Press Release

New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, March 30, 2024 -- Three vibrant and colorful paintings by the acclaimed Nova Scotia artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970), a 19th century French Bontems caged singing bird automaton, and a Canadian 1910s Gilson, Guelph Dixie “Ace” Tractors sign are a few of the expected top lots in Miller & Miller Auction Ltd’s online-only Advertising, Canadiana & Historic Objects auction Featuring the Greg Hisey Collection, slated for Saturday, April 13th.

The auction, starting at 9 am Eastern time, is packed with 397 lots of general store items, art glass, Canadiana, advertising signs, Western collectibles, pottery and stoneware, art, and lamps and lighting. In the historic town of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Greg Hisey achieved his lifetime goal of building a global destination for travelers seeking a presence of the past. Inspired by early life experiences, Hisey’s “Ghost Town Blues” was a miniature ghost town bed and breakfast, where travelers worldwide could immerse themselves in the past.

“Greg Hisey lives up to the motto of his hometown of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, ‘where past is present,’ and so does his collection,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “Working with themes of early Western transportation, veterinary and general store, Mr. Hisey collected advertising and furnishings right out of a ghost town. Additions to the catalog are remarkable, too, including late 19th century automata, rare Canadian political posters and folk art, decorative art glass, silver, bronzes, and early lighting. East meets West in this diverse sale.”

Maud Lewis has been featured in numerous Miller & Miller auctions in recent months, always with positive results. Of the three of her paintings in this auction, the expected top performer is a late 1965 or early 1966 mixed media on pulpboard (beaverboard) titled Cow in Spring Meadow. Although seldom seen, the image is one that spans three decades. It is signed “Maud Lewis” on verso and upper right edge, is 12 inches by 14 inches (board, less frame) (est. $25,000-$30,000).

All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars.

The other two paintings by Lewis are titled Two Deer in Winter (est. $20,000-$25,000) and Covered Bridge in Winter (est. 20,000-$23,000). Also up for bid is a unique and prized ink on paper handwritten letter dated February 3, 1967, with the original envelope, from Maud Lewis to John Kinnear, a London, Ontario artist and friend who worked as an agent for Ms. Lewis in the second half of the 1960s. Ms. Lewis states in the letter that she has finished decorating some dustpans supplied by Mr. Kinnear. It’s signed, "Maud Lewis" (est. $1,200-$1,500).

The circa 1885 French Bontems caged singing bird automaton is housed in a bronze cage, 18 ½ inches tall, with applied scenic Sevres plaques surrounding the base panels. Included is the crank-style winding key. It was tested and is mechanically functioning (est. $9,000-$12,000).

The Canadian Gilson, Guelph Dixie "Ace" Tractors sign from the 1910s is an embossed lithographed single-sided tin sign, 13 ¾ inches by 20 inches. Gilson Manufacturing was a Wisconsin company that opened a branch plant in Guelph, Ontario in 1907. The Dixie Ace tractor was made by Gilson in Guelph, 1919-1920, but none are known to exist. The sign is marked, "St Thomas Metal Signs, St. Thomas, Ont." lower right edge (est. $3,500-$5,000).

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and the online-only Advertising, Canadiana & Historic Objects auction Featuring the Greg Hisey Collection slated for Saturday, April 13, visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.

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