Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is set to host its 2024 Summer Grandeur auction. The auction will be held August 23 to August 25, 2024. This highly anticipated event features an impressive array of Maine art, rare Moxie collectibles, sport and heavy equipment vehicles, and an unique decorative items. This year’s live summer auction promises to deliver a remarkable blend of antique, vintage, and modern pieces. It's an event you won't want to miss.

Highlighting Maine's Artistic Heritage

Among the exceptional Maine artwork featured in this auction is a watercolor painting of a derelict schooner in Camden, ME, by Jamie Wyeth. He created it when he was just 12 years old. A circa 1870 graphite drawing titled “Boy with Cap” by Winslow Homer will be showcased, as well as works by renowned artists such as Don Stone, Lynne Drexler, Andrew Winter, Imero Gobbato, Jay Hall Connaway, Bernard Langlais, William Thon, Emily Muir, Charles Greenough “Chippy” Chase, Frederic Kellogg, and others. These pieces provide a rich representation of Maine’s artistic legacy and are sure to captivate collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

Moxie Collectibles: A Nostalgic Journey

One of the standout features of this auction is the offering of one of the largest private collections of Moxie advertising and memorabilia. This includes vintage pieces from Moxie imitators, such as an embossed tin Moxie Hall of Fame sign with the slogan “Eclipses Everything Drink Moxie Distinctly Different,” a circa 1910 tin exterior sign for Phenix, and a rare circa 1933 tin sign depicting the trademark Moxie horse-mobile passing a billboard. These nostalgic items provide a unique glimpse into the history of one of America’s iconic brands.

Sport and Heavy Equipment Vehicles

For those with an interest in vehicles, the live auction will feature eleven sport and heavy equipment vehicles, including a 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5 double cab pick-up truck, a Yamaha Big Bear 400 ATV, a 2015 GMC 3500 snow plow truck, a John Deere MDL 3038E tractor with loader and bush cutter, and a 1920s era fishing guide boat and trailer. This diverse selection is sure to appeal to both collectors and those looking for functional equipment.

Items of Historic Significance

The auction will also present items of historic interest, such as a circa 1862 gangway board from the USS Hartford, the steam/sail flagship of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut during the Civil War. An 1864 appointment signed by President Abraham Lincoln, naming J.H. Goodenow of Maine as U.S. Consul General to Constantinople, a 19th-century portrait of Brunswick, ME, shipbuilder and sea captain Anthony Morse, and a handcrafted model of the Steamboat “Castine” are among the historically significant items that will be available.

Modern and Antique Furniture

A large selection of modern design furniture will be featured, including a Brutalist design mixed metal console table by Paul Evans Jr., a “Power Play” chair and ottoman by Frank Gehry for Knoll, Herman Miller leather upholstered Eames chairs with ottomans, and a midcentury teak flip-top bar by Torbjorn Afdal for Mellamstrands Mobelfabrik of Norway. The auction will also include fine custom furniture such as an Italian chinoiserie painted two-part secretary desk, a set of six custom Queen Anne style mahogany dining chairs by Karges Furniture Co., and a Chesterfield sofa upholstered in maroon leather. Noteworthy antique furniture lots include a 19th-century French Neoclassical bronze and malachite gueridon table, an American Queen Anne period cherry highboy, and a Hepplewhite period inlaid mahogany huntboard form butler’s desk.

Modernist Masterpieces and More

The auction also boasts an excellent selection of modernist works, including “Mujer” (Woman), a 1945 painting by Amelia Pelaez, and Andy Warhol’s “Mammy,” a signed and numbered limited edition artist proof screenprint. The collection extends to works by Edward Willis Redfield, Scott Leighton, John Sargeant Noble, Albert Pinkham Ryder, James Fitzgerald, George Inness, and John Singleton Copley, offering a diverse and extensive array of art that spans various styles and periods.

Exquisite Jewelry and Silver Collection

The jewelry category will not disappoint, with items such as a loose 2.92-carat round brilliant cut diamond, a ladies Art Deco style 14K white gold aquamarine & diamond ring, and an 18K yellow gold choker necklace set with five brilliant cut diamonds by Shreve Crump & Low. The gold and silver collection will feature an 80-piece set of Georg Jensen sterling flatware in the Scroll/Saga pattern, a Russian silver and cloisonné enamel loving cup by Feodor Ruckert, and a 1930s Meriden silver-plate Boston Lighthouse design cocktail shaker.

Fine Art Pottery and Glass

A notable collection of fine art pottery created by Brother Thomas Bezanson and lovingly cared for by the monastic community at Weston Priory will be sold, featuring 31 lots. The auction will also offer an extensive selection of fine art glass, including pieces by Tiffany Studios, Daum Nancy, De Vez, Galle, and Thomas Webb.

Exceptional Asian Artifacts

Among the many fine Asian lots are a signed Japanese Edo Period six-panel screen by School of Hokusai artist Gakyojin Hokusai, depicting a battle scene during the 1592 Japanese invasion of Korea, and a Balinese Imperial quality 22K gold and jeweled kris handle. These exceptional artifacts reflect the rich cultural heritage of their origins and are sure to be highly sought after.

Diverse and Unique Offerings

Other items of interest in the auction include a Steinway Model B grand piano, a life-size copper exterior mounted elk’s head, and a large selection of string instruments, including sixteen vintage guitars. The auction will also feature excellent selections of marine items, tea caddies, decoys, weathervanes, early lighting, and oriental carpets, ensuring there is something for everyone.

Preview and Auction Details

The live auction will begin at 11:00 a.m. EST each day. The gallery will be open for previews on Saturday, August 10 and August 17, from noon to 4:00 p.m., and Monday through Friday, August 12-16, and Monday through Thursday, August 19-22, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Previewing will also be available on auction days, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 23–25, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

All lots are available for viewing on Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ website at www.thomastonauction.com. Live in-person bidding, telephone, absentee, and online bidding on three internet platforms will be available for this auction.

About Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries is Northern New England’s premier international auction company, located on U.S. Route 1 in Thomaston, ME. Known for their expertise in discovering antique and fine art treasures, they offer free appraisals each Tuesday at the gallery, create fundraiser events for civic and charitable organizations, and provide house call appraisal services. Their skill in researching and marketing antiques and fine art has earned Thomaston Place the respect of buyers, collectors, and experts worldwide.

Conclusion

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries’ 2024 Summer Grandeur auction is set to be an extraordinary event, offering a wide array of rare and valuable items that span various categories and time periods. Whether you are a collector, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for something unique, this auction has something to offer. Mark your calendars for August 23, 24, and 25, 2024, and be sure to take advantage of the preview days to experience these exceptional items firsthand.