Three vibrant and colorful paintings by the acclaimed Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970), a 19th century French Bontems caged singing bird automaton, and a Canadian 1910s Gilson, Guelph Dixie “Ace” Tractors sign are a few of the expected top lots in Miller & Miller Auction Ltd’s online-only Advertising, Canadiana & Historic Objects auction Featuring the Greg Hisey Collection, slated for Saturday, April 13th.
The auction, starting at 9 am Eastern time, is packed with 397 lots of general store items, art glass, Canadiana, advertising signs, Western collectibles, pottery and stoneware, art, and lamps and lighting. In the historic town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Greg Hisey achieved his lifetime goal of building a global destination for travelers seeking a presence of the past. Inspired by early life experiences, Hisey’s “Ghost Town Blues” was a miniature ghost town bed and breakfast, where travelers worldwide could immerse themselves in the past.
“Greg Hisey lives up to the motto of his hometown of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, ‘where past is present,’ and so does his collection,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Working with themes of early Western transportation, veterinary and general store, Mr. Hisey collected advertising and furnishings right out of a ghost town. Additions to the catalog are remarkable, too, including late 19th century automata, rare Canadian political posters and folk art, decorative art glass, silver, bronzes, and early lighting. East meets West in this diverse sale.”
Maud Lewis has been featured in numerous Miller & Miller auctions in recent months, always with positive results. Of the three of her paintings in this auction, the expected top performer is a late 1965 or early 1966 mixed media on pulpboard (beaverboard) titled Cow in Spring Meadow. Although seldom seen, the image is one that spans three decades. It is signed “Maud Lewis” on verso and upper right edge, is 12 inches by 14 inches (board, less frame) (est. $25,000-$30,000).
A rose cut overlay kerosene banquet stand lamp of the type made in America from 1860-1880 by Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. (Sandwich, Mass.) and other manufacturers (although the maker of this piece is unknown), should rise to $2,000-$2,500). It’s made from glass, brass and marble and has a ruby cut to colorless urn-form font with three rows of ovals and punties. The brass connector with bobeche is for hanging prisms. The shade is frosted and colorless.
While these are online-only auctions with no live gallery bidding, bidders can tune in to the live webcast on auction day, April 13th, to watch lots close in real time. Here’s a link to the auction: https://live.millerandmillerauctions.com/auctions/4-D4VAAO/decorative-arts-historic-objects. Bidding is also available via LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will be accepted.
To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the online-only Advertising, Canadiana & Historic Objects auction Featuring the Greg Hisey Collection slated for Saturday, April 13, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.
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