Cowan's Auction - March 15, '08 - Cincinnati

Although labeled as a "Fine and Decorative Art" auction (3/15/08), there are a lot of nice tables, desks, and lamps, among other things.

http://www.cowanauctions.com/index.asp

- Jason

P.S. - please also note the Hunzinger chairs, lots 431 & 432, as well as the Belter, Meeks, & Baudouine stuff in lots 433-436.

I never miss a Cowans auction. Wes is very knowledgeable and his staff top notch. I've also purchased art and furniture from Wes and never been disappointed. They have a western art auction coming up as well great stuff. A couple years ago they handled the Schott estate, Marge was the past owner of the Cincinnati Reds. It was such a large event it ran under 3 or 4 events. Great place to attend a auction should  you get the chance.
                                                                  John

Hi everyone I just wanted to point out lot #319. very nice in my opinion  John

I was at the auction The  Hunzinger had one bidder that I knew so I let it go. There was no reason that chair shouldn't have gone for the same price as the wire chair.very nice chair. As for the Meeks side chairs, very poor shape numerous repairs& the backs were cracked and held together by a hair. It would be nice to say you own a Meeks but not these. This Rolex was missing it's hour hand and it's gears were taped into placed. I would rather spend 3500-4000 on one very nice Meeks side chair then on a pair in poor condition. save and buy the best you can afford I think you would be happier.
                                                    John

Yes, it's good to have the first-hand inspection of the chairs to make the call on the extent of damage.  I have a local repair shop that does excellent work, so if a piece was improperly fixed, he's good at repairing the repairs. 

Thanks for the report!

Tell you what Rare, the Belter chair surprised me. It didn't photograph well but in person not bad at all.It had a very dark finish with finish wear at contact points.I didn't see what it went for but it would of been the nice project chair. I generally attend the auction previews @ Cowans,Stuart Holmans & Treadways. Should anyone out there want my opinion on a lot before bid time I could post it the day before. The Meeks armchairs had the typical veneer wear/damage , they were very nice chairs with a good repair job.      John

Thanks John for the offer of being a set of eyes for us at Cowans and the other auctions you mentioned--I had some interest in several of the pieces(including the Meeks)but was scared off by the online descriptions of repairs, breaks, etc....I would also like to offer to do the same thing for any Rare Victorian members at auctions in my area--I typically try to go to all the Stevens, GrandView, and Flomaton auctions, so, if anyone out there is looking at a piece at any of these auctions, or any other auction in Georgia, or Alabama, let me know, and I will try my best to get there and take a look at it and give you my opinion on condition via a phone call.  Have not made  it to a Neals Auction in New Orleans yet, but that is one the agenda--heck, it is just a 7 hour drive!  LOL !!  ;D Charles.