ROMULUS, Mich. – It was one of those auctions that appealed to anyone looking for the odd and unusual: from the “Roaring 20s” Prohibition gaming table, to a Roman’s centurion’s helmet from the 1959 movie Ben Hur to massive bear traps, glittering jewelry and advertising memorabilia.

A handmade table, for use in a Prohibition speak-easy, came with swinging doors on the base giving players the opportunity to stash their “hooch” (and other illegal items) in the event of a raid. Highly ornate, the table sold for $325.

Items from a “more genteel” age also drew great interest among bidders at the Doug Dalton auction. R. J. Horner established a furniture business in New York City in the late 1800s; furniture with the Horner label is still highly desired today. From this company there was a mahogany (circa 1900) étagère that stood approximately 4 feet, 6 inches tall. It had a beveled mirror, applied carvings, applied brass foliage trim and spindle galleys. With its original finish and celluloid label on the back it crossed the block for $550.

Examples of some of the other furniture pieces found were: a mahogany dental cabinet, circa 1900, from the SS White Filling Porcelain Company that sold for $250; a drop-front Mission oak slant-front desk with a bookrack below (circa 1905) that saw $90; an open cupboard that was seven feet long and had 15 drawers (made in Muskegon, Mich.) that crossed the block for $125; and a Mile-End two-drawer Victorian spool cabinet with its original knobs that sold for $150.

Harsens Island is located at the mouth of the St. Clair River near the Detroit metropolitan area. At one time this place was a resort for the wealthy residents of Detroit who traveled there on steamers. From this island there was a tall, hand-painted striped wooden barber pole. This item, from the 1890s, had early crackled paint and appealed to the barbershop collectors at the auction and found a final bid of $500.

From circa 1900 there was an original charger for Green River Whiskey. This charger advertised Whiskey Without a Headache, and had the original bands for hanging on the back. For this piece of advertising from the past the final bid was $400.

Taxidermy items generally draw interest, either by those who want to own and display them or by those who are just curious. An interesting vintage mount, which of an elephant foot footstool, sold for $140. A 1940s mount of a young red-tail fox with glass eyes sold for $90; a pair of Rhode Island Red chickens, a rooster and a hen, also sold for $90; and a mounted bobcat on a board, ready to hang, earned $165.

A taxidermy diorama from the 1990s of a hanging grouse with hunting supplies, which had been prepared and signed by Frank K. Newmyer, an award-winning taxidermist, sold for $100. The shell of a sea turtle, now an endangered species, sold for $140.

It would take two men (and perhaps a boy) to set up the large cast iron Duke bear trap no. 15 from the 1940s. This very heavy piece with which no bear would want to meet sold for $300. To obtain that award-winning fish there was a Hurd Super Caster fishing rod and reel with a checkered walnut handle. The Hurd Company started in 1955 but was only in business for about two years before they had to close because they were not making any money. This top-of-the-line piece sold for $225.

Among guns that crossed the block there was a Kentucky percussion rifle from circa 1845. This piece had a walnut stock and was signed Tyler Davidson & Co., Cincinnati. It had its original finish and ramrod and sold for $250. A brass and walnut Benjamin Franklin air rifle from the 1940s sold for $140.

There was a fine selection of jewelry items to delight most anyone. Among these a 10k gold lady’s ring with an emerald-cut orange topaz in the center and small stones channel set in the sides sold for $110; a gold over sterling bracelet with rubies and diamonds saw $75; a sterling link bracelet sold for $85; and a Victorian gold lady’s broach crossed the block for $85. Watches included an Elgin slim-line pocket watch that sold for $175; and an Illinois 17-jewel pocket watch with a French gold coin that crossed the block for $115. These are just a few representative examples of the many pieces of jewelry found at this auction.

Moss Manufacturing Co. in San Francisco produced lamps during the 1940s and 1950s. Thelma Moss was a co-owner of the company and a leading designer for the company. During World War II Moss began using Plexiglas due the shortage of metal and this proved to be very adaptable to their creations. From this company there was a pair of mid-century modern lamps, one a floor lamp and the other a table lamp. These had been designed by Thelma Moss and had spun fiberglass shades. This very distinguishable pair of lamps, both very large with fluorescent lighted columns, sold for $325.

Dated 1880 there was a panoramic lithographic view of the City of Ann Arbor, Mich. This piece had been published by J. J. Stoner and all of the major structures in the city were identified in this bird’s-eye view of the city. This piece of history sold for $135. Other artwork included: an oil on canvas (circa 1970s) of a German city center in a gilt frame signed G. Nyland that sold for $125; a 19th century-style oil on wood panel of a European landscape with figures, cattle, cottages, etc. initial OL that crossed the block for $110; an oil on canvas, Sailboats on a Stormy Sea, signed R. Littau that saw $125; and a watercolor of a Middle Eastern market scene that crossed the block for $160.

For the collector of railroad memorabilia there was a hand-painted wooden railroad sign from circa 1900. This was evidently for the town of MAITLAND, not sure what state. It sold for $185.

Other items which found interest with the bidders included: a brass used in a boxing ring; mounted and painted a bright red it sold for $265.

A Gamewell fire alarm box from the 1950s which was complete with its key sold for $275. This was in use well before 911 was the number to call for all emergencies and would have been wired directly to the fire station.

Among the Art Deco items there was a mannequin used to display scarves that sold for $140; and a handmade one-of-a-kind two-drawer tool chest that also sold for $140. One could also see this item being used as a jewelry chest.

Movie companies periodically sell props and other items from movies which they have produced. From Ben Hur, made in 1959 there was an Italian-made Roman centurion’s helmet with a plume that sold for $245 and from Spartacus, made in 1960 there was a Roman gladiator’s helmet, also Italian-made, that sold for $175.

These are just a few of the very many interesting and desirable pieces found at this auction. Also crossing the block were clocks, many other lamps, many fine pieces of glassware and a complete second ring in which a fine selection of toys were offered.

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