Oliver's

World Records



Through its specialty auctions Oliver's has set many World Record prices.


  • 1986 - Preening pintail drake decoy by Elmer Crowell sold for 319,000 to Russell B. Aitken, Sunny Von Bulow's stepfather. (Sold again in 2003 at Christie's for $801,500)

  • 1988 - American Simon Willard silver dial clock at $440,000 , known as the infamous "Boston Tea Party Clock". Still a world's record for a Simon Willard clock.

  • 1990 - Campbell's Soup advertising sign, embossed tin, pop art graphics brought $93,000. The sign is pictured in E. Bradley's Picker's Pocket Guide: Signs, 2014.

  • 1992 - The preening Drake and Hen Mallard by the Caines brothers of South Carolina sold for $285,000. The decoys were from the estate of Jean Yawkey (late owner of the Boston Red Sox). Still a world' record for Caines brothers decoys.

Other World Record Prices Achieved by Oliver's Auctions:

  • Alexander Pope painting "The Hunter's Still Life" - $187,000
  • Primitive painting by Hopkins of a little girl with a dog - $85,000
  • Family Coat of Arms (hatchment) for the first family of Rhode Island - $57,000
  • Miniature of Gilbert Stuart on ivory by Sara Goodrich - $7,000 (to the Smithsonian Museum)
  • Samuel Scott painting - $132,000.
  • Topsy print on paper sold for $60,000
  • Fishing rod - $20,000
  • Fishing reel - $22,000
  • Fishing lure - $18,000
  • Remington single-shot rifle from the Jack Appel collection sold for $32,000
  • Winchester model 86 rifle sold for $35,000.