The estate of E. Edgar Hoover Bankard, President B&O Railroad around the turn of the 20th century provided a number of outstanding lots for November 17 2007 Turkey Creek Auctions sale in Citra, FL.
The highlight of the sale was a four inch tall art glass owl signed by René Lalique.
Beginning in 1925 Lalique began to produce a limited number of glass automobile “mascots” as hood ornaments were then called.
Auction owner Charles David Glynn said he expected the owl, estimated to be from the late 1920s, to sell in the $1,000 range. He was pleasantly surprised when a leading Lalique expert from New York appeared in the audience and led the bidding.
After a brief floor and phone battle the New Yorker took home the owl for $47,300.