c1960s Rare STERLING LANIER Bronze Mini Sci Fi Figure Scupture LORD OF THE RINGS

Description

NO RESERVE
RARE
SIGNED
STERLING EDMUND LANIER
MINIATURE
HAND CAST BRONZE
SCIENCE FICTION - OR STORY BOOK
SCULPTURE - FIGURINE
POSSIBLY DEPICTING LORD OF RINGS OR HIERO'S JOURNEY CHARACTER
CIRCA 1960S
I SHIP WORLDWIDE
INCLUDING CHINA - JAPAN - SOUTH KOREA AND RUSSIA
Offered in this sale is a rare hand cast solid bronze miniature figure - sculpture - that was made by Sterling Lanier circa 1960s. It has a impressed mark on the back that reads LANIER (see 2nd image). It measures roughly 2 1/2" tall x 1" wide and weighs 2.0 ounces on a postal scale. This is most likely a science fiction or perhaps fantasy book inspired character, however, I do not know what character it is. A friend suggested maybe one of the Lord of the Rings characters but someone else suggested Hiero's Jouney. I imagine it might be more recognizable to collectors and fans more knowledgeable in that realm than I am. I sold another example of this model several weeks ago with a different finish. The sculptor, Sterling Edmund Lanier, was schooled in anthropology and archaeology and was a devotee of cryptozoology however he was also an editor and author of science fiction and is accredited for his role in the publishing of the best selling science fiction novel DUNE in 1965 while editor as Chilton Publishing. He also wrote a number of books and published stories over the years in the science fiction realm including Hiero's Journey. There is a lot of confusion in collecting circles about the rare signed Lanier dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures that he made and even less is known or published documenting the unknown number of "fantastical", imaginative science fiction - story book character figures - such as this - that he created. A few month ago I acquired a collection of more than seventy bronze, nickel, silver and copper figures created by Lanier from a local estate collection with direct family ties to an owner of Mercury Publishing and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction during the mid 1900s. In addition to twenty seven dinosaur figures that themselves are quite rare, there are also forty or so mythical - fantastical - "character" figures included in the collection. I have only a few remaining pieces to sell from this collection so this is one of the last chances you will have to own one of these. Lanier was known by friends and colleagues to create figures based upon characters in different science fiction books he either wrote himself or had read and would often gift them or sell them locally or at shows. Most of the characters in the collection I don't have a clue as to who they represent or from what story line they may have been inspired by. The condition of the explorer figure in this sale is excellent. There is no damage or loss.
Please be sure to enlarge and zoom each image for a close up view of the detail of the decoration and condition. Do not hesitate to send me a message if you have questions or would like additional images.
I always guarantee everything that I sell to be as described. This piece is being sold without a reserve as long as there is an opening bid. The shipping cost within the United States is .00. If you happen to know the name of this character and would care to share the information I would enjoy hearing from you.
The last six images illustrate just a few of the many other items I have or will be posting separately for sale on Ebay throughout the next several weeks which among other items include the remaining pieces from a rare single owner collection of miniature bronze sculptures - character figurines by Sterling Lanier, a small collection of Herend porcelain, Raynaud Limoges Ceralene, a number of pieces of genuine early chocolate glass, several antique Russian language books, 10+ pieces of Meissen blue onion including serving pieces, over 40 books relating to early glass and ceramics from a local estate collectors reference library,  Meissen porcelain, Italian Murano glass, Royal Crown Derby china, a collection of First day Covers dating back to the 1930s, engraved Scandinavian art glass, Continental and Vienna porcelain, Imari porcelain, a collection of over forty vintage original blue Cyanotype photographs and real picture postcards as well as more than a one hundred early press and wire photos dating from the early to mid 1900s, Dresden porcelain, antique and vintage Chinese porcelain and jade as well as an eclectic mix of antique to contemporary china glass and accessories including flow blue china, Rosenthal porcelain, Scandinavian and Murano art glass, antique photo albums and photographs, as well as other 18th - 20th century American, English, Continental and Chinese ceramics, porcelain, glass and accessories. If you are interested in bidding on more than one item I do offer combined shipping which saves on postage..
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE BIDDING ON ONLY THE ONE PIECE IN THIS SALE.
You can view a list of all the other items I currently have posted for sale on Ebay by clicking on the SEE OTHER ITEMS link in the seller information box to the upper right of this page. BE SURE TO CHECK BACK OFTEN