GENEVA.- Prices soared at this singular auction of the contents of Hauteville Manor. All 1600 lots on the auction block on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September went for a total of CHF 4,379,600, or more than four times the low estimate for the sale. Nearly 100% of the lots found a buyer in a room that remained crowded over the two sale days with bidders of all nationalities (Swiss, French, American, Italian, British, Chinese, and more). “These results exceeded all our expectations. They show how attached buyers are to items with a prestigious and historic provenance,” affirmed Bernard Piguet, CEO and head auctioneer of the Hôtel des Ventes auction house. “This outcome mirrors the success of the exhibition days at the manor that drew 10,850 visitors in just three days!” Philip Grand d’Hauteville, spokesman for all the heirs to the manor, added, “The Hôtel des Ventes of Geneva organized this event with the utmost professionalism. The heirs were quite impressed with the cultural and administrative competence shown by the Hôtel des Ventes. The relationship that the family had with Bernard Piguet, supported by his team of specialists, was a model of perfection. We are happy to know that our family’s belongings have found new, enthusiastic owners, especially in Switzerland and the United States. We are particularly delighted that several pieces rejoined collections in Swiss museums and will therefore be complementing donations that we have already made.”

American Buyers Contest the Spoils of their History
The Americana section on Saturday night included major historical souvenirs from the War of 1812 and the American Civil War (1861-1865). One hundred percent of the lots found an owner, for the sum of CHF 468,337 (estimate: CHF 80,000-100,000)!

The air was electric as numerous bidders, mainly Swiss and American, battled by phone or in person for the medal of General Alexander Macomb, an ancestor of the Grands of Hauteville and hero of the Battle of Plattsburgh of 11 September 1814. The room broke into applause as a bidder in the manor’s orangerie, where the sale was held, made the winning bid. He acquired this unique item for CHF 231,000, which was more than 11 times its low estimate (lot 1052, estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000).

A new battle broke out a few minutes later for the Lone Star flag of the 5th infantry regiment of Texas, which included the Confederate Stars and Bars flag on the back. This one-of-a-kind item will soon return to American soil, as it was purchased by John Kraljevich, a specialist in historic American souvenirs from South Carolina, for the sum of CHF 56,000 (lot 1080, estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000).

The 10 military awards of General Macomb signed by Presidents Georges Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams also fetched high prices, selling for a total of CHF 46,700 (estimated at CHF 20,000-30,000).

Strong Interest from Swiss and International Institutions
Numerous Swiss institutions were in attendance at the Hauteville Manor sale. The Swiss National Museum won multiple lots, including rare, 18th-century set pieces, which sold for CHF 41,200 (lot 469, estimated at CHF 15,000-20,000). The Lausanne Historical Museum and Vevey Historical Museum reserved their bids mainly for some Swiss paintings and silverware, while the Lausanne Botanical Museum acquired several rare books. The Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History opted for an 18th-century armchair from the court of Hauteville, knocked down at CHF 13,700 (lot 860, estimated at CHF 1,000-1,500).

International institutions were also present, including an overseas fashion museum that bought numerous 18th- and 19th-century costumes.

Bibliophiles Turn out in Droves for Hauteville Manor Library Sale
There was an SRO crowd at the start of the Hauteville Manor library sale on Friday morning. Every one of the 4000 incredible works owned by the likes of Cannac and Grand of Hauteville, mainly from the 18th century, found a buyer. Prices averaged five times higher than low estimates. One work on economy and agriculture changed hands for CHF 40,000 (lot 139, estimated at CHF 800-1,200), while a rare edition of L’Esprit des Loix [The Spirit of Laws] by Montesquieu went for CHF 20,000 (lot 80, estimated at CHF 300-500). Their excellent condition, their rarity, and the fact that they had belonged to just one family certainly contributed to the stratospheric prices.

Furniture also a Success
For some years now, the Hôtel des Ventes of Geneva has noticed collectors’ renewed interest in 18th-century furniture. The sale of furniture at Hauteville Manor confirms this trend, posting prices of over CHF 1.3 million, hugely exceeding the low estimate of CHF 350,000. The highest bid in this department went to a very lovely Louis XVI commode stamped P.H. MEWESEN decorated with panels of Chinese and Japanese lacquer. A Swiss collector purchased it for CHF 162,300 (lot 901, estimated at CHF 30,000-50,000). One part of a 17th-century globe, discovered in the attic, exceeded its low estimate by a factor of more than 43, and was knocked down at CHF 35,000 (lot 845, estimated at CHF 800-1,200)! In addition, a 1544 Urbino majolica plate sold for CHF 35,000 (lot 747, estimated at CHF 8,000-12,000).

World Record for a Pair of Silver Ewers by Tiffany
A pair of avant-garde Art Nouveau ewers signed by Tiffany and dated 1851 sold for CHF 75,000, a world record for a pair of ewers from this famous designer (lot 587)!

Final Event at the Hauteville Manor
The gates of Hauteville Manor will be open to the public one final time for a day of free appraisals organized by the Hôtel des Ventes on Friday, 18 September, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., continuously, inside the manor. Specialists from the Hôtel des Ventes will be available to visitors to offer free, no commitment appraisals of all types of items: jewelry, watches, paintings, objets d’art, silverware, books, sheet music, Russian art, Asian art, Far Eastern art, etc.