Billiard Memorabilia Auction

Billiard Memorabilia AuctionThe Mark & Connie Stellinga Collection sells at the April Rich Penn Auction EventBilliards, Barber Shop & Beautiful Things! The Mark & Connie Stellinga Collection sells at the April Rich Penn Auction Event. There wasn’t ESPN, an NFL or an NBA, a World Series or the Super Bowl. For a number of centuries the gentleman's game of the day was billiards. In the very best homes the game was celebrated in the parlor. For the rest of the population, it was at the local pub or billiard hall. Even though the history of the game can be traced back six or seven hundred years, the last 300 and especially the last 150 years, is the period that has made billiards such an interesting collector category. The great craftsmanship in the furnishings attracted collectors like Mark & Connie Stellinga, of Coralville, IA. Tables were their initial passion. But their interests quickly spread to anything related to billiards, barbershop and fine furniture They collected voraciously for over 30 years. The book they authored, “Pool & Billiard Collectibles” (Schiffer 2003) officially put their efforts on the map as a true world class collection. Pictures available int he download area of InsidePOOLmag.com (free registration is required to views and download.)
With their dreams now focused on condo living, the Stellingas have asked Rich Penn Auctions to take their collection to market. “We’re very proud the Stellingas have asked us to hold this important auction.” Rich Penn said. “We’ve crossed paths over the years in our collecting pursuits, but we had no idea what a fabulous collection they have. The quality and condition is amazing. This auction will be unparalleled. Much of what’s in their book will be sold April 28, 29 & 30, including items pictured on the cover.” The auction will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, IA, featuring the Stellinga collection. It will also be broadcast live on eBayLive auctions. The three day event kicks off with a Friday session including a superb selection of primitives, advertising and country store. Among those 500 lots will be an amazing array of coffee grinders and butter churns, including over a dozen Dazeys. The Dazeys include all sizes in both glass and metal. As in all of Penn’s auctions, there will also be display cases, sack racks, signs, spool & dye cabinets, Coca-Cola, cigar & beer items and a broad selection of other unusual country store pieces. The cabinets include, Diamond Dye, DeLaval, J. P. Coats, Merricks, Putnam, Clarks’ and others. Saturday’s session includes barber shop items, advertising, salesman’s samples, coin operated machines and over 50 mechanical banks. Barber shop collectors will have a 400 lot selection to choose from. From occupational shaving mugs, to razors to barber bottles, chairs and poles, you could set up several complete c.1890 barber shops, right down to an immaculately restored four station back bar. But that’s just part of Saturday’s action. For mechanical bank collectors there are over 50 to get the change rattling in their pockets! Among those are: Mammy & Child, Darktown Battery, Boy Scout Bank, Chief Big Moon, Boy Robbing Nest, Paddy & The Pig, Jonah & the Whale, World’s Fair, The Reclining Chinaman and many more. For those that like to get something in return for their coins, there are many vending and slot machines, including a rare Mills floor model Dewey upright slot machine, c.1900. And if that isn’t enough to whet the appetites of those in search of the rare and unusual there are over two dozen delightful salesman’s samples. Buyers can sample from this diverse variety: a Koken barber chair, a Coca-Cola Glasscock cooler, a Michigan washing machine, stoves or even a very rare Fort Wayne Pump Organ, plus many more. Sunday’s session could be even more interesting. The highlight of Sunday’s session will no doubt be the billiard table shown on the cover of the Stellingas book. That table is believed to be a one-of-a-kind table built by Brunswick and awarded to the winner of the first Brunswick & Balke Co. sanctioned “International Billiard Tournament.” That 1878 Tournament was won by Cyrille Dion. With the help of the NY Historical Society, in Albany, the Stellingas concluded Dion most likely sold his table to a wealthy NY builder named Maas. It was owned by his family until the 1960’s. The 5’ x 10’ table is a true symphony of cabinetmaker’s artistry. From the inset Minton china tiles on the table’s end panels, the marquetry gladiators inlaid on the sides to the gold plated trim and ivory inlay on top, the table is exquisite from every angle. The Stellingas spent 9 months completing the museum quality restoration on each of the table’s 225 pieces. It could be the finest billiard table in existence. Billiard aficionados will have an opportunity to bid on a number of other rare billiard pieces. Among them are cue racks, score keepers, ivory balls, rare books and catalogs. Billiard historians will appreciate pieces attributed to the pool greats! Alfredo de Oro (1863-1929, 8 time world champion) is among those pool legends. A framed portrait plate of de Oro himself is offered. He’s shown standing chalking his cue. It carries this inscription, “To George Sonneborn the best fellow in the world from his sincere friend Alfredo de Oro.” This plate is the only known example. Signed memorabilia from fifteen time world title winner, Willie Masconi is also included. Billiard parlor furnishings aren’t the only furnishings offered Sunday. Victorian furniture lovers will enjoy just seeing some of the pieces being sold. The selection represents a Who’s Who of American furniture icons. There will be names like Wooten, Moore, R. J. Horner Bros., Cutler & Sons, Jeliffe, Berkey & Gay and others. Two of the most stunning bedroom suites ever to come to auction will be offered midday on Sunday. The first is a three piece set believed to have been exhibited at the 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair. Made of very deeply carved walnut, all three pieces have original surface. This set is a masterpiece of Victorian wood carver’s skill. The headboard is covered with swallows, egrets, hummingbirds and even a robin in her nest with babies. If that’s not enough, it’s crowned with cupids, fruit and flowers. The two side pieces carry the same crown. The second three piece suite is attributed to the Berkey & Gay Furniture Co. This 1880’s group is one of the finest inlaid marquetry Renaissance suites you’ll see anywhere. The group is structurally 100% original, without repairs and has been painstakingly refinished. For those that want a bed that economizes on space, one of the most stunning Victorian Murphy bed/wardrobes ever built will also be selling. Standing almost 8’ 9” tall, it’s only 23” deep when closed. It’s spiked crown makes a strong statement all by itself. When folded down, it measures 64” wide x 85” long and shows a gorgeous lined 1/4 tester top. You’ll be able to furnish more than your bedroom. For the office, both Wooten and Moore extra grade desks are offered. Even a magnificent Horner Bros. roll top desk and an extremely rare Cutler & Sons roll top with a beveled glass top. It’s unlikely four desks of this quality have ever been offered at the same auction before. They may never again. Lovers of Horner brothers furniture have several other outstanding choices: round and flat side china cabinets, a side server, round table with seven leaves, a sofa and even a blanket chest. All pieces are in immaculate condition. A well appointed home needs lighting as well. There will be no shortage of options for lighting. From small Victorian table lamps to the impressive billiard lighting, there should be something for every room, budget and taste. “It’s very seldom a collection of this quality and depth comes to market,” said Penn, “It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors and everything is so immaculate. These pieces can go right into anyone’s home, just like they are.” The auction will be held in the Iowa Tourism Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines, IA. Preview is on Thursday, April 27 from noon to 6:00 PM. The auction begins Friday morning at 9:00 AM with the first 500 lots. Saturday’s session starts with lot #501 at 9:00 AM. Preview on Saturday is from 8:00 AM until auction start. Sunday’s session starts at 10:00 AM with lot #1051. Preview is from 9:00 AM until auction start. For more information, contact Rich Penn Auctions at 319-291-6688. Or go to: www.richpennauctions.com Photo Captions April 28 - April 30, 2006 Rich Penn Auction Event Important Featured Lots: 001. Three important desks, including both a Wooten and Moore extra Grade and the rare Cutler & Sons beveled glass roll top. 002. Some of the R. J. Horner pieces: including an extraordinary roll top desk and both flat and curved side china cabinets. 003. This three piece Berkey & Gay bedroom suite is a masterpiece of the Victorian marquetry craftsman. It simply doesn’t get any better. 004. This set, believed to have been shown at the 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair is an equally impressive example of Victorian master wood carving. With the original surface on all three pieces, it’s deeply and intricately carved with motifs of birds, flowers and fruits. 005. Two of the barber chairs, a Koken “double round” mahogany and a Berninghaus “Argyle” in walnut. Two of the most desirable and both impeccably restored. 006. Four station oak Koken Barber Back Bar, 19’ 6” long. Immaculately restored. 007. A selection of some of the over two dozen salesman’s samples. The Fort Wayne pump organ and The Koken barber chair are two of the rarest. 008. A selection of some of the over 70 barber bottles. 009. A selection of some of the over 50 mechanical banks. 010. A selection of some of the over 50 shaving mugs, including many occupationals. (More other side) Waterloo, Iowa: February 6, 2006 (page 4) 011. Some of the over 100 safety razors, from early bone and mother-of-pearl handles to early 20th century sterling and celluloid handles. 012. Some of the many coffee grinders, mixers and butter churns, including sets of Dazeys in both glass and metal. 013. Portrait plate of billiard legend Alfredo de Oro, inscribed to his friend George Sonneborn. 014. Perhaps the most magnificent billiard table in existence: the 1878 Brunswick Trophy Table. 015. To complement a magnificent billiard table, an equally magnificent 1870’s billiard chandelier. Perfectly restored and massive in presence and size, 5’2” H. x 5’W. 016. The perfect billiard room needs the perfect Brunswick & Balke ebonized cherry revolving cue rack, c.1870. This could be one-of-a-kind. 017. The perfect game needs a rare “Whitney’s Patent Ball Rack” by Brunswick & Balke to display a lengthy run, also C.1870. 018. To watch your “perfect” game, the “Billiard Experts of The World” issued by Brunswick- Balke’s Canadian office. 019. Paper litho broadside, with museum conservation, for August Kern barber supplies, rare. 020. Paper litho broadside, with museum conservation, for Hornung M’F’G Designers of Barber Furniture and supplies, rare. 021. Paper litho broadside, with museum conservation, for Glidden Steel Barb Wire, rare. 022. A selection of some of the many coin operated machines being offered, including a rare Mills “Dewey” upright slot machine. 023. A selection of some of the many pieces of advertising and display cases & cabinets. 024. The only known display razor of this unusual size. From the Wester & Bros. Cutlery Co., this razor weighs a whopping 14 lbs. It’s 27” long and comes with a contemporary version of what would have been it’s original case. 025. A selection of some of the many dazzling choices for fine Victorian lighting. 026. Ready to warm a lake home or your living room, a completely restored Wehrle #100 cast iron parlor stove. For answers to any questions or additional information, contact Rich Penn Auctions at 319-291-6688 between 8 AM & 5 PM CST, M-F.Visit Inside POOL Magazine for the latest news about the sport of billiards and pool.

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