Rare pitchers excite glass collectors at MGA’s annual auction
Plenty of rare and unique Millersburg Glass was on the auction block at the annual Millersburg Glass Association auction at Comfort Suites in Berlin Friday, Oct. 9.
Pitchers were on parade as the central focal point of this year’s annual Millersburg Glass Association Auction that took place at Comfort Suites in Berlin Friday, Oct. 10.
While COVID-19 chased away the Holmes County Antique festival, during which time the MGA hosts the event, it didn’t deter the association from bringing a large collection of glass together to auction off, and it was a series of pitchers from Canada that proved to be the highlight.
The Multi Fruits & Flowers water pitchers didn’t disappoint. The first one on the auction block was the one-of-a-kind marigold that went for $40,000. The painted purple pitcher with a collar base then drew $9,000, and a purple pitcher went for $5,000. The green water pitcher and set of tumblers then brought $37,000. A rare purple pitcher with a drape base garnered $6,500, the entire five-pitcher set bringing in $97,500.
One out-of-state couple from purchased two of the pitchers, including the $40,000 marigold piece, while two other pitchers stayed here in Holmes County.
Millersburg Glass Museum director Chris Sieverdes had been showcasing the precious pitchers for months and had gotten used to enjoying them as part of the museum collection. Only one will return, as Sieverdes was able to purchase one of the lesser expensive pitchers, along with a couple of other unique pieces he bought.
“I think the price these pieces brought is wonderful and I was excited to see that they ended up with some really great collectors,” Sieverdes said. “They are great collectors who are collecting very worthy pieces.”
Sieverdes purchased one of the purple pitchers and that one will continue to call the museum its home.
Local collector Andy Lycans also purchased one of the purple pitchers, and was delighted to do so, adding to a pitcher collection that his father began years ago.
“I would have loved to have the marigold,” Lycans said of the pitchers. “My dad collects water pitchers so this was a great opportunity for me.”
While the pitchers highlighted the auction, there were many other pieces that drew plenty of attention, including a radium purple Big Fish Rose Bowl with a brilliant blue and yellow iridescent finish and a unique 10-inch Hanging Cherry ruffled bowl that featured a stamped impression of an Indian head penny in the base.
As always, Matthew Wroda Auctions brought. The quality and auctioneer Jim Wroda kept the proceedings lively in what turned out to be a long but fruitful night.
The meeting room at Comfort Suites was full, with bidders seated at nearly every single available chair and then some. This particular MGA auction faced some unique times with COVID-19, and Wroda and the MGA allowed online bidding, something that hasn’t been available in any of the previous MGA auction events.
That livened up the proceedings and kept bidders and those taking bids on their toes. It added a new dimension to the auction, but in the end, Wroda said the majority of the glass was purchased by on-site bidders.
“Adding the internet bidding did well and added value to the auction,” Wroda said. “We didn’t have a buyer premium. Percentage-wise, I’d say only about 10 percent went to online bidders, but they did play a huge role in being the back-up bidder, which is always such an integral part of any auction.”
Wroda said that when they assess the value of an auction, they don’t really look at what each individual piece brings, but rather what they bring collectively. He felt sure that the auction got very close to what they expected the total to be.
Randy Jones, president of the Millersburg Glass Association, said the uniqueness of this auction and the unfortunate circumstances that led to the cancellation of the Antique Festival didn’t take away from the joy and competitive nature of collectors.
He said early on, the MGA was certain they would present the auction in some fashion. He said the way it all came together was a group effort.
“We put feelers out and the response to move ahead with the auction was positive, so we cut the total number of pieces in half and went to one day instead of two days. We went above and beyond to keep people safe and we were pleased with the turnout, because this is always an exciting event for the people of Holmes County.”
Normally the MGA presents a dinner and seminar on Friday night and conducts the auction the next day. The association was forced to move it all to one night, which meant the meal, the seminar on Rosalind glass, and the auction made for one lengthy evening.
“Overall, the association is very pleased, and Matthew Wroda Auction did a great job,” Jones said. “We know it ran a little late, but pretty much the entire crowd stuck around until the end, which was very satisfying.”
Jones said there is a great deal of enthusiasm for Millersburg Glass throughout Holmes County because it is always a bit of a homecoming for the carnival glass that was created in Millersburg.
He said the MGA always looks forward to providing as much insight and education on the glass as possible, in order to preserve the history of the glass.
“Education and identifying pieces are part of what we do as an association,” Jones said. “Millersburg Glass continues to be the most collectible glass because of its beauty and rarity.”
If someone would like to become a member of the MGA, they can do so by visiting the website at millersburgglass.com to fill out an application; they can print out an application and mail it in; pay via PayPal; or ask any current member for help.
The annual MGA membership is just $15, which includes the meal at the auction gathering and quarterly newsletters.
“The nice thing is that our members get to fellowship with others who enjoy the hobby,” Jones said.
Anyone sending in a membership check can mail it to: Millersburg Glass Association, P.O. Box 30, Millersburg, Ohio 44654.