Desperados, Indians, vigilantes and gold. While these things can be found in pretty much every Western movie ever made, there is good reason for their inclusion: because that is how the West was. All of these subjects can be found in a remarkable diary of a Boston boy turned Montana mining engineer who wrote between 1866–68. J. Russell Hodge, in only two years, lived more than most. Shortly after arriving in Montana, Hodge and his father each survived being shot by a desperado, who they shot and killed in an ensuing gunfight. They then endured a year of threats from vigilantes as they were indicted for first-degree murder, a charge they would beat in a juried trial. The two operated a gold mine, which according to the diary and adjusting for inflation, sometimes produced more than $50,000 in gold in a single day. It is the real deal, folks, and the diary approaches the block at PBA Galleries. It joins other top lots from around the United States in this week’s picks.
PBA GALLERIES
Sale Date: August 23, 2018
Lot 299
Lot 299
Diary of Montana Mining Engineer, 1866–68
Manuscript diary kept by J. Russell Hodge in Roosevelt, Montana Territory, from December 20, 1866, to May 7, 1868, while he was engaged in managing a gold mining and milling operation.
Estimate: $6/9,000
Manuscript diary kept by J. Russell Hodge in Roosevelt, Montana Territory, from December 20, 1866, to May 7, 1868, while he was engaged in managing a gold mining and milling operation.
Estimate: $6/9,000
THOMASTON PLACE AUCTION GALLERIES
Sale Date: August 25–26, 2018
Lot 1095
Lot 1095
Nineteenth Century Carousel Camel Figure By M.C. Illions
Restored carved wood carousel figure in polychrome enamel paint, on black rolling stand with pipe mount, 54 inches tall, Coney Island, N.Y. This piece came from Saucer’s KiddieLand in Indiana.
Estimate: $35/45,000
Restored carved wood carousel figure in polychrome enamel paint, on black rolling stand with pipe mount, 54 inches tall, Coney Island, N.Y. This piece came from Saucer’s KiddieLand in Indiana.
Estimate: $35/45,000
RAGO
Sale Date: August 24–26, 2018
Lot 1451
Edmond Spence, Pair of Nightstands
Lot 1451
Edmond Spence, Pair of Nightstands
Mexico, 1940s–50s, Mexican mahogany, nickeled brass.
Estimate: $1,2/1,600
Estimate: $1,2/1,600
HERITAGE
Sale Date: August 25, 2018
Lot 43317
Lot 43317
A Guillotine
Made of a heavy, stained hardwood and metal, its provenance is unknown. However, construction and materials would suggest that it dates from perhaps the first quarter of the Twentieth Century. It may have been used in France or in one of the many French colonial possessions in Africa or Asia. The metal blade weighs approximately 40 pounds.
Opening Bid: $12,000
Made of a heavy, stained hardwood and metal, its provenance is unknown. However, construction and materials would suggest that it dates from perhaps the first quarter of the Twentieth Century. It may have been used in France or in one of the many French colonial possessions in Africa or Asia. The metal blade weighs approximately 40 pounds.
Opening Bid: $12,000
ALDERFER AUCTION
Sale Date: August 23, 2018
Lot 172
Lot 172
Louis-Albert Lefeuvre (French, 1845–1924)
Bronze, “Les Fondeurs du Moyen Age,” circa 1900, signed, 18 inches high.
Estimate: $4/6,000
Bronze, “Les Fondeurs du Moyen Age,” circa 1900, signed, 18 inches high.
Estimate: $4/6,000
COPAKE AUCTION
Sale Date: August 25, 2018
Lot 426
Lot 426
IBM Time Clock Business Machine
Early Twentieth Century, oak case, 37 inches high.
$500/700
Early Twentieth Century, oak case, 37 inches high.
$500/700
FONTAINE’S
Sale Date: August 25, 2018
Lot 184
Lot 184
Baird Dog Food Advertising Clock
Original 12-inch paper dial signed “Baird Clock Co. Plattsburgh, NY.” Rustic figure eight style wood and papier mache case with relief lettering around the door and lower door that reads “Clark’s Patent Buffalo Meat Dog Cakes — By Royal Warrant To The Queen.”
Estimate: $2/3,000
Original 12-inch paper dial signed “Baird Clock Co. Plattsburgh, NY.” Rustic figure eight style wood and papier mache case with relief lettering around the door and lower door that reads “Clark’s Patent Buffalo Meat Dog Cakes — By Royal Warrant To The Queen.”
Estimate: $2/3,000
GREAT GATSBY’S
Sale Date: August 24–26, 2018
Lot 983
Lot 983
Eddie Adams (American, 1933–2004)
Oversized silver print titled “Bethlehem,” depicting a shepherd and his lamb in the desert, artist inscribed, dated and signed, 18-by-12-inch image.
Estimate: $700/900
Oversized silver print titled “Bethlehem,” depicting a shepherd and his lamb in the desert, artist inscribed, dated and signed, 18-by-12-inch image.
Estimate: $700/900
JOHN McINNIS
Sale Date: August 24–26, 2018
Lot 532
Lot 532
Large Bellamy “Don’t Give Up The Ship” Eagle Plaque
Attributed to John Haley Bellamy with note attached to eagle; From a Grange Hall in Dover, N.H., or Elliot, Maine. 40 inches long.
Estimate: $20/40,000
Attributed to John Haley Bellamy with note attached to eagle; From a Grange Hall in Dover, N.H., or Elliot, Maine. 40 inches long.
Estimate: $20/40,000
