Selections From the Millhiser Collection Of Fine Americana Lead Freeman's | Hindman's Inaugural New York Americana Week
Freeman’s | Hindman is honored to announce its inaugural participation in Americana Week, from January 18-27, 2025. The exhibition will showcase outstanding historical objects and fine art reflecting American history's rich tapestry. A highlight of the presentation will be Selections from the Millhiser Collection of Fine Americana, featuring exquisite furniture and decorative arts amassed by Bessie and E. Ross Millhiser. As pioneering collectors, the Millhisers curated notable examples of Philadelphia, Newport, Boston, Southern Queen Anne, and Chippendale furniture from renowned dealers, including Israel Sack, Joseph Kindig, and Ginsburg & Levy, during the 1930s and 40s. Highlights include (Lot 5) a rare set of six Queen Anne walnut compass-seat side chairs, (Lot 13) a Philadelphia Chippendale carved walnut dressing table, and (Lot 17) a Bertie County, North Carolina butternut tall chest, dated 1797. The auction will take place on January 27th in the firm’s New York saleroom and is available for live and online bidding.
Andrew Taggart, Specialist, American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Art, summarizes the sale. “This tightly assembled sale speaks to the early collecting practice of American furniture connoisseurs in the U.S., with provenance from prominent dealers, including Israel Sack. Collectors love pieces that have been held in private collections for a significant amount of time, and they will surely appreciate that the earliest purchases date back to the 1930s. The types of items also reveal the Millhisers' adept selection of different regional forms, with items scattered in terms of their origin—Philadelphia, New England, and the South are all represented."
Gemma Sudlow, Managing Director, New York, elaborates. “As America’s oldest auction house, hosting our inaugural New York Americana week sale and exhibitions in our newly expanded gallery and sale room at 32 East 67 Street is a landmark moment for the firm. The content on display in our galleries affirms our deep and enduring commitment to offering American pictures, furniture, decorative arts, books, manuscripts, and historical ephemera to our US and international client community. Our powerful and storied nation is celebrated in these exhibitions and auctions, and we look forward to welcoming you this January and throughout our spring season here at Freeman’s I Hindman.”
Modern and Historical Treasures: Coins, Currency, Printed Americana, and Jewelry
Other highlights on view during Americana Week from January 18-27 include Modern Perfection: Coins and Currency from a Wyoming Estate, Printed and Manuscript Americana, Fine American and European Art, and selections from our spring Important Jewelry auctions.
Selections from Modern Perfection: Coins and Currency from a Wyoming Estate
Kicking off the month is Modern Perfection: Coins and Currency from a Wyoming Estate, a timed online auction now available for bidding through January 23rd. The sale offers a vast 140 lots of gold, silver, and platinum coins from across the world. Signifying a flawless strike, these coins represent a small fraction of the total number of coins minted and are considered the pinnacle example of the coins.
Lot 20 | Birch, W(illiam). The City of Philadelphia. First Edition | Estimate: $40,000 - 60,000
Concluding the month’s offerings is our Printed and Manuscript Americana sale, to be held on January 29th in the firm’s Philadelphia saleroom. This highly anticipated auction features exceptional highlights, including (Lot 32) a first edition of The Federalist ($60,000-$90,000), (Lot 20) a hand-colored first edition of William Birch’s The City of Philadelphia ($40,000-$60,000), (Lot 27) John Eliot’s New Englands First Fruits ($40,000-$60,000), and (Lot 37) a signed letter by Thomas Jefferson discussing the first federally constructed highway ($25,000-$35,000).
In addition to the lots offered during Americana Week, Freeman’s | Hindman’s gallery will showcase jewelry by American designers Tiffany & Co., David Webb, and Oscar Heyman coming to auction in spring.
A Rare Dave Drake Alkaline Glazed 30-Gallon Two-Handled Stoneware Crock | Estimate Available Upon Request
The exhibition will also highlight a rare Dave Drake alkaline glazed 30-gallon two-handled stoneware crock dated to 1859, to be offered in our April American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts auction in Philadelphia.
Other Top Lots Include:
Selections from the Millhiser Collection of Fine Americana
· Lot 18 | A Federal Brass Dial Mahogany Shelf Clock | Estimate: $10,000 - 20,000
· Lot 1 | A William and Mary Turned Maple Gate-Leg Table | Estimate: $4,000 - 6,000
Printed and Manuscript Americana
· Lot 15 | Audubon, John James. Wild Turkey | Estimate: $30,000 - 50,000
· Lot 56 | Printed Broadside of Washington's First Inaugural Speech | Estimate: $15,000 - 25,000
Modern Perfection: Coins and Currency from a Wyoming Estate
· Lot 102 | A 2013-W Gold Buffalo: 100th Anniversary Early Release $50 1 oz. Gold Reverse Proof (NGC MS70) | Estimate: $2,200 - 2,800
· Lot 148 | A US Mint Issued Silver Eagle: Monster Box 500 $1 Silver Coin Sealed Box | Estimate: $20,000 - 30,000
Exhibition Times:
January 18-27
Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, January 18: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, January 25: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Closed: Sunday, January 19 Closed: Sunday, January 26