CLOSTER, NJ.- Rolex Bubble Back watch, fine jewelry, estate art, iconic sports memorabilia among quality offerings in
Sterling Associates’ March 23 Spring Auction
New Jersey’s leading estate-auction specialist, Sterling Associates, made headlines with its January 11th sale of Alexander Hamilton’s personally engraved powder horn. On March 23rd, the Bergen County, N.J., company will shine a spotlight on another great American hero, baseball legend Lou Gehrig. The star lot of their auction is a bronze bas-relief plaque adornment in the likeness of Gehrig that was designed and cast by artisan George Seaman and colleagues at the Steinmeier Bronze Tablet Co., in 1939, the year of Gehrig’s retirement. As stated in a letter of provenance from Seaman’s son that accompanies the lot, the sculptural work is a contemporaneous casting of the one affixed to Gehrig’s plaque at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
“The Steinmeier foundry in New York City produced the Lou Gehrig bronze for the actual Hall of Fame plaque. The example we are auctioning was made at the same time as a gift for Seaman’s son, who was a big Lou Gehrig fan. To the best of our knowledge, this was the only additional casting,” said Sterling Associates’ owner, Stephen D’Atri.
Baseball’s legendary “Iron Horse” was the first Major League Baseball player to have his uniform number (“4”) retired. He played 17 seasons with the New York Yankees, starting in 1923, and voluntarily ended his career after being diagnosed with ALS, later known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. His lifetime batting average was a remarkable .340. “Gehrig’s career achievements and professionalism made him one of baseball’s immortals. To this day, he is idolized by Yankee fans,” D’Atri said.
The bronze sculptural depiction of a smiling Gehrig in a tableau adorned by two baseball bats and a laurel branch, measures 7 inches high by 12 inches wide. It is mounted on a wood plaque. The conservative auction estimate is $3,000-$5,000.
Another sports highlight is the handsomely framed 18th-hole flag from the 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews, Scotland, autographed by Arnold Palmer. The tournament was billed as Palmer’s “Farewell to the Open,” and within the framed display is a color photo of the revered golfer standing on St. Andrews’ Swilcan Bridge, doffing his cap. Estimate: $900-$1,200.
Several lots dominate the fine jewelry section, starting with an 18K white gold engagement ring set with a three-row, split-shank GIA-certified pink sapphire surrounded by 76 round, brilliant-cut diamonds. Former jewelry-store stock, the ring has a total weight of 7.40 grams, with the sapphire weighing approximately 4.65 carats and the diamonds, 0.39 carats. The sophisticated sparkler is estimated at $12,500-$14,500.
A good-looking Rolex gold square-face Oyster Perpetual Bubble Back man’s wristwatch has a lizard band and weighs in at 43 grams. Estimated at $5,000-$7,000, it requires an opening bid of $3,000. A cool and modern gentleman’s timepiece, an Alain Silberstein Krono de Noel Triple Date Moon Phase wristwatch comes with two bands, a fitted case and repair tools. Made circa 1995, it is expected to make $2,000-$3,000 at auction.
In the midcentury section of the sale, two designs take pride of place. A polished iron and glass designer tea trolley by Ilana Goor incorporates four removable sculpted birds within its industrial motif. Goor began sculpting in Los Angeles in the late 1960s, and in 1972, she mounted a one-woman show at the Los Angeles State Museum. Her works are displayed in decorator and designer showrooms throughout the United States. Accompanied by written provenance, the trolley could glide off to a new owner for $1,000-$3,000.
The second midcentury design of note is a custom-made Lucite bench with a softly button-tufted pearlescent blonde upholstered seat with built-in drawer. Reminiscent of a luxury furnishing that might have been chosen for a 1950s movie star’s boudoir, its auction estimate is $2,000-$3,000.
Fine, aged liquor enjoys its own well-established following in the marketplace. For collectors who are so inclined, Sterling Associates will offer a 36-year-old bottle of Gordon & MacPhail single-malt Scotch whiskey. Matured in a sherry cask and bottled in Elgin, Scotland, the whiskey bottle is presented in a fitted wood case and entered in the sale with a $700-$900 estimate.
Surely the most unusual item consigned to the auction is a 19th-century voodoo kit that includes a wax doll, taxidermy bat, bone, cross, candles, mystical herbs and an antique spiritual book written in French. All items are housed in an elaborately carved lift-top box on legs. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000.
All bidding in Sterling Associates’ auctions is conducted remotely, but the company is a brick-and-mortar establishment where anyone can inspect the goods. Absentee and phone bids are welcome, and Internet live bidding will be available worldwide through LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and eBay.
The Wednesday, March 23, 2016 auction will commence at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. The live gallery preview is from 10-3 Wed.-Fri. March 16-18 and Mon.-Tues. March 21 and 22, or by appointment. Closed Sat./Sun. The gallery is located at 70 Herbert Ave., Closter, NJ 07624.
For additional information on any item in the auction or to reserve a phone line, call 201-768-1140 or e-mail sterlingauction@optimum.net. Online: www.antiquenj.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
