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A Chinese famille verte ormolu-mounted bowl on stand took $6,000 plus the buyer’s premium in December 2021. Image courtesy of Shapiro Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

Chinese famille verte porcelain finds glory in the color green

August 22, 2023

NEW YORK — Famille verte porcelain has been highly prized…

Joseph Yoakum’s view of ‘Mt. Alpha of Brooks Range Near Wiseman, Alaska U.S.A.,’ made $32,000 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2022. Image courtesy of Slotin Folk Art and LiveAuctioneers.

Self-taught artist Joseph Yoakum, king of the mountain

August 18, 2023

NEW YORK — Many of the most renowned self-taught artists…

A soda fountain syrup dispenser for Ward’s Lime-Crush earned $5,500 plus the buyer’s premium in November 2021. Image courtesy of Rich Penn Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

Nothing can quench collectors’ crush on Crush soda

August 15, 2023

NEW YORK — Orange Crush has never been as big as Coca-Cola,…

The commanding and lively Ralph Cahoon painting ‘Cape Cod Sea Captains’ achieved $30,000 plus the buyer’s premium in July 2021. Image courtesy of Eldred’s and LiveAuctioneers.

Ralph Cahoon’s mermaids sing a joyful, and potent, siren song

August 11, 2023

NEW YORK — Ralph Eugene Cahoon Jr. (American, 1910-1982)…

A pair of Adirondack chairs made by Roy McMakin for the Domestic Furniture Company in 2003 went for $2,400 plus the buyer’s premium in November 2022. Image courtesy of Los Angeles Modern Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

Lake life memorabilia brings delight year-round

August 8, 2023

NEW YORK — Lake life is not just a hashtag or a clever saying…

A circa-1930s Edward Bohlin sterling silver figural parade saddle rode away with $42,000 plus the buyer’s premium in June 2023. Dan Morphy Auctions held the sale in conjunction with Brian Lebel’s 33rd annual Cody Old West Show & Auction. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

Edward Bohlin made horse tack that was anything but tacky

August 4, 2023

NEW YORK — Leaving his home in Sweden at 15, Edward H. Bohlin…

A circa-1930s Harley Davidson motorcycles bar and shield porcelain neon sign on its original can achieved $70,000 plus the buyer’s premium in March 2023. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

Harley-Davidson: more than just America’s motorcycle

August 1, 2023

NEW YORK — Detroit may have been the birthplace of the American…

This late 1880s surf boat bell toy by the Gong Bell Mfg. Company achieved $9,500 plus the buyer’s premium in August 2021. Image courtesy of the RSL Auction Company and LiveAuctioneers.

Antique bell toys possess unmistakable ap-peal

July 28, 2023

NEW YORK — Toys that make noise are not new. The beeping,…

Upcoming Auctions

August 22, 2023

London’s Apollo Art Auctions presents Timeless Treasures: Ancient Art and Coins, Aug. 27

A set of oak fantasy chairs made by Leander Plummer for his family, Estimate $20,000-$30,000 at Poulin Antiques & Auctions.

August 22, 2023

Leander Plummer II Chair Set Leads Poulin’s August 29 sale

Monumental 19th-century French gilt bronze and porcelain centerpiece, estimated at $500-$5,000.

August 22, 2023

Christian Dior’s wizard, Tyen, consigns his collection to Akiba, Aug. 29

David Webb 18K gold, diamond and ruby ring, estimated at $25,000-$30,000 at Jasper52.

August 21, 2023

Exclusive estate and designer jewelry shines at Jasper52 Aug. 22

World War II Army Air Corps 14th Air Force A2 Flight Jacket, estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

August 19, 2023

A World War II flight jacket from the 23rd Fighter Group is among our pick of five lots to watch

August 19, 2023

Massive 4-day Holabird event features scarce stock certificates, soda bottles Aug. 24-27

Pair of 18K gold Tiffany & Co. diamond and sapphire earrings, estimated at $2,500-$3,500 at Roland Auctions.

August 19, 2023

Heiress’ Sefton Manor items to auction for charity at Roland Auctions Aug. 25-26

August 18, 2023

Arts and Crafts window triptych from former church ascends to Winfield Auction Gallery Aug. 26

Auction Results

Johnnie Swearingen, Blue Church, estimated at $2,000-$4,000, sold for $7,000.

August 21, 2023

Record for Texas folk painter leads our weekly pick of 5 auction highlights

Aldo Cipullo for Cartier 18K gold hamsa pendant, $28,880. Image courtesy of Weiss Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

August 21, 2023

Cartier and Aldo Cipullo perform alchemy together to win $24K at Weiss

August 19, 2023

Pristine packs of trading cards are Topps at Morphy’s $1.3M auction

Leaping black horse from a set of six wooden figures carved in the 1930s by sideshow star Johnny Eck, which sold for $4,250 at Potter & Potter Auctions.

August 17, 2023

Figures carved by sideshow legend Johnny Eck stomp their estimate at Potter and Potter

English Watercolor of Royal Naval Ship, Circa 1805, estimated at $1,000-$1,500, sold for $13,000.

August 16, 2023

English watercolor of the deck of a Royal Navy ship, dated 1805, sold for $16K at Sarasota Estate Auction

Warhol and Haring, signed two-dollar bills, sold for $4,500 at Wright.

August 14, 2023

Two-dollar bills signed by Warhol and Haring star in our weekly pick of five auction highlights

This copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 sold for $12,500 despite bearing a CGC grade of 0.5. Its provenance made it a prize: It had belonged to Spidey’s co-creator, Steve Ditko. Image courtesy of PBA Galleries

August 14, 2023

Steve Ditko’s copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1, graded 0.5, earns $12K+

Anne Ramsdell Congdon Oil on Masonite "Middle Moors, Nantucket," estimated at $25,000-$35,000, sold for $45,000.

August 14, 2023

Anne Ramsdell Congdon’s ‘Middle Moors’ soars to $45K at Rafael Osona

Vintage Apple-1 computer signed by Apple’s co-founder, Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak, estimated at $200,000+. Image courtesy of RR Auctions

August 11, 2023

Vintage computer that helped launch the Apple empire offered at auction

BOSTON (AP) – A vintage Apple computer signed by company…

August 10, 2023

Vintage Batman toys net $1.4 million at Heritage Aug. 4-5

Detail of a near-complete sheet of Gen. Kim II Sung 50ch stamps that sold for £27,500 (roughly $34,900) on July 19 in London. Image courtesy of Chiswick Auctions

August 9, 2023

Block of early North Korean stamps triumphed at Chiswick

Edvard Munch, ‘The Girls on the Bridge,’ 1902, oil on canvas. Private collection, © Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York

August 7, 2023

Clark Art Institute surveys Edvard Munch’s use of landscapes

Photograph of an adult blue whale swimming in the eastern Pacific Ocean, taken no later than 2005. A newly discovered species of whale, revealed in the journal Nature on August 2 and dubbed Perucetus colossus, which means ‘the colossal whale from Peru,’ might dethrone the blue whale and claim the title of the heaviest animal ever to live. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit NMFS Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NOAA). It is in the public domain because it contains materials that originally came from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, produced as part of an employee’s official duties.

August 7, 2023

Heaviest animal ever may be ancient whale found in Peruvian desert

A document referencing Elias Howe Jr.’s patent for the first modern sewing machine sold for $12,500, more than 100 times its estimate of $100-$150. Image courtesy of Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc. and LiveAuctioneers

August 5, 2023

Elias Howe patent document sells for 100x estimate at Devin Moisan

Research fellows share new discoveries about artworks on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) as part of a regular series of gallery talks. On July 31, SAAM received a gift of $2 million from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation to fund a fellowship in modern and contemporary art and related efforts. Image courtesy of SAAM, photo by Charla Jasper

August 3, 2023

Smithsonian American Art Museum receives $2M gift from Frankenthaler Foundation

The combat boots and dog tags (not shown) Alan Alda wore while playing Hawkeye Pierce during the 11-season run of the television show ‘MASH’ sold for $125,000 on July 28. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions

August 2, 2023

Boots, dog tags Alan Alda wore on MAS*H raise $125K for charity

Columns & International

August 1, 2023

Gallery Report: Pegge Hopper painting lent Hawaiian vibe to Andrew Jones sale

ATLANTA – At the beginning of the month, ACN columnist…

July 1, 2023

Gallery Report: N.C. Wyeth Maine landscape achieves $2.5M at Freeman’s

June 3, 2023

Gallery Report: Ted Williams, Uncle Sam and a prize pumpkin made headlines in May

May 2, 2023

Gallery Report: Maud Lewis work was a showstopper at Miller & Miller

April 1, 2023

Gallery Report: Lynn Chadwick’s Winged Figures hit lofty heights at Doyle

March 3, 2023

Gallery Report: Alphonse Mucha’s ‘Seasons’ suite triumphs at Everard

February 1, 2023

Gallery Report: 1921 Martiros Saryan mountain landscape climbs to $40K

January 3, 2023

Gallery Report: Auction sector wraps 2022 with exceptional results

Style Century Magazine by ACN

Authoritative feature articles from the industry’s best writers, available exclusively on Auction Central News

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'Gianni Colombo: The Body and the Space 1959-1980,' exhibition view at Robilant+Voena, London, Oct. 2 – Nov. 20, 2015. Courtesy Robilant+Voena — Art Market Italy: Gianni Colombo
January 14, 2016/by Jim Bunte

Nelson Atkins 68-1_Chinese-FoldingArmchaire — Chinese huanghuali furniture: precious wood, elegant design
December 30, 2015/by Tom Hoepf

Alberto Giacometti, "Place", 1948-1949, Bronze, 21 × 63.5 × 44 cm, Emanuel Hoffmann-Stiftung, Depositum in der Öffentlichen Kunstsammlung Basel, © Succession Alberto Giacometti / 2015, ProLitteris, Zurich, Foto: Martin P. Bühler, Öffentliche Kunstsammlung Basel On show at "Future Present", from Jun.13, 2015 to Jan.31, 2016 — Alberto Giacometti: Redefining the human figure
December 18, 2015/by Tom Hoepf

This Special Order Horseshoe 35cm Shiny Electric Blue Birkin in Porosus Crocodile, the most desirable material, brought $81,250 at a 2015 Heritage New York Valentine Signature Auction. Courtesy Heritage Auctions — Hermes: Handbags with a distinguished history
October 14, 2015/by Jim Bunte

Neustadt Poinsettia Detail — Tiffany glass continues to make lighting magical
September 24, 2015/by Tom Hoepf

Uniques 6-15 Lot 24 — Piero Fornasetti: Inspired jester of the decorative arts
September 8, 2015/by Tom Hoepf

ponti-105088.001-v4 — Gio Ponti: Grand thinker of Italian design
August 12, 2015/by Jim Bunte

Pierre Cornette de St Cyr, founder of the eponymous French auction house, has died at the age of 84. Image courtesy of Bonhams

August 22, 2023

In Memoriam: Auctioneer Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr, 84

PARIS – Auctioneer Pierre Cornette de Saint Cyr has died…

July 21, 2023

In Memoriam: Tony Bennett, masterful stylist of American musical standards, 96

Simon Vickers, who has led Lyon & Turnbull’s Rare Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs department for the last 17 years, is retiring from his role. The department’s new head will be his colleague Cathy Marsden. Image courtesy of Lyon & Turnbull

July 8, 2023

Simon Vickers retires as head of Lyon & Turnbull’s Rare Books department

National Museum of Wildlife Art Founder and Chairman Emeritus William G. Kerr, shown with his wife, Joffa. Kerr died on July 4 at the age of 85. Image courtesy of the National Museum of Wildlife Art

July 8, 2023

In Memoriam: National Museum of Wildlife Art founder William Kerr, 85

World War II veteran Leon Gautier, photographed in July 2017. He was the last surviving French D-Day military commando, and he died July 3 at the age of 100. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, photo credit Alain Le Pape. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

July 6, 2023

In Memoriam: Leon Gautier, last French D-Day military commando, 100

Hindman announces that it has appointed Leslie Roskind as senior specialist for jewelry and watches in the firm’s recently launched New York office. Image courtesy of Hindman

June 10, 2023

Hindman appoints Leslie Roskind senior jewelry and watches specialist, New York

Artist Francoise Gilot, seen in a still taken from a 2013 video. Perhaps best known for loving – and leaving – Pablo Picasso, she died on June 6 in New York at the age of 101. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, author credit KhanAcademyTurkce. Shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

June 7, 2023

In Memoriam: Francoise Gilot, acclaimed painter who loved and left Picasso, 101

President Joseph R. Biden has appointed Mel Buchanan, RosaMary curator of decorative arts and design at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. She is one of 13 people appointed to the committee by President Biden. Image courtesy of NOMA

May 31, 2023

President Biden appoints NOMA curator to White House committee

A 2007 Hermes Birkin 30cm in shiny rose shocking pink, fashioned from Porosus crocodile and sporting palladium hardware, achieved $36,000 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2016. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

July 25, 2023

From Barbie to millennial pink, the cultural phenomenon behind the color that sells

NEW YORK (AP) – “Think pink! think pink! when you shop…

Chuck Close’s ‘Georgia Fingerprint I’ will be auctioned at Myers Fine Art on April 30. Image provided by Myers Fine Art

April 26, 2023

How Tampa’s Graphicstudio became the printmaking matrix for 20th-century art legends

The rarer the stamp, the more attention it wins at auction. This encased merchant key 5 cent postage stamp featuring Thomas Jefferson was issued by B.F. Miles in Peoria, Illinois circa 1862. It brought $9,000 plus the buyer’s premium in August 2022. Image courtesy of Early American History Auctions and LiveAuctioneers

April 7, 2023

How to start a stamp collection knowledgeably

January 9, 2023

Velvet: an interior design favorite that never went away

January 6, 2023

Pictorial trays helped Coca-Cola build a powerful soda brand

Detail of a 19th-century Continental macro-mosaic of a prominently haloed St. John Bosco, which realized $1,600 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2021. Image courtesy of Akiba Antiques and LiveAuctioneers

December 23, 2022

Ring of reverence: a history of the halo in art

This set of German-made American Revolutionary War toy soldiers, hand-painted and having engraved features, sold for $375 plus the buyer’s premium in September 2020. Image courtesy of Old Toy Soldier Auctions USA and LiveAuctioneers

December 20, 2022

For centuries, toy soldiers have carried on the fight

In this December 2022 photo, collector Dwight Cleveland holds a lobby card from his extensive collection. He has entered an agreement with Dartmouth College to digitize his silent movie-era lobby cards for preservation and publication. Image courtesy of Dwight Cleveland.

December 17, 2022

Silent films to encore in Dartmouth-backed lobby card project