Palm Beach Modern sells Sam Francis painting for $603K at record-setting auction

Sam Francis (American, 1923-1994), Quiet Fruitfulness, 1987, acrylic on canvas, listed in 2011 catalogue raisonne, registered by Sam Francis Foundation, $603,250

 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – May 6th was a stellar day for Palm Beach Modern Auctions’ (PBMA) co-owners Rico Baca and Wade Terwilliger. Not only did their 492-lot offering of blue-chip modern art, design and luxury goods set a house record for a one-day auction – $1.9 million – it also showcased an important Sam Francis painting that ended up being the most expensive item ever to cross the PBMA auction block. The vibrant canvas sold for a buoyant $603,250 (all prices quoted inclusive of 27% buyer’s premium). Absentee and Internet live bidding was conducted through LiveAuctioneers.com.

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Michaan’s to disperse collection of renowned LA antiquarian June 9

Rare pair of Joseph Nigg Vienna floral decorated porcelain plaques. Estimate: $7,000-$9,000. Michaan’s Auctions image

 

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The private collection of renowned Los Angeles antiquarian Rita Neuman will be offered in an exclusive auction at Michaan’s on Friday, June 9, at 10 a.m. Pacific time (1 p.m. Eastern). Over 150 lots of Continental furniture, art and decorative objects will be offered. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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J. Greenstein & Co. auction June 13 to include Joan Rivers’ seder plate

Joan Rivers’ Spode seder plate. Estimate $3,500-$5,500. J. Greenstein & Co. image

 

CEDARHURST, N.Y. – J. Greenstein and Company, experts in antique Judaica, will hold an auction on June 13 that will include a portion of a $2 million collection of seder plates. The sale catalog includes items formerly owned by Joan Rivers and the passport issued to the founder of revisionist Zionism, Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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International businesses pledge support on Endangered Species Day

WASHINGTON – Endangered Species Day is a celebration of the many beautiful and varied forms of endangered wildlife on our planet as well as an occasion to raise awareness and incite action to protect wild animals from the brink of extinction. This national holiday was created to educate people on the importance of protecting endangered species, their habitats, threats they face, and what actions they can take. Endangered Species Day was established in 2006 by the U.S. Senate and is celebrated annually on the third Friday in May. Although Endangered Species Day is a national holiday, many countries worldwide have now chosen to observe it as well.

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Basquiat masterpiece auctioned for record $110.5M, will reside in Japanese museum

Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, 1960-1988), Untitled, 1982, signed, inscribed NYC and dated 82 on the reverse, acrylic, spray paint and oilstick on canvas, 72 1/8 by 68 1/8 in. 183.2 by 173 cm. Estimate in excess of $60 million. Sold for $110,487,500. Copyright
2017 The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat / ADAGP, Paris / ARS

 

NEW YORK – Last night in New York, Sotheby’s set an auction record for Jean-Michel Basquiat when Untitled, a masterpiece from 1982, sold for $110,487,500 million in the company’s Contemporary Art Evening Auction. The price comfortably exceeded the previous record for the artist, as well as the presale estimate of $60 million and was achieved after a 10-minute contest between multiple bidders.  The work was purchased by noted collector and entrepreneur, Yusaku Maezawa, the founder of e-commerce giant, Start Today, and ZOZOTOWN, the virtual mall on Japan’s largest fashion e-commerce site. The painting will eventually be housed in a museum based in Maezawa’s hometown of Chiba, Japan.

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