35th Anniversary Auction Features Tiffany and Titanic Items

Jan. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- In honor of Kraft Auction Service’s Conrad Kraft’s 35th anniversary in business, Kraft Auction Service is planning to hold their annual anniversary antique auction this January 7, 2012. The sale will be held at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point, IN, which is only 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. Top lots in this year’s sale include a collection from a survivor from the Titanic, an original Tiffany lamp, collector car, and a Joseph Kleitsch oil painting.

The most historically interesting pieces in the auction are the collection of Titanic items from the estate of Mr. Albert Horswill which includes his original wage slip that he carried off the ship as it sank. Mr. Horswill manned lifeboat number one off the ship with other crewmembers and first class passengers. The lot also includes his summons letter to the royal court only days after that faithful night to give his story of what had happened. Other pieces in the collection include an original oil painting of the Titanic painted for Mr. Horswill by co-workers of the local painters union he was a member of in Northwest Indiana, original photo of Mr. Horswill, and a variety of newspaper articles he was interviewed.

Topping the sale of decorative art is an elegant Tiffany green linen fold table lamp. The shade measures 18.5” at its widest point and sets on a 533 Tiffany base. Base and shade show proper patina. The linen fold design was created in 1913 by L.C. Tiffany exclusively for lamps, and it was only shortly later that he stepped away from actively working within his company. Other Tiffany items in the sale include a Tiffany pottery lamp base, sterling silver cup, and a bronze gilt mantle clock.

A variety of high quality art will pass the auction block as well on the 7th. The leading painting of the sale is a Joseph Kleitsch oil on canvas of an impressionistic California countryside scene. Kleitsch is known as one of the premier early members of the California School of Impressionism painters. With the artist spending some time in Chicago at the art institute, this painting is fresh out of an estate where it had been for over 50 years.

For the car enthusiast, there is a great collection of cars in the sale. If you are into early cars, there is a 1931 Ford Model A Deluxe in the sale fresh from a Cleveland, OH estate where the owner used it all the time to drive to the grocery store! For the muscle car era collector, Kraft has a 1974 Chevrolet Corvette with 6,000 original miles. Original survivor car equipped with A/C, 4 speed, and two tops! For the adventurist, we have a 1997 Land Rover Defender 90 sport utility truck. A great off road vehicle, this truck is in pristine condition and is a true 100 point truck.

A variety of quality furniture will be sold including a 1820-1830’s Federal style corner cabinet with all original glass and brass key. The most unique piece of furniture is a four-section room screen dating to the 1840’s with all original paint. Each panel features folk art of a chicken, swan, dog, and fox. For the art deco collector, this auction has the bar for you. An original Brunswick Balke Collender art deco front and back bar in excellent cosmetic condition which even lights up!

These items are just the tip of the iceberg for this auction! Over 2000 lots will be sold with five auction rings running all day. The leading two rings, featuring all of the items listed above, will be available for online bidding via AuctionZip Live. Other items in this auction include sterling silver, estate jewelry, 125+ firearms including early dueling pistols, brass divers helmet, bear trap, antique furniture, advertising, dolls, toys, arts and crafts, orientalia, and much more. VisitKraftAuctions.com or call Jonathan at 219-973-9240 for more information.