1920s

Henry Royce's Last Rolls-Royce Up for Auction

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

A 1929 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Phantom II Weymann Sports Saloon, reputedly the last model that the marque's co-founder Henry Royce designed himself, is one of the highlights of the Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia sale at Bonhams in Oxford, UK on March 5th. The rare vehicle is expected to fetch up to $325,000. The now legendary Phantom II chassis provided a platform for some of the truly outstanding designs of its day, and was highly favored by prominent coachbuilders. The example offered by Bonhams carries Weymann-type sports saloon coachwork by the famed firm of H J Mulliner. It's presented in perfect condition having undergone a complete restoration and is perfectly capable of high speed road trips and classic car rallies. Or you could just sit and look at it all day.

Tags: 1920s, antique cars, auctions, Bonhams, British cars, classic cars, classic Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce Phantom II, UK

Antique English Picnic & Games Chest for $34,500

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

A stunning expanding English mahogany picnic chest and games table is being offered for sale by M.S. Rau Antiques of New Orleans for $34,500. The exquisite piece, made circa 1920, resembles a simple wooden trunk at first glance; with its four legs unfolded however, the top and sides open out to reveal a complete luncheon service for eight, including Sheffield silverplate utensils, bone-handled cutlery, plates and saucers, cups and glasses, kettles and burners for hot water and soup, single and stacked enamel containers, wicker-wrapped glass bottles, ceramic butter pots, silver plated tins, a corkscrew and matchbox.

When the meal is over, the table folds and unfolds again, transforming into a felt-topped card table, perfect for a game with the deck of playing cards which are also included in the fitted compartments. No doubt designed for a wealthy British army officer or aristocrat on safari who wished to sacrifice none of the comforts of home, the impressive example of British Colonial campaign furniture would have been custom crafted to the owner's specifications and transported about by a retinue of servants – the brass fittings highly polished, of course.

Tags: 1920s, antiques, aristocrat, decor, England, furniture, games, luggage, M.S. Rau Antiques, mahogany, New Orleans, picnic, safari, silver, trunk

The Return of the 1920s "Gentleman's Racer" from New England Boat & Motor Co.

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

Mark Mason, owner of New Hampshire's New England Boat & Motor Co., is bringing back the era of the 1920s "gentleman's racer" with his stunning new line of reproduction mahogany speedboats. Mason, who spent decades restoring classic boats, decided to build replicas as the originals grew ever more scarce and expensive. At his boatyard in Laconia, Mason is now custom building three 1920s racing models, each 27 ft. long with a 6-foot beam, and each priced at $395,000. The three models on offer are the Impshi (above) Hornet and Palm Beach Days, some sportier, others more stately, all with period details and graphics. The original Impshi was built by Strother MacMinn, a famous automobile designer of the era. Palm Beach Days was originally designed by famed naval architect John L. Hacker for a Palm Beach socialite who raced it in competitions around the country and used it as a stylish runabout at his yacht club. Equipped with a 548 cubic inch GM V8, it cruises at 50 mph and reaches a top speed of 70 mph.

Gallery: New England Boat & Motor Co.