Estate Sale on Coliseum Square

1717 Coliseum Street (between Euterpe & Polymnia)

Saturday, July 12, 9am-3pm
Numbers given at 8am

Sunday, July 13, 10am-2pm
Discount Day

Rain or Shine Estate Sales is pleased to offer a unique collection from the estate of Duncan Strachan (1944-2007). For generations Duncan's family was steeped in the shipping industry, and Duncan was a local legend in military collecting- everything from full sized half-tracks to toy soldiers. Duncan and his wife Camille were forces in New Orleans nascent preservation community, beginning in the early 70's. Urban pioneers, the Strachan's invested in the Lower Garden District where they raised their children, formed the Coliseum Square Neighborhood Association, were instrumental in founding the PRC, and helped establish the Historic District Landmarks Commission

Duncan began collecting as a child and never lost his sense of wonder for things that spark the imagination- toy soldiers, sailing vessels, riverboats- all related to the history of man. On contemporary art Duncan was clear: “Modern Art- the incomprehensible, sold by the unscrupulous to the uncomprehending.” Duncan was a rare New Orleans aristocrat who dabbled in pursuits of history, art and politics. Although his tanks are now owned by the National Guard Museum in Chalmette, and therefore not for sale, please join us for this intriguing sale on Coliseum Square.

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Over 20 boat models, highlights:

·       Impressive (6' long) Folk Art sternwheel showboat “Water Queen”

·       Handsome model of Cofederate gunboat “ CSS Alabama”

·       3-masted clippership “Swordfish” in glass and mahogany case

·       Fishing boat with isinglass windows

Library Highlights:

·       One of the most comprehensive libraries covering a diversity of topics from railroads to New Orleans, weapons to war gaming, militaria to camping and survival, architecture to scale models

·       20th c. German language titles on unit histories, uniforms & tanks

     Rare French 1806 grande folio "Tableaux Historique des Campagnes D'Italia" incl 23 engraved plates of battle scenes, artist Carle Vernet.

   Toy Highlights:

·       A stunning collection of vintage toy soldiers includes Britains, German-make Elastolin soldiers and rare soldiers from the French company Mignot

·       47-pc. group of Barclay WWI toy soldiers complete with redoubt and trenches

·       Britains Her Majesty's coronation coach with 8 horses in the original box

·       Rare Elastolin set of cowboys and Indians at peace and at war

·       Rare 11-pc. Britains Indian mountain mule battery

·       Two boxed sets of Mignots: 1812 French soldiers & 13th c. archers

·       Vintage litho tin wind-up toys, some with original boxes

·       Large Smith Miller Mack hook and ladder

More highlights:

·       The star of the show, a Robert Rucker oil on canvas of Steamboat “Uncle Oliver”

·       Large English 19th c brass & mahogany campaign chest

·       Pair of Austrian Rococo bird's eye maple armchairs

·       William IV style banquet table

·       American Classical sleigh daybed

·       Regency style jardiniere/marble top table

·       Pair mid-century Modern armchairs, upholstered in original velvet stripe

·       Chinese Deco rug

·       Spanish Colonial seguro (pie safe), provenance Elmo Avet, NO

·       Rare Southern cotton basket, corn husk mop and other primitive artifacts

·       Cypress pie safe and other cottage-style furniture

·       Santos & Native Am. Kachina dolls

·       Art by Willie White, NO

·       WWII field phonograph & web gear

·       Antique double barrel shotgun & Japanese Calvary sabre