Famed 'Midnight' Bird Girl photograph among Savannah items up for auction from Duncan collection

Bill Dawers
·3 min read
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John Duncan had already been collecting unique, historic and unusual things for many years by the time he and his wife Virginia (better known as Ginger) bought the Thomas-Levy house on Taylor Street.

The iconic home needed a lot work in the 1970s, but it proved a perfect vessel for John and Ginger’s vision. The ground floor became home to V and J Duncan Antique Maps, Prints and Books, while the upper stories filled with fine art, folk art, antique furniture, baskets, pottery and seemingly endless curiosities.

An enchanting raconteur in addition to being a respected historian, John relished telling stories about each piece.

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John and Ginger decided months ago that the time had come for the pieces to find new homes where they would be valued by new generations of collectors. Everard Auctions will sell hundreds of lots in two upcoming sessions.

One of 32 rare antique maps to be auctioned during Everard’s three-day auction series, a rare and important Peter Gordon (1697-1740) map of Savannah, Georgia, 1734. Size: 21 5/8in x 28 5/8in. First known printed view of Savannah, illustrates Georgia Colony founder General James E. Oglethorpe’s original plan of the city. One of possibly five such maps in private hands. From the John and Virginia Duncan collection, Savannah, Ga. Estimate $100,000-$150,000.

The auction of the Duncan collection includes Peter Gordon’s rare 1734 map of Savannah – the first known printed view of the new city. Twelve of Gordon’s maps are in museums and five are privately owned. The opening bid is $75,000.

The sale also includes Jack Leigh’s photograph “Midnight, Bonaventure Cemetery,” which was featured on the cover of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt, a longtime friend of the Duncans. The numbered photograph, which is signed by both Leigh and Berendt, has a $7,000 to $10,000 estimate.

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But I should note that bidders will find lots with a wide range of price points, including many works of art that depict Savannah scenes. Among the most notable are the 1948 watercolor “Savannah City Market” by Leonora Quarterman and a number of pieces by Christopher Murphy, Jr.

Jack Leigh (Savannah, 1948-2004), ‘Midnight, Bonaventure Cemetery,’ silver gelatin photograph, 55/250, image seen on cover of John Berendt’s 1994 book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.’ Signed by both Leigh and Berendt. From the John and Virginia Duncan collection. Estimate $7,000-$10,000.
Jack Leigh (Savannah, 1948-2004), ‘Midnight, Bonaventure Cemetery,’ silver gelatin photograph, 55/250, image seen on cover of John Berendt’s 1994 book ‘Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.’ Signed by both Leigh and Berendt. From the John and Virginia Duncan collection. Estimate $7,000-$10,000.

There are also several works by Helen Hatch Inglesby, an under-appreciated Savannah artist whom John championed, and an impressive collection of hand-carved canes by artists like Vernon Edwards and Willis Hakim Jones, Jr.

The auction of the Duncan collection will take place on Oct. 19 and 20. Everard will also have a daylong auction on Oct. 18 that includes two especially impressive artworks from the collection of Betty Melaver. A watercolor by Georgia O’Keefe has an auction estimate of $100,000 to $150,000, and Louise Nevelson’s “Clouds IV” has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.

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In addition to decorative arts, jewelry, antiques and other items, the Oct. 18 auction also includes more than 100 vintage posters consigned by a private collector from Hilton Head Island.

Leonora Quarterman (Savannah, 1911-1979), ‘Savannah City Market,’ watercolor, 1948. Size: 18½in x 22in. From the John and Virginia Duncan collection, Savannah, Ga. Estimate $2,000-$3,000.
Leonora Quarterman (Savannah, 1911-1979), ‘Savannah City Market,’ watercolor, 1948. Size: 18½in x 22in. From the John and Virginia Duncan collection, Savannah, Ga. Estimate $2,000-$3,000.

The Oct. 18, 19 and 20 sessions will start at 10 a.m. Bids can be placed in advance or live via Everard, LiveAuctioneers, Bidsquare or Invaluable. First-time bidders should register with a platform well in advance and also be aware that online auctions often move more quickly than in-person auctions.

Everard Auctions will host a preview reception on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at 2436 Waters Ave.

Bill Dawers writes the City Talk column for the Savannah Morning News. He can be reached via citytalksavannah@gmail.com and @billdawers on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Everard Auctions hosts John Duncan collection auction