Aguttes 20th C. Decorative Arts sale features André Leleu collection

Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Aguttes.
Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Aguttes.
Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Aguttes.

PARIS – On May 6, the distinguished French auction house Aguttes will present a Spring Sale highlighted by a selection of decorative and fine artworks from the private collection of the late André Leleu, of Maison Leleu. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

The Leleu collection comprises approximately 50 pieces produced by the interior design house Maison Leleu over a timespan ranging from the 1920s through the 1970s. Among the unique artworks in this family-held collection are designs personally created by Jules Leleu (1883-1961), Paule Leleu (1906-1987) and André Leleu (1907-1995), including paintings, furniture, sculptures and carpets.

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Profiles in History: 1931 Dracula window card

Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Profiles in History.

Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Profiles in History.
Image courtesy LiveAuctioneers/Profiles in History.
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. – An extremely rare window card for the 1931 Universal motion picture Dracula is included in Profiles in History’s April 30-May 1 Hollywood Auction. Internet live bidding on this lot and all others in the sale will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
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Skinner to auction 1947 Kentucky Derby trophy on June 7

Image courtesy Skinner Inc.
Image courtesy Skinner Inc.
Image courtesy Skinner Inc.

BOSTON – Skinner Inc. will auction a 1947 Kentucky Derby trophy and commemorative mint julep cup won by American thoroughbred Jet Pilot and presented to owner Elizabeth Arden. The trophy will go on the block in Skinner’s June 7 auction of American Furniture and Decorative Arts. It is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide the Internet live bidding service for the sale.

Descended through the family of Elizabeth Arden, the 14-karat gold trophy had been considered all but lost. The Kentucky Derby winner’s trophy is believed to be the only solid gold trophy annually awarded to the winner of a major American sporting event since 1924, the golden anniversary of the Derby. Continue reading

Donated items document Carlsbad Caverns as national park

Longfellow's Bathtub, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. NPS Photo by Peter Jones.

Longfellow's Bathtub, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. NPS Photo by Peter Jones.
Longfellow’s Bathtub, Carlsbad Caverns National Park. NPS Photo by Peter Jones.
CARLSBAD, N.M.(AP) – Wearing white gloves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park Superintendent John Benjamin carefully drew items out of a box. Like a child at Christmas who has received a prized gift, he can barely hold back the excitement he feels each time he picks up an item from the box.

The objects of his excitement were well-preserved letters, diaries of daily life at the park from 1929 though 1949, and never-before-seen photos, prints by renowned artists and yellowed Carlsbad Current-Argus newspapers chronicling the park’s rise to greatness as a national treasure and Col. Tom Boles, the park’s first superintendent.

“This is stupendous. There is so much here. It exceeds our wildest expectations,” Benjamin said. “Everything in these two boxes is original. They are not copies. We have a lot in our archives about the early years of the park, but nothing like this. These things are priceless.”
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