ATLANTA – At the start of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from around the United States and beyond. Here’s what made headlines since last month’s report:

1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, $31,860, Cordier Auctions

A fully restored 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air two-door hardtop sold for $31,860 at an antique auction held May 20 by Cordier Auctions in Harrisburg, Pa. Also, a painting by Harold Newton (American, 1934-1994), one of the legendary Florida Highwaymen, fetched $3,894; a 1924 Steinway Model B grand piano finished on a high note at $11,800; a 14K gold ring with a 2.16-carat diamond solitaire sold for $12,980; and an Eames for Howard Miller lounge chair brought $2,242. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

Letter written aboard the Titanic, $22,500, Philip Weiss Auctions

A letter handwritten aboard the RMS Titanic on April 13, 1912 sold for $22,500 at an auction held June 22 by Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook, N.Y. Also, an original life ring from the SS Andrea Doria changed hands for $8,400; a glass clock given to first class passengers aboard the SS Normandie in 1935 earned $4,560; a derby worn by President William Howard Taft rose to $1,840; and a postage stamp signed by Albert Einstein gaveled for $1,860. Prices are inclusive of the buyer’s premium.

Pair, 4-light candelabra, $22,200, A. B. Levy’s

Two exhibition silver-gilt four-light candelabra produced by Elkington & Co., Birmingham, 1860, sold for $22,200 at a jewelry, art and antiques Auction held June 29th by A.B. Levy’s in West Palm Beach, Fla. Also, an oil on panel by Louis Marie de Schryver (French, 1862-1942), titled The Flower Girl, realized $18,000; and a pair of circa 1900 glass vases by Daum Nancy, one an acid etched and applied “Christening” vase, the other a gilt decorated cameo vase, went for $18,000 and $9,600, respectively. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.

Zhang Daqian calligraphy, $78,000, Michaan’s Auctions

A signed, sealed and inscribed calligraphy by Chinese artist Zhang Daqian (1899-1983) sold for $78,000 at an Asian works of art auction held June 18 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, Calif. Also, an album of eight paintings by Pu Ru (Chinese, 1896-1963) went for $24,000; a mounted scroll painting of wisteria by Wu Changshou (Chinese, 1844-1927) realized $24,000; a delicate pair of Doucai cups brought $19,200; and a Qianlong period carved round cinnabar box hit $22,800. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

Engraved Henry rifle, $25,875, Rock Island Auction

An engraved lever-action Henry rifle sold for $25,875 at a gun auction held June 22-25 by Rock Island Auction Co. in Rock Island, Ill. Also, a Borchardt pistol in fair condition sold for $17,250; an engraved Winchester Model 1866 rifle hit the mark for $11,500; a Remington Model 8 and Model 81 rifle sold as one lot for $11,500; and two Colt DA target revolvers decorated with gold inlaid Rampant Colts went for $8,050. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

Steinway grand piano, $22,500, John Moran

A Steinway & Sons Model D grand piano sold for $22,500 at a Traditional Collector Auction held June 20 by John Moran Auctioneers in Monrovia, Calif. Also, an .800 silver eagle by Italian maker Buccellati finished at $19,200; a rustic scene of a fisherman before waterfalls in a verdant forest setting by John Brandon Smith (Br., 1848-1884) coasted to $3,750; a small KPM porcelain plaque fetched $1,920; and a large-scale Daum pate de verre ‘Amaryllis Magnum’ vase made $5,313. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

William Faden map, $38,000, Leland Little Auctions

A Map of South Carolina and a Part of Georgia Containing the Whole Sea-Coast, by the cartographer William Faden, sold for $38,000 at an auction held June 14-17 by Leland Little Auctions in Hillsborough, N.C. Also, a pair of pale celadon jade hanging vases rose to $18,000; a 1976 Triumph TR6 convertible British sports car went for $16,000; a French 18K gold, emerald and diamond clip brooch brought $4,600; and Dale Chihuly’s Blue Sky basket set earned $4,000. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

Patek Philippe wristwatch, $24,500, Jones & Horan

A Patek Philippe perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phase sold for $24,500 at a jewelry auction held May 21 by Jones & Horan in Manchester, N.H. Also, a Rolex Sea-Dweller watch, retailed and signed by Tiffany & Co., slipped brought $24,000; an Illinois, Washington Watch Co. pocket watch (“Greenwich, 23 Diamond, Ruby and Sapphire Jewels”) fetched $12,000; and a jade, diamond and platinum ring made $3,800. Prices are hammer; there was no buyer’s premium.

Uncut sheet, baseball cards, $32,200, Blackwell Auctions

An uncut sheet of 110 Topps baseball cards from 1956 sold for $32,200 at an Americana Auction held June 10 by Blackwell Auctions in Clearwater, Fla. Also, a Los Angeles Police Dept. lieutenant’s badge #7, accompanied by a 14K gold retirement badge, went for $7,500; an 1852 daguerreotype of American artist Thomas Hicks, with a lock of his hair, made $13,200; and a 14K gold pocket watch presented by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904 to a British ship’s captain hit $9,300. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

1892-S Morgan silver dollar, $293,750, Legend Rare Coin

An 1892-S Morgan silver dollar U.S. coin, fresh to the market and graded highly at PCGS MS 64 CAC, sold for $293,750 at the 22nd Regency Auction held July 13 by Legend Rare Coins of Lincroft, N.J., official auctioneer of the PCGS Members Only Show. Also, a 1909 $20 U.S. gold coin, graded at PCGS PR66 CAC, gaveled for $193,875; a 1908 U.S. $10 gold coin, PCGS PR66 CAC, rose to $76,375; and an 1880-S $1 U.S. coin, PCGS MS68+ CAC, hammered for $61,687. Prices include a 17.5 percent buyer’s premium.

Henry Moore maquette, $125,000, Nye & Co.

A cast bronze maquette for Stringed Figure by the British artist Henry Moore (1898-1986) sold for $125,000 at an auction held June 30 by Nye & Co. in Bloomfield, N.J. Also, a hearth blanket from a New Jersey estate, framed in a shadow box and measuring about 24 inches by 40 inches, realized $36,250; and an oil on canvas of a Prussian cuirassier by Alphonse de Neuville, from the Ben Michel collection of French military art, rose to $7,500. Prices include a 25 percent buyer’s premium.

Arthur Szyk first edition, $17,500, Swann Galleries

A limited first edition copy on vellum of Arthur Szyk’s The Szyk Haggadah (London, 1939), author-signed, sold for $17,500 at an Art, Press & Illustrated Books Auction held June 13 by Swann Galleries in New York City. Also, a signed and inscribed limited first edition copy of Yoko Ono’s Grapefruit (Tokyo / New York, 1964) realized $13,750; and a complete set of 13 color lithographs by Maurice Denis, three signed, titled Amour (Paris, 1899), hammered for $11,250. Prices include the buyer’s premium.

Circa 1950s toy bulldozer, $3,000, Alderfer Auction

A New London Caterpillar D-4 toy bulldozer made in the 1950s sold for $3,000 at an auction held June 17 by Alderfer Auction in Hatfield, Pa. Also, a 1937 Pierce Arrow pedal car sped off for $2,700; and a 1937 Auburn Supercharger pedal car changed hands for $2,400. All the lots in the sale came from a single-owner collection of more than 40 toy vehicles. These included both restored and unrestored cars, trucks, motorcycles, trains, boats, airplanes and three bulldozers. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.

Vampire killing kit, $5,500, Rich Penn Auctions

A vampire killing kit in a wood and leather case with ornate brass sold for $5,500 at an auction held May 19-21 by Rich Penn Auctions in Waterloo, Iowa. Also, a four-color porcelain neon sign for Blatz Beer fetched $4,750; a circa 1900 Fleischmann painted ocean liner toy boat realized $3,500; a children’s miniature or salesman’s sample step-back cupboard rose to $2,900; a Wurlitzer jukebox, model 1015 classic Paul, made $2,250; and a pair of Japanese toy battleships hit $2,100. Prices are hammer, exclusive of the buyer’s premium.

1915 Ty Cobb baseball card, $432,000, Heritage Auctions

A 1915 Cracker Jack #30 baseball trading card, one of only three cards known graded PSA Mint 9, sold for $432,000 at a premium sports card catalog auction held June 29 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, a Topps 1954 Hank Aaron #128 baseball card, PSA Mint 9, was a hit for $192,000; a Topps 1957 Johnny Unitas #138 football card, PSA NM-MT+ 8.5, brought $40,800; and a Topps 1967 Rod Carew A.L. Rookie Stars #569 baseball card, PSA Mint 9, hit $13,200. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium.

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By Ken Hall