The invitation-only Opening Night was sponsored by 1stdibs and benefited the ASPCA. Special guests of the four-legged variety seemed to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

Spring Show NYC reaps praise; opening night benefits ASPCA

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The invitation-only Opening Night was sponsored by 1stdibs and benefited the ASPCA. Special guests of the four-legged variety seemed to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

The invitation-only Opening Night was sponsored by 1stdibs and benefited the ASPCA. Special guests of the four-legged variety seemed to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

NEW YORK – It was a not-to-be-forgotten evening for art lovers. At very same moment Munch’s Scream was bringing the highest price ever paid for a work of art, the Spring Show NYC brought its own impressive audience into the Park Avenue Armory to see what the 63 top-tier international dealers had to offer. Organized by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America (AADLA), the 4-day Spring Show NYC, which opened on May 3, has in just two years become for antiques and art enthusiasts as much a herald of a new season for beautiful things as the tulips, dogwoods, and redbud trees in nearby Central Park.

“The second year for the four-day Spring Show NYC has truly proven that it is really going places,” says Clinton Howell, president of the AADLA, noting the high interest generated by the show, evidenced by both attendance and sales. According to Howell, 90% of the dealers have signed on to return next year.

That enthusiasm was reflected in the turnout of more than 1,300 guests for the show’s Opening Night Preview on May 2, an event sponsored by luxury goods website 1stdibs and benefiting the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®). The Spring Show NYC lent further support to the organization via a novel approach. Thanks to participating dealers, a portion of the sale of animal-themed works at the show went to help the ASPCA® continue its mission.

A half-dozen photogenic ASPCA®-rescued dogs greeted Spring Show NYC guests who included Honorary Co-chairs Amy Fine Collins, Hilary Geary Ross and Wilbur Ross; Jonathan and Somers Farkas; as well as Connoisseur Committee members Michael Bruno, Mario Buatta, Robert Couturier, Ellie Cullman, Duane Hampton, Steven Gambrel, Geoffrey Bradfield, Bunny Williams, John Roselli, Dennis Rolland, Darren Henault, Christopher B. Boshears, Timothy Van Dam and Ron Wagner, Susan Gutfreund, Edward Lobrano, Jean Shafiroff, Deeda Blair, Todd Black, Ronald Bricke, Noel Jeffrey, Bennett Weinstock, Harry Heissmann, and John Robshaw. Also seen perusing the aisles were fashion personalities Carolina Herrera and Allegra Versace.

“Being the Opening Night beneficiary of the AADLA Spring Show NYC was once again a huge honor for the ASPCA®,” said Todd Hendricks, senior vice president of development for the ASPCA®. “We are grateful that we were able to participate and would like to thank everyone who made the event such a success.”

Throughout the Armory, acclamation for the event abounded from the participating dealers.

Stefanie Rinza, managing director of Carlton Hobbs, said: “Like last year, we were delighted with the quality and variety of objects on offer, as well as the clients who attended. The fair was particularly well marketed to new collectors, but at the same time we saw all of New York’s top decorators, and many of our important clients who had traveled here from out of town. We’ve already reserved our space for next year.”

Alan Stone of Hill-Stone, specialists in Old Masters prints and drawings, said: “Even though there was enormous competition because of the Munch sale at Sotheby’s on the night of the Opening, people still showed up in droves, and the evening went off very well indeed.” Hill-Stone sold Camille Pissarro’s Bord de l’Epte (à Eragny), a pastel signed and annotated by the artist, 1890, $105,000; a Rembrandt etching from 1655 titled Goldsmith; a Giovanni-Domenico Tiepolo work titled Family Setting Out for the Hunt; and a 17th-century Italian drawing that went for five figures.

“The Spring Show was all the things an antiques fair should be, relaxed and fun,” noted first-time participant Nicholas Grindley. “People seemed genuinely interested as opposed to just walking around and looking.” Grindley saw purchases for two Indian 18th-century ivory figures of Brahman bulls; a natural wood branch painted to resemble coral, from the 19th century; a pair of large Qing Dynasty hongmu square stools; a suite of American rug beaters from the early 20th century; a forged Japanese iron seaweed gatherer from the late 19th century; a round 19th-century keyaki wood step with two inset lifting handles; an 18th-century calligraphed paperweight; and an 18th-century Chinese malachite brush washer.

Said Michael Pashby, who presented fine English furniture: “Rarely have I seen a level of attendance that high on an Opening Night. And the astuteness and taste of the attendees was outstanding. Pashby sold a painting and a George II mahogany and inlaid chest-on-chest, circa 1760.

“Opening Night was spectacular,” said Lawrence Thompson of Sundial NYC, which focuses on fine antique clocks. “This is the first time Sundial has been at the Spring Show, so we have a bit of catching up to do. I spoke to many lovely people and got to know the crowd. I feel I was laying a very valuable foundation for future sales.” Among the sales Sundial NYC made during the Spring Show: A circa 1785 English mahogany musical and animated bracket clock, and a pair of circa 1900 giant musical carriage clocks.

Paul Vandekar of Earle Vandekar of Knightsbridge said: “I had very good sales on Opening Night — pottery, Chinese export porcelain, a French red marble urn from the 1830s. The Opening was such great fun, and there was a young crowd sporting good energy. And they loved what I had to sell, the mixture of it all!” Additional items sold include: A pair of Irish portrait miniatures by Nathaniel Hone, 1761; a portrait miniature of a young woman, signed C. Tridon, née Sattler, first half of the 19th century; a Darby botanical porcelain plaque from 1825; a Chinese export cache pot depicting pomegranates and bananas, circa 1750-75; a Chinese rose Mandarin cache pot; and three Chinese trade watercolors from 1840-1860.

Howard Rehs of Rehs Galleries had this to say about the Spring Show: “I was impressed that the clientele it draws are serious people who are truly interested, and very knowledgeable.” Rehs also feels that the economy is on the upswing. “I can tell people are beginning to feel comfortable about spending their money again,” he says, adding, “They know it’s not doing anything anywhere else.” Rehs Galleries realized several sales, including: Tangible Reprieve and Tough Choices, two oils by Timothy Jahn; Dusk’s Prelude to Evening with Moon, an oil by Ben Bauer; and The Constant Gardener by Guy Combes.

Susan Jacobson of Leo Kaplan Ltd., remarked: “The Opening was a lot of fun and very well attended. I saw a lot of people I was hoping to see. My feeling is that people came on opening night with the intention of getting a good first-look so they could come back later to buy.” For Jacobson, her intuition proved correct, with sales of a Paul Stankard Orb from 2012, five paperweights, and a rare 18th-century English teapot, circa 1760.

“We saw old clients, who brought new friends, which we always like,” said Wallace Bowling of Douglas Dawson, specialists in ethnographic arts. “The show had such a buzz about it.” Among the Douglas Dawson sales: A 19th-century Burkino Faso bracelet with figures, sold to Ball State Museum, Muncie, Indiana; a Warren Frederick platter with a natural ash glaze; and a 20th-century Nigerian crown.

William Luft of John Atzbach Antiques, specialists in Imperial Russian antiques and art objects, observed: “The Spring Show draws the kind of sophisticated crowd you find only in New York, and because of that, I had a lot of interest in my items” Reported sales include several Fabergé enamels, including a box, as well as pieces by Feodor Rückert, who worked for the house of Fabergé.

One of the most exciting Openings ever!” exclaimed Linda Bernell of Linda Bernell Gallery. “It was bustling with all of New York, extremely lively and exciting, and everyone was happy, with a smile on their face as they walked in. They were socializing but also very interested in the booths. Out of all shows, the Spring Show is the most elegant and has the highest level of excitement.” Among the paintings sold were: François Gall’s oil on canvas titled La Famille Gall sur la Plage de Trouville; two watercolor and ink works on paper by Paulémile Pissarro: Chaumière près de l’Orne and L’Orne à Cantepie; Le Village du Viadre by Bela de Kristo, dated 1955; and a mint-condition 1820s French Neoclassical ormolu clock with Psyche and Venus.

Mark McHugh of Spencer Marks commented: “It was a lively crowd, one who clearly loved the show and came with a great collector mentality. We were very busy. The attendees love the diversity of the merchandise at Spring Show. There’s something here for everyone.” Among the Spencer Marks sales: A silver Art Deco vase once owned by Andy Warhol; a Tiffany punch bowl with walrus-mask handles; an American silver figurative fish dish from 1884; an 1876 American trompe l’oeil silver plate; an English Regency sterling-silver epergne, circa 1819, by Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard; and a Tiffany Aesthetic Movement coffee pot from the late 19th century.

To attract fledgling collectors, the Spring Show NYC invited the young members of 20 prominent cultural organizations for Arts’ Night Out, co-chaired by Emily Collins, Margaret Moore, and Abigail Starliper, on May 4th. More than 600 novice collectors attended.

The next Spring Show NYC is slated for April 24-28, 2013.

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ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

The invitation-only Opening Night was sponsored by 1stdibs and benefited the ASPCA. Special guests of the four-legged variety seemed to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

The invitation-only Opening Night was sponsored by 1stdibs and benefited the ASPCA. Special guests of the four-legged variety seemed to enjoy the spotlight and the attention.

A beautiful setting for the Spring Show NYC, held May 3-6, 2012 at the Park Avenue Armory

A beautiful setting for the Spring Show NYC, held May 3-6, 2012 at the Park Avenue Armory

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

More than 600 younger collectors with an interest in antiques and fine art were invited to the show. Photo by Ann Watt.

More than 600 younger collectors with an interest in antiques and fine art were invited to the show. Photo by Ann Watt.

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

Photo by Ann Watt

Jumeau French bisque poupee in original costume including parasol. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Frasher’s Doll Auctions selling lifetime collection June 16-17

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Jumeau French bisque poupee in original costume including parasol. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Jumeau French bisque poupee in original costume including parasol. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Forty years of collecting by Anne and Dennis Lambert of Edina, Minn., reflect the great diversity and enjoyment of two true collectors. Their decision to sell their collection results in an abundance of splendid dolls, furnishings, fashions, dollhouses, miniatures and all manner of wonderful items, to be offered for sale on June 16-17 by Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. Also included in the sale is the entire half doll collection of the late Ginger Dean of Overland Park, Kan., comprising over 100 beautiful figures.

Wonderful models of the elegant French poupees parade through the catalog pages accompanied by their luxurious necessities and accessories, while bebes from Jumeau, Steiner, Bru, Rabery and Delphieu, and others vie for attention. Pretty German girls, characters and babies are plentiful and range in size from 8 inches nearly 3 1/2 feet.

Not looking for just another pretty face? Take a glance at the peg woodens, milliner models, cloth dolls, Volland’s Raggedy Ann, Motschmann wax, Alabama Baby, mask-face googlies or the Philadelphia Baby among others. Shirley Temples, Nancy Ann Storybooks, Alexander and others represent the 1930-1950 era.

Dollhouses and rooms had a special appeal for the Lamberts, and collectors will find many nice examples from the Bliss firm and others, along with dollhouse furnishings and tiny dolls, a millinery shop and furnished German kitchens plus an array of furnishings and accessories. Doll-size furnishings, carriages and cupboards, tea sets, teddy bears and toys are sprinkled throughout.

A beautiful 112-page catalog covering both days of the auction and featuring approximately 500 lots is available for $49.

The event will be held at the KCI Expo Center at KCI International Airport. Absentee and live telephone bidding is also offered on all lots.

Preview for the cataloged sale will be Saturday, June 16, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. with cataloged auction beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Sunday, June 17, preview begins at 9 a.m. The auction begins at 10 a.m. The catalog sale continues followed by approximately 175 uncataloged lots.

For more information or to order a catalog contact Frasher’s Doll Auctions, 2323 S. Mecklin School Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075; phone 816-625-3786; email Frasher@aol.com.

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

Jumeau French bisque poupee in original costume including parasol. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Jumeau French bisque poupee in original costume including parasol. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

All original 16-inch French bisque poupee with original Maison Alph-Giroux and a 17-inch French bisque poupee by Leontine Rohmer. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

All original 16-inch French bisque poupee with original Maison Alph-Giroux and a 17-inch French bisque poupee by Leontine Rohmer. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Rare 31-inch 'Incised Depose' bebe Jumeau in original dress. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Rare 31-inch ‘Incised Depose’ bebe Jumeau in original dress. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

German wooden dollhouse kitchen with furnishings. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

German wooden dollhouse kitchen with furnishings. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Alabama Baby, Philadelphia Baby, milliner’s model and peg wooden shown with Bliss dollhouse, early teddy bear and pull toy goat. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Alabama Baby, Philadelphia Baby, milliner’s model and peg wooden shown with Bliss dollhouse, early teddy bear and pull toy goat. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

All original French bisque poupee as a moustached gentleman. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

All original French bisque poupee as a moustached gentleman. Image courtesy Frasher’s Doll Auctions.

Screenshot of frame 352 from the Patterson-Gimlin film that purportedly captured an image of Bigfoot. Some disputed the filmmakers' claim and said it is a man in an ape suit, including a man who came forward years later and said he was the person who had donned just such a suit for the film. Fair use of low-resolution image used to provide a historically significant depiction of the subject in question.

Wanted: Bigfoot hair samples for European study

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Screenshot of frame 352 from the Patterson-Gimlin film that purportedly captured an image of Bigfoot. Some disputed the filmmakers' claim and said it is a man in an ape suit, including a man who came forward years later and said he was the person who had donned just such a suit for the film. Fair use of low-resolution image used to provide a historically significant depiction of the subject in question.

Screenshot of frame 352 from the Patterson-Gimlin film that purportedly captured an image of Bigfoot. Some disputed the filmmakers’ claim and said it is a man in an ape suit, including a man who came forward years later and said he was the person who had donned just such a suit for the film. Fair use of low-resolution image used to provide a historically significant depiction of the subject in question.

LONDON (AP) — European researchers are planning to use new techniques to analyze DNA that could help crack the mystery of whether Bigfoot exists.

In a project announced this week, Oxford University and Lausanne Museum of Zoology scientists appealed to museums, scientists and Yeti aficionados to share hair samples thought to be from the mythical ape-like creature.

New genetic tests will be done on just a few strands of hair and should be completed within weeks. Even if the sample is judged to come from an unknown species, scientists should be able to tell how closely it is related to other species, including apes or humans.

Bryan Sykes of Oxford University said the group had already received many offers of samples to test, including blood, hair, and items supposedly chewed by Bigfoot. Sykes and colleagues plan to sift through the samples for the next few months before deciding which specimens to test. They will then publish their results in a peer-reviewed journal.

Other experts agreed recent advances made in DNA testing could theoretically solve the Bigfoot question.

“If the Yeti is real and somebody has found bits of their hair, you should be able to tell from the DNA in the hair if this is actually a Yeti,” said Mark Thomas, a professor of evolutionary genetics at University College London. He is not connected to the Bigfoot project.

But Thomas was unsure how likely it was anyone might have actual Yeti hairs. Some scientists theorize Yetis are either a distinct hominid species, or a mix between homo sapiens and Neanderthals or other species. There is already evidence of interbreeding between homo sapiens and Neanderthals.

“If Yetis have survived for the last 30,000 years, they have probably had a pretty miserable existence and are a small population vulnerable to extinction,” Thomas said. “It’s not as insane an idea as many might think, but the chances are pretty small.”

Sykes said he has always been intrigued by stories of Yeti sightings, but would rely on science rather than such tales to prove if the stories are credible. “It’s not really possible to fabricate DNA evidence,” he said.

He acknowledged that the chances of proving the existence of a new Yeti species are low, but said that the study was still worthwhile. “If we don’t look, we’ll never find out,” he said.

Bigfoot is a legendary giant, hairy, ape-like beast that is variously known as Sasquatch, the Abominable Snowman, Yeti and other names. It supposedly lives in heavily forested or snowy mountains. Although most scientists don’t believe in the beast’s existence, decades of eyewitness reports, suggestive photos and stories have kept the legend alive.

The most famous of all alleged Bigfoot/Sasquatch sightings was captured in a film shot by Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin on Oct. 20, 1967 in Bluff Creek, California. Many years later, an acquaintance of Patterson’s named Bob Heironimus, came forward to make the claim that he had worn an ape costume for the making of the film.

David Frayer, a professor of biological anthropology at Kansas University, told The Associated Press in an email that “No serious scientist (would) treat Yeti as a worthy research project.”

He said previous tests on supposed Yeti hairs have already been done — “and they turned out to be from a bison.”

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Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Auction Central News International contributed to this report.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a special £10 note to celebrate the 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy RBS Group.

Scottish 10-pound note celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s reign

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The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a special £10 note to celebrate the 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy RBS Group.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a special £10 note to celebrate the 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy RBS Group.

LONDON (AP) – The Royal Bank of Scotland is celebrating the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II by issuing 20 million pounds ($31 million) worth of 10-pound notes with four images of the queen from the 1940s to the 21st century.

Notes with special serial numbers have been donated to several charities including the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust, Oxfam, the National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Golf Union and a children’s help organization.

A charity auction of the notes and others is planned later this year to raise money for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Charity Trust.

“We’re hoping that auctioning the commemorative note will raise money to help young people in Scotland set up their own business,” said Geoff Leaks, director of the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust.

The Royal Bank of Scotland was the first to issue notes bearing the monarch’s image, starting from its foundation in 1727 during the reign of George I. The Bank of England didn’t issues notes with the monarch’s image until 1960, RBS said.

The new 10-pound note is an upgrade for the monarch. RBS issued a 5-pound note in 2002 to mark her 50th year as queen.

Customers outside Scotland can order up to 20 notes for the face value plus 5.90 pounds postage.

The notes can be spent throughout the United Kingdom.

The Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale Bank also issue Scottish notes, while four banks issue notes in Northern Ireland. Pound notes are also issued by the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, Gibraltar, St. Helena and the Falkland Islands.

____

Online:

www.rbs.com/diamondjubileenote

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Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a special £10 note to celebrate the 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy RBS Group.

The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a special £10 note to celebrate the 60-year reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Image courtesy RBS Group.

Catholic procession on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, 2006. Photo by Darko Tepert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Ancient Bethlehem seal unearthed in Jerusalem

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Catholic procession on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, 2006. Photo by Darko Tepert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Catholic procession on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, 2006. Photo by Darko Tepert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israel Antiquities Authority says archeologists digging at a Jerusalem site have found the oldest artifact that bears the inscription of Bethlehem — a 2,700-year-old seal with the name of Jesus’ traditional birthplace.

Eli Shukron, the authority’s director of excavations, says this is the first time the city’s name has appeared on an artifact from this period. The clay seal, or bulla, was found in a Jerusalem dig.

Shukron said on Wednesday the seal bears the ancient Hebrew script used during the period of the first biblical Jewish Temple. He says pottery found nearby dates back to the same period.

He says the seal is 1.5 centimeters (0.59 inches) in diameter and was most likely used to stamp tax shipments.

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Catholic procession on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, 2006. Photo by Darko Tepert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

Catholic procession on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, 2006. Photo by Darko Tepert, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

‘Yellow Pace’ by Larry Zox, acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Maria Mozgova auction June 6 boasts fine Texas estate

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‘Yellow Pace’ by Larry Zox, acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

‘Yellow Pace’ by Larry Zox, acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

HOUSTON – On June 6 Maria Mozgova Action will conduct an American & European Paintings, Lalique, Silver and Collectibles auction of the fine living estate of Wilma Bruyere of New Ulm, Texas. Some additional items are from the private collection of John Wiegman, a renowned Houston architect.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. The auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

Bruyere is an avid art collector, and with the support of the best art galleries in Houston assembled a nice collection of paintings by renowned artists from Europe and the U.S. She also collected high-end crystal from Rene Lalique and Baccarat, sterling silver pieces from Tiffany & Co, Wallace, and G. Keller, china from Limoges, and Chinese porcelain, ivory and rock crystal carvings.

Paintings highlighted are Notre Dame de Paris, oil on canvas by Louis Icart; Un Coin de France, oil on canvas by Yvonne Canu; Sunday Morning oil on canvas by George Brandriff; The Gypsies, oil on canvas by David Adickes; Missoulian Spook, acrylic on canvas by Dan Christensen; Yellow Pace, acrylic on canvas by Larry Zox; and Birds on the Horizon, oil on canvas by Robert Rishell.

Choice etchings include les Fables de La Fontaine by Marc Chagall, Los Caprichos by Francisco de Goya, Mimi and Dans les Reves by Louis Icart, as well as works by James Tissot and Jean Louis Forain.

Top sterling silver items are a large centerpiece by G. Keller (1st standard – 925, 238 troy ounces) and a 207-piece Wallace Grand Baroque flatware set.

Rene Lalique glassware includes a Camargue vase (model No 10-937), a Moyenne Nue statue (model No 830, circa 1912), a Bacchantes vase and an Igor caviar bowl.

Chinese porcelain and carvings include large robin’s egg porcelain covered vases/jars (19th century), pillar vases (Tao Kuang Period) and a rock crystal dragon vase (18th century).

The auction will be held at 1811 Upland Drive in Houston, TX 77043.

A preview is scheduled the day of the sale from noon until auction time.

For more information, contact Maria Mozgova by email info@mozgovasauction.com or phone 713-515-0945. Visit the auctioneer’s websitewww.mozgovasauction.com

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

‘Yellow Pace’ by Larry Zox, acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

‘Yellow Pace’ by Larry Zox, acrylic on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Rene Lalique Camargue vase. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Rene Lalique Camargue vase. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Silver centerpiece by G Keller. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Silver centerpiece by G Keller. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Rock crystal dragon vase, 18th century. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Rock crystal dragon vase, 18th century. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

‘Notre Dame de Paris’ by Louis Icart, oil on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

‘Notre Dame de Paris’ by Louis Icart, oil on canvas. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Chinese pillar vase, Tao Kuang Period. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Chinese pillar vase, Tao Kuang Period. Image courtesy Maria Mozgova Auction.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.

LA museum to unveil artist’s big rock work in June

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Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A rockin’ good time is planned next month when the Los Angeles County Museum of Art pulls the covers off artist Michael Heizer’s latest creation — a 340-ton boulder positioned to appear as though it’s floating in mid-air.

The gigantic work titled “Levitated Mass” will be unveiled June 24 and is intended to remain forever.

Its centerpiece is the two-story-tall chunk of granite that was hauled 105 miles from a Riverside rock quarry earlier this year. Since then, the rock has been carefully positioned above a 465-foot-long trench that museum visitors can stroll.

From the trench, the rock should appear to be hovering above them.

“We live in a world that’s technological and primordial simultaneously,” Heizer said in a statement released Tuesday by the museum. “I guess the idea is to make art that reflects this premise.”

The 67-year-old artist rarely appears in public, and museum officials didn’t say if he plans to attend the unveiling. He has been quietly overseeing the big rock’s installation over the trench and gave architect Frank Gehry a tour of the site.

On the day of the unveiling, the museum is also opening “Michael Heizer: Actual Size,” an exhibition of more than a dozen gigantic photographs showing other works by the artist.

Heizer may be best known for “Double Negative,” a 1,500-foot-long land sculpture cut into a desert mesa in southern Nevada.

For much of the past 40 years, he has been working on “City,” a project of Mount Rushmore-sized proportions in central Nevada.

He is adamant that no one see “City” until it is complete, but aerial photos show a number of pyramid-like buildings, some as high as 80 feet, stretching across more than a mile of desert.

Heizer has planned for more than 40 years to create “Levitated Mass,” but had to locate the perfect rock. He finally found one in a quarry on the outskirts of Riverside about seven years ago.

It took dozens of people and a specially built trailer to haul it over the surface streets of 22 cities.

The trip lasted nearly two weeks, with the rock traveling only at night and rarely faster than 5 mph. Thousands of people turned out to cheer it on.

To thank those who put up with road closures and other delays, the museum is granting free admission for a week to people who live in zip code areas traversed by the rock.

#   #   #

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Photo from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive at the Library of Congress.

The all-volunteer 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was out of Northampton County, Pa., and fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. This 1889 engraving published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, depicts the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863.

Civil War soldier’s memorabilia finds its rightful family

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The all-volunteer 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was out of Northampton County, Pa., and fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. This 1889 engraving published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, depicts the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863.

The all-volunteer 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was out of Northampton County, Pa., and fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. This 1889 engraving published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, depicts the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) – Here’s one story that has a happy ending.

About three weeks ago, the Pocono Record wrote about Paul Mastronardi, a Brodheadsville pawn broker who had acquired several items that once belonged to a Civil War soldier.

Mastronardi was going to sell the memorabilia — discharge papers, a cap and a medal — but then researched the memorabilia and discovered that a descendant of this soldier was passionate about his family’s involvement in the Civil War.

Mastronardi wanted to return the items, worth about $2,000, for free but couldn’t find the relative.

The descendant, Bruce Wehrle, of Lexington, N.C., wound up reading the Pocono Record story online, which was picked up and distributed nationally by The Associated Press.

The two men now expect to meet for Mastronardi to return the items.

“I just think it’s so cool that we were able to find each other,” Mastronardi said.

Wehrle said he had no idea that items belonging to his relative, Albert Clewell, who was a member of the Union Army’s 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment, even existed.

Wehrle said a friend had initially read the Pocono Record story and alerted him.

“He called me up and said, ‘This is going to knock your socks off,”’ said Wehrle, 62.

Members of the 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment were all volunteers and were recruited out of Northampton County. The soldiers fought at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, two crucial battles in the Civil War.

Mastronardi thinks that the person who initially sold him Clewell’s items may also be related to Clewell and may even be related to Wehrle.

Regardless, Wehrle said he is excited that he may soon get these historical items.

He plans to show them to several of his friends who are also Civil War buffs. Wehrle said after that, he’ll probably try to get them on display at a local museum in Lexington, N.C. In the end, though, he thinks he’s going to donate the items to a historical society in Northampton County.

Wehrle says he’s thankful for Mastronardi’s generosity and hopes to return the favor when the two meet in June in Gettysburg.

In exchange for the memorabilia, Wehrle will give Mastronardi and his son a comprehensive tour of the Gettysburg battlefield and the specific areas where Albert Clewell likely once fought.

“I’m just stunned that there are still people out there like (Mastronardi),” Wehrle said. ‘I’m really grateful.”

___

Information from: Pocono Record, http://www.poconorecord.com/

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

The all-volunteer 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was out of Northampton County, Pa., and fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. This 1889 engraving published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, depicts the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863.

The all-volunteer 153rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment was out of Northampton County, Pa., and fought at Gettysburg and Chancellorsville. This 1889 engraving published by Kurz and Allison, Chicago, depicts the Battle of Chancellorsville, May 2-4, 1863.

Glass vial holding a sample of President Ronald Reagan's blood, which was drawn after an assassination attempt in 1981. The vial will now become part of the archive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Image courtesy of PFC Auctions.

Controversial auction of Reagan’s blood ends with gift to foundation

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Glass vial holding a sample of President Ronald Reagan's blood, which was drawn after an assassination attempt in 1981. The vial will now become part of the archive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Image courtesy of PFC Auctions.

Glass vial holding a sample of President Ronald Reagan’s blood, which was drawn after an assassination attempt in 1981. The vial will now become part of the archive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Image courtesy of PFC Auctions.

GUERNSEY, Channel Islands – PFC Auctions, whose May 24, 2012 online auction made worldwide headlines after an uproar over a laboratory vial of President Ronald Reagan’s blood, has ended amicably. A spokesperson for the auction house has announced that the controversial lot entered in the sale has been withdrawn and will be donated to The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

“What has not been widely reported is that the auction consignor purchased the item at a public auction in the USA in February 2012 for $3,550,” a PFC Auctions statement says. “Bidding on the PFC Auctions website currently stands at $30,086, and we have negotiated with the consignor to arrange for the item to be withdrawn from the auction and donated to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, a considerable financial gesture from the consignor.”

The consignor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I realized what an important artifact this was when bidding in the US auction. I am a serious collector of Presidential memorabilia, and have donated to museums before, and thought from the provenance supplied at the auction where I purchased [it], that the Reagan Foundation had no interest in the item. I have dealt with the team at PFC Auctions for over 10 years so they were naturally my first choice when I chose to re-auction the item. The publicity generated by PFC Auctions for their current auction has clearly highlighted the importance of this historical artifact, and I would personally be delighted to see [it] put on public display by the Foundation. This now concludes matters to the benefit of The Ronald Reagan Foundation, and protects the legacy of Ronald Reagan as a President of the United States.”

John Heubusch, the executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, said: “We are very pleased with this outcome and wish to thank the consignor and PFC Auctions for their assistance in this matter. While we contend that the removal of the vial from the hospital laboratory and the US auction sale in February 2012 were not legal acts in our opinion, we are grateful to the current custodian of the vial for this generous donation to the Foundation Ensuring President Reagan’s blood remains out of public hands.”

PFC’s auction, which contains such iconic and quirky pop culture items as the serape jacket worn by Bob Dylan on the cover of The Basement Tapes LP, a slice of cake from the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, and even snips of hair from Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber and Marilyn Monroe, will close for bidding later today.

Visit PFC Auctions online at www.pfcauctions.com.

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Glass vial holding a sample of President Ronald Reagan's blood, which was drawn after an assassination attempt in 1981. The vial will now become part of the archive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Image courtesy of PFC Auctions.

Glass vial holding a sample of President Ronald Reagan’s blood, which was drawn after an assassination attempt in 1981. The vial will now become part of the archive at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Image courtesy of PFC Auctions.

The Fox screenprint showcases the intricate work Klub 7 specializes in. Screenprint by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

Reading the Streets: ‘Klub 7 is up to something’

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The Fox screenprint showcases the intricate work Klub 7 specializes in. Screenprint by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

The Fox screenprint showcases the intricate work Klub 7 specializes in. Screenprint by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

NEW YORK – Thru the June 10, the Pandemic Gallery is hosting “Klub 7 is up to something,” a collection of screen prints and small works by the Berlin-based Art Collective. The exhibit, while small, contains a wide representation of the works the group has perfected in their decade of creating art.

The group has a trademark style that incorporates pop art, comic, pop culture on various materials including paper, wood, textile and large-scale murals. The six members (Otto Baum, Mike Okay, Lowskii, Kid Cash, DIsko Robot, Dani Daphne) refer to the collective as an “artistic laboratory, wherein everything revolves around doing and experimenting.” Over the years they have evolved into a studio that creates murals, customizations and illustrations throughout the world, but remain grounded in classic graffiti writing.

Since Pandemic specializes in, but doesn’t restrict itself to, urban street art, Klub 7 is a perfect fit for the artist-run space.

Along with the show, Klub 7 painted a wall in Willimasburg on Union Avenue near Grand Street, and chalked up various areas in Brooklyn with intricate, temporary pieces—Coney Island, the Williamsburg Bridge. It’s too bad rainy weather has washed away the work.

For more, see klub7.posterous.com.

ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE

The Fox screenprint showcases the intricate work Klub 7 specializes in. Screenprint by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

The Fox screenprint showcases the intricate work Klub 7 specializes in. Screenprint by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

Various pieces by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Pandemic is selling most of the small pieces for $40. Pieces are against a wall painted by Klub 7. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

Various pieces by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Pandemic is selling most of the small pieces for $40. Pieces are against a wall painted by Klub 7. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

The Lego-esque bald-headed characters often seen in Klub 7 work. Woodblock art by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.

The Lego-esque bald-headed characters often seen in Klub 7 work. Woodblock art by Klub 7, Pandemic Gallery, Williamsburg. Photo by Kelsey Savage.