BROWSE MORPHY HEADLINE NEWSMorphy’s to auction fine Tiffany silver, antique telephones and centuries-old armor in Feb. 24-25 General Antiques auctionSubmitted by admin on Thu, 01/26/2012 - 14:56
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FRIDAY 301 - 400 1:00 PM SATURDAY 1301 - 1404 4:00 PM Questions? Frank Andrina’s collection of antique armor & swordsSubmitted by Morphy Auctions on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 17:18Morphy’s to auction famed Hollywood animator Frank Andrina’s collection of antique armor and swords, Feb. 25 Order Catalog | Online Catalog | Featured Collections On Feb. 25, visitors to Morphy Auctions’ gallery will be transported back to “days of old when knights were bold,” with the auction of an antique armor collection belonging to renowned animator and film director Frank Andrina. In all, 40 lots will be offered, with contents ranging from helmets, swords and other weaponry to breastplates and dramatic full suits of armor. Known as “the most chivalrous man in Hollywood” because of his lifelong interest in swordsmanship and antique armor, Andrina was a competitive fencer as a youth and won numerous championship awards. Also a one-time student of metallurgy and an appraiser of Bronze Age metals, he started collecting swords in the 1950s. As his knowledge increased and his preferences became more focused, Andrina graduated to collecting period arms and armor of the 13th through 17th centuries. The most imposing piece in the collection is a composite suit of full standing armor, most of its pieces dating to around 1560. Standing approximately 75 inches tall, the suit is in very good to excellent condition. It is expected to sell in the $30,000-$50,000 range. A favorite sword in the Andrina collection is a circa-1580 German production with flambé blade and deeply stamped haft. One side of the handle is marked “SDIOSDI,” while the other bears the sacred “IHS” monogram. The 75-inch-long sword could fetch $10,000-$15,000. Constructed entirely of hand-forged steel, a circa-16th-century mace incorporates six unusual arrowhead-spiked flanges. Each flange features the touch mark of a shield with cross and the initials “H.K.” Nicely laminated throughout, it carries an estimate of $4,000-$8,000. Yet another highlight is a circa-1630 Italian or German Savoyard-style helmet with two-piece skull, low comb and two-piece visor. The helmet retains the majority of its blackened finish and displays two small period restorations. Estimate: $4,000-$8,000. “It is such an honor for us to be auctioning Frank Andrina’s collection,” said Morphy Auctions’ CEO Dan Morphy. “Frank is revered in the field of animation and even won a Golden Globe for his work. His remarkable imagination has created a living legacy that puts him in a class of his own, both as an animator and a collector.” It takes more than six printed pages from the Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) to list the complete official filmography of Hollywood’s “Renaissance Man.” With a career that started with Disney in 1954, Andrina went on to work at every major Hollywood studio, from animation specialists like Hanna-Barbera [Flintstones, Jetsons, Yogi Bear] to motion picture industry giants, including Warner Bros. [Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck]. If there is one scene for which Andrina is perhaps most famous, it’s the now-classic “spaghetti sequence” he created for the film Lady and the Tramp, in which the refined Lady and rough-cut Tramp eat from opposite ends of a strand of spaghetti until meeting in the middle. Now retired, Andrina and his wife Barbee live in a gracious Spanish-style home in southern California, in the hills just below the famous “HOLLYWOOD” sign. The Frank Andrina collection of antique armor and swords is the centerpiece of Morphy’s Feb. 24-25 (Fri./Sat.) General Antiques auction. Both auction sessions will commence at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. For additional information, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail serena@morphyauctions.com. View the fully illustrated catalog online at www.morphyauctions.com.
As a young man attending Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, Frank Andrina was often asked to pose for his fellow students
Suit of full-standing armor of composite pieces, most circa 1560. Estimate $30,000-$50,000.
Circa-1630 Italian or German Savoyard-style helmet with two-piece skull, low comb and two-piece visor. Estimate $4,000-$8,000.
Circa-16th-century mace, hand-forged steel with six unusual arrowhead-spiked flanges. Estimate $4,000-$8,000.
Circa-1580 German sword, 75 inches with flambé blade and deeply stamped haft. Estimate $10,000-$15,000. -- Questions? Rare and extraordinary Leonard Reedy Kentucky rifle leads Firearms section of Morphy’s February 24-25 auctionSubmitted by admin on Mon, 12/19/2011 - 17:29Day two of Morphy’s February 24-25 sale will have some kick to it, judging by the more than 100 early firearms poised to take their place in the auction spotlight. Buy Catalog | Online Catalog | Featured Collections “We have more than a dozen Kentucky rifles in this sale,” said Morphy’s CEO, Dan Morphy. “The highlight is definitely the Leonard Reedy rifle that passed down through descent in the family of the original owner. It’s a very rare and desirable Pennsylvania gun, and although we’ve estimated it at $20,000 to $40,000, our antique firearms expert, Steve Hench, said it would not surprise him if it sold for $50,000 or more.” Hench, who is a renowned authority on Kentucky rifles, American colonial-era arms and other gun-related items, wrote a scholarly and tremendously well-informed auction catalog entry about the Leonard Reedy rifle:
“This spectacular, untouched Kentucky rifle is the product of Leonard Reedy, a gunsmith who first apprenticed in Womelsdorf, Pa., with the master gunsmith, John Bonewitz. Reedy subsequently relocated to Gratz, a small community in the mountains north of Harrisburg, Pa., several miles east of the Susquehanna River, where he became a well-known, prolific gunsmith, working primarily in the first and early second quarter(s) of the 19th century.
With the Susquehanna River and its active canal trade routes, a number of Reedy’s rifles did go west with the pioneers; however, this particular rifle stayed in eastern Pennsylvania for almost two centuries, where it was “used but not abused” by its original owner and then was put away in its almost-new condition – only recently surfacing from a private estate in eastern Pennsylvania.
Without question, this long rifle showcases the very best of Reedy’s workmanship. The brass patchbox with its nine piercings may be considered his finest design; obviously it was a costly undertaking. The patchbox engraving, while typically light in depth, is highly visible on the mellowed, oxidized brass, and inside the patchbox cavity, there is still some of the tallow-beeswax used for greasing the patches that encase the lead balls.
All of this rifle’s brass elements have a pleasing mellow oxidation, and so does the silver engraved hunter’s star on the cheek piece and silver, non-engraved thumb piece. Of note, the finial of the toeplate is typically reminiscent of those used by the earlier gunsmiths of the Reading/Womelsdorf school, a somewhat uncommon feature not often seen during the 1820s.
Reedy rifles’ architectural lines have a gracefulness which have great appeal to collectors, as well as casual observers, who are drawn to the flowing curvature of the buttstock. On most all of his known examples, Reedy’s raised carving is always done in low-relief. His designs became so perfected that he used them repeatedly on his rifles, thus “signing” his rifles. No one who knows Kentucky rifles can ever mistake his work as belonging to anyone else, save an apprentice or two who may have emulated his style.
This rifle stock’s relief carving is almost as crisp as the day it was done, showing only the softness of time and age in a very few areas of normal handling. Additionally, the relief carving is aesthetically detailed with accents, made by using his small “gouge” chisels. Of course, his classic, typical patterns of relief carving surround the barrel tang, and they typically decorate both sides of the comb/wrist juncture, as well. Invariably, Reedy’s recognizable patterns of relief carving are found both forward and behind the molded cheekpiece, while his signature lock and counter plate moldings commonly called “beavertails” are also present in low relief. As always, Reedy used exceptionally fine buttstock and forestock moldings, which are also present here.
Most spectacular, however, is the extraordinary, rich, blackish-amber finish – in a dry unpolished state – on this beautiful curly maple stock. To compare this rifle’s exceptional finish to other finishes, which may occasionally be found on antique furniture, it can be said that this is the “million-dollar” surface which all sophisticated collectors love to see and strive to acquire. Primarily, these rare finishes have become uncommon because previous owners in earlier generations often wanted their pieces to look “like new.” Thus, many old original surfaces were cleaned to the bare wood and then “freshened up” with a modern finish to give that “new” appearance. Consequently, this rifle’s surface makes it one of the very few that have survived the cleaning preferences of earlier times.
Of special interest to collectors, another highly known gunsmith’s name appears twice, both on the original flintlock and also on the 40in. full octagonal .45 caliber rifle barrel. The logo of “J.J. Henry Boulton” is stamped on both the flintlock, as well as on the barrel – so marked between the rear right and the barrel tang. Speculation offers the possibility that either J.J. Henry, who started his gun factory in Boulton, Pa., in 1821/1822 may have offered his products at a discounted rate – as a promotion – to some of the local gunsmiths. Another possibility is that the logo of “J.J. Henry” would be akin to advertising the fact that Reedy was using the best available locally made locks and barrel. One other thought might be that a customer or even an employee of J.J. Henry may have purchased both the lock and barrel and then asked Leonard Reedy to stock the two pieces. Of course, these thoughts are only conjectural.
Both the flintlock and the barrel are still in the “white” with a minor light-brownish oxidation only. Although the complete condition of this rifle seemingly gives the appearance of being unfired, it certainly was used frequently, because the frizzen shows that a number of strikes were made upon it; so, it was the owner’s “shooter” and not a wall-hanger or cabinet-gun. Fortunately, the original owner cared for this rifle well, as there are no missing or damaged elements. In fact, the “candy-striped” ramrod is still intact along with its attached “ball-puller” screw, which is still encased in its original container and screw-on cap. Uniquely, this ramrod has a black leather encased tip, a currently undocumented feature.
In summary, this rifle is a sterling example of Leonard Reedy’s work and remains in close to “work-bench” condition, exhibiting the most remarkable state of preservation and a superb surface patina that commands the highest respect today.
Although Reedy rarely signed his work, this rifle has his name everywhere. His work was his “calling card,” and this rifle exemplifies the very best that he had to offer. Undoubtedly, the new owner of this rifle will take as much pride in his ownership as did the original owner. And, it can be said, without question, that this rifle is in one hundred percent original condition. – Stephen D. Hench, Jan. 12, 2012”
In addition to the dozen or so Kentucky rifles to be auctioned, Morphy’s February 24-25 sale also includes a nice selection of Springfield bolt-action rifles, a Colt Lightning pistol with original papers (est. $10,000-$12,000), and a Philadelphia Derringer with ivory grip (est. $5,000-$7,000). Additionally, the firearms section of the sale includes numerous other shotguns, muskets and pistols; as well as more contemporary entries.
For further information on any firearm in the sale, call Kris Lee at 717-335-4570 or e-mail kris@morphyauctions.com.
What's NEW at Morphy's?Submitted by Morphy Auctions on Mon, 08/01/2011 - 10:00Morphy Auctions' 10-month expansion project has added 18,000-sq.-ft. to the existing facility, doubling its size to 36,000 sq. feet. The new amenities include executive and staff offices, a conference room, holding area for loaded/unloaded goods, and custom-built storage space with museum-quality rack system, two self-contained photography studios, a black-light room for close-up inspection of auction items, a shipping/packing area and additional restrooms.
The highlight of the expansion, however, is the stylish new auction room with 140 comfortable theater-style seats, a polished faux-marble floor, decorative tin ceiling with chandeliers, and independent climate controls. The auction room's design features the latest telecommunications, wireless technology and custom acoustics. Adjacent to the auction room is a sleek and comfortable dining facility equipped with an audio-feed function and windows to enable bidders to monitor the auction activity while grabbing a bite to eat.
Exterior improvements include the addition of 100 new parking spaces, a hotel-style, all-weather canopy over the front door; a patio with outdoor dining area, and a fully enclosed loading and unloading dock with hydraulic lift to adjust to truck or van height. EXPANSION DETAILS
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