Page 18 - Journal of Antiques and Collectibles Januray 2020
P. 18
Potter & Potter Auctions’ Circus, Sideshow Sales Event
Archives of ephemeral materials, including photographs, letters,
CHICAGO, IL – Potter & Potter Auctions’ Circus, Sideshow,
& Oddities sale held on Saturday, November 16th, was one hot ticket cards, and stationary, also caught the eye of discerning buyers. Lot
indeed. When the hammer fell for the last time, 68 lots made $750- #613, a collection of about 350 photos of human oddities from the
$1,500; 38 lots realized $1,501-$4,000; and five lots traded hands at 1950s, was estimated at $1,500-$2,500 and delivered $4,320. The
$4,000+. All prices noted include the company’s 20% buyer’s premium. images included those of giants, midgets, morbidly obese people,
Antique posters spotlighting circus highlights and performers of Siamese twins, strong men, piercings, people with hypertrichosis or
yesteryear took several of the top lot slots in this sale. Lot #5, Raymond albinism, snake charmers, amputees, and others. Lot #398, a collection
& Company’s Menagerie for 1847, was estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and of Johnny Eck “Half Boy” materials and personal effects was estimated
at $800-$1,200 and realized $3,600. John Eckhardt Jr. (American,
made $11,400. This extremely rare pre-Civil War era poster
advertised the lineup of this little-known circus; its border featured1911-1991) was performer and a film actor best known for his role in
woodcuts of the exhibition’s animals, and its center image depicted a the 1932 cult classic film Freaks. Lot #694, a group of nineteen sepia
band-wagon, drawn by a team of sixteen horses. Lot #9, a ca. 1900s/10s photographs from the 1930s featuring the World’s Strangest Married
color lithograph featuring The Blessings was estimated at $1,000-$1,500 Couple (Al Tomaini “The Tallest Man in the World” and Jeanne
but flexed its muscles at $4,800. This rarity, printed by Adolph
“The World’s Only Half Living Girl”) traded hands at $1,140 on its
Friedlander in Hamburg, depicted the strongwoman Madame Blessing $100-$200 estimate. And lot #685, a series of four late 1920s black and
bearing her male partner’s full standing weight on one outstretched white photographs depicting a wood statue by artist Ito Yamashi was
arm. And lot #732, a portrait lithograph of Barnum’s famous bearded estimated at $50-$100 and landed at $780. The statue was created for
lady, Annie Jones, for an appearance at the Musee Castan in Brussels the firm ‘Deakin Brothers, Art and Curio Dealers’ in Japan and was
sold for $3,360. considered perfect anatomically.
Larger scaled circus and sideshow banners also made a big impres- Photographs, books, antiques, and other freak show themed rarities
sion on buyers. Several important selections were from the hand of rounded out this early fall sale. Lot #175, a program from Buffalo Bill’s
legendary carnival artist Snap Wyatt (American, 1905-1984). These first Wild West performance, was estimated at $5,000-$7,000 and
included lot #242, a signed Mule-Face Woman banner and lot #343, delivered $9,600. It was profusely illustrated and likely the only
his Toney Moreno / Ha—Sue banner. Each sold for $3,600. Lot #261, surviving example of the debut performance of his Wild West show on
a banner illustrated with a tattoo artist, made $3,600 on its $1,000- May 19, 1883.
$2,000 estimate. This example, from the Modern Props collection, was Potter & Potter, founded in 2007, is a Chicago area auction house
rented for use in film and TV productions including Men in Black 3 specializing in paper Americana, vintage advertising, rare books, playing
How cards, gambling memorabilia, posters, fine prints, vintage toys, and
and the TV series Gotham, among others. And lot #245, a
the Stars Bring Success, The Graysons astrology sideshow banner, was magicana antiques and collectibles related to magic and magicians. The
estimated at $2,000-$3,000 and rose to $6,000. This ca. 1930-era, company’s next sale, its Winter Magic Auction, will be held on December
expertly painted banner advertised astrological readings and was likely 14. For more information, please see potterauctions.com. Follow us on
used inside a circus tent. Facebook (potterandpotterauctions) and Instagram (potterauctions).
AUCTION
AUCTION
Hewlett’s Antique Auctions
13286 Jefferson Street • Le Grand, California
Sunday January 26, 2020 10AM
• Super collection of sterling flatware
• 1860, 3rd model, Colt Dragoon pistol
• Early Savage revolver
• Variety of pistols
• Great collection of contemporary,
mint condition, Henry rifles
• Top quality oak and Victorian furniture
• Super Regina music box
• Great collection of art glass
• Victorian pickle castors
• Beautiful oil paintings
• Rare prints and advertising
• Outstanding collection of sports cards
• Giant Asian jade boats and other fine Asian items.
Bidding – Live – Absentee – Phone –
Internet bidding by - Invaluable • 13% Buyers Premium
HewlettsAuctions.com
209-500-8801 • 209-389-4542
hewlettsauctions@gmail.com
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
16
Archives of ephemeral materials, including photographs, letters,
CHICAGO, IL – Potter & Potter Auctions’ Circus, Sideshow,
& Oddities sale held on Saturday, November 16th, was one hot ticket cards, and stationary, also caught the eye of discerning buyers. Lot
indeed. When the hammer fell for the last time, 68 lots made $750- #613, a collection of about 350 photos of human oddities from the
$1,500; 38 lots realized $1,501-$4,000; and five lots traded hands at 1950s, was estimated at $1,500-$2,500 and delivered $4,320. The
$4,000+. All prices noted include the company’s 20% buyer’s premium. images included those of giants, midgets, morbidly obese people,
Antique posters spotlighting circus highlights and performers of Siamese twins, strong men, piercings, people with hypertrichosis or
yesteryear took several of the top lot slots in this sale. Lot #5, Raymond albinism, snake charmers, amputees, and others. Lot #398, a collection
& Company’s Menagerie for 1847, was estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and of Johnny Eck “Half Boy” materials and personal effects was estimated
at $800-$1,200 and realized $3,600. John Eckhardt Jr. (American,
made $11,400. This extremely rare pre-Civil War era poster
advertised the lineup of this little-known circus; its border featured1911-1991) was performer and a film actor best known for his role in
woodcuts of the exhibition’s animals, and its center image depicted a the 1932 cult classic film Freaks. Lot #694, a group of nineteen sepia
band-wagon, drawn by a team of sixteen horses. Lot #9, a ca. 1900s/10s photographs from the 1930s featuring the World’s Strangest Married
color lithograph featuring The Blessings was estimated at $1,000-$1,500 Couple (Al Tomaini “The Tallest Man in the World” and Jeanne
but flexed its muscles at $4,800. This rarity, printed by Adolph
“The World’s Only Half Living Girl”) traded hands at $1,140 on its
Friedlander in Hamburg, depicted the strongwoman Madame Blessing $100-$200 estimate. And lot #685, a series of four late 1920s black and
bearing her male partner’s full standing weight on one outstretched white photographs depicting a wood statue by artist Ito Yamashi was
arm. And lot #732, a portrait lithograph of Barnum’s famous bearded estimated at $50-$100 and landed at $780. The statue was created for
lady, Annie Jones, for an appearance at the Musee Castan in Brussels the firm ‘Deakin Brothers, Art and Curio Dealers’ in Japan and was
sold for $3,360. considered perfect anatomically.
Larger scaled circus and sideshow banners also made a big impres- Photographs, books, antiques, and other freak show themed rarities
sion on buyers. Several important selections were from the hand of rounded out this early fall sale. Lot #175, a program from Buffalo Bill’s
legendary carnival artist Snap Wyatt (American, 1905-1984). These first Wild West performance, was estimated at $5,000-$7,000 and
included lot #242, a signed Mule-Face Woman banner and lot #343, delivered $9,600. It was profusely illustrated and likely the only
his Toney Moreno / Ha—Sue banner. Each sold for $3,600. Lot #261, surviving example of the debut performance of his Wild West show on
a banner illustrated with a tattoo artist, made $3,600 on its $1,000- May 19, 1883.
$2,000 estimate. This example, from the Modern Props collection, was Potter & Potter, founded in 2007, is a Chicago area auction house
rented for use in film and TV productions including Men in Black 3 specializing in paper Americana, vintage advertising, rare books, playing
How cards, gambling memorabilia, posters, fine prints, vintage toys, and
and the TV series Gotham, among others. And lot #245, a
the Stars Bring Success, The Graysons astrology sideshow banner, was magicana antiques and collectibles related to magic and magicians. The
estimated at $2,000-$3,000 and rose to $6,000. This ca. 1930-era, company’s next sale, its Winter Magic Auction, will be held on December
expertly painted banner advertised astrological readings and was likely 14. For more information, please see potterauctions.com. Follow us on
used inside a circus tent. Facebook (potterandpotterauctions) and Instagram (potterauctions).
AUCTION
AUCTION
Hewlett’s Antique Auctions
13286 Jefferson Street • Le Grand, California
Sunday January 26, 2020 10AM
• Super collection of sterling flatware
• 1860, 3rd model, Colt Dragoon pistol
• Early Savage revolver
• Variety of pistols
• Great collection of contemporary,
mint condition, Henry rifles
• Top quality oak and Victorian furniture
• Super Regina music box
• Great collection of art glass
• Victorian pickle castors
• Beautiful oil paintings
• Rare prints and advertising
• Outstanding collection of sports cards
• Giant Asian jade boats and other fine Asian items.
Bidding – Live – Absentee – Phone –
Internet bidding by - Invaluable • 13% Buyers Premium
HewlettsAuctions.com
209-500-8801 • 209-389-4542
hewlettsauctions@gmail.com
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
16
