WIEDERSEIM AUCTIONS SULLY PORTRAIT OF CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE FOR $126,500.00

       On September 15^th and 16^th, 2006 Wiederseim Associates Auctioneers conducted a large two-day auction at Griffith Hall, Ludwig’s Corner Firehouse in Glenmoore, Pa in all over 775 lots were offered. With over 400 registered bidders the two-day sale grossed more than $850,000.00. The majority of the items sold came from two estates in Chestnut Hill, Pa, The Estate of Henry Carvill Lewis and Jane Biddle Lewis. Many of the lots sold were offered for the first time and had come from “Andalusia” the ancestral home of Nicholas Biddle. When he died in 1844 Jane Biddle, wife of Edward Craig Biddle, took their share of the estate and by direct descent to Jane Biddle Lewis. The Friday night session started at five o’clock with many fine items offered. A ships log of the frigate “Raritan” dated 1844 exceeded its high estimate of $1,000 selling for $3,737. A 1901 Pope-Waverly electric car (what’s old is new again) did well selling to a Massachusetts bidder for $18,400. He quickly loaded it on his pickup truck and drove away. Two very rare miniature portraits attributed to James Peale sold for $14,950 and $16,100 respectively. Bidding was very competitive through out the sale. A Chinese mandarin porcelain duck form tureen sold to the phone for $4,600. An English bracket clock with silvered engraved face signed Ralph Glover made $4,887. A set of very fine Neo-classical bird’s-eye maple klismos style chairs did well selling for $16,100. The important chairs were originally from Andalusia. Collectors and dealers alike marveled at the fine Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany tea table, circa 1770. It had retained its old surface and had splendidly carved legs and ball and claw feet. It sold to the phone within estimate for $74,750. The last lot of the Friday night session was a portrait of Captain James Biddle (Brother of Nicholas Biddle) by Thomas Sully. With activity in the room and six phone bidders it sold for a very strong $126,500. and will also be returning to Andalusia. The Saturday session was equally as strong. A pair of gilt classical candelabra which matched a chandelier at Andalusia did well selling for $4,312. Lot 300 was described as a watercolor portrait attributed to Thomas Sully of Eliza Falconett Middleton of South Carolina. Thomas Sully watercolors are extremely rare and this one proved no exception selling for $34,500. A large Remmy stoneware advertising pitcher with blue decoration incised, “H.N. Hopkins Importers and Dealers in Glass and Queensware, 612 Market St. Philadelphia.” made $7,475 and a blue floral decorated Remmy pitcher sold for $2,760. The sale will be remembered for its strength in paintings, a portrait of General George Washington attributed to Rembrant Peale went to the phone for $46,000 as did the miniature of Washington attributed to William Grimaldi [English 1751-1830] for $12,650. Illustrated on the front cover was a portrait of Madame Adel Sigoigne with a letter dated June 9^th, 1816 from Nicholas Biddle on his stationary as President of the Bank of United States to Bass Otis expressing his satisfaction with the portrait. The painting sold to The Independence Seaport Museum of Philadelphia for $46,000, a record for a Bass Otis portrait. A large foxhunting painting by George Harding [American 1882-1959] went for $6,000. A nice cherry two-piece corner cupboard sold for $4,600. and a Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany slant front school masters desk made a reasonable $1,150. The sale concluded with a German WWII collection with the best lot being a German army trumpet banner with silver bullion wire on green cloth field which brought $2,875. Wiederseim’s next sale is November 24^th and 25th (Thanksgiving weekend) at Griffith Hall, Ludwig’s Corner Firehouse, Glenmoore, Pa. For more information including prices realized listing, please visit the web page www.wiederseim.com .