Yarmouth ME On Site Estate Auction June 26th to 27th

A Single Owner Yarmouth ME On Site Estate Auction June 26th to 27th

The Estate of John Kauffman, 124 Main Street, Yarmouth Maine

Thirty years ago unreserved single owner New England on-site estate auctions happened fairly often during the spring and summer months, today they are a rarity.

That said, on June 26th and June 27th Foreside Antiques and Estate Auctioneers of Falmouth Maine will conduct just such a sale. Colleen Donovan owner of Foreside Antiques and Auctioneers will conduct a two day on site single owner un-reserved antiques, fine art and rare book estate auction smack in the center of Yarmouth Maine, ten minutes from Portland.

The antiques and books to be auctioned are a multi-generational collection of longtime Maine resident, noted Conservationist and Philanthropist John Kauffmann. Born into a prosperous family with business ties in publishing in Washington DC who Summered in New England, John was enabled to do what he loved best throughout his life; preserving the woodlands and waterways from Maine and New Hampshire to Alaska. During his very long lifetime John was instrumental in preserving tens of thousands of acres of land including his key role as a chief planner for the Arctic National Park as well as the Noatak National Preserve. Combined this created the largest designated and protected wildernesses in the world. John was also a published author and writer for National Geographic. John’s entire estate has been left to a wide range of environmental causes, his fine early home has been gifted to the North Yarmouth Academy, he was a Board member for many years and held a deep affection for the school. He was also an ardent fan of art and antiques from a young age and added consistently to his collection in multiple categories.

On Site Yarmouth Maine Antiques Estate Auction June 26th to 27th

Estate of John Kauffmann, 124 Main Street, Yarmouth Maine

NOTE: John's entire estate has been left to a wide range of environmental causes, his fine early home  has been gifted to the North Yarmouth Academy, he was a Board member for many years and held a deep affection for the school.

To view the auction online please visit KauffmannAuction.com 

Part I, Rare Books, Yarmouth ME On Site Estate Auction

John Kauffmann Rare Book Collection

Part one of the auction will commence on Friday June 26th at 6:00 PM with a large library of rare books collected by the family since the 19th C. comprising over 130 lots, and over 1,000 books. Subjects include a wide array of topics from outdoor sporting life; hunting, fishing, explorations of the wildernesses of North America to very early tombs from Scotland and England, as well as a large selection of books on early arms and weaponry. Many of the books slated to be sold were originally acquired by members Mr. Kauffmann’s family during the 19th C. including his great grandparents and grandparents, numerous author signed editions.  Specific books of interest include fine 19th C. Fore Edge painted volumes, Ethiopian & Roman vellum illustrated volumes, “The Compleat Angler” vol. II, first edition, “Kings of Scotland”, 1722 edition, leather bound “Musical Instruments” by Hipkins & Gibb; 1810 edition “Art of Angling”, 19th & 20thc books on Scotland. Other Angling, Sport hunting and birding books include old volumes on Benson prints, as well as works by early conservationists and naturalists from Maine to Alaska. The book auction will be conducted at the house located at 124 Main Street, in Yarmouth.

If you deal in or collect books, this looks like a terrific auction.

To view the listing of books click here...

VERY partial view, Kauffmann Rare book library

 Part II Antiques, Silver, Fine and Decorative Art, Yarmouth ME On Site Estate Auction

Elizabethan Carved Oak Tester or Great bed

A fine selection of of American and European furniture and furnishings including tables, chests, chairs, fine silver Persian and middle eastern decorative rugs, antique fly fishing equipment including rare old rods and reels. There is even a fine old set of Bagpipes!

18th C. Pennsylvania Tall Chest

Of special interest in the furniture category is a massive carved English Elizabethan oak tester bed a fine 19th C. French fall front Abattant secretaire as well as an excellent Mahogany campaign chest, 18th C. Pennsylvania tall chest and custom furniture by Maine cabinet maker John Tracey. Also included is a large antique carved bust of Charles II, Numerous chairs, tables, vitrine tables as well as a good 17th C. Italian cabinet.

Furniture: Heavily carved English Elizabethan oak tester bed, French walnut secretaire abatante, 18thc. Italian carved chamber cabinet, Rosewood Davenport desk, English carved valuables cabinet, as found; marble top Klismos table, 19thc. Mahogany campaign chest on ball feet, American tall chest of drawers, piano forte, Empire bureau, Apothecary hutch, dough box, miscellaneous blanket boxes, some in paint, refinished blanket chest, large trestle table, Windsor chairs, set of 6 arrowback side chairs, drop leaf tables, hat stands, Oak Arts & Crafts bookshelves & rockers, Victorian spool cabinet, commodes, numerous bookcases, desks, Cherry furniture by John Tracy, Maine cabinet maker include: server, small sideboard, stands, beds, etc., display cases and vitrines, Yarmouth Maine “Herbie” coffee tables; iron stands, outdoor furniture, more. 

The paintings category is quite large with dozens of signed oil paintings as well as numerous watercolors and prints by Benson and Peter Scott.

Kauffmann Auction Sterling Silver

An an inveterate traveler, as were John's ancestors, he collected objects that peaked his own curiosity.  The collection includes some  primitive masks,  Inuit cutting instruments, paint decorated Peruvian stirrup pots,  Asian carvings, three superb inlaid Japanese Tsubas a white Chinese jade "Bi" on stand, early fishing spears, rare bamboo fishing rods and Native American flint points, duck decoys and so much more.

Also included is a selection of fine silver from antique to modern including signed custom examples. Sterling Silver: Large Mexican silver fern pot marked Heather, 15“, Dragon form bowl by Pritchard & Co., Penang; Japanese silver hand warmer; two Arts & Crafts water pitchers by Baldwin & Miller, NJ, 8“ & 10“; pair of Adler rectangular 7” bowls; Large Tibetan Buddhist temple vessel, Mexican silver ribbed compote; Tuttle hand wrought small bowl, 3 antique nutmeg graters, set of Towle sterling silver flatware; silver ewer; trays, large hot milk pot with ebony handle, flatware and serving pieces, Small Middle Eastern and Oriental pieces of various function, cigarette cases, small boxes and other personal silver items, several pair of candlesticks; Fine Sheffield silver hot water pot on stand, etc.

Below are just some of the paintings being auctioned, but no where near all of them.

Benson Print , Kauffman Collection