Wallace Nutting photo commands $4,180
The hand-colored photo “Shoeing the Gray Mare” by Wallace Nutting, finished at $4,180 to lead all lots in the May 13 auction presented by Michael Ivankovich.
FT. WASHINGTON, Pa. — An extremely rare Wallace Nutting hand-colored photo titled "Shoeing the Gray Mare" sold for a strong $4180 at Michael Ivankovich's May 13th Auction. This rarity featured a blacksmith shoeing a white horse outside a barn. Although Ivankovich had sold a black & white picture similar to this many years ago, he had never seen a hand-colored version of it. To further add to its rarity, it was signed "With Compliments - Wallace Nutting", something collectors had never seen before.
Other Nutting highlights from this Auction included:
• "Wine Carrier, Ravello" ($1,100)
• "The Meeting Place" ($770)
•"Six Bullseye Door, Leonard House" ($660)
Wallace Nutting Furniture included a #619 Crane Bracket Table ($825); #161c Joint Stool ($385). and #402 Continuous Windsor Arm Chair ($330).
Fred Thompson rarities also sold well at this Auction. Thompson was a contemporary of Nutting who sold hand-colored photographs in Maine shortly after 1900. Several of the top-selling Thompson titled included: "Toiler of the Sea" ($1980); "The Clam Digger" ($1,100); and "A Daughter of Wadsworth" ($1,045).
According to Ivankovich, the Wallace Nutting market is similar to many other antiques and collectibles categories. While the best-of-the best items continue to bring strong prices, common items and those having condition issues have softened considerably. However, for those who enjoy Wallace Nutting, there hasn't been a better time to buy in the past 25 years.
Ivankovich's next Auction take place on Friday, September 23rd in Wethersfield, Conn.. This Auction will be held in conjunction with the 2016 Wallace Nutting Collector Club's Fall Conference, and the Webb House's 100th Anniversary Celebration of Wallace Nutting's acquisition of the Webb House in 1916. Quality consignments are still being accepted for this Auction.
For more information, visit www.WNutting.com, or contact Michael Ivankovich, the host of "What's It Worth? Ask Mike the Appraiser" radio show, at (215)-264-4304 or via email at info@michaelivankovich.com.
