Henderson Hall in Williamstown, once a slave- owned plantation that today operates as a museum, contains most everything the Henderson family ever used from 200 years of generations living there, except for a few items that recently sold at Garth's Auction House in Delaware.
A one-piece crafted cherry and poplar cupboard (circa 1830), attributed to Richard Rood a skilled cabinet maker from Beverly sold for $16,450.
The 98 1/2-inch high cupboard was most likely made about the same time as the Rood walnut bookcase that's still in the home today at Henderson Hall.
A 76-inch long settee, which also descended in the Henderson family with bamboo-turned legs and stretchers with old black paint over an earlier green, sold for $2,820.
The Henderson family items carried pre-sale estimates of approximately $5,000 to $9,000, but the total hammer prices reached about $25,000.
The painted furniture that sold included a decorative wardrobe from Bluffton, Allen, and Hancock counties, Ohio, circa 1860, estimated at $2,500 to $5,000, sold for $6,345. A painted cupboard from Northern Indiana dated 1895 and decorated with black and red paint with gold stenciling and embellishments of birds sold for $7,050.
A beautiful curly maple and poplar corner cupboard sold for $10,281. A silk and metal on linen sampler by Elizabeth King of Essex County, Mass., (circa 1765) sold for $14.100 to a phone bidder.
Other items of interest included an oil paintings by Clyde Singer titled "Campus Queen" and "Girls Hailing A Taxi" that sold for $7,230 and $6,463. A pastel portrait of a horse by Ohio/Pennsylvania artist Ferdinand Brader sold above estimate for $8,225.
An oil on canvas by Ohio artist Alice Schille of a lady in Spanish costume sold for $5,724. A scene of men working in a foundry by Sylvester Shiley sold for $5,875. All prices included the 17.5 percent buyers premium, comprised of over 800 lots. The sale was described by Garth's Auctions Jeff Jeffers to have been "some great old country furniture together with some great old auction bidding."
Thanks goes out to Garths Auctions for sending me prices realized, to write this article.
Auction prices realized
- 1900s postcard of early New Matarmoras, $21.50.
- Marietta Centennial newspaper, $7.50.
- Key chain, knife, bottle opener, fingernail file, advertising Crystal Dairy, 120 Third St., Marietta, $15.50.
- Early 1900s postcard of Marietta City Hall, $8.
- Token advertising John George Store, 15 Tiber Way, Marietta, $10.
- Book, "The Voyage Of Captain Bart," Marietta author John Erskine, $5.
- Rollin' Oldies Car Club jacket, Hot Rod Racing, Parkersburg, $25.
- Postcard, Winona Tourist Camp, Marietta, $10.
Larry Koon is the author of several price guide books on antiques and collectibles. His column appears every Monday on Life. Send letters to Treasure in the Attic, c/o The Marietta Times, 700 Channel Lane, Marietta 45750; or e-mail him at koonantiques@yahoo.com. When writing, send a complete description of the item, how the item was obtained, and any other information.
