by Mark Ford, CEO
The month of June has been filled with changes here at Julia’s.
On Monday, June 22nd we announced the sale of the Antique Advertising, Toy & Doll division to Dan Morphy Auctions, LLC. Dan Morphy Auctions has long been a strong competitor of Julia’s, and we have been impressed with Dan’s integrity, passion and commitment to the Antique Toy & Doll auctions. He approached Julia’s with an offer that “we couldn’t refuse.” Andrew Truman, our long time head of the department will be departing Julia’s, and may be joining the Morphy team at a later date. Julie Killam will focus full time on assisting Mike Fredericks in the Lamp and Glass Division. Many of our long time catalogers will be joining the Morphy’s team including our senior cataloger, Jay Lowe.
In early June, we announced that our Firearms Division will be introducing the “Sporting and Collectors Auction”. Wes Dillon, former Department Head of the Firearms division, said it best, “During the past few years, I have been approached by countless clients asking us to expand our product offering to include high end firearms at a more affordable price point. There was no one in the market who matched Julia’s reputation for fair dealing and honesty, as well as our unparalleled marketing program. This expansion is exactly what our clients have been asking for.” This auction will precede our Semi-Annual Extraordinary Rare and Historic Firearms Auction that is held in October and March of each year. We are accepting consignments for both auctions, and it again promises to be the largest firearms auction in the Fall of 2015.
Our upcoming Fine Art, Asian and Antiques auction promises to be another strong performer, with almost $6,000,000 of consignments being offered at auction. Selected highlights include a ship portrait by Fitz Henry Lane, School of Cape Anne paintings by Aldro T. Hibbard and Charles Gruppe, fine bronzes by Edgar Degas (Danseuse Agrafant L’epaullette de Son Corsage), Carl Rungius, Carl E. Akeley and Alfred Dubucand as well many extraordinary artists. There is a fabulous collection of historical items, including numerous items related to the Battle of Little Big Horn, the personal collection of John W. Armiger, which includes a fabulous 13 star American/Confederate flag, ephemera relating to Lincoln, Grant, Custer and many other American historical figures. We have an outstanding collection of weathervanes, rugs, antique furniture, and incredible Asian items. Please visit our website at www.jamesdjulia.com to view the entire selected highlights collection.
As always, you can use our free online research library to research the values of items auctioned by Julia’s over the past 15 years.