We've already reported on the excellent prices which Morphy Auctions achieved for its silverware recently, but it wasn't those pieces which company CEO Dan Morphy was worried about.
He was offering items of antique arms and armour and wondering if the company would be able to do it justice.
"Armor is very much a European-based collectible, and we were anxious to show that Morphy Auctions could tap into a European-based market. As it turned out, our targeted marketing was very successful." a pleased and relieved Morphy explained.
"Remote bidders - many of them from European countries - kept our staff very busy throughout the armor section of the sale."
 The beautifully crafted, deadly antique mace |
The collection was owned by Frank Andrina, a Hollywood animator who worked on many classic cartoons: everything from Bugs Bunny, through the Flintstones and Jetsons via the Smurfs to Scooby-doo. His wife was present to see the items find new homes.
An attractive, yet terrifying, 16th century mace easily doubled its high estimate to sell for $16,800. likewise a Savoyard-style helmet from either Italy or Germany achieved $15,800 against a $4,000-8,000 listing - perhaps to someone afraid of the new owner of the mace.
 The Savoyard Style Helmet |
Defeating both of these was an extremely striking sword. The German blade is a two-handed processional piece with flambé blade, and collectors were impressed enough for it to easily surpass its $10,000-15,000 listing and sell for $21,000.
Barbee Andrina was pleased to see that two of the items had been won by a collector who had been impressed by them when he visited the Andrina family home several years earlier.
