Cobalt blue R.S. Prussia selling without reserve
The first of multiple auctions featuring a lifetime collection of R.S. Prussia porcelain will come before bidders May 26 through Woody Auction. The first sale features a majority of pieces done in the seldom-seen cobalt blue color.
DOUGLASS, Kans. – Part 1 of the lifetime collection of R.S. Prussia antique porcelain from the late John and Lavaun Headlee of Illinois. Nearly all the pieces are in the rare cobalt blue color. The pieces are on offer Saturday, May 26. Woody Auction is presenting the collection in its new gallery located at 130 East Third Street, Douglass, Kansas. The starting time is 9:30 a.m. Central. It will be an absolute auction, with no reserves.
Prized R.S. Prussia
The Headlees were beloved members of the R.S. Prussia Collectors Club [rsprussia .com], and word quickly spread that their 40-year collection focused almost exclusively on cobalt blue examples. “An auction with just 10 percent cobalt blue pieces is special, but the Headlee collection – and this is just Part 1 – features over 99 percent cobalt blue in this exquisite sale,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction.
Woody added, “Not only the color, but the condition of the gold and overall scenery was especially important to the Headlees. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend one of the finest single collections of R.S. Prussia ever brought to auction.” Online bidding is available now at www.liveauctioneers.com/woody-auction-llc.
R.S. Prussia cobalt blue bowls will be offered in abundance. One is a 15-inch carnation mold example. It features yellow and cobalt blue with pink and yellow rose décor and gold stencil highlights. It is possibly the finest 15-inch bowl Woody Auction has ever offered. In addition, three other stippled mold bowls, having cobalt blue borders with strong gold trim and gold stencil, show (one each) scenes of winter, fall and summer.
Dishes, Creamers and Sets
A berry set marked R.S. Prussia will come before bidders. It includes a 10-inch master bowl, cobalt blue with a carnation décor and gold stencil highlights. Accompanying it are six matching 5 1/2-inch berry dishes. Another set in showcase is a three-piece tea set featuring a 5-inch-tall pot with matching creamer and sugar. The pieces are cobalt blue with a stylized carnation décor and strong stencil highlights.
Two chocolate sets are among the lots garnering attention. One has an 11 3/4-inch pot, cobalt blue with a stylized carnation décor and gold stencil highlights, six rare demitasse-size cups and six saucers. The other consists of a 9 1/4-inch medallion mold pot, cream with a large medallion portrait of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and four matching cups and saucers with Renaissance portraits.
A 10-inch carnation mold chocolate pot in cobalt blue with a carnation décor, boasting excellent gold stencil and gold trim will also be sold. Also offered will be an unmarked 12-inch Royal Vienna two-handled vase (Mold 2), cobalt blue, with a scene of a woman feeding her chickens.
Stipple Mold Plate Drawing Early Interest
Rounding out some of the sale’s feature top lots are an 11 3/4-inch diameter marked R.S. Prussia
plate, stipple mold, with a fall season portrait décor having poppy highlights, a wonderful cobalt blue border and extensive gold stenciling; and an 11 1/2-inch tall marked Royal Vienna tankard with a figural tulip handle, cobalt blue with a portrait of a young peasant girl wearing a hat.
The new 5,000-square-foot showroom is located at 130 East Third Street in Douglass, Kansas. Moving forward, most auctions will take place in the Douglass gallery, starting at 9:30 a.m. Central time, unless otherwise noted. The firm has a full slate of auctions lined up for the rest of 2018 and into next year.
Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate, or a collection, you may call them at 316-747-2694 or e-mail them at info@woodyauction.com. To learn more about the firm and the May 26 auction, visit www.woodyauction.com.
