Brotherly Love
“We Salute you in Brotherly Love” begins a 1745 Epistle from the Quaker yearly Meeting in London. Handwritten by John Gurney, it reads like a sermon, exhorting the Friends to live in the ways of Holiness and Truth. It is…
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Part II of The Pewter Collection of Dr. Melvyn & Bette Wolf
Part II of The Pewter Collection of Dr. Melvyn & Bette Wolf will start the first session of this week’s Americana Auction at 9AM on January 16th. Over a span of sixty years, Dr. Melvyn and Bette Wolf assembled the…
In the Beginning
Pook & Pook presents at auction the renowned collection of John A. and Judith C. Herdeg of Mendenhall, Pennsylvania. The Herdegs were dedicated collectors with a lifelong passion for 18th century history and decorative art. Over their lives, they built…
Remington New Model Army revolver
Undoubtedly one of the most important firearms in American History, from its inception at the start of civil unrest to its natural habitat in settling the west, post-Civil War, the Remington New Model Army .44 caliber revolver certainly has withstood…
An East Prospect of the City of Philadelphia
The year was 1750. Thomas Penn needed to raise some cash. In spite of his father William Penn founding the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681, the family was deeply in debt. They had never seen income from the colony, and…
Sewing isn’t a hobby, it’s a survival skill
Imagine you are a soldier in George Washington’s army during the brutal winter of 1777-1778. The air is frigid, and snowflakes fall relentlessly, covering everything in a blanket of white. The cold gnaws at your bones, but it’s not just…
A Cherished Memento
This jewel of a portrait is precious for multiple reasons. It is a virtuoso example of the early work of John Singleton Copley, and is an undeniably beautiful painting. But perhaps equally, it is significant for the private story it…
The Health and Environmental Benefits of Owning Antiques: A Sustainable and Wellness-Focused Choice
In an age increasingly driven by fast consumption and disposable goods, owning antiques offers a refreshing alternative that aligns with both sustainability and well-being. Whether it’s antique furniture, fine art, carpets, or decorative accessories, incorporating vintage treasures into your home…
Online Only Decorative Arts Just in Time for the Holidays!
Pook & Pook is set to host its highly anticipated Annual Holiday Online Only Decorative Arts Auction on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. With live online bidding starting at 9:00 AM, this exclusive auction will showcase over 800 carefully curated lots…
Time Capsule
The Coin & Jewelry Auction at Pook & Pook on October 30th is composed of pounds and pounds of gold and many, many carats of diamonds, but my favorite item is of a humble nature. Lot 2228 is an assortment…
Love is in the Hair
Some of the most intriguing lots of jewelry in Pook & Pook’s upcoming Coins & Jewelry auction include examples of Victorian hair jewelry (Lots 1959, 2525, and 2584). The practice of incorporating human hair to create intricately designed bracelets, brooches,…
Off the Grid
What does the sensation of beauty look like in a painting? The challenge for Agnes Martin was not to paint a beautiful object, but the sensation of perceiving it; that, when looked at, would be felt by others. “My paintings…
A Stark View of the Civil War
Wm. B. Stark’s Campaign, in the war of 1862-63-64 and 65. Written by himself from his diary kept during the war. William B. Stark kept a diary of his days serving in the Civil War, a fascinating first-person historical account…
Press Release – September 2024 Americana & International Auction
Downingtown, Pennsylvania – Pook & Pook will hold our largest Americana & International sale ever, spread over three days, September 25, 26, and 27th. The sale features important single owner collections, as well as many items from private collectors and…
Where there’s a Will
The history of pewter in America is representative of the wider colonial experience. In the late 17th century, Britain passed a series of laws called the Navigation Acts governing colonial trade. The Acts limited the colonies to trading with Britain,…
Don’t Take Candy from Strangers
Two lots not to be missed are #248 and #317. They are a glass perfume bottle and a shadow box frame containing five bottles and a book, items easy enough to walk past without a second glance—but once their context…