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News Article
Thomas Gaffney pottery drew strong bids at Kimball Sterling auction
By Susan Emerson Nutter

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Kimball M. Sterling, Inc., Auctioneer & Appraisers hosted an antiques and estate auction, on New Year’s Day that had the attention of those who desire early advertising, stoneware, and bottles. For sale were pieces from the pottery collection of Dr. Ralph Van Brocklin; early paper and advertising items from the collection of Don and Shirley Kay, and early bottles acquired by the respected collector, Charlie Green.

Of the stoneware offered this day those pertaining to potter Thomas Gaffney generated lots of interest. According to Sterling, “Gaffney pottery is desirable, but mainly to California collectors. Gaffney was a Michigan potter who moved to California, working and living near San Francisco. Van Brocklin had probably one of the largest collections of Gaffney pottery to ever be offered at auction.”

Sterling said “Ralph (VanBrocklin), was a close friend, and he always went for the best pieces he could find. He had about 17 pieces of Gaffney, and they sold very well.” The first 13 lots of the auction were Thomas Gaffney pieces. A 5-gallon incised Michigan Bar churn wearing a double bird decoration done in cobalt realized $5,412. The churn was 18 inches high, 10 inches in diameter and featured 4 inch applied handles.

A similar 5-gallon Gaffney, Michigan Bar churn but with a single bird cobalt decoration also sold strong making $5,166. A 5-gallon Michigan Bar salt glaze crock that was 11 ½ inches high by 12 ½ inches in diameter did well when it reached $4,551. Decorated with a cobalt bird and floral design on the front, the crock was inscribed “West & Co. Mich, Bar Cal.” The other Gaffney/Michigan Bar pieces ranged in price from $185 for a 5-gallon crock that was missing its applied handles to $1,599 for a 3-gallon churn with a single cobalt blue bird decoration.

A sizable grouping of whiskey jugs were presented for bids with a 1-gallon jug stamped on the front with “Jas Gioga, Goldfield Nev” and sporting a 3 ½ inch applied handle selling for $3,567. The jug was 11 inches high.

A dozen Whites Utica New York 1/4 gallon stoneware canteens were also available with one for “Gabe Stags Saloon” making $861. The approximately 8 inch tall canteen wore an embossed and highlighted blue saloon scene incised “Gabes Stag Saloon, 3 doors from Allens Market Mckinney Texas”.

Advertising saw lots of interest with “rarity and condition being the driving force,” according to Sterling. An original self-framed tin sign with Uncle Sam and a bottle of bourbon and rye with the words, “My choice since 1870, E. Martin and Co. S.F.” did well selling for $4,182. The condition of the sign was good with only a small indentation above the bourbon bottle. The color of the 16 inch by 22 inch sign was still quite bold.

The colors and graphics of a self-framed oval advertising sign, “Compliments Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, San Francisco, CA,” were first rate helping it obtain a winning bid of $1,722. The 20 by 24 inch sign featured lithography of an early fireman carrying a child from the flames.

And while condition can be king, when an early piece comes along some leeway is often given. Case in point, a very early Pepsi icebox on a stand had three sides in very nice condition, but the end where the bottle opener was located had significant issues. Still this functional advertising item, with its bold graphics, its original period paint, and original brass faucet for draining off water helped the icebox sell for $1,599.

Another bidder favorite was the original porcelain “wrap” sign for “Kentucky Brassy and Co. Inc. Whiskey”. With about a two inch curve; despite some porcelain damage, this 15 inch by 18 inch sign sold for $1,476.

“We had 250 bidders participating; a 99.5 percent sell through rate, and a low six figure sale total,” Sterling said. “The auction was top notch with the total meeting my expectations.”

For more information call (423) 773-4073 or visit www.auctionauction.com

2/8/2019
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