Full Text:

COPAKE AUCTION'S THANKSGIVING WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA

By B.J. Lloyd

COPAKE, N.Y. -- A packed house continued the Thanksgiving weekend celebration

at Copake Auction's Annual Thanksgiving Sale on November 28. As the old saying

goes, "The cream rises to the top," and the best pieces brought the best

prices.

A Nineteenth Century figured birch Biedermeier secretary, with fall lid and

fitted interior, reached $4,000; a totally original, late Nineteenth Century

jelly cupboard in superb vinegar grain paint garnered $2,250; and a circa

1790-1810 primitive tall five-drawer chest in old mustard paint over an

original red surface drew great interest during the preview and a winning bid

of $3,250.

Gallery owner Mike Fallon noted the chest, a 100 percent original

museum-quality Canadian piece, was believed to be made by a ship's carpenter.

The chest, the jelly cupboard and another fine primitive, a Nineteenth Century

chrome yellow bucket cupboard, all went to a happy Midwestern collector who

bid by phone. The Canadian cupboards offered came from a single estate.

The auction's eclectic mix of offerings included a crystal chandelier with

original shades that shone at $2,100; a 1930s repainted streamline pedal car

that accelerated to $1,200; an extraordinary folk art carved hanging shelf,

dated 1921, that went to a pleased bidder for $1,300; and a Nineteenth Century

Hunzinger ebonized Egyptian Revival chair that also brought $1,300.

A circa 1815-25 Baltimore mahogany two-door armoire drew $1,800; and a

complete Heywood Wakefield wheat-colored dining room set, representing the

modern classics, rose to a palatable $1,900.

Tramp art was very much in evidence, with 25 pieces going for between $100 and

$675. Sales manager Seth Fallon said that, while the firm has always been

known for its fine country pieces, "...we are also establishing ourselves as a

major tramp art source. We'll have several museum-quality pieces in our New

Year's Day auction."

Copake is now computerized and, while the Fallons worried this first computer

auction might slow things down, the pace was brisk with close to 600 lots

going out at 100 per hour. The computer also sped things up in the front

office, and items were boxed and ready for pickup.

Prices quoted do not include a ten percent buyer's premium.