Italian photography takes center stage in London. On June 12 Christie’s will hold an auction of rare vintage prints coming from Paolo Morello’s collection. The catalog includes 150 photographs by 23 Italian photographers depicting life and culture in Italy between 1945 and 1975. They appear for the first time on the market. Prices are accessible and range from £2,000 to £30,000 ($3,000-$46,000).
Paolo Morello is one of the most prominent authorities for photography in Italy. Since 1998 Morello has been dealing with photography as an art historian, professor at many Italian universities, photographer, publisher and collector. For many years Morello has been pursuing the idea of opening his collection to the public and founding a museum for Italian photography. “I have offered to donate my collection to three Italian regions,” Morello tells Auction Central News, “In return I asked the local government to guarantee an adequate location and not to leave the works closed in a crate. In all cases I did not receive constructive reactions; I clashed with bureaucracy and bad administration and I had to renounce to my intent.”
Still Morello is optimistic: “This is a great opportunity for Italian photography,” Morello says. “It is the first time that an important auction house as Christie’s dedicates an auction exclusively to this market. It will work as a flywheel for Italian photography, which has not received the right recognition at an international level, yet.”
The auction includes works by important Italian photographers such as Gianni Berengo Gardin and Mario de Biasi. The choice of which works to put on sale was not made by the collector, but it was left in Philippe Garner’s care, who is International Head of the Photographs Department at Christie’s and a friend of Morello’s. Garner’s selection fell on works carrying a strong formal taste. The choice reflects a certain image of Italy as it is seen at an international level. There are photographs representing la Dolce Vita, portraits of famous actors such as Sofia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, as well as paparazzi, seascapes and views of Venice. Nevertheless, Morello’s colletion is much wider and includes also images of war and earthquakes with a stronger social value.
Besides being wider in dimensions and subjects, Morello’s collection is not limited to the postwar decades but includes contemporary photography. “My collection is made up of two parts: there are works I buy to support emergent artists, and works I buy to conduct my studies. This part represents the majority of my collection and is composed of vintage prints, contact prints, publications and much more.”
The auction represents an occasion to invest in a still undervalued market and, according to the collector, it is also an important opportunity for the market of photography in itself, which is now dominated by the French, English and American school.
“I hope this episode will not be an isolate case,” Morello says, “but you need a virtuous system which includes exhibitions, scientific publications and serious art dealers working in the primary market.”
Last February in New York there were already some important events dedicated to Italian photography. One of them was an exhibition entitled “Peripheral Visions: Italian Photography, 1950s-Present,” promoted by the Hunter College and curated by Maria Antonella Pelizzari, professor for history of photography at the Hunter College. The exhibition, which was on view until April 28, showcased the works of major Italian photographers who have explored an alternative image of the country: the urban landscape connected to the industrial evolution of postwar Italian cities. Parallel to this exhibition, Verona-based gallery Studio la Città organized, in collaboration with Howard Greenberg Gallery, the exhibition “An Italian Perspective” (until March 13). The show, curated by Angela Madesani, included works by four leading Italian photographers: Massimo Vitali, Gabriele Basilico, Vincenzo Castella and Luigi Ghirri.
“Our aim was to contribute to the promotion of Italian photography in the U.S., where until now there has not been a real awareness about it.” This is the comment of Marta Fraccarolo, spokeswoman of the gallery. “We had a lot of success and we sold also works by Vincenzo Castella and Gabriele Basilico, who were the lesser-known of this group of photographers.” The price range of the exhibited works by Castella and Basilico was $16,000-$19,000 and $8,000-$19,000, respectively. Massimo Vitali is already better known in the U.S. thanks to the fact that his images find a direct correspondence in the collective imaginary. Luigi Ghirri is experiencing a boom right now. His works on show in New York ranged between $16,000 and $28,000. “All exhibited works were landscapes: natural landscapes in the case of Vitali and Ghirri, and urban views in the case of Basilico and Castella.” Fraccarolo says, and concludes: “We have noticed that the interest for the Italian school is growing and growing.”
DENVER, Pa. – Two of the country’s most influential and respected collectibles experts, auction house owner Dan Morphy and antique coin authority Laura Sperber, have joined forces to establish Legend-Morphy Rare Coin Auctions. The new firm, which will produce a minimum of two rare coin auctions per year, represents a powerful merger of numismatic knowledge and auction-management experience.
Morphy is CEO and owner of Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pa., while Sperber is a renowned US coin expert and founding owner of Legend Numismatics Inc. The third key player behind the new operation is Julie Abrams, who co-founded the groundbreaking digitized coin-auction company Teletrade in 1986, long before Internet auctions existed. Abrams will serve as president of Legend-Morphy, overseeing all executive matters and day-to-day operations.
Morphy said the new company will take an innovative approach to numismatic sales. “As I see it, the coin auction world has always been about business and numbers. What it has lacked is personalized service at both ends of a transaction – for the customer who is buying just as much as for the consignor who is selling. Morphy-Legend will certainly be run like a world-class rare coin business if Laura and Julie are involved. They’re consummate professionals, both in their business acumen and knowledge of coins. But the three of us are also committed to injecting excitement and passion into the process of buying and selling fine coins. Morphy’s has an enthusiastic support team on board to help us make that vision a reality,” Morphy said.
Legend-Morphy’s auctions will be conducted live at Morphy’s southeastern Pennsylvania gallery and other venues, with some of the auction dates and locations chosen specifically to coincide with major coin shows. All of the company’s sales will include Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com. Morphy’s staff will handle pre- and post-event duties, catalog production and shipping.
“I think collectors will react very enthusiastically to our new venture because we’re a fresh enterprise that’s approaching the auction business from a collector’s point of view,” said Sperber, who operates at the highest echelons of the numismatic hobby. Over the years, Sperber’s New Jersey-based Legend Numismatics has owned some of the rarest US coins in existence and has brokered a number of monumental private-treaty deals, including the $36 million private sale of a single intact collection.
Sperber said the concept behind Legend-Morphy has been brewing for several years. “Dan has had a long involvement with coins. He started collecting them as a boy, and by the time he was 12, he was already actively buying and selling coins and other types of antiques and collectibles. He and I collaborated on a few coin sales in the past, and they were very successful, but we knew that in order for our collaboration to be a long-term venture, we needed additional staff and more gallery space,” Sperber said. “Morphy’s has since doubled both its gallery size and staff, and has built a phenomenal customer base of more than 350,000 collectors worldwide. With those points checked off our list, Dan and I felt there was only one item of unfinished business to attend to – signing on Julie Abrams, the person whose Internet coin-trading experience and executive abilities would ensure our success.”
Abrams described the joint venture between Morphy and Sperber as “a meeting of the minds…on one hand you have one of the country’s top auction houses wanting to start a coin division, and on the other hand, the top coin dealer wanting to start an auction division. It’s two fabulous companies joining forces at the right time, and I’m incredibly excited that they asked me to spearhead the venture for them.”
In addition to working with Sperber and Morphy on consignments, publicity and marketing, Abrams will be representing Legend-Morphy at all major coin shows and conventions. Like Sperber, Abrams is impressively credentialed and is a member of the ANA and other prestigious numismatic organizations.
Legend-Morphy Rare Coin Auctions will launch its new operation with an Oct. 10, 2012 sale at Morphy’s gallery. Already, several stellar coins have been confirmed for consignment to the event. A preview selection will be on display Aug. 7-11 at the ANA Convention in Philadelphia, and at several other coin shows. Legend-Morphy will have a presence at the booth 55, the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Expo, June 28-30 at the Baltimore Convention Center.
The company’s website, www.legendmorphy.com, is expected to go live in late June. To inquire about consigning, call 717-335-3435 or e-mail juliea@legendmorphy.com.
# # #
ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE
Image courtesy of Morphy’s.Laura Sperber, co-owner of Legend-Morphy Coins LLCDan Morphy, co-owner of Legend-Morphy Coins LLCJulie Abrams, president of Legend-Morphy Coins LLC
Bakewell pattern-molded and engraved sugar bowl and cover, colorless, circa 1820-1835 (May 19 sale, $8,625, Lot 171). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates. MOUNT CRAWFORD, Va. – A pattern-molded and engraved sugar bowl and cover, attributed to Bakewell, Page & Bakewell and made circa 1820-1835, soared to $8,625 at an auction dedicated to 18th and 19th century glass and lighting held May 19 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates. The bowl and cover were the top lot of the 882 items sold.
The firm also held sales on back-to-back days in April. The April 28 event featured 18th and 19th century lighting (headlined by the second half of the Meyer lighting collection), while the April 29 auction saw the sale of the Phillip Sullivan lantern collection. All three sales were successes, as Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates specializes in 18th-20th century glass and lighting, Southern decorative arts, Americana, art and antiques.
The May 19 sale—the annual early glass and lighting auction—was particularly special this year because it combined with the National American Glass Club’s 2012 seminar that Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates hosted in neighboring Harrisonburg. Historic and private collections tours, a day of lectures at the company gallery plus the auction kept attendees busy and enthralled all weekend.
“The seminar turnout was fantastic,” said Jeffrey S. Evans. “Members flew in from California, New England, Florida, Canada and England.” He added, “The auction performed as we expected. The market for bottles and flasks continues to be very hot, as is the demand for free-blown wares, especially when a strong attribution can be made. Also hot are open salts from the early pressed and lacy periods.”
Evans cautioned that other categories of glass collecting are “off probably by 50 percent from the prerecession market, which is pretty much in line with most other types of antiques today.” But he said it’s a situation that presents an opportune time to acquire quality 19th century glass at wholesale prices. “Collectors are beginning to recognize the great values out there. Now is a great time to buy.”
The April and May auctions were all absolute, meaning everything sold, regardless of price. The May 19 sale had 66 bidders in attendance, plus 223 people registered to bid online (through LiveAuctioneers.com). Internet activity accounted for 1,912 submitted bids. There were 1,696 total alternate bids (including phone, absentee and online left bids) and absentee bidders totaled 137 people. In all, the auction grossed right at $228,500.
Following are additional highlights from the May 19 auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
A free-blown saucer-base whale oil lamp, colorless, made circa 1825-1830 by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co., and others, with a folded rim and rough pontil mark, with just a hint of wear to the font, went for $6,325; and a blown-molded creamer (GIII-24), with a deep cobalt blue body and colorless handle, also made by Boston & Sandwich Glass Co., circa 1820-1840, changed hands for $5,750.
A medium sapphire blue one-pint scroll flask (GIX-18), with an ill-defined center star only, made by an unknown United States glasshouse circa 1840-1860, standing 7 inches tall, coasted to $4,888; and a colorless lead glass pressed Horn of Plenty rectangular undertray, one of only two known, made to accompany an extremely rare rectangular covered casket/dish and made circa 1845-1855, topped out at $3,738.
An extravagant, blue to colorless cut overlay chalice, a deep bowl cut with tiny stars and upright ferns, probably made in France by Saint-Louis or Baccarat, circa 1880-1900, 12 1/4 inches tall, 5 inches in diameter, topped out at $3,220; and an advertising ironstone covered dish, octagonal footed form, for Sweeny & Son in Wheeling, Va. (now West Virginia), circa mid-19th century, 7 inches tall, wowed the crowd for $3,105.
As stated, the star of the April 28 lighting auction was the second half of the Meyer collection. A large number of the lamps in the first Meyer auction were purchased by a new museum being formed in the western U.S., while most lamps in this auction were captured by private collectors throughout North America. The appeal of the collection was the complete nature of each lamp, including the period burner, chimney and shade.
“The Western museum found these features especially attractive, considering the difficulty of acquiring complete period setups in today’s market,” Evans observed. “The Meyers spent more than 30 years carefully assembling their collection, piece by piece, and their efforts were rewarded, both monetarily and in terms of historical significance. This was truly a museum-quality collection.”
About 76 people were bidding live, at the gallery, for the April 28 event, while 81 registered absentee and phone bidders submitted 812 bids. The 139 bidders who were approved to bid through LiveAuctioneers placed a total of 1,746 alternate bids. All 497 of the lots that came up for bid changed hands. There were zero passes. The auction grossed $162,455.
Following are highlights from the April 28 auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
A wood and glass candle lantern with square softwood frame and worn red paint and three full glass panels with a hinged door fitted with a small glass window with guards, circa 19th century, 15 1/2 inches tall, rose to $3,335; and a swirled marbrie loop stand lamp, ruby with opal pulled and swirling loops, its thumbwheel marked “E. F. Jones, Boston,” circa third quarter 19th century, realized $2,760.
A Blackberry stand lamp with brilliant teal green font and alabaster/clambroth Baroque base, made circa 1870, achieved $2,300; and a cut overlay star and quatrefoil stand lamp, with a white cut to starch blue pyriform font, earned $2,185.
A 19th century sheet iron Rumford type stand lamp having the original green paint with traces of yellow pinstriping, and with a square weighted base and hinged refill cap and sleeve for a detachable shade, climbed to $2,070; and an opaque pale green Coolidge Drape stand lamp with matching patterned chimney-shade, circa last quarter 19th century, garnered $1,955.
“We could not have had a more memorable way to end our lighting auction weekend on April 29 than with the Rushlight Club seminar and Sullivan lantern collection,” Evans said. “Phil Sullivan was a past president and active member of the club, and he and his wife, Carolyn, were friends with many of the club’s New England constituents. All who participated in the auction commented on the breadth and fine quality of the Sullivan collection. Bidding was spirited throughout the auction.”
Winning bidders included two U.S. museums, private collectors and dealers from across North America and around the world. “Our lighting cataloger, Barbara Morris, was thrilled to have the opportunity to handle such an important and specialized collection,” Evans said. “It offered her a crash course on the history of the lantern within the overall narrative of historic lighting.”
The April 29 auction actually comprised just half of Phil Sullivan’s 900-piece lantern collection. The second half will be sold by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates on Friday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m., in Mount Crawford. The final numbers for the April 29 auction were: 78 in-attendance bidders, 120 registered LiveAuctioneers.com bidders (placing 1,567 bids), 99 absentee and phone bidders (296 bids) and a final gross of $87,782.
Following are highlights from the April 29 auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium.
A pair of brass cold-blast tubular signal marine lanterns, ring-handled, one of them embossed with “Perkins 17 Mld No. 2 Anchor Fig. 61,” made circa last quarter 19th century and each standing 25 3/4 inches tall, brought $2,185; and a third quarter 19th century New England Glass Co. pierced sheet iron whale oil lantern with bail handle and fixed colorless globe, 15 inches tall, fetched $1,380.
A pierced sheet iron “P.W.R.R.” whale oil lantern with traces of japanned decoration and a strap ring handle, having a fixed colorless globe and removable base with bayonet mechanism, circa mid-19th century, reached $1,380; and a C.T. Ham sheet iron and brass “New York Central” conductor’s railroad lantern with bail handle, vertical wire guards and removable base, late 19th century, made $1,150.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates’ next big auction will be held on Saturday, June 23. Offered will be hundreds of examples of Americana and Fine Antiques. A preview will be held June 20-22, from 10-6, with a free appraisal day on Wednesday, June 20, from 1-4 p.m. As with all Jeffrey S. Evans auctions, it will be held in the spacious Mount Crawford gallery at 2177 Green Valley Lane.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates is always accepting quality consignments. To consign an item, an estate or collection, call 540-434-3939 or e-mail them at info@jeffreysevans.com. For more information on the company, and its schedule of upcoming auction events and seminars, log on to www.jeffreysevans.com.
Bakewell pattern-molded and engraved sugar bowl and cover, colorless, circa 1820-1835 (May 19 sale, $8,625, Lot 171). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
Free-blown, saucer-base whale oil lamp with colorless globular font, circa 1825-1830 (May 19 sale, $6,325, Lot 337). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
New England Glass Co. ‘WRR’ pierced sheet iron whale oil lantern, circa 1854 (April 29 sale, $1,380, Lot 520). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
Pair of polished brass cold blast tubular signal marine lanterns, 25 3/4 inches tall each (April 29 sale, $2,185), Lot 641). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
Square softwood frame and glass candle lantern with worn red paint, circa 19th century (April 28 sale, $3,335, Lot 449). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
Swirled marbrie loop stand lamp, ruby with opal pulled and swirling loops, marble base (April 28 sale, $2,760, Lot 1). Image courtesy Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates.
Michael Jackson’s fedora from the 1987 music video ‘Smooth Criminal.’ It has Jackson’s name, printed in gold, on the inside brim. Image courtesy Premiere Props. EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Premiere Props announced will be auctioning off over 1,000 Hollywood costumes and props including several personal items from Hollywood icons Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr., Liberace and Michael Jackson, plus hundreds of items from contemporary films including the “Harry Potter during their Hollywood Extravaganza VI on Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24. The auction will take place at Premiere Props’ headquarters beginning at 11 a.m. PDT, with a preview from 9-11 a.m. each day.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The star-studded lineup includes:
– Elizabeth Taylor’s personal 36-foot dressing room/trailer from the set of Cleopatra;
– Marilyn Monroe’s personally owned Pucci dress;
– Rare negatives from Marilyn Monroe;
– Frank Sinatra’s trench coat from The First Deadly Sin;
– Frank Sinatra’s stage-used bar stool from his concert performance in Brazil;
– Never before released photographs of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 during their last recording session as the Jackson 5 (includes all rights to the photos);
– Michael Jackson’s original signed deed to Neverland Ranch;
– Unreleased Elvis Presley negatives and photographs;
– Program from Michael Jackson memorial service;
– The Monkees’ autographed guitars;
– Davy Jones’ stage worn shirt;
– Brandon Lee’s shirt from The Crow;
– Rock Hudson’s frock coat and helmet from Bengal Brigade;
– Tony Curtis’ military jacket from Suppose They Gave a War; and
– Dean Martin’s military jacket from Airport.
Also included is a collection of Sammy Davis Jr.’s stage-worn costumes including a black tuxedo by Sy Devore, Hollywood, with a gray vest, black silk bow tie by Sulka and a blue dress shirt with lace trim and mother of pearl buttons embroidered “Sammy Jr” by Natlvise, Sunset Strip (May 1973); a blue and gray striped double breasted custom-styled suit by Certo, Beverly Hills, with a blue and orange shirt custom made by Ascot Chang; and a Levis jacket and pants with rhinestones depicting “Love each other” on the back with flowers, hearts, butterfly, bird and star designs.
A collection of Liberace’s costumes includes a jeweled velvet and lace tuxedo with tails and matching pants, vest, dickey and velvet bow tie choker that is pictured on Liberace’s album The Way We Were, includes record album; and his original Bicentennial costume—a rhinestone covered red, white and blue leather jacket with fringe matching hot pant shorts, handbag and necklace—which was featured during his 1971 run at Caesar’s Palace.
Also offered are hundreds of props from contemporary films including the Harry Potter and Piranha franchises.
“Hollywood Extravaganza VI will truly be an extravaganza, as we are offering fans a once in a lifetime opportunity to bid on amazing and rare personal objects from legendary stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra,” said Dan Levin, vice president of marketing for Premiere Props. “These items all hold a place in the history of Hollywood and we are delighted that we are able to bring them to adoring fans around the world.”
Fans can starting bidding now, placing bids online at https://www.liveauctioneers.com/news or calling to set up phone bidding with a Premiere Props representative. Collectors can place proxy bids until the Hollywood Extravaganza V Auction goes live at 11 a.m. on June 23.
For more information, visit http://www.premiereprops.com or call 310-322-PROP or 888-761-PROP.
Michael Jackson’s fedora from the 1987 music video ‘Smooth Criminal.’ It has Jackson’s name, printed in gold, on the inside brim. Image courtesy Premiere Props.
Sammy Davis Jr.’s Levis jacket with rhinestones spelling out ‘Love each other.’ Image courtesy Premiere Props.
Black fedora handmade in Italy by Guerra and worn by Michael Jackson on his Victory Tour of 1984. Image courtesy Premiere Props.
The exterior of Elizabeth Taylor’s 36-foot dressing room/trailer used while filming ‘Cleopatra.’ Image courtesy Premiere Props.
Fit for a queen, Elizabeth Taylor’s bed inside the dressing room/trailer. Image courtesy Premiere Props.
Marilyn Monroe’s personally owned Pucci dress. Image courtesy Premiere Props.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota regulators took the rare step of granting an auction license to a Belcourt man with felony convictions for embezzlement and assault, saying they were impressed by his forthrightness and the support of a state senator.
The state Public Service Commission initially rejected Douglas Delorme’s application in April. Delorme requested a hearing, and the commissioners, after hearing from Delorme directly, said they were convinced he had been rehabilitated.
“It’s a second chance, and I hope he uses it wisely, and I hope he has a successful career as an auctioneer,” said Tony Clark, the commission’s chairman.
Delorme said he had worked to earn people’s confidence.
“I live my life every day to be trustworthy, and to work hard, so that I can give back to my community,” Delorme said.
Sue Richter, the commission’s licensing director, said Thursday the commission had not held a hearing on an auction license denial since 1990. North Dakota has 376 licensed auctioneers, who pay $35 for an annual license.
Commissioner Kevin Cramer said he was influenced by state Sen. Richard Marcellais, D-Belcourt, a former chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa tribe, who told the commissioners Delorme was deserving of a license.
Delorme also was able to obtain an auctioneer’s bond, which is intended to provide backup financial protection for an auctioneer’s customers, Cramer said.
“A bonding company saw him, looked at his record and decided he was worth the risk,” he said. “That certainly speaks to their confidence.”
In 2003, when Delorme was a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa’s tribal council, he was sentenced to a year in prison for embezzlement and witness tampering, according to federal court records.
He was convicted of aggravated assault in 2007, court records say. Delorme was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay about $4,000 in restitution.
Delorme said at the time of his embezzlement conviction, he was new to the tribal council and unfamiliar with “the way federal money could and couldn’t be spent.”
“This is one of the learning lessons that I encountered and deeply regretted,” he said.
The assault conviction resulted from an altercation he had in the yard of his home, Delorme said. “I believed in protecting myself at home, but apparently the jury didn’t believe so,” he said.
Clark said the commission had to consider whether Delorme could be trusted as an auctioneer and whether he had taken steps to rehabilitate himself.
“If both of those questions are answered in the affirmative, then under the law, he should be licensed,” Clark said.
Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
This beautiful carousel at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pa., was built by William H. Dentzel in 1926 for the World’s Fair. Photo by Larry Pieniazek, dual licensed under GFDL and Creative Commons Attribution 2.5.
BALTIMORE (AP) – Two Maryland companies have submitted proposals to bring a carousel back to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
Baltimore has been without a carousel since earlier this year when the city pulled the plug on its antique carousel operator. The operator, who ran the carousel for three decades, ran into financial difficulties.
The city asked for proposals to bring another family attraction to the space.
Charm City Carousel Entertainment of Stevensville is proposing a classic carousel ride with 30 animal figures and two chariots.
A competing proposal is by TC Amusements, a Severn company that maintains a carousel at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. The group is pitching a slightly smaller carousel that could feature figures that represent the local area including a blue crab and a Baltimore oriole.
# # #
Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE
This beautiful carousel at Kennywood amusement park in West Mifflin, Pa., was built by William H. Dentzel in 1926 for the World’s Fair. Photo by Larry Pieniazek, dual licensed under GFDL and Creative Commons Attribution 2.5.
Josef Israels, ‘Women Gathering Shellfish,’ oil on canvas. Image courtesy Woodbury Auction.
WOODBURY. Conn. – On Sunday, June 17, Woodbury Auction presents its third anniversary spring fine estates auction with a strong offering of over 480 lots of fine and decorative art and American and Continental furniture from seven estates and over 70 individual consignors from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Texas and California.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
This anniversary sale is being held at 11 a.m. EDT in the firm’s auction hall at 710 Main St. South, Middle Quarter Plaza, in Woodbury. Preview times are Thursday, June 14, noon to 5 p.m.; Friday, June 15, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. An extended preview with wine and cheese will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday evening. Preview is also available from 8 a.m. on the day of sale. An old-fashioned barbeque will be served on Sunday during the auction.
Among the highlights of the auction are two original pieces of silver jewelry by renowned sculptor Alexander Calder, whose workshop was in Roxbury, Conn. The items, a spiral brooch and a ring, have never been offered for sale, having been given by the artist to the consignor, a local Woodbury resident, in 1953. According to Thomas Schwenke, owner and auctioneer, the items were discovered as a result of the firm’s consignment event held in April.
Other noteworthy lots from local sellers include a rare marble sculpture by noted American sculptor Oscar L. Lenz, who worked in Providence, R.I. The monumental work depicts the adoration of Pan by a female nymph and is in as found condition. According to the consignor, the sculpture descended from the Perry family home in Newport, R.I., and has been in storage for some time.
One of the rarest items in the sale is an original Art Nouveau-style bronze Porter Garden Telescope, serial number 27. The garden telescope was designed in the 1920s by Russell W. Porter, father of amateur astronomy in America, founder of the Springfield Telescope Makers, and an instructor at MIT. One of the fewer than 20 known surviving examples is in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution.
Several mid-century modern pieces are on offer, including a grouping of wrought iron serpentine wall sconces and a rare and unique wrought iron circular serpentine 53-inch-diameter chandelier, all attributed to the renowned French designer Jean Royere. The items have been in storage for several years after being removed from a Connecticut location where they were installed in the 1950s.
The sale also features many fine art lots including a framed oil on canvas of two peasant women gathering shellfish by Josef Israels (1824-1911) a Dutch artist; a unique painted taxicab by graffiti artist LA II; a recently discovered oil on canvas of a harbor scene by Harry Chase (1853-1889); an American artist working in Europe, and two works by Ernest Hennings, which were recently found in a Chicago attic. Hennings painted in Taos, N.M., and sold works through Marshall Field & Co. in Chicago. The sale includes over 100 paintings, prints and drawings by various other listed artists including works by Marc Chagall, Le Corbusier, Joseph Newman and many others.
Fresh to the market formal American furniture lots include a recently discovered Federal inlaid mahogany Pembroke table, possibly from Litchfield, Conn., a rare Sheraton carved mahogany game table attributed to the workshop of Duncan Phyfe in original untouched condition, and a Hepplewhite inlaid mahogany swell-front chest with drop panel, probably made in Portsmouth, N.H.
Silver lots to be sold include a unique sterling silver presentation cup from Yale University, several sterling silver flatware sets including Dominick & Haff, Gorham and Towle, and from the estate of Jane Coler in Woodbury is a rare Tiffany & Co. sterling silver ivory handled presentation trowel given to Bird S. Coler as commissioner of New York City Department of Welfare and inscribed to commemorate the New York City Cancer Institute, Roentgen Pavilion, dated May 20, 1925.
Several bronzes are also featured, including two fine Bergman cold painted bronzes, one a lamp form Carrying the Princess, as well as a gilt bronze figure Nude Study by noted American sculptor Paul Howard Manship, best known for his famous Prometheus statue at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
The sale also includes over 50 estate Oriental carpets including Persian and Caucasian room and scatter-size rugs, and other regional Asian rugs of varying sizes.
The catalog for the sale is viewable at www.woodburyauction.com. Absentee and phone bidding are available for this live gallery auction, and the sale will be broadcast live through LiveAuctioneers.com. To register or arrange for absentee or phone bidding, please call Woodbury Auction at 203-266-0323.
