Nutting Chest Sells for $5,600 at Ivankovich Auction

FT. WASHINGTON, PENN. – A #916 Wallace Nutting curly maple chest of drawers was the top-selling rdf_Description in Michael Ivankovich’s March 9 and 10 Wallace Nutting and early Twentieth Century print catalog auction, selling for a strong $5,610 (all prices listed include the 10 percent Buyer’s Premium). Despite some early areas receiving up to two feet of snow several days prior to the auction, and with New York and New England receiving another 6-8 inches on auction day, most serious collectors found a way to either travel to the sale or get in some last minute absentee bids in Ivankovich’s largest-ever 730 lot two-day catalog auction.

Wallace Nutting Picture prices for the best and rarest pictures were strong but prices were a little soft for some of the most run-of-the-mill pictures. The weather and economic woes of many investors were most generally blamed and those collectors and dealers who braved the elements found it to be a worthwhile trip.

Top-selling Wallace Nutting pictures included “Stepping Heavenward” ($1,815); “A Bennington Jar” ($1,430); “Wine Carrier,” “Ravello” ($1,238); “The Vale of the Derwent” ($990); and “Little Washerwoman, Amalfi” ($770).

Wallace Nutting furniture prices were also strong. In addition to the #916 chest of drawers, an extremely rare #810 walnut infant’s crib sold for $1,540. This was the first Nutting crib that Ivankovich had ever sold and was expected to sell for somewhat more but all-in-all Ivankovich felt is was a fair price. Other Nutting furniture prices included: #603 Maple drop-leaf table ($1155); #305 Bent-rung Windsor side chair ($743); #301 Windsor side chair ($660); and a #365 Wild Rose side chair ($440).

Some examples of prices in other print categories include: two original Chandler Pastels ($517 and $275); Maxfield Parrish – “The Millpond” ($242); Bessie Pease Gutmann – “Lorelei” ($550); R. Atkinson Fox – “Where Nature Beats in Perfect Time” ($193); Philip Boileau – “Girl in Red Scarf” ($110); Harrison Fisher – “Under the Rose” ($71); David Davidson -“Grandmother’s Garden” ($198); Fred Thompson – “Homeward Bound” ($248); Sawyer – Pair of Mint Lake Memphramegog Lake scenes ($330); Standley “Spanish Patio, Mission Inn” ($61); Currier & Ives – “American Homestead Spring” ($88); and a small French hand-tinted etching ($38).

Ivankovich’s next auction will be a one-day 525-lot Wallace Nutting and Early Twentieth Century hand-colored photography auction, along with more than 10 pieces of Wallace Nutting furniture, which will be held on Friday, June 22 at the Holiday Inn in Nashua, N.H. This sale will be held in conjunction with the 2001 Wallace Nutting Collectors Club Convention which will be held on the following day. For information, 215-345-6094.