Please enable JavaScript to use key features of the site. If you need help, please contact our customer support.

Antiquities from East to West Acquired By Aristocrat Lawyer Charles P Curtis

online only auction | 15 day sale | sale is over

Location

Longmont, CO 80501

Dates

Sale Starts

Thu

Mar 23

12pm

2023

Sale Ends

Thu

Apr 6

7pm

2023

Auction Terms & Conditions ALL SALES ARE FINAL, AND ARE SOLD AS IS WHERE IS - Conditions (If condition is not mentioned in a catalogue listing, this does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Colorful Colorado Estate Sales will be pleased to provide a condition report for any lot on request. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Most of the items we sell are OLD and will have imperfections pursuant to age. By placing a bid, you signify that you have examined the items as fully as you desire or that you have chosen not to examine them. If you require absolute certainty in all areas of authenticity, and the results of your evaluation leave uncertainty in your mind, we recommend you have an expert examine the lot for you or do not bid on the item in question. Bidding on these items is acceptance of these terms. Lots are available for inspection prior to any sale and are for your convenience to satisfy yourself as to each and every aspect of a lot. Please make appointment 303-549-8058. You are strongly advised to examine in person any lot on which you may bid, or have it examined on your behalf. If there is any uncertainty to any lot, we recommend you do not bid on the item in question. There are no refunds

Colorful Colorado Estate Sales

Many items in this auction were acquired by a wealthy aristocrat in the early 19th Century. He was lawyer who helped found what is today one of the large powerful law firms in Boston, Choate, Hall and Stewart, and a businessman. The Curtis family accqired much of its wealth originally from silver mines in Nevada in the early and mid 18th century.

CP Curtis’s wealth allowed him to devote much of his time to sport. At Harvard, class of 1883, he rowed 8 man shells, himself as 'stroke’, against other colleges.Their crew won many prizes, one of which I still have here.With his two sons, Charlie and Richard, he raced his sail boats in the three meter class against various European countries.

In 1918 he decided to take a tour of the world, to see what he could learn. In those days a wealthy aristocrat, traveling abroad with a train of servants and many trunks of luggage, would be hosted and entertained by the highly placed upper classes of what ever country he might be in. CPCurtis, as a lawyer had a special interest in law and politics, and the Irish Rebellion was in full cry at that time, so he was hosted by the Chief Magistrate in Dublin, who had recently seized this flag in a military operation against Sinn Fein

In the mid 1920’s he took his sons to East Africa for two three month long safaris, in the grand old style of safaris of that day, a train of 100 porters following the hunters, setting up the camps in great luxury. They brought home an enormous quantity of game, stuffed and mounted.

Later on when he went to Shanghai he was hosted by the Captain of the International Police Force, who had recently conducted a raid on an opium den. This man gave my great grandfather a huge collection of seized items, opium pipes, a two pound block of black opium, and other things.

He continued his journey going down through the Oceanic islands collecting beautiful objects as he went, returning finally by steamer from Australia. Many of the Oceanic objects were of considerable value, and I sold most of them in auctions at Christies ten years ago, as well as to private collectors.The only Oceanic thing I have left is that painting of animals on the grass woven mat.