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Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026

Tue, Jun 23, 2026 10:00AM EDT
  2026-06-23 10:00:00 2026-06-23 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama | June 23, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/collection-of-elbert-h-parsons-jr-huntsville-alabama-june-23-2026-22678
Original surface and vibrant color define Bert Parsons’ well-documented collection, assembled over decades. Highlights include a Stirewalt miniature painted blanket chest, an 1823 dated Prussian blue blanket chest made in Albemarle, Stanly County, NC, with family history, an early Virginia documented painted apothecary cabinet, and a New England Fancy red-painted Windsor bench, as well as metalwork, pottery, Staffordshire, paintings, and six objects from the landmark 2004 “American Fancy” exhibition.
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Lot 52

Rare New England Pipe Rack in Old Surface, Ex. Feldman Collection

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000
Starting Bid
$4,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

late 18th century, white pine with fine and probably original dark brown stained/varnished surface, slots for four pipes, together with two antique clay pipes, also with copper wall mount, rack 17 x 13 x 6-1/4 in., longest pipe 19-1/2 in.

Provenance: Sotheby's, New York, American Folk Art Collection of Howard and Catherine Feldman, June 23, 1988, lot 17; Joe Kindig Antiques, York, Pennsylvania, April 2006 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $14,000); The Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

Literature: Rack illustrated in "Living with Antiques: A Folk Art Collection in Pennsylvania" by Susan Klein and Cynthia V.A. Schaffner, The Magazine Antiques (September, 1984), p. 573, fig. 12.

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Sotheby's, New York, American Folk Art Collection of Howard and Catherine Feldman, June 23, 1988, lot 17; Joe Kindig Antiques, York, Pennsylvania, April 2006 (accompanied by copy of receipt for $14,000); The Collection of Elbert H. Parsons, Jr., Huntsville, Alabama

very fine condition and largely untouched, typical wear to historical finish with alligatoring and loss, proper left bin front corner with repair to break; pipes with wear from use, the longer pipe with crack to stem held by wire Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.