05/11/2026
New England Auctions' May 6–7 sale was a resounding success, showcasing the remarkable breadth of American material culture. Presented as May Americana on Day One and Historical and Medical Antiques, Medallions, Books, and Native American on Day Two, the sales drew strong results across a wide range of categories and collector disciplines. "It was a solid sale, and exceeded our expectations," said Fred Giampietro, owner of New England Auctions.
Day One's Americana session, anchored by distinguished private collections including the Dr. Joseph Moffatt Elm Tree House and the Bruce and Doranna Wendel Collection, saw enthusiastic bidding across folk art and American antiques. Highlights included a Rare Early Cupboard, an Uncle Sam Strength Tester Panel, a Narwhal Tusk Walking Stick, a Cushing and White steer weathervane, a working Aaron Willard shelf clock, and a carved powder horn rifle, alongside a strong showing of gameboards from the Wendel Collection.
Day Two's Medical, Scientific, Historical & Books session proved equally compelling. The Estate Collection of Jerry Phelps drove standout results across the apothecary category, with a Green Apothecary Leeches Jar with Leech Head Handles, a Staffordshire Leeches Apothecary Pedestal Jar, and an Apothecary Pedestal Jar in Urn Form among the top performers. Historical documents and presidential ephemera resonated strongly with bidders, highlighted by a Philadelphia Committee of Safety Document signed by John Morton dated July 16, 1776, a calligraphic watercolor of Washington's War Horse, and a collection of political autographs and American ephemera. Early maps also drew notable interest, with a Hondius and Jansson engraving of North America and an early watercolor map of Virginia both finding enthusiastic buyers. Rounding out the session were a Carl Reiner Ophthalmophantome, an Early Italian Wooden Orrery, Thomas Jefferson-owned Ember Tongs, a robust showing of historic medals and gold pins from the Ron and Pat Meloni Collection, and a First Edition Alice in Wonderland (New York Appleton, 1866).
From painted cupboards and gameboards to Native American antiques, early maps, presidential documents, rare medical instruments, and literary treasures, the two sessions together illustrated exactly what makes New England Auctions a destination for collectors across every discipline.
