Sheldon Peck's circa 1825 portrait of a child, est. $120,000 to $240,000. Image: Courtesy Northeast Auctions

By Mackie Healy, Art Market Views Contributor

Early American antiques from the estate of Baltimore collectors M. Austin and Jill Fine are expected to be the major draw next weekend at Northeast Auctions’ three-day Americana marathon. The sales are held in Manchester, New Hampshire—where there is no sales tax—and run Aug. 6-8. The annual event includes about 1340 lots.

The 243 lots from the Fine estate will be offered on Saturday, projected to tally $1.1 million to $1.9 million. Last year about 400 people attended the Americana weekend, according to Northeast Auctions’ owner Ron Bourgeault.

Highlights include a rare Massachusetts William and Mary chest, festooned with painted leaves and delicate white birds, estimated to sell for $150,000 to $250,000.

Sheldon Peck’s circa 1825 blond Child in a Chair should also inspire bidding. The young girl, wearing a white empire-waist dress and holding a pink rose, is estimated at $120,000-$240,000.

Americana weekend will be a test of the market. The Fine collection material is rare and tagged with conservative estimates, says Connecticut folk art dealer David Schorsch.

Other quilts, tea tables and pine chests were included in a 330-lot sale held in 1987 at Sotheby’s, a year after Austin Fine’s death. That sale tallied $1.9 million and was 96% sold.

Austin and Jill R. Fine began collecting in the 1960s to decorate their 19th century Baltimore, Maryland farmhouse. Fine was an executive in a vending machine company and a founder of the Baltimore Antiques Show.  The Fines were also founding members of the American Folk Art Society.

Massachusetts William and Mary painted chest of drawers, est. $150,000-$250,000. Image: Courtesy Northeast Auctions