Bruce Buxton Appraisals Bring Surprises
by Martha A. Muldoon
An Arrowhead Collection to be donated to the BHHS by Dr. Peter Larrabee brought an estimate of $1000, a Dancing Minstrel toy by a famed doll maker brought an estimate of $1200 to $1500 and a John Calvin Stevens watercolor estimated by its owner at $500 was found to be worth between $1000 and $1200.
These were just some of the surprises served up at an entertaining and educational session as treasures of all types were examined and valued by Bruce Buxton. Buxton, a nationally known appraiser and representative of Skinner’s Auctioneers of Boston, made his fourth appearance for the Buxton Hollis Historic Society during the Brewster Barn Benefit Bash, which replaced BHHS’s entertaining Box Lunch Auction held the previous three years.
Many of the items brought to be evaluated were of unknown value to their owners, as they represented heirlooms inherited or handed down to recipients by relatives. But whether they proved very valuable or not, everyone present was interested in hearing Buxton’s evaluations as he drew on his extensive knowledge of antiques and art. Carrying on in his usual "Buxton" style, sometimes feigning horror at the condition of a framed piece or asking to take one or another item home with him, he kept the very attentive audience of nearly 100 attendees entertained through almost fifty evaluations.
Some other appraised highlights included:
An Arrowhead Collection to be donated to the BHHS by Dr. Peter Larrabee brought an estimate of $1000, a Dancing Minstrel toy by a famed doll maker brought an estimate of $1200 to $1500 and a John Calvin Stevens watercolor estimated by its owner at $500 was found to be worth between $1000 and $1200.
These were just some of the surprises served up at an entertaining and educational session as treasures of all types were examined and valued by Bruce Buxton. Buxton, a nationally known appraiser and representative of Skinner’s Auctioneers of Boston, made his fourth appearance for the Buxton Hollis Historic Society during the Brewster Barn Benefit Bash, which replaced BHHS’s entertaining Box Lunch Auction held the previous three years.
Many of the items brought to be evaluated were of unknown value to their owners, as they represented heirlooms inherited or handed down to recipients by relatives. But whether they proved very valuable or not, everyone present was interested in hearing Buxton’s evaluations as he drew on his extensive knowledge of antiques and art. Carrying on in his usual "Buxton" style, sometimes feigning horror at the condition of a framed piece or asking to take one or another item home with him, he kept the very attentive audience of nearly 100 attendees entertained through almost fifty evaluations.
Some other appraised highlights included:
- A set of hunting lithographs by A.B. Frost, estimated by its owner at $1200 for both, turned out to be valued between $700 to $1000 each.
- A 1950’s Maine Central Lionel freight car in its original box was estimated to be worth between $65 and $70.
- A handsome 14K gold woman’s pocket watch by Elgin was valued at $450.
- A wood cut (thought to be of Paris) purchased for $4 was estimated at $100.
- A miniature 1877 Micmac Indian basket approximately 3” high was valued at $350.
- Another larger Micmac basket with original finish, estimated by owner at $100, was valued at $350.
- A hand hewn wooden trencher in original condition was valued at $450.
- A lovely Yellow Ware milk pitcher, estimated by the owner at $135, was valued at $300.
- Two small German motif pottery mugs made in Portland, Maine were valued at $200 each!
- A wonderful large Les Touraine French Car Poster from the twenties in very good condition was valued at $3000.
- A large charcoal illustration, estimated by owner at $150, was valued between $1200 and $1300.
- A whale oil lamp of flint glass with flat panels, estimated by its owner at $175, was actually Sandwich Glass and valued at $450.
Good News Bad News
The biggest surprises of the night included an old Moxie bottle, valued at $25 by its owner, and valued by Buxton at between $200 and $300. And a submission described as “an original Jean Cocteau bronze vase worth $15,000” was found to be a reproduction worth only about $250.
Although the weather was warm, it was matched by the warmth of friendships renewed and begun over a summer supper of hors d’oeuvres, sandwich rolls, chips, fruit salad and the most wonderful assortment of homemade pies! Thanks to all who attended and contributed to a wonderful evening at Bev and Sandy Atkinson’s fabulous Brewster Barn.
** Proceeds from the $25/person admission are to benefit the Buxton-Hollis Historical Society’s Capital Projects.
The biggest surprises of the night included an old Moxie bottle, valued at $25 by its owner, and valued by Buxton at between $200 and $300. And a submission described as “an original Jean Cocteau bronze vase worth $15,000” was found to be a reproduction worth only about $250.
Although the weather was warm, it was matched by the warmth of friendships renewed and begun over a summer supper of hors d’oeuvres, sandwich rolls, chips, fruit salad and the most wonderful assortment of homemade pies! Thanks to all who attended and contributed to a wonderful evening at Bev and Sandy Atkinson’s fabulous Brewster Barn.
** Proceeds from the $25/person admission are to benefit the Buxton-Hollis Historical Society’s Capital Projects.