3/10/2010
Cowan's Midnight John Painter Library of American Indian and Western Art Auction is going on now!
The wonderful collection comes from the private library of collector and enthusiast John Painter of Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, Painter ...
3/10/2010
A little pig has come to market at Cowan's Auctions, I am referring to an Anna Pottery pig flask, a rare example with glass eyes. Usually the eyes on these pigs are incised circles, but Anna Pottery did make owl figures ...
3/8/2010
On Saturday, I left the warmth of Cincinnati and ventured into the Cleveland tundra to attend the opening of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. There were some absolutely beautiful pieces on exhibit. The collection consisted of material from across North America and ranged from a Hupa Dance Skirt ...
3/6/2010
Cowan's first American Scene Auction will be held on May 22, 2010 and includes American antiques, decorative arts, fine art, and folk art.
3/6/2010
Cowan's American Indian and Western Art Auction is right around the corner! Check out this fabulous Cheyenne Beaded Hide Tobacco Bag and other great pieces.
The ...
3/4/2010
This horn came into our offices a few months ago fresh out of the attic from our neighboring state of Kentucky. The horn is 16 inches in overall length and is a fine example of a classic New York Map Horn.
The ...
3/3/2010
Of the 11 McClellan saddles coming up in Cowan's Auctions April 28th & 29th, 2010 Historic Firearms and Early Military Auction, one saddle has a distinct local tie-in.
The saddle has a brass oval stamp on the front near side region ...
3/3/2010
Here at Cowan's, we love to fill the offices with wonderful paintings slated for upcoming auctions. Unfortunately, they are only around for a few months, but alas, that is the auction business.
Wes Cowan's tastes change every so often, from folk art to western art to academic works. Katie Landrigan, a historic specialist, ...
3/2/2010
Cowan's February 20, 2010 Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction realized high prices on many unique items, including a 1920 motorcycle.
The Low Number Indian Scout Motorcycle sold for $25,850.00, exceeding its pre-auction estimate. The ...
3/2/2010
Two Springfield rifles in excellent condition will be featured in Cowan's Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Auction, April 28-29, 2010.
The first is a Springfield ...
2/26/2010
Cowan's knows that you have been waiting patiently throughout the last 13 days, like the wonderfully posed young lady pictured in the sixth plate daguerreotype below, to find out what early photographs ...
2/24/2010
Well, it has been a long time coming... but the March 26th, American Indian and Western Art auction is now available for viewing. During this time we had a little excitement when a life-size bronze of Rain-in-the-Face ...
2/23/2010
During the early part of the 1830s, Western expansion was in its full force. Following the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, Ohio was admitted as the 17th State of the Union in 1803, and was rapidly settled. The push West continued. The Missouri and Mississippi Rivers became major conduits for exploration and further settlement: trading ...
2/19/2010
Cowan's Auctions hosted a cocktail party on Thursday, February 18, 2010 to celebrate the announcement of our partnership with Garth Clark and Mark Del Vecchio. Cowans + Clark + DelVecchio will hold semi-annual auctions of Modern and Contemporary Ceramics, with the inaugural auction to be held in November 2010. Collectors and curators ...
2/14/2010
Rarely do you find a great Mid-Century space age lamp, let along two designed by Walter von Nessen. Both having tiered aluminum with inset bands of brass and bakelite and a center inset socket surrounded by six horizontal spaced discs, manufactured by Pattyn Products, Detroit, MI; ca 1935.
1/12/2010
There are several fine daguerreotypes featured in Cowan's Midnight American History Auction.
The first is a unique Sixth Plate Daguerreotype of a Baby Reclining on a Loveseat. It is a beautiful portrait from around 1840 and is housed in ...
2/12/2010
Cowan's Auctions is gearing up for its World at Wars Sale on June 22, 2010. This sale will encompass item pertaining to the 20th Century warfare. This is a new sale for Cowan's Auctions and we look forward to future auctions with this theme.
A large ...
2/11/2010
Cowan's will be offering an outstanding Indian Tomahawk in the upcoming Historic Firearms and Early Militaria auction, April 28-29, 2010.
The Indian Tomahawk has a forged Missouri-style head with a nicely shaped bowl and rings. The pipe ...
2/10/2010
Cowan's American Scene Auction
Cowan’s Auctions is seeking quality consignments of Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic Movement ceramics, art pottery, art glass, silver and furniture for the May 22nd American Scene auction.
For more information, contact our specialist at artsandcrafts@cowans.com
Consignment ...
2/10/2010
Topping Cowan's list of favorite items in the upcoming Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction is a wonderful Hunting Scene by William McKendree Snyder.
The painting depicts a hunting dog roaming through a field, with waving grass and ...
2/9/2010
An exquisite Navajo 14 k Gold Belt Buckle with Blue Gem Turquoise is just one of many lots of Southwest jewelry in Cowan's upcoming American Indian and Western Art Auction.
The belt buckle is signed "JH", probably for Navajo ...
2/9/2010
A Rookwood Vellum Landscape Plaque by artist Fred Rothenbusch is set to hit the block on February 20, 2010 in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction.
The plaque depicts a winter landscape with snow capped mountains, tall furs, and ...
2/5/2010
Cowan's April 28, 2010 Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Auction will feature a Colt Model 1861 Navy Revolver plus Officer's Sword and Complete Archive.
It ...
2/4/2010
Cowan's first Midnight American History Auction will feature Early Photography, including Daguerreotypes, Tintypes, and more. The auction will begin February 14, 2010, and last for a 14 day period, ending February 28th.
Highlights of the ...
2/4/2010
Cowan's is gearing up for its next American Indian and Western Art Auction, March 26, 2010. An interesting piece is a Tom Hunt Kwakiutl Large Articulated Mask ...
2/3/2010
A fabulous pair of German Tall Case Clocks is just one of many lots of great furniture in Cowan's upcoming Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction.
The clocks are Continental, from the early 19th century, and walnut. They feature ...
2/3/2010
Cowan's February sale features a Portrait of John Brown and Literature by Edwin Garnet Riley. This lot is an interesting painting and group of material from an individual influenced heavily by and on the fringes of movements such as the Harlem ...
2/2/2010
Wes Cowan, President and Principal Auctioneer of Cowan’s Auctions, Garth Clark, and Mark Del Vecchio, both of Clark + Del Vecchio Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have announced a partnership to bring modern and contemporary ceramics to the international art market through focused, selective, and scholarly semi-annual auctions.
1/29/2010
1/27/2010
A Composite Wheelock Rifle by Christoph Kuchenreiter is a fine piece that will surely turn heads in Cowan's Spring Antique and Modern Firearms Auction.
The stock of the rifle is ca 1680 and the barrel ca 1710. The barrel is signed "Christoph Kuchenreiter" with a worn iron mark at the breech. The lock is 18th century ...
1/26/2010
There are several great weavings in Cowan's upcoming American Indian and Western Art Auction, March 26, 2010.
One is a Roomsize Navajo Weaving from the second quarter of the 20th century. It is brown, red, gray, cream, and black ...
1/26/2010
A beautiful set of Worcester "Queen Charlotte" Pattern Tablewares will be offered in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art Auction, February ...
1/22/2010
Two Military Appointments Signed by John Jay and George Clinton sold for $1,116. 25 in Cowan's January 21, 2010 American History Absentee and Live auction.
The appointments also include letters referring to the Blennerhassett affair. ...
1/22/2010
A Pair of British Flintlock Officer's Military Holster Pistols by William Brander will be offered in Cowan's Spring Antique and Modern Firearms auction.
The pistols are dated 1765, and are signed "Brander Minories, London" with a ...
1/22/2010
CBS featured Antiques Roadshow Executive Producer Marsha Bemko on the Early Show this morning. Marsha recently published a book titled Antiques Roadshow Behind the Scenes: An Insider's Guide to PBS's #1 Weekly Show. Watch as she appraises a late 19th-century GRA flag with some help from our own Wes Cowan! And, don't forget ...
1/21/2010
Cowan's will be offering wonderful pieces of Spanish furniture in the Winter Fine and Decorative Art auction, February 20, 2010.
The first is a Spanish Library Table. The 18th century walnut table is rectangular in shape with a plank ...
1/21/2010
Several great paintings will be offered in Cowan's American Indian and Western Art auction, March 26, 2010.
One painting is by George Phippen, entitled "Survival of the Fittest." Phippen (American, 1916-1966) was a self-taught ...
1/20/2010
A Fabulous Landscape by R.C. Nuse is set to hit the block in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art auction, February 20, 2010.
Roy Cleveland Nuse (American 1885-1975) was a teacher at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, ...
1/18/2010
Cowan’s Auctions, a leader in auctions of significant historical artifacts, has been tapped by Edgar Allan Poe scholar Cliff Krainik to sell at auction a previously-unknown watercolor portrait of Poe by A.C. Smith. Wes Cowan, President and Principal Auctioneer, estimates that the portrait could sell between $30,000 and $50,000.
“Cowan’s ...
1/15/2010
A Kentucky Folk Portrait by James Thomas Poindexter will be offered in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art auction, February 20, 2010.
Oil on canvas, the portrait is of a boy within a landscape; he is holding a flower basket and hat. ...
1/15/2010
A Pattern 1872 Enlisted Cavalry Dress Helmet will hit the block in Cowan's Spring Antique and Modern Firearms auction, April 28, 2010.
The helmet features a black wool body with brass planchet and plume holder with yellow horsehair plume. ...
1/15/2010
A great selection of American and British furniture is being offered in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art auction, February 20, 2010.
A fine example is a Napoleon III Rosewood Suite. It is 19th century, French, in kingwood and ...
1/14/2010
Cowan's American Indian and Western Art auction features two spectacular bronze sculptures by artist Joe Beeler. The auction will take place March 26, 2010.
Beeler (American, 1931-2006), was known for his western art sculptures, paintings, and illustrations. He was also a founding member of the Cowboy Artists of America.
The ...
1/14/2010
Cowan's American History Absentee and Live auction features over 350 lots. The auction will take place on January 21, 2010, starting at 12 PM.
The auction is ON-LINE ONLY. Those interested can place phone bids, absentee bids on Cowan's web site, or may register to bid live with iCowans.
Items in the sale include ...
1/14/2010
A rare pattern 1847 Grimsley saddle will be offered for sale in the Cowan's April 28 and 29th, 2010 auction. This saddle is in remarkably great shape considering its age.
According to author G. Craig Caba in his book, Historic Southern Saddles, ...
1/14/2010
You can always count on Cowan's offering some nice Italian paintings in every Fine Art auction. I'm including a few of my favorites from the February 20th sale here...
A vast array of Italian artist worked prolifically in turn-of-the-century Italy, usually depicting genre, landscape or city view subjects. After all, it's ...
1/11/2010
Talk about a lot of bang for your buck! Have a look at this unbelievable memory frame in Cowan's February 20th Winter Fine and Decorative Art sale! If your eyes are drawn to the print inside, then you probably shouldn't be collecting antiques!
12/29/2009
Join Cowan's staff at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art for an appraisal day on January 16, 2010!
Wes Cowan, Diane Wachs, Graydon Sikes, Katie Landrigan, and Danica Farnand will be at the museum to answer questions and appraise your treasures!
Appraisals will be focused on American Indian art, American ...
12/23/2009
Cowan's recently received an archive of Tom Thumb memorabilia including his entire suit.
The collection comes from Thumb's personal valet and includes his suit, a CDV album, and an ambrotype of his wedding carriage.
12/23/2009
Last week the Cowan's Firearms department traveled to the state of Michigan to pick up a gun and sword collection. The firearms were mostly from the Civil War era and several specimens had Michigan related history.
12/22/2009
As Cowan's is based in Cincinnati, we are familiar with a few artist's whose trompe l'oeil work has gotten attention on a national stage: Cincinnati artist Charles Meurer and De Scott Evans, another Ohio artist.
In ...
12/22/2009
The catalogue for Cowan's American History On-Line ONLY auction is now available online.
The sale features over 350 lots, including daguerreotypes, CDVs, and other images.
One highlight is a U.S. ...
12/19/2009
Cowan's Director of Fine and Decorative Art, Diane Wachs, talks with Panny Cowan about Cowan's Auctions upcoming Décor Auction on January 8, 2010. Panny, a new young ...
12/19/2009
Cowan’s Fine and Decorative Art Department will hold its first Décor auction on Friday, January 8, 2010 in Cowan’s salesroom. The inaugural sale will include a fine selection of paintings and prints, furniture spanning the 18th to the ...
12/18/2009
Cowan’s, an international leader in auctions of historical Americana and early photography, held a successful American History auction on December 9, 2009. Auction proceeds totaled $665,000, with 508 bidders from 6 countries vying for 400 lots. Additionally, December’s American History auction was the department’s ...
12/16/2009
Cowan's Auctions has sold numerous saddles in the past. Last week a saddle came in that could go down as the most ornate one that we have seen come through our facility.
The saddle in reference was made by an Indiana maker Ted Flowers. This saddle was ...
12/10/2009
In the past few weeks Cowan's Firearms Department traveled to New York to pick up a collection of Springfield-made Target Rifles. These heavy barreled rifles were used by U.S. teams in International long-range matches. Some of these rifles were even used in the Olympics. These rifles will be offered in Cowan's Spring Firearms and Early Militaria ...
12/4/2009
I would like to congratulate Mr. Ted Brasser for his completion of the beautiful book Native American Clothing: An Illustrated History. Brasser examines each of the twelve North American cultural areas, providing a historical context of American Indian clothing by discussing European influences, and tribal ...
12/1/2009
In Cowan's upcoming Winter American History Auction, December 9, 2009, one of the featured lots is an exceptional California Gold Rush Archive that ...
11/23/2009
A one-of-a-kind album of 97 carte de visite photographs featuring 25 rare images of Lincoln’s funeral procession will be offered in Cowan’s December 9, 2009 American History Auction. Never before has such a comprehensive collection of ...
11/23/2009
Wes Cowan recently recorded a podcast discussing the highlights of Cowan's upcoming Winter American History auction. The auction will be held on December 9, 2009 in Cowan's salesroom.
The site, The Antique Auction Podcast, features interviews ...
11/23/2009
Wes Cowan and Katie Landrigan attended the 2009 Daguerreian Society Symposium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 12-15, 2009.
Highlights of the weekend included lectures, the Chester County Historical Society's exhibit, The Daguerreotype: Portraiture at the Dawn of Photography, TradeFair, Cocktail Party, Silent Auction, and ...
11/20/2009
Cowan's recently sold a Rare Eckfelt Committee of Safety Socket Bayonet in their Fall Firearms and Early Militaria auction. The bayonet was estimated at $500-$700 and sold for an outstanding $6,900.00.
The maker, Eckfelt, had a contract ...
11/20/2009
Two great paintings by Paul Sawyier will be offered in Cowan's Winter Fine and Decorative Art auction, February 20, 2010.
Paul Sawyier (American, 1865-1917) was an Impressionist painter who grew up in Kentucky. He studied at the Cincinnati Art Academy and the Art Student's League.
A favorite of Kentucky collectors, ...
11/19/2009
For all you basket lovers, a few attractive pieces have graced us with their presence... And for those who prefer something from a little farther north, this carved Tlingit bowl happily agreed to have its picture taken.
Chemehuevi Tray & Figural Panamint baskets. ...
11/18/2009
This great lot will be featured in Cowan's upcoming Winter American History auction, December 9, 2009.
The archive includes over 740 items, primarily photographs and celluloid negatives related to Ralph H. Cairns. Cairns was the organizer and ...
11/19/2009
Cowans Firearms Department again traveled to the West to pick up yet even more U.S. Cavalry items. The week of 11/9/09-11/15/09 was spent in Colorado, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In Colorado Cowan's picked up three fine U.S. Cavalry uniforms and several more hats and accoutrements as photographed below.
11/13/2009
The two day Cowan’s Fall Firearms and Early Militaria auction, held November 4 & 5, 2009, garnered over $1 Million in total proceeds. Consisting of over 900 lots, the auction attracted 730 bidders from 11 countries, with 315 bidders participating via Cowan’s new online bidding platform, iCowans.
The auction ...
11/13/2009
Looking to hang a great painting?
Cowan's is offering two groups of fine frames in their January 8, 2010 Winter Fine Décor auction. Both lots are groups of wonderful Art Nouveau frames.
The first group includes five Outstanding ...
11/11/2009
An Important Genre Painting by Abbott Graves was recently sold to a collector in Detroit, Michigan for $52,875.00.
The painting, entitled "Country Grocery in Kennebunkport, Maine" was passed in the October Fine and Decorative Art auction.
11/10/2009
Cowan's Fall Firearms and Early Militaria auction met great success. Here are some of the top sellers from the two-day event.
An Exceptional Fort Edward Engraved French & Indian War Powder Horn, dated 1759, sold for $28,875.00.
Another ...
11/8/2009
Now that the catalogue for the upcoming Winter American History auction is available online, I thought I'd share the top ten highlights of the December 9, 2009 auction. Here they are:
11/9/2009
The Cavalry is Coming to Cowans! Part I
In the past two weeks Cowan's Auctions Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Department has travelled to California and Colorado picking up two noteworthy U.S.Cavalry collections The week of 11/9 Cowan's Auctions will once again be going back to Colorado/Wyoming to pick up yet ...
11/6/2009
Alanson Skinner's 1926 Ethnology of The Ioway Indians arrived in my mailbox earlier this week. It is well written and I have to say, enjoyable read. Additionally, I have found out a couple pretty neat things about our ...
11/5/2009
Cowan's will be selling three pieces of fine furniture from the first home of Henry and Clara Ford in their Winter Great Estates auction, January 8, 2010.
The furniture is all walnut and of original finish. The lot of three includes a double bed with burl panel, stylized floral carving, and scrolled head and footboard; a brown marble-topped ...
11/5/2009
This is an item that won't want to be missed. It is a painting titled "Standing Ballerina in Studio" by Samuel Edmund Oppenheim (1901-1992).
The painting is oil on canvas and is in excellent condition. There is a label on verso that reads "Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH" with title, artist, and medium.
Samuel ...
11/4/2009
Two exciting lots relating to Alexander Stephens will be featured in Cowan's Winter American History auction, December 2, 2009. Stephens was the Vice President of the Confederate States of America. The first lot is Stephens' Copies of Grant ...
11/2/2009
Don't forget: Cowan's Fall Firearms and Early Militaria auction is THIS Wednesday and Thursday, November 4-5, 2009!
The auction includes over 800 lots of great merchandise. Session 1 of the auction features American and European ...
11/2/2009
A magnificant Edwardian Bookcase Cabinet is set to hit the block at Cowan's Winter Fine Fall and Decorative Art acution, February 20, 2010.
The cabinet is English, from the mid-19th century and is made of mahogony with oak and deal. The piece is in two sections, with the upper section featuring through mullioned, astrigal glazed doors, ...
11/1/2009
John Grass was the last hereditary chief of the Sioux Indians.
The photograph depicts Grass in an up-close portrait, showing primarily the right side of his face. He looks into the distance with a contemplative expression.
Grass ...
10/31/2009
Cowan's Winter Fine Décor auction features hundreds of great pieces of fine decorative art.
One particular painting comes from Ohio artist John Hauser (1858-1918). Born in Cincinnati, Hauser is known for his paintings of Western Indians and of Indian culture in general.
This painting is a German Landscape and is ...
10/31/2009
As the Winter American History auction approaches, Cowan's is thrilled with the addition of many exceptional lots.
One of these great lots is two Oklahoma Federation of Colored Women banners, one dated 1910. The banners are purple silk with silk fringe, and feature hand-painted gold lettering promoting the Oklahoma ...
10/26/2009
A couple months back a catlinite pipe bowl was mailed to the department, a bowl with some very unusual features. To start, there are two bowls. When was the last time you saw a pipe with two bowls? While I was initially ...
10/20/2009
Cowan’s held its highest-grossing Fine and Decorative Art auction of the year on October 2-3, 2009 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Proceeds from the comprehensive sale totaled just over $1 million, with 1,045 bidders from 17 countries vying for 922 lots.
Twentieth-century art, buoyed by works from the collection of the late Betty ...
10/20/2009
Early WWI aviation collecting is an exciting and popular field; collectors are drawn to aviation because it was new, dangerous, and filled with unlimited possibilities for technical advancement. At the inception of WWI there were only five airplanes in the American Military Aviation Department. By the war's end this number jumped to ...
10/18/2009
Get a behind the scenes look at how Antiques Roadshow works!
Several Collectors Weekly staff members and longtime Roadshow fans received backstage passes to the 2009 San Jose taping and documented everything they saw, from setup to the directors truck.
10/15/2009
Wes Cowan and our Fine Art, Decorative Art, and Antique Firearms specialists are traveling to Akron, Ohio, this weekend to appraise items at the Akron Art Museum Appraisal Affair.
The fair will be held this Saturday, October 17, from 11 AM - 5 PM. ...
10/9/2009
The collection of William "Billy" Walker, winner of the third Kentucky Derby, was among the top sellers in the October 2-3 Fall Fine and Decorative Art auction.
The stand-out item of the collection was the Kentucky Coin Silver ...
10/7/2009
Cowan's American Indian Department is now seeking consignments for the March American Indian and Western Art auction. Cowan's is dedicated to quality consignments and will be accepting items until December 26, 2009.
Please contact the American Indian Arts ...
10/7/2009
Cowan's is pleased to add two more great lots to the upcoming Winter American History auction, December 2, 2009. The first is an outstanding group of American Indian Photographs, including a rare photograph of Quanah Parker. In it, Parker is contemplating a painting of his mother.
Parker was the son of a white mother and ...
10/6/2009
Cowan's paintings specialist Graydon Sikes will be speaking at the University of Kentucky Art Museum this Friday, October 9, 2009.
Sikes, who heads up the Paintings and Prints Department at Cowan's, will be speaking about two artists: Karl Bodmer (1809-1893) and George Catlin (1796-1872).
Bodmer and Catlin were both major ...
10/6/2009
A shell jacket worn at several important Civil War battles, including Gettysburg, is set to hit the auction block at Cowan’s Historic Firearms and Early Mililtaria Auction on November 4, 2009. The lot includes thorough documentation of the coat’s ...
9/30/2009
With the large quantity of items that go through an auction house it is inevitable that some details on items may go overlooked. This could be from as small of an item as a drum stick to a large item like a cannon. In my experience at Cowan's it is interesting how such a little minute mark on an item can make a large difference in the sales price.
9/24/2009
Fine art from the Betty Asher collection will be sold on the first day of Cowan's October 2-3 Fall Fine and Decorative Art Auction. Asher was a collector and dealer in Los Angeles who represented living artists in her gallery and collected works.
Included in this group is a Viola Frey oil on canvas painting entitled
9/24/2009
Add this to the list of spectacular Kentucky flintlock rifles in Cowan's November Firearms and Militaria Auction. This particular rifle was made by well-known gunsmith Melchoir Fordney (1809-1843).
Fordney was a great maker and his extraordinary engravings were incorporated into all of his work. His work was highly sought after. ...
9/23/2009
Cowan's will be selling one of its first daguerreotypes of a steam locomotive this December in the Winter American History auction.
"It's a great image" says Wes Cowan, founder and owner of Cowan's. "The detail is incredible. You can even see steam rising from the boiler."
9/21/2009
Cowan's Auctions will be hosting the Ohio Folk Art Association for an auction preview event on September 27, 2009. Roxanne Argenbright, Cowan's resident folk art specialist, will be speaking about folk art highlights from past and upcoming sales, and the state of the folk art market in general.
Day Two of Cowan's Fine and ...
9/22/2009
An important 19th-century Eskimo seal mask from the St. Michael’s area was the top-selling lot in Cowan’s American Indian and Western Art Auction on September 11, 2009, more than doubling its $30/40,000 with a realized price of $88,125. Constructed ...
9/21/2009
For the first time Cowan's will be selling fine jewelry, offering over 30 lots in the upcoming October Fine Fall and Decorative Art sale.
Diane Wachs, Director of Fine and Decorative Art, says Cowan's is responding to its consignors' questions about handling jewelry. She goes on to say, "it is an interesting market, with ...
9/18/2009
Cowan's is pleased to offer a painting by Cincinnati native Louis John Endres in their upcoming Fall Fine and Decorative Art sale, October 2-3, 2009.
Endres (1896-1989) is known for his Orientalist style and An ...
9/18/2009
Cowans will be attending this event at the end of September. The event takes place at Pintail Point, MD which is located on the Eastern Shore. In addition to the international shooting competition, this is one of America's premiere shows for vintage sporting collectibles. It will be the third year that I have been to this show. The contestants are ...
9/17/2009
An archive from the life of Professor William Tatem Collings is set to hit the block in Cowan's American History Auction, December 2, 2009.
W.T. Collings started the Collings Horse Ranch near Beaver City, Nebraska in the 1880s. In 1890 he started shipping horses to New Jersey for annual auctions. In 1892 he tamed "Julius ...
9/17/2009
Cowan's will feature two French and Indian Wars horns November 4-5, 2009.
The first is an Engraved Map Powder Horn of Pennsylvania. The detailed horn depicts the sequential forts and way points on the trail from Philadelphia to Ft. Pitt (Pittsburgh) at the strategic forks of the Ohio. The track departing from the frontier post of Carlisle ...
9/16/2009
Calling all Kentucky Derby fans! An outstanding collection of William "Billy" Walker racing memorabilia is set to hit the block in Cowan's Fall Fine and Decorative Art auction, October 2-3, 2009.
William "Billy" Walker was an African-American ...
9/11/2009
Cowan’s 900-lot Fall Fine and Decorative Art auction offers a broad selection for collectors, as Continental paintings, furniture, and other decorative arts will be sold on the first day of the two-day auction, while American furniture, folk art, ...
9/11/2009
Cowan's Firearms and Militaria specialist, Jack Lewis, will be attending The American Society of Arms Collectors meeting this weekend. One of the firearms that was exhibited at the American Society of Arms Collectors event was a U.S. Springfield Officer's Model 1875 .45 ...
9/9/2009
An exquisite Mission figural basket is set to hit the block this Friday, September 11 at Cowan's American Indian and Western Art sale. The basket is coiled with decorations of two large eagles with outstretched wings and two lizards.
On ...
9/4/2009
"The Unaccountable", by Horace Clifford Westermann is sure to turn heads when it hits the block in Cowan's October 2-3, 2009 Fall Fine and Decorative Art sale. Westermann (American, 1922-1981), did this work in 1959.
"The Unaccountable" is a mixed media sculpture comprised of painted wood, gold-plated metal, ...
9/3/2009
An early 19th Century baseball was sold at auction last week in Cowan's first Firearms, Indian Art & American History Auction. Also sold with the baseball was a photo of the Alert Hose baseball team. The photo shows nine men in uniform and one man in a suit, suggesting that it was a complete team, including a manager.
9/2/2009
Cowan's Firearms department got a call last week from an East Coast consignor that they wished to sell some Kentucky Rifles and Engraved Powder Horns. The timing was good because coincidently I was preparing to depart for Buffalo, NY that same morning.
Cowan's has sold some fine Kentucky Flintlock rifles and engraved powder horns in ...
9/2/2009
You won't want to miss three Kentucky rifles in Cowan's upcoming Firearms and Militaria auction, November 4-5, 2009. One featured rifle is the raised carved Kentucky flintlock by John Shell. Shell worked in Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, around 1817.
9/2/2009
A highlight of the Fall Fine and Decorative Art auction on October 2nd and 3rd is a folky oil on canvas titled "My Neighbor" by African-American artist Helen LaFrance. The painting carries an estimate of $1500/2000.
9/3/2009
Martin Giles will be representing Cowan's Auctions at upcoming shows in the U.K. in September and October 2009, including the major events for the Fall season - London Arms Fair, Birmingham Arms Fair and the Bisley Arms Fair. Jack Lewis, Jr, Cowan's Firearms Director, relates, "Martin is a perfect fit for Cowan's Auctions as we continue to ...
8/20/2009
Cowan's Auctions has had the good fortune of receiving a large collection of early aviation wings and other related early historical military aviation artifacts. The wings have been divided into about 50 lots and will be offered in the November 4&5, 2009 Historical Firearms and Early Militaria Auction.
8/18/2009
Have a Facebook account? Become a fan of Cowan's Fine Art Auctioneers and Appraisers! You can find out about upcoming auctions, appraisal and speaking events, online catalog postings, highlighted items, and ...
8/14/2009
Join Wes Cowan and Danica Farnand, Director of Cowan's American Indian Art Department, at the Whitehawk Antique Indian Art Show in Santa Fe, to be held August 18th and 19th. They will exhibit for preview several featured lots from the upcoming September 11, 2009 American Indian ...
5/11/2010
As the processing is well under way for this Fall's Fine and Decorative Arts auction, I thought I'd take a moment to share some of the highlights, and some of my favorites. It's going to be an outstanding sale with over 800 lots of conservatively estimated objects.
Take this Barbizon ...
8/11/2010
Originally, Cowan's Auctions was scheduled to hold two seperate sales of Decorative Arts and American & European Paintings on different weekends in October. In the interest of capturing a broader audience and hosting an all-encompassing auction of outstanding paintings, furniture, and other decorative arts, the sales have been combined to ...
8/11/2009
A group of Yosemite photographs collected by artist James David Smillie will be up for auction in Cowan's Firearms, Indian Art, & Historic Americana sale on August 27 & 28.
Four of the photographs, mounted on cardstock, have a handwritten caption in the lower right corner. This includes but is not limited ...
8/11/2009
Cowan's will offer an exquisite Bering Sea Eskimo Ivory Pipe in its September 11 American Indian Art Auction. The pipe is carved in three pieces and the stem is incised with bands of whales, looms, and whale tails. The pipe also features a four-faced figure and a flared bowl designed with hatch marks.
Find out more about ...
8/11/2009
Several pickups for Cowan's Firearms Department were scheduled in virtually all corners of the state of New York over the last week. Prior to my first pickup I visited the Genesse County Historical Village and visited the John L. Wehle Art Gallery. This museum had an outstanding collection Sporting Art and Wildlife Art and it ...
8/11/2009
The Huntington Museum of Art recently held an appraisal fair that gave collectors a chance to have their treasures appraised by Cowan's staff. Wes Cowan, Diane Wachs, and Graydon Sikes traveled to Huntington, West Virginia for the event, called "A Fair to Remember".
Wes also gave a presentation, "Adventures of a ...
8/5/2009
Thunderbirds fly here, there, and everywhere, some alighting among Indian arrows, snakes, and whirling logs. A multitude of southwestern silver or copper curio trade items—bracelets, pins, rings, ashtrays, spoons, letter openers, and numerous other ornaments—are either stamped or embellished with this ubiquitous bird with wide-spread ...
7/28/2009
Wes will be the special guest at the 25th Annual Rocky Mountain Book and Paper Fair! The fair will take place on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. He will give a presentation, Adventures of a Real-life History Detective: Today's Archival Institutions ...
7/24/2009
Cowan's is pleased to announce a new Firearms, Indian Art, & American History Auction to be held on August 27 & 28. The two-day auction will feature nearly 1000 lots of Firearms and Militaria, American Indian Art, and Historical Americana to be ...
7/23/2009
History Detectives was recently renewed for seasons 8 and 9 on PBS! Wes and the other experts will be back to solve your mysteries for the History Detectives. Also joining the team will be Eduardo Pagan, a professor at Arizona State University.
You ...
7/23/2009
Wes recently visited McGregor, Iowa, home of the deaf-mute sand artist, Andrew Clemens. Clemens is one of Wes' favorite artists, often referring to him as a genius. Clemens created what is believed to be over 1,000 outstanding sand bottles displaying detalied images ranging from patterns to humans and animals. Wes took a trip to ...
7/23/2009
A superb grouping of works by the most well-known artists of the American West, including Sharp, Farny, Russell, and Hauser, will be offered in Cowan’s American Indian and Western Art Auction on September 11, 2009. Strong examples from both ...
7/17/2009
Once in a while, a client walks in Cowan’s with an old cardboard box, full of amazing things. In this case, it was 18th century English sterling silver by the maker, Hester Bateman. The client brought over 40 pieces of what has become one of the most highly sought after silversmiths in the antique world.
Hester Bateman actually continued ...
7/17/2009
Continuing Cowan's international expansion, on Sunday July 12th, Cowan's Firearms Department set up at the Northern Arms Fair in England. The show features American and European Arms and took place inside the Pudsey Civic Hall. It was a one day show that was well attended and an opportunity for Cowans to promote a collection of international ...
7/17/2009
Cowan's Firearms Department is busy accepting consignments for the upcoming November Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Auction, and has been traveling all across the country to bring in some fantastic items. In early July, Cowan's Firearms Department and Modern Firearms Specialists, Jack Haney, picked up collections in Texas, ...
7/8/2009
On the weekend of June 26th, Cowan's Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Department set up at the Gettysburg, PA, Civil War Show. One of the items that was fitting to display at the show was the "Lucky Coat" shell jacket worn at Gettysburg by Sergeant Henry H. Stone. The jacket is a featured item in the November Firearms ...
7/7/2009
Cowan's is happy to announce that we will be selling a terrific collection of scrimshaw in our upcoming Fall Fine and Decorative Art Auction. The collection represents a wide array of this highly-valued form of folk art, including scrimshawed busks, pickwicks, a fine ivory and whale bone swift, scrimshawed whales' teeth, and much more. ...
7/7/2009
As some of you know, I'm a huge fan of Andrew Clemens(1857-1894) , the deaf-mute folk artist from McGregor, Iowa. While folks in his home town certainly are familiar with this unheralded genius, most collectors have never heard of him. I'm proud to have played a part in his "rediscovery" and introduction to the larger public ...
7/6/2009
Cowan’s Fall Firearms and Early Militaria Sale, set for November 4, 2009, is now accepting consignments. Already the auction stands to offer several Southeastern sporting guns, Civil War guns, and items from both World Wars. Included in the catalogue will be two Browning ...
7/6/2009
A group of archives spanning the career of Maj. General Thomas H. Ruger and the Thomas Minckler collection of western Americana were the highlights of Cowan’s June 24, 2009 American History Auction, with each grossing six figures. The success of these important collections, as well as a rare grouping of S.J. Morrow’s Native ...
7/1/2009
a Pomo... Mission... Pima... Apache basket. It looks like these woven beauties will be the dominant force in the next American Indian Art auction. If you like baskets, I think we will have one for you. It's not to say that there are not other interesting pieces coming up... but the baskets!
Another lot that has come ...
7/1/2009
Most of us have heard of the C.S.S. Hunley, the Confederate submarine that sank in the Atlantic ocean off Charleston, S.C. after delivering a spar torpedo to the hull of the U.S.S. Housatonic on the night of February 17, 1864. I'll bet you haven't heard of the Union submarine, the Intelligent ...
7/1/2009
Cowan's own Joe Moran will be attending the Northern Arms Fair in Leeds, England on Sunday, July 12, 2009. For over 30 years, the Northern Arms Fair organizes the leading antique arms, metals, and militaria collectors' in different locations in the north of England. Leading authorities are often in attendance, and attendees ...
6/25/2009
The Firearms Department had three pickups in the Southeast last week for the November Firearms and Early Militaria Auction. I traveled to three different states (South Carolina, Georgia and Florida) to picked up three different collections. Most of the collections relate to Sporting Guns and WWI and WWII items.
Pictured is a pair of two ...
6/23/2009
If you were in the salesroom during the June 6th auction of Decorative Arts at Cowan's, you would have witnessed the noticeable hush that fell over the room when the collection of 5 works by Kentucky artist Paul Sawyier came on the block. ...
6/16/2009
On Wednesday 6/10/09 I headed east for a pickup in Virginia. The collection was comprised mostly of Civil War guns and post Civil War Winchester Lever-Action guns. This will be the first of my three pick-up trips this month: one to the Southeast, one to Florida and then one to the Southwest. In-between I will be at the Gettysburg Civil War Show ...
6/15/2009
Cowan's long-time customers will undoubtedly note that something about the title of our June 24th auction is different, but they're not quite sure what is different. Others might not even catch the difference. What is it, you ask? After 15 years of terming these semi-annual auctions ...
6/12/2009
The following is a category index of Cowan's June 24, 2009 American History Auction, with links to the relevant pages of the online auction catalogue. These categories are somewhat general, and not every lot is represented in this list. Bear in mind that you can always use Cowan's search ...
6/12/2009
Recession? What? Where? A recession seemed to be out of sight and out of mind at Cowan's Fine and Decorative Art Auction, held June 6th. Another packed salesroom showed us that the buyers are still interested in the very best in Decorative Arts. Interested buyers also flooded the phones, left absentee bids and bid live online.
What ...
6/9/2009
With over 800 bidders from 11 countries, Cowan’s Summer Fine and Decorative Art Auction realized $784,094 in total sales with 218 successful bidders on almost 500 lots. "The results speak to a renewed interest in regionalism – in particular Ohio, Kentucky and the South in general. Those continue to be hot pockets of the market," ...
6/10/2009
More than 800 lots of historical manuscripts, autographs, early photography, and historical relics will be offered in Cowan’s Spring 2009 American History Auction to be held June 24, 2009. Sale highlights include a half plate ambrotype of a pony express stop ...
6/10/2009
In our June 24 auction of Historical Americana, we're offering a group of remarkable lots (Lots 174-180) relating to Champ Ferguson, one of two Confederates who were tried for war crimes committed during the Civil War. He was convicted of over 50 killings, including wounded Union soldiers lying in their hospital beds, and implicated in many ...
6/4/2009
The online catalog for Cowan's upcoming American History Auction, to be held June 24, 2009 is now available. The auction features the Thomas Minckler collection of Western Americana, as well as an extensive archive from the life of Maj. General Thomas H. Ruger. ...
6/4/2009
Children are the lifeblood of all cultures. They run through society infusing the older generations’ worldviews with new vitality. Children are the future, and so threaded through them are values and ideals designed to ensure that the stitching of the cultural fabric will be strong. Today, living in the twenty-first century, ...
6/6/2009
A few weeks ago I traveled to New York state to pick up two collections. One of the items that I picked up was a Kentucky rifle made by John Shell, a well-known maker amongst collectors of early Kentucky rifles.
John Shell (1790-1875) was a gunsmith who resided at Shellsville in Hanover Township ...
5/29/2009
The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum, Lancaster, PA, is currently hosting an exhibit assembled by Tyrone Campell, Brant Mackley, and Anree Mey Miller. Rainbow Yarn: Navajo Weavings, Germantown Yarns, and the Pennsylvania Connection demonstrates and explains the interconnection between Navajo weavers and the Pennsylvanian export of Germantown ...
5/28/2009
In mid-May, I took a trip to Brimfield, Massachusetts to witness the biggest antique show in the States, mingle with our consignors, buyers and clients and see the offerings there.
Brimfield is a sight to see, and I recommend that everyone in the antique business travel there at least once. From giant fountains to painted ...
5/27/2009
The Cowan's Firearms Auction department had a successful week at the 44th Annual Colorado Gun Show. This is our second year attending the show and we feel that it is imperative to be in attendance at this event. The only show further west than this that Cowan's sets up at is the Las Vegas Gun Show in January.
The Colorado Gun Show covers ...
5/27/2009
It has been about a month and a half since our last American Indian Art auction. The cycle has once again come full circle - back to the building phase for the September 11th sale. Already on the shelves, awaiting their due place in the catalogue, include a nice collection of Eskimo Dolls, California baskets, a great Apache ...
5/26/2009
5/26/2009
Just thought I'd drop everybody a note letting them know that Cowan's Spring American History Auction catalog has been put to bed. The ONLINE version will be available on Cowan's website www.cowans.com on Friday, May 29, 2009. The auction itself will be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2009.
As soon as things are finalized ...
5/22/2009
There is no such thing as “little” interest when it comes to miniatures; buyers are big on them, be they paintings, tiny landscapes or portraits, porcelains or furniture. It amazes us that there is such strong interest in all things tiny, made to look like their bigger counterparts, and in some cases, exact to the last detail.
Coming ...
5/22/2009
I believe this is the final resting place for the blog - which I had titled "Behind the Block". And do you know what exactly is behind the block? A little trade secret - a water bottle, markers, cough drops, a few past auction catalogues, and some sales room ...
5/21/2009
Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati, Ohio, internationally-recognized for setting record prices for historically significant antiques, will be offering at its June 6, 2009 Spring Fine and Decorative Art Auction, a Tiffany pitcher, presented to Abraham ...
5/8/2009
A historically significant Tiffany ewer (est. $300/400,000) that was presented to Abraham Lincoln on the event of his first inauguration in 1861 will be offered at Cowan’s Spring Fine and Decorative Art Auction on June 6, 2009. Other rare items to be featured include ...
4/30/2009
After months of filming, I'm happy to announce that Season VII of History Detectives begins at the end of June! Naturally, I can't speak for my fellow Detectives, but my investigations this season took me to new places to meet new folks with great stories that connect us to America's past.
We also added a new Detective this year. Dr. Eduardo ...
4/29/2009
Four extraordinary firearms, each with a fascinating history, realized exceptional prices in Cowan’s Spring Firearms and Early Militaria Auction on April 29, 2009. Lot 14, a Colt Single-Action Revolver that sold for $143,750, surpassed the record for the highest-selling firearm in Ohio, but held the honor for only ...
4/24/2009
Cowan's Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Department will be represented at the following shows. Please feel free to visit our table during these shows to discuss consignment opportunities or to ask questions about items for sale in upcoming auctions.
Ohio Gun Collectors Association May 30-31, 2009
35th Annual Gettysburg ...
4/24/2009
I'm pleased to announce that Cowan's has been selected by a Cincinnati family to market an important fire-gilded silver Tiffany pitcher commissioned for Abraham Lincoln's first inauguration. On loan to the Smithsonian's Museum of American History for almost ...
4/24/2009
John Dodge's exquisite sporting rifles aren't the only unique items available at the upcoming Spring Firearms Sale on April 29 & 30. A rare Gardner Gun, a Colt Single-Action Army Revolver, a 1775 engraved powder ...
4/22/2009
Cowan's has been named best auction house by True West, a magazine that features western culture, events, preservation, and items. The Best of the West award recognizes the authenticity and variety of Cowan's items, and emphasizes the auction house's ability to acquire rare Western and American art. The title ultimately points to Cowan’s dedication ...
4/16/2009
Cowan's, the leading fine art auction house selling occupational and decorated shaving mugs, will be holding an Occupational Shaving Mugs and Scientific Medical Antiques Auction on May 16th, 2009. The two-session sale features several well-known collections of these ...
4/9/2009
Cowan’s American Indian and Western Art auction in Cincinnati, which featured a rare Seminole sash, a Navajo Germantown six-panel weaving, and an Apache bow and quiver signed by Geronimo, attracted nearly 350 bidders from 37 states and 7 countries. The auction realized ...
4/9/2009
Of all the eccentric and unusual collecting fields, none are perhaps as haunting and grim as that of early medical antiques. But if Ebay has taught us anything, it’s that there is a market for every collector’s whim, and medical collectibles are no exception.
Medical utensils, devices and tools produced in the early ...
4/8/2009
Two rare and important American sporting rifles, a Winchester Model 1886 (est. $400/500,000), and a Savage Model 1899 Takedown Rifle (est. $200/250,000), each made exclusively for John F. Dodge, are set to hit the auction block at Cowan’s Historic Firearms and Early Mililtaria Auction on April 28th, ...
4/8/2009
Cowan's American and European Paintings Auction suggests that collectors are still investing in tangible assets such as Fine Art. The 200 lot painting auction realized $288,000, featuring work by American artists Edmund Henry Osthaus and Paul Sawyier. European paintings also sold well in Cowan's first painting sale ...
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