May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
Fantastic and seldom offered full size zinc and cast iron elk statue as found in city parks, etc. Base is marked "J.W. FISKE / 26,28 PARK PLACE / New York." The ones that were ordered primarily ended up in city parks and other public places. The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, established in 1868, has almost a million members and more than 2000 lodges all over the country. In the early twentieth century, the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks commissioned artists, mostly on the East Coast, to create statues of elks for fountains in cities across the United States. These statues were made available to the new chapters of the Elks. Statuary of this size on the private market its scarce, as many never leave their location in public places, or were scrapped for WWI and WWII war materials drives. The original cost was $210, so few were commissioned, and even fewer survive today. Some other elks can be found in Elk's Rest Memorial, Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, New Jew Jersey, and one at the Newburgh, New York Elk's lodge. One that Wass commissioned for the city of Reading, Pennsylvania, was in their City Park for years and was an iconic picture stop for visitors. Measuring an impressive 9 - 1/2' tall, 2 - 1/2' wide, and 6 - 1/2' long, this example has a later faux oxidized bronze finish overall. An identical Fiske elk was sold in the Sotheby's 'Important Americana' auction in New York in 2016 (lot 1575) and realized $225,000 against an estimate of $50,000 - $100,00. Included are two silver gelatin antique photos that show an elk in an unknown city park. It may be the very elk being offered, but we can't be certain. Also included is an original copy of the Sotheby's catalog from 2016 that contains the listing for another Fiske elk. CONDITION: Very good. No visible dents or fractures. Main statue is solid to base. Antlers may be later addition.
This is not a standard shippable item and will require 3rd party shipping or pickup arrangements to be made.