GRIFFIN COLLECTION TWO DAY ANTIQUE ESTATE AUCTION

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09/03/2011 SATURDAY (DAY #2) - 9:00 AM

Downtown on First State Capital Square Corydon, IN 47112

Mark your calendars & reserve those hotel rooms. Multiple generations of local & Indiana history. Civil war items (long rifle, hand gun, cannon, etc), Sid Crosier artwork & a 1700's KY corner cupboard (made by Squire Boone). Best of all most everything has provenance!!<a href='https://www.proxibid.com/Beckort'><img style='width: 326px; height: 60px' border='0' alt='' src='http://www.streamlineworkspace.com/Uploads/41/Proxbid_Live_Online_Bidding_300x55.gif' width='326' height='60' /></a>

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GRIFFIN ESTATE AUCTION 

SELLING CONTENTS FROM THE FAMOUS GRIFFIN COLLECTION

A MULTI-GENERATION COLLECTION!

Location: First State Capital Square, Corydon, IN

(Approx. 25 miles west of Louisville, KY)

DAY 1: FRIDAY SEPT. 2 10:00 (eastern)

DAY 2: SATURDAY SEPT. 3 9:00 (eastern)

 NOTE: This is a preliminary listing, more details/descriptions/photos to follow! Live Internet bidding will be available on SATURDAY ONLY! No on-line bidding available on Friday items!
 
INSPECTION/PREVIEW: Thurs. Sept 1 2-6 pm
(early buyer registration will be available!)
 
THE COMPLETE CATALOG (340 LOTS) WITH PHOTOS FOR DAY #2 (SATURDAY) IS POSTED! CLICK HERE TO VIEW!
 
DETAILED CATALOG FOR DAY 1 & DAY 2
 
DAY 1 (FRIDAY-WATCH FOR DETAILED ORDER): Indian Relics, Zimmerman Glass, Book Collection, Quilts, Const. Elm, Household, Glassware, Stoneware
 
DAY 2 (SATURDAY-WATCH FOR COMPLETE CATALOG): Furniture, Artwork, Civil War Items, Boone Cupboard, Stoneware, Glassware, Clocks, Const. Elm, Alice Dean, Cane Collection, Real Estate
NOTE: Mark your calendars-this is more than an auction, it’s an EVENT! This is sure to be on the best auctions of 2011 in Kentuckiana! The Griffin Family had amazing foresight to purchase wonderful items over the past 100 years! Mr. Fred. P. Griffin was a historian of vast proportions, a recipient of the famous Sagamore of the Wabash Award 3 times, & most importantly a much respected member of the community! Beckort Auctions, LLC is truly honored to have been chosen by the Griffin Family to disperse this awesome collection. Everything sells absolute to the highest bidder! Come join us under the big tent on the historic IN First State Capital Square, plenty of seating.
 
JUST UNCOVERED 8/23/2011-BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL GRIFFIN (38th IN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY) ITEMS: US Presidential signed document giving rank of Colonel; 1906 Book of History of 38th IN Volunteer Infantry; pocket watch; eagle/star embossed powder flask; brass pocket knife; Union Army knife; field compass; field compass; etc

JUST UNCOVERED 8/23/2011-Breguet #241 gold pocket watch (1800’s)

ADDITONAL INFO 8/23/2011-Book Highlights: 1886 “The Life of T. Hendricks”; 1850’s School Enumeration of Harr Cty; 1736 & 1745 German Bibles; 1865-“Morgan & His Captors”; 1855-“The Life of G. Washington”; 1865-“Tenneson’s Enoch Arden”; 1936-“Gone With the Wind”; 1916 “The IN Medal”; 1840 Census of Pensioners; 1840 US Sixth Census; Riley books; 1891-“Flute & Violin & Other KY Tales”; 1852-“Mother Goose”; 1853-“Graham’s Magazine Volumes”; 20+ books from IN Historical Collections; 1889 IN Biographical Souvenir; The White Caps of Harr/Crawford Counties; IN atlases; genealogy books; early collector ref books; sev 1800’s leather bound examples; 100+ copies of F. Griffin’s Historical books

(8/11) As we’ve been cataloging lots this week, here’s some highlights of new discoveries:  Original Deringer Pocket Pistol-Philadelphia, silver enlayed (ca. 1850’s-carried by Patrick Griffin in CA gold rush); RARE $1 bill from Bank of Corydon, Ind (printed July 25, 1862); Sheet of 1841 uncut Western Bank of Georgia currency (3 $5 & 1 $10); Lincoln 50-cent fractional currency bill; $10 bill from Bank of Chattanooga; (2) 3-cent coins (1853); US $1 bill, 1917 series
 
Walnut drop leaf gate leg dining table & walnut spool type day bed (both belonged to Geroge Washington Boone-son of Samuel Boone & 1st cousin to Daniel & Squire); early 1900’s Democratic National Convention items (badges, tickets, etc)

FEATURE BOONE CORNER CUPBOARD: One of the most historically significant 1700’s corner cupboard ever to come to the market! The Kentucky style 8-pane reeded front cherry cupboard was made by Squire Boone in 1799. It was then passed down through the Boone Family until the 1930’s when it was then obtained by the Griffin Family. It is signed/carved on the back side of the bottom chamfered door “Squire Boone 1799”! 88"Tall x 48"Wide. Historical information to follow!


CHESTS: Early 1800’s Tiger Maple/Cherry 4-drawer chest, full rope twist column fronts, overhang top & decorative 6" top gallery, 45"W x 24"D x 49"T (with provenance from 1830’s); 1800’s 7-drawer pine chest w/turned legs (credited to belonging to Indiana’s first Governor-Johnathon Jennings); 1800’s burled cherry 4-drawer full column front chest, 42"W x 22"D x 45"T; early 1800’s Mahogany full rope column front 4-drawer chest, 46"W x 23"D x 49"T; Mahogany 4-drawer chest (orig finish)

BEDS: Cherry 7’ 4-poster spool-type bed; maple cannon ball half-poster bed; Mahogany sleigh bed (orig finish); Victorian high-back; 4-poster decorative child’s bed w/rails

QUALITY ANTIQUE FURNITURE: Early Mahogany squared bowed glass front cabinet w/carved ball & claw feet (orig finish); 1800’s Mahogany 3-piece dark settee w/red velvet (impressive-with provenance from original owners); massive Mahogany 54” diameter pedestal dining table w/(4) leaves (orig finish); set (6) early carved Mahogany dining chairs; Stewart barrister 3-stack bookcase; scalloped edge walnut occ table; 1800’s cherry bedside stand; walnut gate leg drop leaf dining table; early easel (orig finish); Mahogany empire leg bench; set (6) mahogany dining chairs (orig finish); several 1800’s chairs; burled drop-leaf 2-drawer end table; child’s wicker rocker; gate leg drop leaf square leg table; burled walnut washstand w/brown marble splash back; cherry stools; carved Roseback chairs; ornate cast/brass baby bed; Keller comm. oak rocker

BLANKET CHEST/TRUNKS: Primitive blanket chest, blacksmith made ironwork, brought to US in 1839 from Hesse, Germany by Rupp Family; elaborate early wood steamer trunk w/interior compartments (amazing original condition); flat top trunks; blanket chests

COUNTRY PRIMITIVE/OAK FURNITURE: Red paint 12-tin pie safe w/drawer; primitive early cherry bench w/arm rests, History: Used in Applegate’s Store, prior to 1897, then in Griffin’s Store; child’s 1800’s chair w/split hickory bottom; red paint country table; primitive coat rack; set (4) oak pressed back chairs (orig finish); oak sewing rocker; primitive stools

VICTORIAN PARLOR FURNITURE/TABLES: Extremely ornate high back burl front sofa; Victorian rose carved parlor chair; small high back walnut love seat; roseback couch/chair parlor set; (2) Eastlake Victorian marble top parlor tables; several walnut parlor chairs

CIVIL WAR ERA BENNETT CANNON: Iron Cannon: 13.5”L x 3”D & 1.5” Diameter Opening, fuse hole 7” back from mouth, rear of cannon is 3” x 3.75” with a 1 1/8” hole for mounting. History: Jacob Bennett of near Diamond Rock, KY an abolitionist and a red-hot Republican, was the first owner of the cannon. He had it made according to his own specifications in Owensboro, KY sometime in the early 1860’s. Living, as he did on a big river bottom farm, he said he wanted some protection for his home, family, and his stock. The cannon and cannon balls were always kept in the yard at the front of his house.

On July 7th, 1865, General John Morgan and his regiment arrived at the Ohio River about four miles down the river from the Bennett home. Some of Morgan’s men forced Mr. Bennett to flee to Indiana and they captured his cannon. They took it to Greer’s Landing where the regiment was awaiting the arrival of the Steamboat Alice Dean. Whey Morgan’s men crossed the River and proceeded northward into Indiana, they hid the Bennett cannon by burying it in the mud of the river bank beneath a cedar tree, which they marked. Some days later, Dan Bassinger unearthed the cannon. He mounted it on wheels and kept it for many years, using it or loaning it for use on various occasions.

On one of these occasions was during the “ratification” at the election of the President Benjamin Harrison when it was taken to Paynesville, KY. There, it was stationed in the middle of the street in front of Bill Rhodes’ Saloon. This saloon keeper had made special preparations for the big ratification night by building extra shelving to hold its quarts, pints, and half-pints. When the little cannon opened fire, its explosion so shook the Rhodes Saloon that it rattled all the bottles off the shelves and broke them and the whiskey was all lost. Aunt Rosella Adams lived next door to the saloon and the cannon firing broke all the window panes on that side of her house. Aunt Rosella made the cannonaders buyer new window glass for her and then the next day she wanted them to fire the cannon on the other side of her house.

Dan Bassinger would never sell his cannon but after his death, Mr. George Funk of New Amsterdam bought it at the Bassinger auction. In 1927, Mr. Funk sold the cannon to the Griffin Family of Corydon, IN.

 
CIVIL WAR SWORD: Overall length 37” long, brass trimmed handle (brass cracked) & leather off the handle. Faintly embossed blade with the words “Epluribus Unum” the motto of the US. The sword belonged originally to Major William T. Jones, son of Dr. A. M. Jones, Sr. of Corydon. Major Jones served in the Civil War and shortly thereafter, he went west to Wyoming Territory, where he was prominent in politics during the 1870’s. Returning to Corydon, he practiced law and shortly thereafter he married in Nov. 1881 to Miss Sallie Kintner of the Kintner House—he died eleven months later. The Major in full regalia went to Mauckport, IN to a lodge affair. Getting two-thirds full-he presented his sword to be used in a part of the lodge ceremony. It was lost and years later, it was found by Mitch Shuck in the loft overhead the upstairs of Jesse Love’s Store in Mauckport, Mitch traded it to Mr. George Funk, a New Amsterdam antique dealer. In 1927, Mr. Funk gave it to Olive Griffin of Corydon.
 
CIVIL WAR RELATED ITEMS/FIREARMS: Black powder handgun-US R. Johnson 1844 Mid Conn (found at Battle of Corydon site-NICE); Kentucky Long Rifle, 60" curly maple stock, hexagon iron bore, brass trigger/butt trim, decorated with a pheasant/feather, marked G.G. Jelcher; period black powder leather/brass flasks; brass bullet molds; GAR cast iron star marker; (3) cannon balls  

HISTORICAL MEMORABILIA: George Washington engraving w/clipped signature card; part of shutter from Lincoln Theater (documented); brick from White House (documented)

CONSTITUTIONAL ELM: Tilt-top pedestal table made from The Elm tree; large 30"W x 6"D cross section of Elm Tree. History: Cut down in 1925, saved by Jennie Griffin, Chairman of the Elm Tree Committee, DAR-one of largest pieces known!; 8 ft x 1” thick boards from original tree; large key board; approx. 100+ pcs of hand-made items from Constitutional Elm

ALICE DEAN MEMORABILIA: Large timber w/burn marks from shipwreck; handmade items from Alice Dean; walking stick

ITEMS FROM GRIFFIN’S GENERAL STORE: Oak s-curve roll-top desk, original finish- 48”W x 33”D x 47”T History-Purchased by Jennie Griffin in 1929 at the Harrison County Auction from the Old State Capitol. This had been used in the office of the County Judge; 1910 brass National Cash Register #356, SN 930520W (SUPER nice original in factory shipping box); Clark’s 2-Drawer thread cabinet (originally from Applegate’s Store, pre-1897);Hall’s late 1800’s decorative floor safe on casters; early 13’ oak store counter; wrought iron/oak shoe sizing bench; hat displays; advertising store jars; hand-blown glass jars w/tin lids; 15+ hand blown apothecary jars w/cut glass stoppers (some from Riley’s Drug Store); country store adv items; large amount of cast iron cobblers tools; cast iron boot jack (ca. 1871); wood adv boxes; large oak card file cabinet

LOCAL MEMORABILIA:  Large 15’ “Grade School” sign (from Laconia School); large coal oil street, History: Used at the corner of Kintner House on Market & Chestnut St. This was the last of the old street lamps used in Corydon; original street light in front of Kintner House Inn, Corydon); several large IN & Harrison maps; HUGE amount of Corydon/Harrison Cty memorabilia; Pantherette newspaper collection; large amount of paper items; life jackets from Mauckport Ferry; Floyd Hick 4 ft hand carved chain, from wood of Judge Porter’s Office; IN sesq. items; Riley Drug Store tin match box; Corydon Church organ parts; brass school bell, owned by Judge Porter; set of miniature organ pipe display (made from Corydon Presbyterian Church organ, ca. 1906); wood hand rail & newel posts-from the Jailer’s Quarters when torn down in 1964; Watch for upcoming details!

MCADAMS BASKETS: (2) miniature hand-made baskets (documented)

COUNTRY PRIMITIVES: Early blue paint wood double churn; cast/wood school seats (Old Corydon High School); primitive green paint marble game;  1800’s wood work bench w/vise; (2) sausage stuffers on primitive bench; early handmade primitive bench; cast iron boot jacks; ox yoke; cast iron dinner bells; cast iron wall rack; country primitives; wood/brass folding rules; cross-cut saw; brass buckets; stove pipe crimper; hay fork; early medicine bottles; early/unusual canning jars; amber Lightning jars (3-sizes); coffee grinder; primitive fork/rake

QUALITY ANTIQUES/COLLECTIBLES: 1800’s unique burled small cabinet w/inlaid flowers; burled shaving mirror w/drawer; candlestick telephone w/oak ringer; early political buttons (1800’s presidential); arts/craft period brass book ends; 1800’s hand carved wall mt letter holder; Mahogany cased turn of Century music box; 1800’s pocket compass; set (4) NOS "Hoosier Belle" graduated cow bells (purchased at Bulleit’s Hardware Closeout); Clark 2-drawer spool cabinet (paper label); porcelain figurines; early postcard collection; ink wells; early ball point pens; hat pins; Pagainni violin; large area rugs; Bruce Fox; Victorian holiday cards; (2) early tin lure boxes, A. Foss; ca. 1860 #42 cartridge box; early hand forged andiron fireplace sets; cast iron fireplace cover; large amount of vintage house fixtures (locks, hardware, etc)

VINTAGE SPINNING WHEELS: Large flax spinning wheel; early yarn winder; small spinning wheel; hand-made spinning wheel lamp

STONEWARE: (3) #2 Melcher jug/jars;  (2) #3 ovoid jars w/applied handles; #1 jar w/cobalt blue rings; early ovoids; approx. (15) stone jars/jugs; (4) pieces of red ware; stoneware pitcher; stone mixers

CLOCKS: Darrow cherry 38” large 8-day column clock; Waterbury large painted front cased clock; New Haven hand painted walnut clock; large column clock

VINTAGE CHILD’S TOYS: Victorian high-back doll bed & hand-made quilt; “Pride” coffee grinder (paper label); “The Little Comfort” hand crank sewing machine; Uncle Sam’s tin cash register; tin mechanical child on sled 8.5" long, ca.1910

WALKING CANES: Inlaid cane made by Jess Kitterman; inlaid cane made by GC Rainbolt; Constitutional Elm cane; Alice Dean walking stick; Floyd Hicks; early sterling silver topped walking stick

INDIAN ARTIFACT COLLECTION: 200+ pcs Indian Relic Collection-In the late 1920’s Olive Griffin bought this collection of Indian artifacts from Sidney Crosier, artist & druggist, of Corydon. These had been found in the vicinity of Tobacco Landing, of Boone Township, Harrison County, IN by the family of Thomas and Matilda Boone Crosier, parents of Sidney Crosier. This farm adjoined Porter’s Point in Laconia, IN.Watch for upcoming list!

ZIMMERMAN ART GLASS: 20+ pieces; Watch for upcoming listing!

BOOKS: (3) original 1906 Harrison Cty atlases; 100+ unused historical books written by F.P. Griffin; 1916 “The Indiana Medal”; (2) volumes 1841 Census of Pensioers; (2) large volumes 1840 US sixth census; double size 1840 stats of USA; The Journals & Indian Prints of Winter/Steele; Riley books; early collector books; several quality leather bound books; Watch for upcoming list!

VINTAGE GLASSWARE/CHINA: 25+ Wedgewood blue/red local comm. plates; Vaseline; EAPG; cut glass; Austrian/German china; early compotes/cake plates; flow blue; ironstone; Wedgewood; yellow-ware; Majolica vase; Watch for upcoming listing!

LAMPS: Ornate brass hanging lamp w/shade (Griffins General Store); Victorian hobnail hanging parlor lamp; hanging blue hobnail parlor lamp w/shade; early cast floor lamp; large selection on kero lamps; Watch for upcoming listing!

RADIOS: Philco walnut floor model radio; RCA Victor walnut radio; Philco radio

VINTAGE CLOTHING/LINENS: Vintage clothing; embroidery items; costumes from IN Sesq.; Watch for upcoming list!

GUNS: Stevens Crackshot 22 cal single shot drop block (nice orig); Smith & Wesson stainless 38 cal revolver

HAND MADE QUILTS/LINENS: Watch for upcoming listing!

OTTO STARK PAINTING: Oil on canvas (Details to follow!)

SID CROSIER ARTWORK: “Sunny Landscape” 11x17, O/C SLR; “Creek & Ohio River” 11x17, O/B SLL; “Creek Scene” 8x14, O/B SLR; small O/B SLR; small brass oil lamp (belonged to Sid Crosier) History: Sidney D. Crosier (1858-1930) was reared on the Old Crosier Farm one mile downstream on the Ohio River from Tobacco Landing in Boone Township. In 1886 he moved to New York where he found work as a painter, in 1893 he enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. His work was accepted in the prestigious 1897 Spring Exb. Of the Art Museum of Cincinnati. Then moved back to Corydon until his death. For additional info see “Sidney D. Crosier-Hoosier Art Pioneer”.

HELEN GRIFFIN O’LEARY ARTWORK: Approx. 30+ quality oils by Helen G. O’Leary, she exhibited artwork in 1935/37/40/41 at the Chicago Artists Exhibition! Several pieces of beautiful artwork of Corydon historic buildings (First State Capital, Constitutional Elm, Governor’s House, etc). History: Helen Griffin (1881-1950) daughter of Patrick & Helen Porter Griffin, went to Chicago as a young girl. She married in 1906 to Mark B. O’Leary and she began painting on Haviland and Bavarian China & later took up oil painting on canvas. She studied at The Art Institute of Chicago. Over her lifetime she created over 100+ canvases.

OWNER: Estate of Fred P. Griffin

AUCTION LOCATION: Auction to be held on the historic First State Capital Square, directly across the road from the Griffin House!

DIRECTIONS: From I-64 Corydon Exit #105, south on SR 135 1.0 mile, left (SE) on HWY 337 1.3 miles to site.