FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release: Jan. 3, 2016

Shipwreck Silver, Monumental Wiggins Painting could steal Spotlight at Jan. 14
Milestone Auction
Also Featured: Gen. MacArthurs personal, monogrammed Louis Vuitton luggage
WILLOUGHBY, OH Based in the Cleveland suburb of Willoughby, Milestone
Auctions is a company on the rise. Co-owners Miles King and Chris Sammet have
become increasingly well known for their traditional business values and youthful
passion for tracking down antiques a combination that goes a long way in their chosen
profession. The fruits of their labor, not to mention their incessant global travels and
networking, are prominently showcased in their annual New Years Spectacular Auction,
which in 2017 takes place on Saturday, Jan. 14. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be
available through MilestoneAuctions.com, LiveAuctioneers, Proxibid and AuctionZip.
Several headliners will be jockeying for the top of prices realized, starting with Lot 150, a
1045ozt silver bar recovered from the shipwrecked Nuestra Senora de Atocha, the most
famous of a fleet of Spanish ships that sank in 1622 off the Florida Keys. Heavily laden
with gold, silver, copper, precious gems and commodities, the ship disappeared after
being struck by a powerful hurricane, and its bounty of riches lay submerged for more
than 360 years before being discovered by Mel Fishers treasure-divers in 1985. The
silver bar in Milestones auction is one of the larger bars recovered from the wreck and
has the appropriate cartouches, markings and assayers bite. A remarkable piece of
maritime history from the most valuable shipwreck ever found, it comes with a certificate
of authenticity from Treasure Salvors Inc., and is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.
An art-world treasure of museum quality, Guy Carleton Wiggins (American, 1883-1962)
oil-on-canvas titled Connecticut Harvest Scene is almost certainly one of the largest
works ever painted by the artist. The atmospheric depiction of pumpkins and bundled
sheaves against an autumn landscape measures a monumental 88 by 62 inches framed (72
by 48 inches sight). Artist-signed and in excellent original condition, it is expected to
fetch a price in the $30,000-$50,000 range.
Three Louis Vuitton suitcases owned by World War II hero General Douglas MacArthur
will be auctioned in successive lots (156 through158). Each is personalized with yellow
and green stripes and the initials MacA monogrammed alongside the handles. The lots
have provenance from the Max Collier Veterans Administration, Washington; and come
with COAs from the Louis Vuitton Museum in Paris. Each suitcase is estimated at
$6,000-$10,000. They are immediately followed by MacArthurs rare leg-o-mutton shape
shotgun case made to house a model with a 28-inch barrel. The case has a side pocket
with a brass tag engraved D. MacA. Estimate: $1,000-$3,000

A quintessential example of fine Americana, Lot 300 is a cigar store Indian maiden figure
attributed to master carver Samuel Robb. The 60-inch-tall maiden holds a carved
container of cigars in the palm of her left hand and a rose known to be a trademark
feature Robb included to honor his late wife in her right hand. The auction estimate is
$20,000-$40,000.
Milestone has a loyal following worldwide among collectors of antique toys and games.
The selection assembled for the Jan. 14 sale includes a true rarity: a bowling automaton
with three bisque-head figures. Patented in 1907 by Otto Eichenberger of Switzerland
with the assistance of Leon Brock in New York, the large and intricate automaton with
multiple actions replicates one of the most popular leisure pursuits of the early 20th
century. The machine depicts two gents one of them poised to roll one of several steel
bowling balls down a lane toward skittle pins; the other content to sit on a barrel and
watch as he smokes his pipe. A third figure emerges to reset the pins and return the balls
to the bowler. Both beautiful and ingenious in its design, the automaton carries a pre-sale
estimate of $10,000-$20,000.
Bidders can take time out for The Pause That Refreshes when Lot 241 crosses the
auction block. The rare 10-cent Coca-Cola Vendo 44 upright vending machine is one of
the most desirable of all Coke-dispensing units. Made around the 1950s and in alloriginal condition, its ready to serve up a frosty beverage. Estimate: $1,000-$3,000
The amusements continue with Lot 301, an early, upright 10-cent Mutoscope machine in
a handsome oak case. When a dime is deposited, the machine plays the movie Why Pearl
Left Home For The Big City. Standing 68 inches tall and with an elaborate pictorial
marquee, it even retains its original key. It could reach $2,000-$4,000 at auction.
The sale line-up includes many examples of rare advertising, such as Lot 341: the circa1900 trade sign from the headquarters of the M.P. Moller Pipe Organ Company. Made of
copper and steel with gold-leaf overlay, the sign depicts the firms famous logo of organ
pipes with decorative scrollwork. All original, it comes with a custom-built display stand
and supportive paperwork. Estimate: $1,000-$2,000
Lot 398 is ready to leap across the podium at a moments notice. Its a gorgeous C.W.
Parker carved carousel jumper horse with inset jewels. The colorful steed is entered in the
sale with a $1,000-$2,000 estimate.
The 598-lot New Years Auction offering is rounded out by many other popular
categories, including figural cast-iron doorstops, petroliana, mechanical music, early
posters, old telephones, ham radios, antique store cabinets, dolls, toy vehicles, stoneware
advertising rolling pins and jugs; and many other novelties of every possible description.
The Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 auction starts at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. Address: 3860 Ben
Hur Ave., Unit 8, Willoughby, OH 44094. For additional information call 440-527-8060
or email info@milestoneauctions.com. Online: www.milestoneauctions.com.

CAPTION:
Guy Carleton Wiggins (American, 1883-1962), Connecticut Harvest Scene, oil on
canvas, 88 x 62in framed/72 x 48in sight, all original, signed lower right, est. $30,000$50,000
Milestone Auctions
Chris Sammet, President or Miles King, General Manager
3860 Ben Hur Ave.
Willoughby, OH 44094
440-527-8060
http://www.milestoneauctions.com
milestoneauctions@yahoo.com
Keywords: Antiques, shipwreck, gold, silver, copper, toys, games,
Silver bar, Guy Carleton Wiggins, Louis Vuitton suitcases, Cigar store Indian, precious
gems and commodities, Douglas MacArthur, vending machine
Quote: The silver bar in Milestones auction is one of the larger bars recovered from
the wreck and has the appropriate cartouches, markings and assayers bite. A remarkable
piece of maritime history from the most valuable shipwreck ever found, it comes with a
certificate of authenticity from Treasure Salvors Inc., and is estimated at $30,000$50,000.
The 598-lot New Years Auction offering is rounded out by many other popular
categories, including figural cast-iron doorstops, petroliana, mechanical music, early
posters, old telephones, ham radios, antique store cabinets, dolls, toy vehicles, stoneware
advertising rolling pins and jugs; and many other novelties of every possible description.
About:
Milestone Auctions, located in Willoughby, Ohio strives to offer successful auctions for
both buyers and sellers. When selling we will give your collection the time and
dedication it deserves to maximize your return. Experts will take the time to catalog and
photograph your items. Then your items will be offered at our live auction and on internet
bidding platforms for the world to bid on. For buyers we strive to offer several bidding
options to make bidding an easy and pleasant experience. Our dedicated staff is available
any time to discuss any items in further detail you may have interest in.