Philadelphia’s most trusted estate specialists, Stephenson’s Auctioneers, will conduct an April 27 auction featuring selected contents from the home, workshop and barn of Gail Pearlman, IIDA, and her business The Loft Interiors.
Pearlman’s interior design firm was established in 1972 and earned a sterling reputation for creating luxurious, livable environments for discerning clients, not only in its home state of New Jersey but also New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas. Pearlman is now retired from the business.
“We spent more than a month going through Ms Pearlman’s residence and other buildings on her property, and we found many great things. Without exception, every day we spent there produced wonderful surprises,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctioneers.
Also poised for the auction spotlight are daguerreotypes, tintypes and ambrotypes from the Estate of Muriel Polikoff of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In her lifetime, Polikoff was known primarily as a collector of Wedgwood. The sale includes medallions, buttons, tiles and other desirable Wedgwood pieces from the Polikoff estate.
Alongside the Pearlman and Polikoff consignments, Stephenson’s will offer many other high-quality artworks, furniture, rugs, lighting, decorative accessories and fine jewelry from collectors, estates and upscale homes throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. All forms of bidding will be available, including absentee and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.
The top-estimated painting is a dignified A. (Alfred) (Jacob) oil-on-canvas portrait of a handsome gentleman. Signed on verso and dated 1838, it measures 30 by 25 inches (sight) and comes with distinguished provenance from The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Its pre-sale estimate is $2,000-$4,000.
Exhibiting the urban industrial style so popular in today’s interior decors, a cast-iron soda fountain table boasts a milk-glass top and four swing-out seats. “It has that trendy look that loft-dwellers want, but it’s also extremely solid and functional,” Cindy Stephenson observed. The unit is expected to make $1,500-$3,000 at auction.
The selection of Civil War-era photographica includes an interesting variety of images, including a tintype depicting a cavalry officer with his horse, estimate $200-$400; a daguerreotype of two soldiers with an American Flag, and a dual lot that includes an ambrotype of a uniformed soldier holding a trombone along with a circa-1859 daguerreotype of a seated soldier in a leather case titled “The Eagle in Flight.” Lot estimate: $100-$300.
Another historically significant lot is an original example of the first poster used by the Black Panther movement circa1966. Emblazoned with the image of a crouching black panther with visible claws, and the message “Move On Over Or We’ll Move On Over YOU,” it measures 17 by 11 inches. The poster was used by the Lowndes County Freedom Organization (LCFO) and Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
“The consignor originally intended for us to include the Black Panther poster in one of our weekly sales, but after researching its rarity and value, our hunch was confirmed, and it was set aside and reserved for a larger sale,” said Cindy Stephenson. The pre-sale estimate is $8,000-$12,000.
The fine jewelry category is led by a stunning platinum dinner ring set with 2 carats of diamonds. A round, center-cut 1-carat diamond, I1 clarity/G range color, is surrounded by 24 sparkling baguette diamonds that also weigh (aggregately) 1 carat. This elegant statement piece is expected to reach $4,000-$6,000 on auction day. Another beautiful entry is a 14K white gold filigree diamond and sapphire Art Deco bracelet estimated at $1,000-$1,500.
Poised to add elegance and an extensive musical repertoire to some lucky bidder’s home, a Yamaha baby grand piano with polished ebony finish comes with all of the desirable extras. It has its matching bench with padded seat, a cabinet stocked with 32 music discs, and even a Yamaha disklavier control unit with remote control. It has been tested and, according to Cindy Stephenson, “plays beautifully.” Estimate: $4,000-$6,000
Leica is widely regarded as being the gold standard for cameras. Stephenson’s auction offers an outstanding opportunity to acquire a complete Leica M4 camera outfit. The group lot consists of the camera with an Ernst Leitz Wetzlar lens, a Sunpak auto 383 super flash, instructions booklets, tripod, case, camera bag and even the 1995 purchase receipt. Ideal for either the advanced photographer or an aspiring shutterbug with a taste for the best, the group lot is estimated at $2,000-$4,000.
Stephenson’s Friday, April 27 Spring Antiques & Decorative Arts Auction will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Inspection: Thursday, April 26 from 3-6 p.m., and on auction day from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m. The gallery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 1005 Industrial Blvd., Southampton, PA 18966. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.
