OAKLAND, CA.- On January 19th and 20th, San Francisco Bay Area patrons and Maritime collectors alike, came out on in droves to own a piece of the historic Spenger Maritime Collection which, for over 125 years, graced the walls, showcases, dining rooms and bars of Spenger’s Fresh Fish Grotto in Berkeley, CA. Bidders packed the gallery, bid online and by phone, to own a piece of this famous restaurant. Just 70 lots of the collection were offered and bidders competed heavily driving the total for this first installment to over $100,000. Deric Torres, Vice President of Decorative Arts for Clars, commented after the sale, “The strong buyers in the room, on the phones and online, confirmed the importance of this collection. The demand was evident in both the sell-through (only 1 lot did not sell) and the strong prices realized.” The impressive results of the January installment fueled this to become the second strongest January auction in Clars history.

Offered at the January sale were ships’ pilot wheels, diving helmets, ships’ nameboards, lanterns, early ships’ bells and instruments, scale ship models and mounted trophy fish and a carved ships’ figurehead from the 19th century.

Topping the bidding wars was an English CW & C’s ships’ cannon that sold for over five times its estimate for $6,150. Tying for first place was a hand-carved decorated ships’ figurehead which also sold for over its estimate at $6,150. A Bear Co. mahogany nameboard, “Philippine Bar,” went for nine times its estimate selling for $5,842. The collection of 15 ships’ models offered earned an impressive $9,000 and the school of mounted trophy fish swam off for over $3,000. (A complete list of prices realized for this collection is available at www.clars.com)

The international excitement will continue on February 16th and 17th when Clars Auction Gallery will present the second installment of the Spenger Collection. This incredible sale will feature the historic Japanese cloisonné vase from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the very rare 34 carat Old Mine Cut fancy light yellow diamond acquired by Frank Spenger in the early part of the 20th century. This sale will also feature the continuation of the maritime collection which will include numerous offerings of maritime fine art. (Separate releases to follow for February)