OFFERED AT AUCTION
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Wood Fish Weathervane Taken From Lee Wulff 's Barn.
Originally installed by Joseph P. Knapp around 1917 when he purchased the property. Knapp was the owner / publisher of Collier's Magazine and the Saturday Evening Post and one of the original founders of Ducks Unlimited, which was founded on his property in 1936. A plaque was installed in his honor, marking D. U's birthplace in 1996. Knapp, an avid fisherman owned 2400 acres and several miles of the Beaverkill River adjacent to the property. He called it, "The Beaverkill Stream Club". Joan’s son Douglas spoke with Mary Simpson (Van Steenburg) who with her husband George were the caretakers from the early 1930's through the 1950's. She stated "it was up there when we got here". Mary died in 1999. Lee and Joan bought the property in 1978. The weathervane was mounted on a wooden ball with the spike you see going through a hole in the middle of it. There were 4 directionals screwed into the ball, which are included here. The ball, rotted and held together with paint, fell apart when taken down in 1997. This vane has been on a wall in the barn since then. With a length of 39", this weathered fish has remnants of the original green and white paint, has cracks and a worn finish and not only is it a fine example of folk art, it has historic significance with it's passing through the Knapp's and the Wulff 's ownership. ($3,250-$4,250) |
A wooden weathervane 39" long and cracked and weathered selling at auction for an expected price of up to $4,250.00 !
And to think you could of had Knapp's entire 3 story 22 room house in Mastic Beach with a $7,000.00 imported pine paneled ballroom, 6 fireplaces, fully furnished with antiques and paintings and musical instruments and gaming equipment plus a cache of Fox engraved shotguns in the wall safes and who knows what else .... not to mention 3.5 acres of landscaped grounds and a two car garage and underground tunnel for just $650.00 more than a wooden fish?
I have contacted the auctioneers to see if it sold. IT DID Also to tell them that there are errors in their catalog description. If J. P. Knapp saw himself as being listed as the owner of the Saturday Evening Post, that weather vane would spin faster than Linda Blair's head did in the Exorcist !
Special Thanks To Debbie Ganung at Lang's Auctions
WHO WOULD OF THUNK IT?