The Rock Island Auction Blog

Lighting to Weaponry the Diversity of Tiffany & Co.

Rock Island Auction Companies April 20, 21 and 22 Premiere Firearms Auction is shaping up to be its finest auction in over 20 years of business. “From genre to genre this is the most complete sale we have ever offered. We have the best Winchesters, Colts, German and U.S. military that we have ever offered in a single auction” said Judy Voss Vice President of Rock Island Auction. Of the most interesting single genres that will cross the block in April will be the selection of Tiffany & Co. items that Rock Island Auction was able to assemble over the past several months. “Typically in situations where we are able to acquire these complete collections or groupings they come from the same consignor. However, this collection of Tiffany items is actually from a number of different collections that truly compliment each other perfectly” said Voss. Included in the sale will be: a Colt 1862 Police Revolver with L.D. Nimschke Engraving and Magnificent Tiffany American Eagle Grips, a Deluxe Cased Silver/Gold Thuer Conversion Factory Engraved Colt model 1861 Navy with Battle Scene Tiffany Grips, FOUR Tiffany & Co. officer sabers, a Tiffany Favrile Blown Glass Decanter with Stopper, a Tiffany Favrile Blown Glass Fluted Stem Vase, and last but certainly not least a Rare L.C. Tiffany Studios Laburnam Lamp.

“What makes this auction unique is that were are going to sell approximately 150 lots of Americana, which will be headlined by the stunning Tiffany Laburnam Lamp” said Voss. While Rock Island Auction has sold some smaller collections of Americana, including a collection of stoneware last September, in which RIAC was able to break several world records, this will be their first attempt at a large collection of Americana. “We know items such as the lamp and the two vases are valuable and carry with them a large following; it is our job to reach this following and judging by how well we did with the stoneware we are more than confident we will be able to do very well with the pieces that we have” said Voss.

 As for the firearms, Tiffany and Co. which was founded in the 1830’s was known to manufacture and embellish for both Colt and Smith & Wesson. The Colt embellished guns remain today as one of the most profusely counterfeited of highly collectable firearms on the market. The two examples offered by Rock Island Auction are not only genuine but they are two different styles. “The guns made for Colt were typically done in three different variations. What we have in this auction are two of the three major variations and in two different models, the 1862 Police and the 1861 Navy Thuer Conversion” said Pat Hogan President of Rock Island Auction. 

All of these items and many more will be sold April 20, 21, and 22 at the Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island Illinois. And whoever said that gun collecting was a predominantly male hobby didn’t tell their wife that they could also own a piece from Tiffany & Co!

For more information on any of these items or to view the full color catalog online please visit http://www.rockislandauction.com/