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Aug. 9th, 2005 - BAKELITE, COSTUME AND ESTATE JEWELRY AUCTION AT ANTIQUE HELPER



(Indianapolis, Indiana, August 9, 2005). Dan Ripley’s Antique Helper announces their Fall Jewelry Auction, taking place on Sunday September 18 at 1:00 PM. Offering 400 catalogued lots consigned from collections across the country, this sale will have something for everyone, from beginner to seasoned jewelry collector. In addition to the impressive selection of catalogued lots, a large quantity of choice pieces will be sold directly to the floor.

With consignments crisscrossing the map, pieces from collections as far away as New Mexico and Massachusetts will be offered alongside generous local consignments. From rare Bakelite to collectible costume to important estate pieces, collectors of every kind will have the chance to bid on choice jewels as they build their own collections. Past jewelry auctions held at Antique Helper have had their own personalities, with the December 2004 sale setting individual records and the April sale proving to be a better over-all sale. “This sale has a lot of great individual pieces, geared more toward beginning collectors, with more reasonably priced items, than past jewelry auctions,” says Dan Ripley.

BAKELITE

Among the more than 100 catalogued lots of colorful bakelite pieces, the majority coming from a single Michigan collection, a few individual pieces stand out, including a random dot black and white bracelet. And, originally part Ripley’s father’s collection, a rare bakelite “Philadelphia Bracelet” returns to Indianapolis to be offered in this important sale. Estimated to bring between $6,000 and $8,000, this important piece of jewelry comes with quite a history. Other bakelite includes several large lots of bangles spanning the color wheel, as well as a multitude of individual lots, including pins, bracelets and necklaces.

COSTUME JEWELRY

Not to be overlooked, costume jewelry often brings higher prices than its “fine jewelry” counterparts. A Trifari crane pin, sold in the December 2004 Jewelry auction, brought an impressive $9,200. The upcoming jewelry auction will present a great selection of important pieces as well, including nine lots of Eisenberg, and more than a dozen lots by Miriam Haskell, some offered with Larry Austin prints or original illustrations. Other familiar names include Hattie Carnegie, Hobe, Joseff, Gucci, De Rosa, Chanel and Coro Craft. Marcel Boucher offerings including a exotic enamel Gryphon bird pin with rhinestones and pieces by Trifari include a rhinestone bird pin and a vermeil jelly belly bird pin.

ESTATE JEWELRY

Estate-quality watches, including a large consignment from the now retired Time Gallery in Indianapolis will give bidders a more than elegant way to mark the hours. Two time pieces of special note are an Edwardian Guilloche pendant watch (est. $1,000-$2,000) and Guilloche enamel Tiffany Swiss travel clock (est. $2,000-$3,000). Coming from a local consignor whose family founded Wasson’s Department Store in Indianapolis, these pieces are important for their pedigree as well as their rarity.

Other Estate Fine Jewelry includes a pair of 1930s platinum Art Deco jade drop earrings (Est. $550) and a 14K white gold Ballerina ring with two CTW diamonds (est. $900), and a lady’s 10 TCW diamond tennis bracelet (est. $1,500).

FUN ON THE FLOOR

In addition to the choice cataloged pieces offered on eBay live, there will be “Tons of uncataloged lots,” says Ripley. Large lots of costume jewelry should be great deals for dealers as well as beginning collectors. In addition, a great selection of gold pocket watches and ladies time pieces will be offered directly to the floor.

The auction is scheduled to begin at 1 PM Central time on Sunday, September 18. An online catalog can soon be viewed at www.antiquehelper.com. For more information call 317.251.5635.