Northwood Tree Trunk Purple Elephant's Foot Vase

I bought this 12 7/8" tall Elephant's Foot vase during the September 2014 Jackie Poucher Collection auction conducted by Seeck Auctions in Kansas City, Missouri. It was the first time ever HOACGA organized a special event, in addition to its convention in April 2014, to accomodate this sale of historic importance, known as The Fall Celebration. It is not an event to happen every year but it is reserved for those iconic, important collections in the future.

The location is wonderful with constant shuttles from the near-by airport, clean modern rooms, each having a window to display one's glass so people passing by can see. The food and drink is very good and the conference rooms for seminars and auctions are spacious and well lighted. Find out more about the HOACGA Convention here.

During the auction preview, there was a cordoned off table where items of the greatest value were grouped together. If a person wanted to see an item closely, they would have to ask and it would be passed over to them by the auctioneer. I can remembering Jim Seeck picking up this vase and passing it over to Carlton Tarkington asking, "Do you have one of these at home, Carlton?"  Carlton just smiled and shook his head as he held it in admirartion, turning it about, over and over. I was standing almost next to Carlton as I thought, "Gosh! Is that beautiful!" I knew if Carlton wanted it Carlton would have it. Jim Seeck described it in his auction catalog as "has to be the best example known, electric blue irid. all over, amazing!"

As it happened, Carlton sat next to me at supper during that night of the preview. We knew about each other but we had not formally met. He gave me his card and we properly introduced ourselves which led to talk about our careers, the auction and about the Carnival Glass Showcase.

During the auction the next morning, Carlton, who was seated right behind me, outbid me on several items, like the Frolicking Bears pitcher and the Goddess of the Harvest bowl which I wanted so much. I spent the whole auction hoping he wasn't interested in the same things I wanted, but then again, I'd be disappointed if he wasn't!

When this vase came up towards the end of the sale, we were both bidding on it but then something happened. Something happened for the first time ever. He stopped bidding. He stopped bidding and let me have it. Although he made me work hard for it, this is the first time I have ever seen him back off any piece of glass he's wanted for anyone. I was very grateful for the privilege and I'll never forget this special moment I shared with one of the greatest men in Carnival Glass. I will always remember this vase as a token of his friendship. I just wish I had gotten more time to get to know him and his wife before he recently passed away from an illness he fought so hard to recover from. My condolences and deepest sympathies go out to his family. He will be greatly missed.

The vase, is 12 7/8" tall at its highest point in the back and 11 3/4" at its lowest in the front. It's 7" at its widest up top and 5 1/4" base diameter. The last three photos are from the Seeck Auction brochure and on-line catalogue.

In browsing through some older Lincoln-Land Club newsletters one day, I ran across the black & white photo above and recognized the shape right away. This vase sold at their convention auction in 1995 and it had gone home with Jackie & Randy Poucher. Furthermore, in reading this auction report, I now know it came from the collection of the late Ted Perry from Seattle, sold by auctioneer Tom Burns.

The Christina Katsikas Collection