StaticStop. “We are SMTA members and visit the International each year to share what we know about ESD flooring and how that can benefit an electronics manufacturer.”

SelecTech’s StaticStop brand of ESD flooring directly addresses controlling static electricity. Made from mostly recycled materials, StaticStop flooring is 100 percent recyclable. The materials used for StaticStop create a static-controlled environment that’s perfect for industries that significantly utilize electronics and sensitive data like electronics manufacturing, communications, aerospace, biotech, healthcare industries, and other high-tech industries.

StaticStop tiles employ a patented interlocking technology for easy installation without messy glues or adhesives. That enables new flooring to be installed with little or no down time. StaticStop tiles also offer ergonomic benefits and are much more comfortable to stand on for long periods of time.

StaticStop flooring products employ a patented interlocking technology for easy installation without messy glues or adhesives. That enables new flooring to be installed with little or no down time.

Beyond easy installation and portability, StaticStop ESD flooring offers acoustic and ergonomic benefits for workers over epoxy flooring surfaces.

StaticStop flooring is made from materials that create a static-controlled environment, perfect for industries that significantly utilize electronics and sensitive data like electronics manufacturing, communications, aerospace, biotech, healthcare industries, and other high-tech industries.

StaticStop flooring is manufactured to provide a durable and long-lasting floor covering under a range of temperature and exposure conditions and is backed by a 10-Year limited warranty against wear. Since it is made with recycled materials, SelecTile is the only ESD conductive flooring of its kind that can contribute to LEED™ Credits.

For complete information on StaticStop flooring products, visit www.staticstop.com. For information on SMTA International, visit https://smta.org/mpage/smtai/

About Static Stop:
Static Stop is a division of SelecTech, Inc., which was founded in 1993 with the mission of creating valuable products from scrap plastics. The company has become a leader in the manufacture of flooring products from recycled materials and uses one million pounds of recycled materials annually. Their products are made with up to 100 percent recycled content, are 100 percent recyclable and installed without adhesives making them some of the “greenest” and most cost-effective flooring products available. The unique interlock system on SelecTech’s flooring products enable them to be installed at a much lower cost, without a lot of costly downtime, which provides significant value to customers.

SelecTech’s ESD flooring division, StaticStop™, is a full service ESD flooring products and services provider. Static Stop manufacturers patented interlocking ESD flooring products including Freestyle ESD™ and SelecTile ESD™ interlocking tiles. They also offer a full service line of ESD flooring including ESD Vinyl Tile, ESD Carpet Tile, ESD Epoxy Coatings and ESD Cleaning and Finishing products.

Using state-of-the-art technology and innovative product design, SelecTech created the top performing Place N’ Go residential flooring products, which are available at Home Depot. They are also the creators and manufacturers of the renowned commercial and industrial FreeStyle Flooring™ and BioLock™ products. SelecTech is a vendor partner of Health Care Institute (HCI), an International Facility Management Association (IFMA) alliance partner and Starnet, an international flooring contractor cooperative. The company is headquartered at 33 Wales Avenue, Suite F in Avon, MA. For more information about SelecTech, visit http://www.selectech.com.

To celebrate its 200th auction, Old World Auctions is offering five of the most coveted maps of the last 500 years. Auction #200: Cartographic Treasures is an Internet-only auction that will be available for live bidding on Thursday, October 10th, at 12 o’clock noon Eastern time.

The brief but important catalog includes two of the most important collections of travels and voyages from the 16th century, some of the earliest images of Native Americans available to a European audience, and iconic maps that influenced mapmakers for centuries.

There is no live, in-person gallery bidding. The catalog is up for viewing and bidding now, at https://www.oldworldauctions.com/catalog/current, as well as the popular online bidding platforms LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted.

“For our 200th auction, we’ve curated historic pieces that are on many collectors’ wish lists,” said Eliane Dotson, who co-owns Old World Auctions with her husband, Jon. “These pieces are not only rare, but also in splendid condition – a remarkable combination.”

Mr. Dotson said, “My favorite item in the auction is Purchas His Pilgrimes, which has a superb example of John Smith’s map of Virginia still bound in the volume. We’ve only seen a few examples of Smith’s map, and they are typically separated from the volume and have significant condition issues, so this example is particularly desirable.”

Purchas His Pilgrims, published 1625-1626, is an important five-volume collection of voyages with 88 maps. At the beginning of the 17th century, Samuel Purchas, an English cleric, set out to publish a compendium of voyages to foreign countries. To illustrate his work, Purchas obtained the rights to use Jodocus Hondius' copperplates from Atlas Minor. Fifty-eight of these half-page maps were included in Purchas His Pilgrimes, with English titles inserted above them.

These half-page maps include two world maps, the North Pole, Iceland, the Western Hemisphere, three related to North America, two of South America, 25 of Europe, 15 of Asia, and eight of Africa. Purchas also included the double-page John Smith map of Virginia engraved by William Hole. Five additional double-page maps represent India, China, Greenland, North America, and Nova Scotia – a total of 81 half-page and seven double-page maps (est. $55,000-$70,000).

That’s not even the auction’s expected top lot. That honor goes to lot #5, the complete first edition of Theodore de Bry’s Grands Voyages (Parts 1-9 in two volumes), published 1590-1602. Grands Voyages covers explorations and surveys of the Western Hemisphere and is considered to be the most complete illustrated work on the history of America in the 16th century. The project was begun by Theodore de Bry of Frankfurt in 1590 and was to continue for another 54 years.

Trips became known collectively as the Grands Voyages (to America and the West Indies) and the Petits Voyages (to the Orient and the East Indies). In total, the two volumes contain 9 maps (8 of which are double-page), 253 mostly half-page engravings, 11 engraved title pages, and numerous engraved vignettes, heralds, and portraits. This example, being comprised of all first editions and bound together "as issued," is considered extremely rare (est. $120,000-$150,000).

Lot #1 - titled Nova, et Integra Universi Orbis Descriptio – is a rare first edition of a double-cordiform world map with the first reference to Magellan’s voyage. It was prepared by French cartographer Oronce Fine in 1531 for the 1532 Paris edition of Johann Huttich and Simon Grynaeus' Novus Orbis Regionum. It’s a compilation of accounts of voyages and discoveries, first published in Basel in 1532 with an oval world map by Sebastian Munster and Hans Holbein.

The oval world map was replaced by this double-cordiform world map in the 1532 Paris edition, printed by Christian Wechel. The plate was used by several different publishers for their works, including Glareanus' De Geographia in 1536 and Pomponius Mela's De Orbis Situ in 1540. The map went through six different states for the various publications. This is the rare first state, bearing the imprint of Oronce Fine, with the date 1531 at bottom center (est. $50,000-$60,000).

Lot #2 is a book published in 1543 containing rare medieval woodcut maps of the ancient world and Holy Land. It’s a complete edition of the rare and popular Mer des Histoires, a French translation of the world history, Rudimentum Novitiorum, first published in 1475 and the first publication to include printed maps depicting land forms and countries (one the world and one of Palestine). The French edition first appeared as Mer des Hystoires in 1488 with new woodblocks.

The circular world map is based on a T-O map with east at the top and centered on Palestine. Europe is depicted at bottom left, with numerous countries identified and an illustration of the Pope in the walled city of Rome. The map of Palestine is titled Cedar et ses Tabernacles and is centered on Jerusalem, oriented with east at the top. This was the first printed map based on first-hand observation, showing Palestine based on a 13th century pilgrimage (est. $27,500-$35,000).

Lot #3 is a complete edition of the Cosmographia by Sebastian Munster, with over 100 maps and views, fully titled La Cosmographie Universelle, Contenant la Situation de Toutes les Parties du Monde, avec Leurs Proprietez & Appartenances, published in 1560. Sebastian Munster (1489 - 1552) was one of the three most renowned cartographers of the 16th century, along with Mercator and Ortelius. Munster's Geographia and Cosmographia Universalis are iconic works.

This French edition of the Cosmographia includes maps of the world, the ancient world, the four continents, eight regional maps, plus over 1,000 woodcuts, including two long folding views (of Vienna and Heidelberg), 37 double-page plans and views, and 66 smaller maps and views. Also included is the plate of Munster's Monsters, engravings of exotic animals, and a portrait of Munster as frontispiece. This example of the Cosmographia is complete (est. $32,500-$40,000).

People can register to bid online at https://www.oldworldauctions.com/register. Bidders may also call in their bids, at 804-290-8090, or email them, at info@oldworldauctions.com. Previews will be held by appointment only during regular business hours, Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 am to 5 pm Eastern time. or email for an appointment.

Old World Auctions offers full condition reports on everything in its auctions, and they offer a 100 percent money-back guarantee on the authenticity and condition of everything they sell. To learn more, visit www.OldWorldAuctions.com. Updates are posted often.

About Old World Auctions:
Established in 1977, Old World Auctions is the leading specialist in antique maps. The company has researched and listed over 100,000 maps and atlases in its auctions and offers its research free to the public through its online archive. They can be reached by phone at 804-290-8090, or email at info@oldworldauctions.com. To learn more, visit www.OldWorldAuctions.com.

Original oil paintings by acclaimed Nova Scotia artists Maud Lewis (1901-1970) and Joe Norris (1924-1996); an 1860s F. P. Goold (Brantford, Ontario) two-gallon horse crock; and many other wonderful examples of Canadiana and Canadian folk art will come up for bid in online auctions hosted by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., October 12-13.

The Goold horse crock and Cortes oil painting will headline the Saturday, October 12th online-only Canadiana auction, one featuring the Wendy B. Hamilton and late Bill Hamilton collection, plus the Rutter family collection, starting at 9 am Eastern time. The 373-lot auction will feature furniture, decoys, pottery and stoneware, Canadiana and coin banks, mostly Canadian in origin.

The Maud Lewis and Joe Norris paintings are the expected top lots in the next day’s online-only Canadian Folk Art auction, on Sunday, October 13th, boasting 243 lots of folk art and decoys, also starting at 9 am Eastern. Bidders can participate in real time in both auctions via the live webcast as the auctions close in lot order starting at 9 am. Phone and absentee bids are accepted.

“Wendy and the late Bill Hamilton were meticulous lifetime collectors whose interests ranged from Canadiana and early lighting to quality cast iron banks,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., adding, “The Rutter family collection, synonymous with quality, includes a documented fraktur work by Anna Weber. Bidders will be impressed with both collections.”

Miller said the October 13th sale offers a lineup of 20th century Canadian folk art. “Hard to find examples by key artists are on offer, as interest in this category continues to explode,” he said.

The expected top lot of the two days is – no surprise here – Maud Lewis’s oil on beaverboard painting titled Train Station in Winter (1960-1961). Ms. Lewis’s works have been featured in past Miller & Miller auctions, always with impressive results. This framed work, artist signed with a board size of 17 ½ inches by 13 ½ inches, is a bustling image depicting women in hoop skirts and muffs and men in towering top hats, reminiscent of mid-19th century Canada. It pops with color, yet the admirer is easily mesmerized by its simplicity (est. $30,000-$40,000).

All prices quoted in this report are in Canadian dollars.

The enamel on canvas by Joe Norris, titled Sunset with Three Yawls, is a serene and evocative landscape capturing a sunset over the Nova Scotia coastline. It’s an outstanding example of what makes Joe Norris an East Coast master. The work is signed lower left (“Joe Norris L.P.”) and has a gallery label on the reverse. The stretcher size is 24 inches by 30 inches and it’s nicely housed in a frame measuring 29 ½ inches by 35 ½ inches (est. $9,000-$12,000).

The exceedingly rare and exceptional salt-glazed stoneware two-gallon horse crock by F. P. Goold dates to the 1860s and features a reverse-stenciled horse adorning the side. It stands 9 ½ inches tall and is stamped “F. P. Goold / Rantford (the “B” in Brantford is missing) / 2”. Franklin Goold and Charles Waterous owned the Brantford Pottery from 1859-1867. During that time, some of the best Ontario stoneware ever was made by them (est. $10,000-$14,000).

An oil on canvas painting by noted French artist Èdouard Leon Cortès (1882-1969), titled Paris at Dusk (circa 1908-1925), depicts the City of Lights at twilight, with the Arc de Triomphe in the background. It’s in very good condition, re-lined and professionally mounted onto a new stretcher. The 13 inch by 18 inch work (canvas, less frame) is artist signed and stamped ‘Toronto’ on the frame’s back (est. $10,000-$12,000).

Keeping with the Day 1 auction, a rare and important low-head hen bluebill decoy from a personal “rig” of Adam D (Addie) Nichol (1864-1929), of Smiths Falls, Ontario, is expected to soar to $6,000-$8,000. This stylized, individualistic, circa 1900-1925 decoy has extensive carving of the wings, head and body, complemented by fine paint detail and body stippling.

A 77-inch-wide, circa 1830 step-back New Brunswick mahogany and pine secondary sideboard with shaped gallery, having a rich old historic finish, nine drawers and a recessed central section with two doors, should finish at $6,000-$8,000. The original brass hardware with brass pulls appear identical to those on a sideboard attributed to Alexander Lawrence.

On to Day 2, where a rare and important "Circus Freak Show" by the renowned Quebec carver Gaston Bergeron is estimated to command $4,000-$6,000. This piece is a component of his greatest work, a fabulous miniature circus. This group of "circus freaks" includes the bearded lady, the world's tallest man, and more. All are carved to scale, with every detail meticulously crafted, including the wagon’s undercarriage, wheels, and harnesses of each wagon and horse.

An exceptional, highly dynamic carved and painted wood tableau featuring a running figure (perhaps a dog), with five birds, featuring a sensational "splatter" paint job in green, red, and white, created by Edmond Chatigny (Saint-Isidore, Quebec, 1895-1985), 15 ½ inches by 16 inches by 11 inches, unsigned, from the last quarter 20th century, should hit $3,000-$5,000.

Internet bidding will be through www.MillerandMillerAuctions.com, plus the popular bidding platform LiveAuctioneers.com. Here is a link to the Canadiana auction, on Saturday, October 12th: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EC4Z3L/canadiana. Here is a link to the Canadian Folk Art auction on Sunday, October 13th: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-EC54NP/canadian-folk-art

In-gallery previews will be held Thursday and Friday, October 10th and 11th, from 9 am until 5 pm Eastern time each day in the Miller & Miller showroom, located at 59 Webster Street in New Hamburg, Ontario. Appointments are not required.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the auctions on October 12th & 13th, 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 watches and jewelry, art, antiques and high-value collectibles. Its mission is to 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.

The calendar may still say summer, but fall sports are well underway at local towns and schools. Unfortunately, with those fall activities comes the potential for concussions, particularly if young athletes use the wrong type of mouthguard.

“Boil-and-bite mouthguards that many young athletes use offer a false sense of security because these pieces do not always maintain their initial shape. Or the athlete alters the shape to make it more comfortable and to appear like they still have protection,” said Dr. Derek Cornetta, DDS, owner of Woodside Dental Care at 36 South Main Street in Assonet. “With the shape of the mouthguard altered, the mouthguard may not hold the jaws in place after a blow to the head. And that increases the likelihood of concussion.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five high school athletes will experience a concussion during their sport. Custom-fitted mouthguards can reduce the risk of concussions by 82 percent compared to over-the-counter mouthguards according to the American Dental Association.

“There’s additional research as well, most notably a study published in the Journal of Dental Research, which found that mouthguards can reduce the force of impact to the brain by 20-40 percent,” said Dr. Cornetta. “Unfortunately, many parents go with the over-the-counter option because it’s easier and meets the requirements of their child’s respective league. When you consider the short-term implications of a concussion—medical visits, missed school time, etc.—and the potential long-term effects of that injury, an annual cost of a customized mouthguard pales by comparison.”

Woodside Dental Care recently launched a program to make customized mouthguards available to local athletes from grades 6-12 for $99. This includes the fitting and the mouthguard. Typically, the mouthguard is available 10 days after the fitting.

For more information on mouthguards and other services offered by Woodside Dental Care, visit www.woodsidedental.com or call 508-452-6302 to schedule a consultation.

About Woodside Dental Care:
Woodside Dental Care’s mission is to not only maintain a healthy smile, but to completely change perceptions of dentistry and challenge the idea that going to the dentist is unpleasant.

Woodside offers high quality care, maximum convenience, and the kind of friendly service you’d expect at a small Mom & Pop store. For information, visit the offices at 36 South Main Street, Assonet, MA, via the web at https://www.woodsidedental.com/ or call (508) 452-6302.