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News Article  
Early Habitant furniture sells well at Loon Lake auction
By Haley Filhart

HALE, Mich. – On an unusually cool Sunday morning in July, just north of town on Loon Lake, a crowd gathered on Grace Taubitz’s small lawn to marvel at the unique finds that had clearly been a part of the Taubitz cabin for many years. Among the numerous collectibles that filled the tables, lined the split rail fence and driveway, it was the Habitant furniture that drew the most attention from bidders.

At the Taubitz auction, some 95 miles south of where Habitant originated, the pieces of furniture represented the legacy of their creator, Newell A. Eddy, Jr. Eddy, originally from Bay City, cast his eye north to Grand Lake where he built Presque Isle Lodge, the fourth largest resort in the area at that time. The resort was constructed primarily for summer vacationers, and Eddy based its architectural style and composition on buildings from the Colonial period.

Eddy aimed for the beauty and simplicity of the Habitant - “the pioneer, the son of the soil.” Upon completion of the lodge, Eddy faced the task of furnishing it with pieces that reflected the same “durable, inviting, and comfortable” qualities. Not satisfied with furnishings that were crafted by the machines of the time, he designed and hand carved furniture that was based as closely as possible on the early American style of furnishings. As a result of his fine artistic effort that so closely mirrored historical methods, he delved into the furniture-making business to satisfy the demand of lodge visitors who admired his skill and craft. Thus, while his first pieces were made on site at the lodge, later pieces were produced in a factory in Bay City where the machine gradually became incorporated as demand flourished and outpaced the ability to hand carve pieces.

While the Presque Isle Lodge still houses the largest known collection of Habitant furniture, pieces such as those found at the Taubitz auction are avidly collected by those who are keen on its earthy style and aware of its deep Michigan roots.

However, houses furnished entirely with Habitant, as was the Taubitz’s, are few and far between.

Bidders recognized the excellent quality even as the first items, two 5-drawer dressers, were auctioned off for $170 each. A smaller 3-drawer dresser of the same style followed for $150. Two sets of twin beds illustrated two eras of Habitant – one set with solid head and footboards ($45/each) and the other with pine spindles set in solid pine boards ($20/each). The bedroom ensembles weren’t complete without two small nightstands ($40/each) and two mirrors ($45/each).

The centerpiece of the living room collection was a futon-style couch with its original green upholstery which found a new home for $55. Two cushioned lounge chairs with mismatched upholstery crossed the auction block for $60 and $35, closely followed by two end tables that resembled small cupboards and opened to reveal shelves. They sold for $55 each. Two smaller and slightly more primitive end tables appealed to the buyer who paid $50 each, while the two end tables with the double-deck lamp stands weren’t far behind when they sold for $50 a piece. Finally, a short, tapered lamp - complete with a square lamp shade and a small drawer - while sporting the same signature round pull as each of the larger pieces, quickly jumped to a final bid of $40.

Kitchen and dining room pieces continued to delight the crowd. A buyer paid $250 without a second thought for a small drop leaf table that would fit perfectly in any size kitchen or dining room and would work particularly well in the recently renovated schoolhouse that would be its new home. Dining chairs were available in sets of two that illustrated three different Habitant styles, and the same buyer carefully selected two sets for $95 per chair to match a set he had enjoyed for many years. The remaining set sold for $55. For those who were in need of bar stools rather than chairs, four were available and sold for $60 each. Finally, a two piece china hutch easily brought $150.

In addition to household furnishings, guns and sporting goods abounded as well. An avid collector purchased the Colt AR-15 223 pistol grip with a stock for $850. One of the most notable guns, a 1943 Longbranch No. 4 rifle complete with a bayonet, dated back to World War II and sold for $300. Two Japanese Military rifles concluded the WWII collection when they crossed the auction block for $275 and $170. Other guns included a Remington 12 gauge 2 ¾ semi automatic Model 11 ($300), Marlin .30-30 lever action ($200), B West Tucson AK47S 7.62x39mm (wall hanger only, $200), Ruger 223 with a stainless steel barrel, folding stock, and pistol grip ($180), and Stevens Model 94 12 gauge singe shot ($50).

Having lived on Loon Lake for many years, the Taubitzs clearly enjoyed every aspect of lakeside living, including boating and fishing. Foremost on the list of lake items was the aluminum boat hoist (still assembled on the lake) that sold for $275 and the dock that sold for $300, including decking, side rails, legs, screw-ins, and a ladder.

Despite its age and use, the Prindle 15 Catamaran sail boat with trampoline and trailer moved on to other waters for $175, as did a row boat ($100) and two whitewater kayaks ($60/each). When auctioneer Aden Yoder sold choice from all of the fishing lures, one buyer quickly snatched up six Crazy Crawlers for $30 a piece, while the remaining lures dropped in increments from $22.50 to $7. Even the younger crowd found a few water toys that were worthwhile, a University Club remote control sailboat ($35) and Sea Lite remote control sailboat ($32.50). Nautical home décor was also a hit with a duck lamp quickly moving to the top of the list of highlights when a bidder paid $325. Others in the crowd delighted in smaller hand carved wooden birds that included a sea gull ($35) and pelican ($27.50).

For those on the move, mobility options included a 1996 Rascal scooter/power chair ($175), a Club Car electric golf cart with the charger ($135), and two 1978 AMF Allpro McCulloch mopeds ($150/each), none of which had been used in some time but were in good shape nonetheless.

When selling the collection of radios, Yoder noted the number of “rare finds,” many that were in working order. The Browning Golden Eagle Mark III base station, complete with microphone and manual, topped the market when it sold for $55 while a Trans-Oceanic followed closely behind at $50. Other notable collectibles finishing off the day included an Empire 120V Catalog No. 25 model steam engine ($300), a cast iron Game Well fire alarm station box ($190), Wagner Magnalite 4269 roaster ($55), Stromburg Carlson hand-held receiver telephone ($50), and a tin lunch pail complete with a soup cup cap ($40).

Contact: (989) 429-7049

www.ayoderauction.com

8/13/2013