Easton, Maryland – On July 25 & 26, Guyette and Deeter held their annual Summer auction at The Country School in Easton, Maryland.  The auction grossed over $4 million with five items selling for over $100,000 and 75 for more than $10,000.  As with the April auction, this sale was headlined by the lifelong collection of Ted and Judy Harmon and Peter and Diana Bennett.  In addition to these featured collections, items from the collections of Dan Graf, Chris Pitman, Tom Karras, Gene and Linda Kangas, Mike and Ginger Raffia, and Len Carnaghi were offered.  

Leading the highlights from the Harmon collection was lot 1, a Joseph Lincoln wood duck which sold for $216,000.  Following closely behind was one-of-two-known curlew by Fred Nichols at $210,000 and an early sleeping black duck by Elmer Crowell which finished at $192,000.

From the Bennett collection an outstanding and early rigmate pair of buffleheads grossed more than three times their high estimate at $174,000.  One of three known wooden bill snipes sold for $78,000 and an early and extremely rare challenge grade long-tailed duck was five times over its high estimate, finishing at $66,000.

New World Auction Records were set for contemporary carvers Frank Finney and Josh Brewer.  Finney's folk-art turtle and frog jewelry heist carving brought $60,000 while Brewer's excellent example of a full-round swordfish totaled $16,800. 

Prices for decoys and carvings by the Ward Brothers remain strong with an early, possibly one of a kind, standing Canada goose selling over estimate at $144,000.  A rare preening canvasback hen brought $33,000 and a very rare 1936 style balsa body teal finished at $30,000.

A small group of carved horse models by Calvin Kinstler were met with tremendous demand, selling from 5 to 9 times their high estimates, with two finishing off at $8,400.

Overall, the auction was a great success, grossing over estimate and setting new high-water marks for many carvers and artists.

Guyette and Deeter’s next auction will be held during the Easton Waterfowl Festival on November 15 & 16 at the Country School in Easton, Maryland.  The consignment deadline for this auction is September 15th or until full.  Contact Jon Deeter or Zac Cote to have your items considered for this two-day event.