Auctions | Weekend has lots and lots for sale

A week of full-throttle auction activity beckons, beginning with Wiederseim Associates' sale of railroad memorabilia and winding up with Freeman's massive sale of fine English and Continental furniture, silver and decorative arts.

The railroad memorabilia (more than 300 lots) will be offered at the first session of Wiederseim's two-day, 700-lot Early Fall Auction, which starts at 5 p.m. today at the Ludwig's Corner firehouse on Route 100 in Glenmoore. The session completes the liquidation of the collection of Richard Reuss of Wynnewood, whose residence on Cherry Lane used to be conspicuous for the railroad decor visible from the road.

Although most items should bring modest three-figure prices, including reproductions of the circular "drumhead" tails at the rear of luxury mid-20th-century trains such as the Santa Fe Superchief, at least two items could bring four-figure prices. An 1842 banjo signal nearly five feet high has a presale estimate of $5,000 to $7,000, although Ted Wiederseim says the one he sold in the first part of the collection's liquidation brought $13,000. And a Westinghouse multiple-control system, while bearing a presale estimate of $100 to $200, could sell for 10 times that or more - there is a brisk demand for such systems among people who restore old trolleys.

Tomorrow's session, which begins at 10 a.m., will feature a Georg Jensen silver tea and coffee service ($10,000 to $15,000), a 61-inch flintlock rifle signed "H. Dickenson" ($3,000 to $4,000), and an oil-on-canvas cityscape by the Bucks County artist John Wells James ($4,000-$6,000).

Previews are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. tomorrow at the fire hall. For more information, call 610-827-1910 or go to www.wiederseim.com.

Starting at 3 p.m. today in Southampton, Bucks County, Stephenson's Auction will offer a variety of antiques and decorative arts, most from the estate of Gustav Gumpert, a Philadelphia speechwriter and world traveler. He was particularly fond of Japan, as reflected in the miniature shrines and Orientalia included in the sale.

The auction also features a fully restored 1929 Ford Model A coupe in good running order that is expected to sell for $8,000 to $14,000. The preview is from 1 to 3 p.m. at the gallery, 1005 Industrial Blvd. Information: 215-322-6182.

On Tuesday, beginning at noon, William H. Bunch Auctions & Appraisals will offer more than 435 lots of furniture, jewelry and decorative objects. Offerings will include a Dentzel standing carousel horse from Lenape Park in Chester County (estimate: $800 to $1,200) and a working enameled-steel, wall-mounted electric barbershop pole ($300 to $500).

The sale's top pieces of furniture are a 1906 mahogany Steinway grand piano ($8,000 to $12,000) and an early George II tall case clock by Francis Rainsford of London ($4,000 to $6,000). The preview will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to sale time Tuesday at 1 Hillman Dr., Chadds Ford. Information: 610-558-1800 or www.williambunchauctions.com.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday at its gallery at 501 Fairgrounds Rd. in Hatfield, Alderfer Auction & Appraisal will offer more than 1,000 lots of dolls and accessories, including 100 lots to be sold on eBay beginning at noon Thursday.

Among them are a 15-inch German "Hilda" bisque ($1,000 to $1,250); 13-inch cloth Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls and a 17-inch Kathe Kruse doll ($750 to $1,000 each); and a 1900 New Jersey Coastal dollhouse formerly displayed at the Toy Museum of Atlanta ($1,000 to $1,250). Wednesday's session also will offer doll parts, clothing and books.

Previews will be from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursday. Information: 214-393-3023 or www.alderferauction.com.

Bigger-ticket items at Freeman's. The more than 800 lots in this sale, beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday at the gallery at 1808 Chestnut St., will include more than two dozen in the five-figure range, according to presale estimates in the 270-page catalog.

Among the more spectacular are a Victorian sterling epergne, reminiscent of a lazy Susan ($15,000 to $25,000); an 18th-century French silvered-bronze statue of a falconer by Pierre Jules Mene ($12,000 to $18,000); a Viennese enameled and silver jewel-mounted chess set with 3-inch-high pieces ($25,000 to $35,000); and three Tiffany Studios lamps, including one with a windswept-tulip motif ($70,000 to $90,000).

A dramatic Italian marble sculpture by Cesare Lapini, circa 1900 Florence, depicting the abduction of Psyche by Cupid is expected to sell for $100,000 to $150,000.

Previews will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow and Monday through Wednesday. Information: 215-563-9275 or www.freemansauction.com.