Past Auctions

Alderfer Auction's Silver sale features 100 lots of American, British, and Continental silver from established manufacturers and regional craftsmen. American makers dominate the collection with pieces from Towle, Gorham, Wallace, Alvin, Reed & Barton, and International Silver spanning multiple patterns and periods. Regional makers like Stieff, Whiting, and Old Newbury Crafters add variety, while coin silver examples from 19th-century Philadelphia makers provide historical interest. British silver includes Georgian through Edwardian pieces from respected makers like Atkin Bros, Edward Barnard & Sons, and Thomas Bradbury & Sons. Continental examples feature Georg Jensen Danish Modern pieces and various European makers including David Andersen and Thorvald Marthinsen. The sale offers practical dining silver alongside decorative pieces, with complete flatware services, serving pieces, bowls, and candlesticks. Many pieces retain original retailer markings from J.E. Caldwell, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and other established firms. This collection represents accessible quality silver suitable for both collectors and those seeking functional pieces from respected manufacturers.

This Coin Collector’s Auction features a substantial offering of U.S. gold coins, including numerous American Gold Eagles and proof commemoratives. Highlights include the Gold Columbus Quincentennial Coin, Olympic Gold Proof Sets, and the Smithsonian Institution Gold Coin. Themed gold sets such as the United States Constitution Bicentennial and Civil War Battlefields series are also present. The auction includes an extensive range of silver commemorative coins, such as Washington Half Dollars, American Silver Eagles, and Eisenhower Dollars, along with legacy and themed sets like the Calgary Olympic Coin Set and White House 200th Anniversary Coins. Mixed-metal commemorative collections—such as the US Liberty Gold and Silver Coin Set—and decades of proof and uncirculated sets round out the catalog. With its heavy emphasis on gold coinage, this auction is well-suited for numismatists and investors seeking high-value bullion and commemorative U.S. issues.

The Home and Decor Auction features a varied selection of stereo electronics, collectibles, and decorative home items. Highlights include Bose 301 Series II bookshelf speakers, Yamaha C-65 stereo receiver, and Bowers and Wilkins Bluetooth headphones. Collectibles include Danbury Mint, Franklin Mint, US Postal Society and Bradford Exchange collectibles. Philatelic and numismatic entries range from postal stamp albums and commemorative stamp folios to official gaming coins. Holiday-themed and cultural collections like the Danbury Mint Nativity Candlesticks and Royal Wedding Collections are also featured. Stoneware crocks including a Richard Remmey example. A large section of the catalog is devoted to leather-bound literature, tobacciana, brewery, advertising and train collectibles. This auction combines functional home electronics with presentation-quality books and thematic collectibles, offering broad appeal for both casual buyers and dedicated collectors.

The Collectors Auction showcases a wide range of fine jewelry, artwork, historical documents, and collectibles. Jewelry highlights include 18k Diamond Cufflinks, 14k Star Sapphire Cufflinks, and the 14k WG 1 Carat Diamond Ring. Notable coins include American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Sets (1988–2004) and Franklin Mint Sterling Silver Ingots. Chinese and Japanese decorative arts feature prominently with antique porcelain, cloisonné, and woodblocks, including pieces by Ando Jubei and Tsuchiya Koitsu. Artwork spans centuries, with works by Pierre Mignard, Seymour Remenick, Christopher High Shearer, and Jessie Willcox Smith. Furniture and collectibles include a Dutch Cupboard, Hepplewhite Chest, RJ Horner Griffin Bookcase, Capital and Swiss music boxes, 1935 Maytag Toy Racer, Adevertising novelties, a McIntosh Amplifier,and model ships like the H.M.S. Grimsby and King of the Mississippi. Scientific and historical highlights include a Biometric Prosthetic Arm Prototype and 19th-century microscopes. The autograph collection is extensive, with signatures from U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, and international dignitaries, making this a deeply comprehensive offering for collectors.

Alderfer Auction’s Nippon porcelain sale focuses predominantly on porcelain from the years 1891-1921. In 1891, the McKinley Tariff Act was passed in the United States. This stopped the import of any products that were not “plainly marked….in legible English words”. Imported porcelain from Japan was marked Nippon which means Japan. The Nippon mark served its purpose to comply with the McKinley Tariff Act for 30 years. When searching for Nippon for one’s collection, the term Old Noritake may be found. This simply refers to Nippon before 1921. Post 1921 the porcelain manufacturer becomes The Noritake Company. In 1921 US Customs began insisting that any pieces imported to the United States were to be marked simply Japan not Nippon, making this porcelain relatively easy to date. This particular collection of Nippon contains a wide range of beautiful pieces, including Egyptian and North African designs, Dark and White Woodland patterns, Coralene  (created with tiny glass beads added into the porcelain then forged by heat into the surface), moriage (raised slip decoration with often with gilt glaze), tapestry (textile is applies to wet porcelain and then burned away during firing leaving a textured pattern), jeweled (enamel or slip added to decoration), relief plates, humidors, tea sets and much more. Every porcelain collector needs a selection of Nippon to make their collection complete.

Vintage lady head vases and wall pockets were once all the rage from the late 1940’s into the 1970’s. They were used by florists for their smaller arrangements. Eventually, they went out of style and this product either sat back on florist stock shelves or went directly into the cupboards of those who received the vases full of flowers. Then, one day, these kitsch Mid-Century beauties began appearing on collectors' radar. Collectors search high and low for lady head vases and wall pockets. These ceramic imports were manufactured both Japan and the United States. Popular brands include Lefton, Trimont, Rubens, Enesco, Ucagco, Relpo, Stanford Pottery, Napco, Royal Copley, Hull Pottery, McCoy Pottery and more. Today, these vases and wall pockets are back in fashion for many collectors interested in MCM wares. There is something for everyone in this Lady Head Vases sale, with over 600 vases to choose from.

This Discovery Art Auction features a curated selection of artwork spanning contemporary and traditional styles across multiple mediums. Highlights include several works by renowned wildlife artist Charley Harper, whose modernist prints showcase his distinctive geometric approach to natural subjects. The sale presents an exceptional group of pieces by Louis Tavelli, representing his various artistic series including "Abstract Landscape" and "Groups." Philadelphia sculptor Philip Paul contributes four carved limestone works, including Judaica-themed pieces that reflect his recognition by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The collection encompasses American and European artists, with works ranging from 19th-century Dutch School paintings to contemporary folk art by Donna Lacey-Derstine. Notable inclusions feature watercolors by established artists like Mary Whyte and Mitchell Jamieson, alongside oils by Gary MacWilliams depicting Pennsylvania landscapes. International artists Antoni Clave and Hans Erni add European modernist perspectives. The diverse collection offers paintings, watercolors, prints, and sculptures suitable for various collecting interests and budgets.  

The auction offers a diverse range of items such as photographs, ephemera and historical documents and correspondence. Collectors will find stamp albums with Worldwide Stamps, Postal Commemorative Society Stamp Collections, First Day Cover Albums, and Postal Commemorative Society coins and stamps. Decorative pieces include Gorham Rose-Themed plates, Lenox Christmas Collector plates, Boehm Porcelain Rose-Themed plates, and Franklin Mint floral plates. Other featured products are Franklin Mint pewter figurines, Franklin Mint Commemorative medals, advertising signs, American Baseball advertising signs, studio pottery tableware, vintage table lamp, Lenox porcelain and more. This auction covers a wide array of philatelic, commemorative and household items.