Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Charlotte & Don Smith Buffalo Brewery Auction

This is the Buffalo Calendar Gypsy Girl which closed at $10,020. with buyers premium and I am happy with my purchase.


This Indian Die Cut brought $13,200 with buyers premium and was a unique piece.



The Buffalo Stained Glass Window was a real art piece and brought $16,800 with buyers premium. I was the underbidder, but I just couldn't pull the trigger with my other purchase, and will probably regret it down the road, but hey there is only so much wall space in the house.





Buffalo Calendar from 1901 brought $18,000 with buyers premium. Congratulations to a certain unnamed tooth extractor on a great purchase.




The Buffalo Reverse Glass sign from early 1900's brought $22,500 with buyers premium and was the highest price realized from the auction.
You rarely get the opportunity to purchase quality brewery items for your collection. But when the prices are on the higher side its difficult to pull the trigger. A unique collection built over a lifetime of Buffalo Brewery memorabilia was recently auctioned by Witherells Auction in Sacramento, CA - also the home of the Buffalo Brewing Company. Prices were very strong, and althought I bid on a number of items, I was only successful on the Gypsy Girl 1902 Calendar, which will go on the wall next to my others. Lets take a quick look at some of the high dollar items. I know all of the items are shown in the Witherells Book "The Best of the West".
Good western brewery advertising has really seemed to hold its value, and has the added benefit of looking like art hanging in your home. I always have company stop and ask about each piece, its history, value, and place of origin, and its a real conversation starter. All of the items totaled in excess of $150,000 not including buyers premium of the 70 some items.

1 comment:

  1. That was an outstanding auction of rare and desirable Buffalo and Ruhstaller items. The bids, as you have noted, were strong and many lots sold far above the estimates. I'm happy for Don; his decision to auction the nearly 50 year collection was the right move.

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