Cottone holds monster auctions Aug. 15 and Aug. 29 A vintage E. Howard & Co. (Boston) Astronomical Observatory Regulator clock soared to $52,900, and an antique Henry rifle used in the Civil War fetched $48,300 at sales held Aug. 15 and 29 by Cottone.
(GENESEO, N.Y.) – A vintage E. Howard & Co. (Boston) Astronomical Observatory Regulator clock soared to $52,900 and a rare and antique Henry rifle purchased by the U.S. government for use during the Civil War hit a bull’s eye for $48,300 at a pair of sales held Aug. 15 and Aug. 29 by Cottone Auctions. Both sales were held at Cottone’s spacious gallery, located at 120 Court Street in Geneseo.
The Aug. 15 event was dedicated to antique guns and historical books and featured the estate collection of John Wallace of Pavilion, N.Y. The Aug. 29 sale was a fine clocks auction and featured the collection of Joe Butta of Larchmont, N.Y. “These were guy sales for the most part,” Sam Cottone said with a chuckle. “Lots of guns and clocks -- let’s say there weren’t many ladies in attendance either day.”
Nevertheless, both auctions enjoyed a brisk turnout – about 150-200 people per sale. Around 250 lots came up for bid at the guns and books auction, while a little more than 200 clocks changed hands. The online bidding component for both events was facilitated by Artfact.com, and Mr. Cottone said “quite a few” absentee and phone bids were recorded both days. “It was a good month,” he remarked.
He added, “I was happy with the results of the first auction. The market for antique guns has been good and remains quite strong. As for books, they were mainly European titles, and the market for those is also strong. There weren’t many American books in the sale. As for the second auction, I was pleased with that as well. Clock enthusiasts are very specialized. They look for specific things at a sale.”
The Howard clock and the Henry rifle were the top lots in their respective sales. The Howard boasted a cherry case with original rosewood finish, original signed and silvered engraved brass dial, brass engraved 8-day time-only pendulum and unusual 24-hour hand. The .44 caliber Henry featured a period cavalry leather scabbard and the official mark of government inspector Charles George Chapman.
Following are highlights from the Aug. 15 antique guns and historical books auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
Another Henry rifle performed well, as an early first model (serial #1588) hit $32,200. The totally original and untouched .44 rimfire caliber firearm featured a nice uncleaned patina on the brass frame and butt plate. Also, a vintage box of 53 rounds of ammunition for Henry’s Repeating Rifles climbed to $7,590. The green box was intact and of the “Bold 4’s” type, with a raised “H” in a circle headstamp.
A five-volume atlas of the world, by Jacques Nicolas Bellin (Paris, 1764), titled Le Petit Atlas Maritime: Receuil de Cartes et plans des Quatre Parties du Monde, with 575 copper-engraved maps, went for $17,250. Also, a book titled Texas in 1840, or, The Emigrant’s Guide to the New Republic (New York, W.W. Allen, 1840), with a hand-colored litho of Austin on the frontpiece, brought
