The Bob & Irene Harms

Rosemeade Pottery Auction

October 12, 13, & 14, 2007

Moorhead AmericInn 600 – 30th Ave SW

Moorhead, MN

North Star Auction & Appraisal Mandan, ND 701.667-2935

About Bob & Irene Harms by Irene Harms “Unknowingly, the collection of North Dakota pottery, particularly Rosemeade, started in 1944 as Irene’s salt and pepper shaker collection. There were no thoughts about the origin of the pottery, such as where it was made, when it was made, who made it, or anything else about it, just the beauty. Several stores close to home were selling these beautiful shakers for 98 cents and you get them on sale for 75 cents. Once in a while you could pick them up at garage sales for 25 cents. Many of our pieces signify a special occasion when we received them as gifts. After collecting for several years, we decided to branch out to include all forms and shapes of North Dakota pottery. Irene co-authored the book entitled “Beautiful Rosemeade” c. 1986. The 112 page book served as the first major pictorial reference and price guide for collectors to learn about Rosemeade Pottery. Bob and Irene are charter members of the North Dakota Pottery Collectors Society where Irene served on the Board of Directors at the origin of the society and continues as a member today. Bob and Irene were married in 1947 and Bob passed away in 2002. Many happy memories of people and places are involved in this collection. I sincerely hope that each of you enjoy collecting Rosemeade as did Bob and I. Thank you for your interest in attending our sale.”

Rosemeade Pottery Under the direction of Laura Taylor Hughes, Rosemeade Pottery was produced in Wahpeton, ND from 1940 to 1961. A wide range of products were produced over that time as well as experimental and “lunch-hour” pieces. Detailed production records were not kept so it is not known how many different pieces were produced nor was information kept of the various glazes or colors used. It is apparent that there are literally hundreds of different pattern, color, and glaze combinations. Because of this limitless variety, Rosemeade Pottery remains highly popular with collectors today.

About the Collection The Harms Rosemeade Collection is one of the premier collections of Rosemeade Pottery. It features many rare, hard-to-find, and one-of-kind pieces as well as all of the common pieces. This collection is truly representative of all the product lines that Rosemeade produced. Irene is a recognized authority on Rosemeade Pottery. She co-authored the first reference book on Rosemeade entitled “Beautiful Rosemeade” in 1986. She has significant knowledge of Rosemeade Pottery and is always willing to share that knowledge with others. Irene is well-known in the North Dakota pottery and salt and pepper shaker collecting arena. The auction will feature something for every level of collector from the beginning collector to the advanced collector looking to find that rare, one-of-kind piece.

North Dakota Pottery Collectors Society The North Dakota Pottery Collectors Society is an organization that was created to enhance interest in collecting pottery produced in North Dakota such as Rosemeade, UND, WPA, Dickota, Messer, 3 Tribes, Turtle Mountain, and Little Heart. The society has an annual meeting which is an excellent way to meet people with similar collecting interests. They also produce four newsletters per year. If you are not already a member, I encourage you to join. Membership information will be available at the auction.

Auction Information Time and Dates: 4:00 PM, October 12th (items #1-225) 10:00 AM, October 13th (items #226-850) 11:00 AM, October 14th (items #851-1130) Sale Location: Moorhead AmericInn, 600 – 30th Ave South, Moorhead

Minnesota (an earlier ad indicated that the auction will be held at the Moorhead VFW; however, that has been changed and the entire sale will be held at the Moorhead AmericInn, we apologize for any confusion)

Rooms: A block of rooms has been reserved. Call 218-287-

7100 to reserve your room (identify yourself with the Harms Auction or North Star Auction).

Preview: A preview will be held prior to each day’s auction for

only that days auction items. Following the completion of that day’s auction, the auction items for the next day will be set out and will be available for preview both later that evening and early the next day. Please use common courtesy when previewing items by not lingering too long at one location to allow everyone a chance to preview all items. Please handle all items with care! You will be held responsible for any damage you cause.

Payment: Please pay for your purchases at the end of that

day’s auction or when you are ready to leave the auction for the day. Please do not wait until Sunday afternoon to pay for all three days purchases. Check or cash are acceptable payment methods. Sorry credit card payments are not accepted.

Absentee Bids Absentee bids are gladly accepted. Please call

701.527.5353 prior to the sale (evenings preferably) or email absentee bids to dean.moos@northstarauction.com. Bidders name, address, phone number, item number(s) to be bid on, and maximum bid amount must be specified. “Buy-It” bids are not accepted. Absentee bidders

will be responsible for paying any shipping and handling costs.

Bidders Numbers: The bidder number that you are issued is

good for all three days of the auction. Please take care of it accordingly.

Sale Order: The sale order will follow the order listed in the

auction catalog. No items will be sold out of order and no items will be “held” until a particular person can attend. We cannot be responsible if you missed bidding on a specific item. A few periodic breaks will be provided throughout each day.

Condition: The auction catalog indicates any damage or flaws

as they were reported to us. If no damage or flaws are listed, you can assume that the item is undamaged. However, we strongly encourage you to rely on your own inspection and judgment regarding damage and flaws.

All salt and pepper shakers are sets unless

otherwise specified (single) in the listing. Color can assume to be “natural” unless otherwise specified in the listing. All items can be assumed to be Rosemeade unless otherwise specified. There are a few pieces of UND, Messer, Dickota, Little Heart, and Black Hills Pottery on the auction list. There are also a few pieces of unknown pottery manufacture. Any statements made at the time of the sale will take precedence over any advertising material.

Miscellaneous: Several hundred copies of Irene’s book “Beautiful

Rosemeade” will be auctioned off throughout the auction. Some are listed, most are not.

Not responsible for any errors or omissions in the

catalog

Select Photos of the Auction Items

The Peacock Lamp (right side, item #650) is the only one known to exist!

All white Chicken Lamp (#425), Peacock Lamp (#650), Rooster Lamp

(#1000), Unglazed Open House Souvenir Piece (#269) The all white Chicken Lamp is from Laura Taylor’s home.

Stag Lamp (#920), Doe Lamp (#625), UND Figurine (#325)

Various Fish Plaques Brahma Bull Shakers (#962)

Zebra Shakers (#597) Jayhawk Shakers (#899)

Eagle Shakers (#431) Geographical Center of NA Shakers (#751)

Puma Shakers (#749) Badger Shakers (#1020)

Hear, See, Speak-No-Evil Monkey Figurines (#454, 457, 463)

Pointer Dog Shakers (#1038)

Cocker Spaniel Figurines (#190, 235, 1077, 1096)

Bullhead Shakers (#290) & Catfish Shakers (#409)

Mt. Rushmore Figurines (#500 & 950)

Midwest Garden Spot Plates (#224 & 662)

Norwegian Couple (#747) Palomino Horse Lamp w/ Shade (#255)

Sweet as Honey Feeds Ashtray (#1010)

Ft. Lincoln Blockhouse Shakers (#396)

Prairie Rose Pin (#927) Flowered Heart Piece, handpainted (#707)

Pheasant Wall Plaques (#872 & 875)

ND Capitol Building Figurine (#600)

Alligator Figurine (#944) Panda Bear Figurine (#630)

Messer Hereford Bull & Cow Figurines (#413 & 793)

Teddy Roosevelt Lodge Bank (#680)