By BARB VAN LOO
Auction Exchange Correspondent

OTTAWA LAKE, Mich. — Bidders at a recent Richard Leonard auction were eager to throw their numbers up for an array of items that crossed the block, but it was fine furniture and firefighting memorabilia that took center stage.

The most desirable among the firefighting collectibles were vintage glass fire extinguishers also know as fire grenades. Made between 1870 and 1910, these glass bottles contained chemicals, and were made to be destroyed as the bottles were thrown at the base of the fire, releasing the chemicals and putting out the fire.

The simple fact of their use - because they were made to be destroyed they are quite rare. They quite often come in various colors as did those found at this auction. Individual fire grenades garnered the most attention and spirited bidding.

Many of them still contained the liquid. Among these an amber fire extinguisher sold for $450; a small cobalt extinguisher saw $360; and a large cobalt fire extinguisher crossed the block for $500. A set of three fire extinguishers, all in blue, sold for $600.

One box contained several old fire extinguishers (grenades) and this item saw a winning bid of $145.

Fire buckets saw winning bids of $30 each; small brass fire extinguishers sold for $60 each; and a brass nozzle earned $100. A Sterling siren sold for $275.

Furniture was also of interest to bidders, a burled mahogany sideboard with marble inserts attracted attention and spirited bidding before being declared sold at $1,100. An oak secretary/bookcase also attracted much interest and sold for $675.
Other furniture pieces presented included: a mahogany bookcase with claw feet that sold for $135; a Bigg’s mahogany partner’s desk that saw $100; and a mahogany corner china cabinet that crossed the block for $235. A dining room set with a finely detailed closed china cabinet earned $425; a marble-top Victorian dresser sold for $375; and a pie safe in old green paint took $265.

A very interesting round mahogany French display cabinet that would fit in most any home proved to have lots of interest and sold for $400; a drop-front desk earned $135; a spinet desk saw $95; and a mahogany Duncan Phyfe table and chairs crossed the block for $110.

A vanity bench sold for $65; a mahogany china cabinet crossed the block for $150; an Art Deco ashtray saw $150; and a very long wood-frame bench that came from an Odd Fellows lodge had a final bid of $90.

A lighted curio cabinet sold for $220; a three-drawer dresser, similar to a Heywood-Wakefield piece, saw $160; and a vintage set of wicker furniture which included a sofa and chair with upholstered seats, a sofa table, and an end table, earned $500.

A dining table with six pressed-back chairs sold for $155; a three-drawer maple chest saw $75; and a very ornate cedar chest by Dillingham earned $95. A chrome table and chair set from the 1950s crossed the block for $245; a Lane cedar chest sold for $65; and a heavily carved plant stand crossed the block for $110.

A large Victorian mirror earned a final bid of $600; a mahogany framed mirror crossed the block for $145; and a French piece, a mirror placed between two pictures, sold for $110. A pair of architectural columns that sold for $220. A spinning wheel which was complete and ready to use saw a final bid of $140.

A lamp with a bronze figural frog base, which was signed found a final bid of $215. A German cuckoo clock with a Swiss movement sold for $35; a Seth Thomas kitchen clock earned $65; and a mantel clock crossed the block for $50.

A model sailing ship was brought to the block and earned $200. Shortly thereafter a trail crossed the block for $100. An old cannon, dubbed a Betsy Cagham, earned $150.

Several works of art were presented at this auction. Many of them were the works of artists from the Toledo, Ohio area. Examples included: an oil on canvas titled Summer Near Rockport signed “Bekman” sold for $200; an oil on canvas of the heads of three horses sold for $175; and an oil on canvas of a rural scene and signed “W. McBeth” earned $225.

A steel engraving signed by Raphael Morghen sold for $175; a 1918 oil on canvas by Chandler sold for $175; Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish also sold for $175; a painting depicting a Mardi Gras-like scene, signed by Toledo artist Harold Tice crossed the block for $90; and another painting by a Toledo artist in sepia tones depicting a lady in her garden with her children sold for $50. A needlework piece depicting a bird in flight sold for $75.

A signed Labino vase in shades of green was greatly admired and was declared sold at $450. An interesting sculptured piece made of jadite sold for $200; and a music box earned $275.

There was also an abundance of glassware and hand-painted china. Examples of these pieces included: a fish platter that sold for $30; a MZ Austrian hand-painted plate that earned $45; and a large fish platter that also earned $45.

A cup and saucer with hand-painted Kewpie images found a new owner for $100; a salad set consisting of a large salad bowl and small bowls, all with sterling silver rims, sold for $85; and a Tiffin ruby red-to-clear bowl crossed the block for $55.

A Royal Doulton humidor crossed the block for $100; a Candlewick punch bowl set, complete with cups and ladle earned $145; an R.S. Prussia bowl with a red mark sold for $60; and a jack-in-the-pulpit art glass vase saw a final bid of $65.

Examples of the jewelry items included: a 14k gold pendant with an opal sold for $70; a shell cameo saw $60; and a Limoges brooch crossed the block for $35. A 14k gold charm bracelet sold for $110; a 14k gold heart pendant saw $45; and a 14k gold and jade pendant crossed the block for $30.

Some of the other interesting items included a sterling silver curing iron with mother-of-pearl handles sold for $50; a Schultz magic lantern with glass slides earned $60; and a stereoscope and cards crossed the block for $65.

A handmade rug saw a final bid of $160; an old quilt earned $85; and The History of the Civil War by Frank Leslie sold for $65. A 1904 Kellogg candlestick phone crossed the block for $150; an oak wall phone in fine condition earned $130; and a miniature tintype sold for $40.

There were many more pieces of glassware, artwork, and miscellaneous items hosted by Richard Leonard; he holds auctions on location every Wednesday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Contact Leonard at 734-856-6540 or at rleo777@aol.com if you have questions about these upcoming auctions or services.