September 22, 2010 - Auction Central News

Discover the real George Washington at N.C. Museum of History exhibit

The exhibition at the N.C. Museum of History includes three life-size models depicting Washington as a teenage surveyor, as Commander-in-Chief at age 45 (as shown here) and as the nation’s first President taking the oath of office. Courtesy of the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and N.C. Museum of History.

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Museum of History is hosting its own reality show – the traveling exhibition “Discover the Real George Washington: New Views From Mount Vernon” – during its three-year national tour. Approximately 100 objects associated with Washington are featured in this exhibition on view through Jan. 21, 2011, in Raleigh. The N.C. Museum of History is the only venue in the Southeast on the exhibition’s tour.

“Although over a million people come to walk in Washington’s footsteps at Mount Vernon each year, we know that not everyone will have a chance to visit his home,” said Jim Rees, President of Mount Vernon. “We wanted to bring the fascinating story of Washington’s life to people around the country by showing a wide variety of compelling personal belongings and some intriguing elements from our new Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.”

“Discover the Real George Washington” offers a new and refreshing perspective on our nation’s first president, his achievements, and his family and times. The exhibition reveals the real George Washington not only as a general and president, but as a young land surveyor, experimental farmer and savvy entrepreneur. Washington’s views on religion and slavery, and the influence of his wife, Martha, are also explored.

Highlights among the objects associated with Washington include:

the only surviving complete set of Washington’s famous dentures, made of ivory, human teeth and animal teeth;
three life-size figures of Washington based on cutting-edge forensic research, showing him at different stages of his life: as a young surveyor, as commander in chief, and as our first president;
Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of Washington, circa 1798;
the family Bible from Washington’s personal library; and
surveying equipment and maps used by Washington.

Mrs. Washington is represented by original jewelry, pieces of her china, silver, glassware, and reproductions of her gold wedding dress and purple satin slippers.

“Discover the Real George Washington” is presented in 11 sections, ranging from Washington’s youth to his final days. Engaging videos and a large 3D model of Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens enhance the visitor experience, and computer touch screens encourage interactivity. The exhibition features a full-size, functional replica of Washington’s pew at Pohick Church and detailed scale models of Fort Necessity, a gristmill, and an innovative 16-sided treading barn.

An extensive selection of educational programs is offered throughout the exhibition run, and children can enjoy hands-on activities in the museum lobby.

Learn more about the exhibit from a dedicated Web site DiscoverGeorgeWashington.org or visit the museum’s Web site at www.museumofhistory.org.

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Whittaker Collection puts spotlight on Sheppards Irish Auction, Sept. 28-29

Frederik Ebbesen Grue (American, 1951-1995), still life of Chinese vases, figure and fruit, signed oil on panel, inscribed verso: ‘The Arbour Collection,’ 36 inches by 29 1/2 inches, est. $19,888-$33,146. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

DURROW, Ireland – Anyone reading the auction catalog for Sheppards Irish Auction House’s sale Sept. 28-29 will notice it is titled The Collection of Roger Whittaker, and will wonder, ‘Is that THE Roger Whittaker, and what has happened to the popular singer-songwriter who has sold millions of albums worldwide?’

The 74-year-old entertainer is alive and well, according to his official Web site, and has even booked a concert tour of Germany in March. Yet Whittaker and his wife, Natalie, like many couples their age, have decided to downsize.

Fine antiques and collectibles will be sold by Sheppards on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Wednesday, Sept. 29, starting at 10:30 a.m. local time (5:30 a.m. Eastern) both days. LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

Some lots have obvious ties to Whittaker’s adopted home, including a death mask of Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh (1904-1967) by Irish sculptor Seamus Murphy. Mounted on a mahogany inverted cavetto plaque, the mask is one of three in existence. It has an estimate of $3,977-$6,629.

An important Irish 19th-century carved mahogany side table, more than 9 feet wide, centered by a cartouche depicting an easel with canvas, books, musical instruments, a sculpted bust and a Roman villa, is expected to sell for more than $19,000.

A George III period Irish pier mirror, 64 inches high by 37 1/3 inches wide, also has a $1,000-$33,150 estimate.

Paintings will include three still life works by California artist Frederik Ebbesen Grue (1951-1995), each with $19,888-$33146 estimates.

Whittaker’s upbringing in Kenya is reflected in a pair of bronze cheetahs he commissioned. Each seated in an upright position, the big cats are 40 inches tall and have a $6,630-$10,600 estimate.

Wildlife artist Ian Coleman’s signed oil on canvas, dated 2001, of two cheetah looking at a tortoise, 34 inches by 48 inches, has a $8,030-$12,050 estimate.

Relating to Whittaker’s music career is a Taylor limited edition six-string guitar, number 17 of 100, which was crafted circa 1991. It carries a $1,060-$1,590 estimate.

Among the estate jewelry in the auction is an 18-karat gold Jaeger Le Coultre reverso wristwatch with crocodile skin band and original box. This fine timepiece in the original box has a $3,977-$6,630 estimate.

The auction will be conducted at Sheppards Irish Auction House galleries at Durrow, County Laois, 90 minutes southwest of Dublin.

For details e-mail Michael Sheppard at info@sheppards.ie

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Death mask of Irish poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh by Seamus Murphy (Irish, 1907-1975), dated 1967, mounted on a mahogany inverted cavetto plaque, one of three in existence, 10 3/4 inches high, est. $3,977-$6,629. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

Important set of 10 Chippendale-style dining chairs by Weir and Hamilton, circa 1900, by appointment to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, each with an armorial inverted arched paneled back, est. $10,606-$15,909. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

E. Ferrarini, bust of a young woman wearing a veil and a lace bodice, 22 1/2 inches high, est. $3.977-$6,630. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

Nineteenth-century mahogany breakfront bookcase with three arched glazed doors, 91 1/2 inches high by 84 inches wide, est. $6,630-$10,606. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

Rare Taylor limited-edition guitar, 17/100, six string, San Diego mother of pearl inlaid turtle motif, circa 1991, est., $1,060-$1,590. Image courtesy of Sheppards Irish Auction House.

Wyeth, Close, Metcalf featured in Skinner art sale, Sept. 24

Willard Leroy Metcalf (American, 1858-1925), Purple and Gold/ A Vermont Landscape, signed and dated, estimate $100,000-$150,000. Skinner Inc. image.

BOSTON – Skinner Inc’s American & European Paintings & Prints sale will take place on Friday, Sept. 24 at noon Eastern Time in the company’s Boston gallery, with Internet live bidding provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Many fine works come to the sale from private collections, including pieces from New England artists, bronzes, sculptures as well as multiples. Also being offered is an extensive collection of photographs, many shot in the Southwest, in and around New Mexico. Featured photographers include Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Laura Gilpin, James Clinton Bones, and Walter Chappell. The especially strong photography offerings span most of the 20th century.

The cover lot is a signed and dated work by Chuck Close. Prior to photorealism, Close worked in an abstract expressionist vein roughly from 1958 to 1962, beginning with his freshman year at Everett Junior College to his senior year at the University of Washington. The present work was created in the same year that Close graduated from UW and began the Yale MFA program, and marks the end of a transitional period before he began to focus on portraits and photography. It is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.

Another featured painting is Low Water, by American artist Andrew Newell Wyeth. The work was purchased from Doll & Richards, Boston, in September 1943 and gifted to a Massachusetts family then by family descent to the present owners. While the Wyeth foundation had known about the painting, they didn’t know of its whereabouts until now. The piece is estimated at $80,000 to $120,000.

Also highlighted work is Purple and Gold/A Vermont Landscape by Willard Leroy Metcalf, one of “The Ten.” The work was one of fifteen shown at a seminal one-man exhibition in February 1923 that marked a critical point in Metcalf’s life and career. Following a bout of alcoholism, Metcalf still in the grips of the addiction, was given an opportunity by dealer Albert Milch to get sober in return for an exhibit. The sales from the exhibit were highly successful for Metcalf and the event marked a comeback for the artist. The piece is estimated at $100,000 to $150,000.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call 508-970-3000.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Chuck Close (American, b. 1940-), Untitled, signed and dated, estimate $60,000-$80,000. Skinner Inc. image.

Andrew Newell Wyeth (American, 1917-2009), Low Water, signed, estimate $80,000-$120,000. Skinner Inc. image.

Ansel Adams (American, 1902-1984), White House Ruin, Morning, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, 1949, signed, estimate $2,000-$3,000. Skinner Inc. image.

Stolen vintage guitar found 8 years later

MILL VALLEY, Calif. (AP) – The owner of the vintage Gibson Les Paul Special never forgot the 1957 guitar. And he never gave up looking for it after it was stolen in rural Minnesota eight years ago.

Doug Duncan’s quest is finally over. The 57-year-old musician had years ago signed up to get e-mails from the auction Web site eBay whenever similar guitars went on sale.

Last month the site sent him an alert saying a similar guitar had been listed by a seller in Mill Valley, Calif.

Duncan realized from the serial number it was his guitar. Even the duct tape he’d put on the case was still there.

Investigators reached the seller, a collector who had no idea the item was stolen.

Duncan hopes the person who sold the guitar to the collector can be identified so he can get back his childhood guitar stolen along with the Les Paul.

AP-WS-09-20-10 1618EDT

750 artists expected at Louisville’s St. James Court Art Show

A retrospective display of art show posters will be on view at Conrad-Caldwell Historic Home on St James Court, Old Louisville, Kentucky. Photo taken by Jeffrey B. Morris on May 26, 2006.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – The St. James Court Art Show will host 750 artists next month at the annual event.

The massive fine arts and crafts show is held each October in Old Louisville among a large collection of Victorian homes.

Activies and exhibits will include a special retrospective display of St. James Court Art Show posters at the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum.

The art show during the first weekend in October is a fundraiser Old Louisville and the museum.

AP-CS-09-21-10 0400EDT

Fans rally behind cash-starved Liberace Museum

Liberace in a 1974 photographic portrait taken by Allan Warren. Image licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Fans of pianist and showman Liberace are banding together to save his namesake memorabilia museum.

Organizer Jeffrey White told the Las Vegas Sun he expects up to 100 people at a protest Wednesday aimed at saving the Las Vegas attraction crammed with Liberace’s pianos, jewelry and gowns.

The chairman of the Liberace Foundation announced earlier this month that the cash-starved museum would close Oct. 17. Plans to find a new home for mementos of the musician born Wladziu Valentino Liberace are in the works.

The Sun reports that White and others critics claim the museum was mismanaged. White served as the museum’s sales and events manager from 2000 to 2005.

The Liberace Museum opened in April 1979, nearly a decade before the singer’s death.

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Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com

AP-WS-09-20-10 1924EDT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

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