NEW YORK, N.Y.- Sothebys annual auction of Important Americana will take place on 20 & 21 January 2012 in New York. The sale will offer American furniture, silver, folk art, prints, carpets, English pottery and Chinese export porcelain, and features several important discoveries across categories from two previously undocumented chests by legendary cabinetmaker John Townsend, to a second iconic Ptarmigan Vase and an extremely rare Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver. The sale will be on exhibition in Sothebys York Avenue galleries beginning 14 January, alongside the auction of Important American Schoolgirl Embroideries: The Landmark Collection of Betty Ring. The first day of the auction will be led by a group of American silver from the First Parrish Church in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The Church is steeped in American history: it is the oldest congregation in the current city of Boston, and one of the