Banksy Honors Basquiat in London, Record Price for Harry Potter Book, and More Fresh News

One of the Banksy murals that appeared over the weekend near the Barbican Centre. Image courtesy of Banksy

 

News and updates from around the arts and auction community:

  • The meaning of Banksy’s latest set of murals has been explained by the elusive street artist on Instagram. The new street paintings, which herald the Thursday opening of an exhibition devoted to the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat, appeared over the weekend in a tunnel close to the Barbican Centre in central London. [Read more from HuffPost UK]
  • A rare first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone set a world auction record when it sold for $81,250 in Dallas last week. Only 500 original copies were published; 300 of them were sent to British libraries. [Read more from Heritage Auctions]
  • Kevin Spacey is unrecognizable as billionaire art collector J. Paul Getty (1892-1976) in the new Ridley Scott production, All the Money in the World. The film focuses on the kidnapping of Getty’s 16-year-old grandson and the ransom the oil tycoon initially refused to pay. [Read more from The Independent]
  • A charity for local schools in Norfolk, Virginia, has been sitting on a valuable French treasure – a lavish, antique grand piano that has been valued at $260K. Now, understandably, they’re looking to sell it. [Read more from The Virginian-Pilot]

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Antique Trader invites entries for Nostalgic Treasures contest

 

IOLA, Wis. – Following a successful inaugural Antique Trader Nostalgic Treasures contest in 2016, the call is out for stories for the 2017 contest. Not only will all story submissions appear in the commemorative Nostalgic Treasures print issue of Antique Trader, but each writer will receive a complimentary copy of this special magazine. Also, submissions will put the writer in the running to possibly win some great prizes.

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Modern art, decorative items at forefront of Capo Auction’s Sept. 23 sale

Alexander Calder (American, 1898–1976), ‘Composition with discs and black spiral,’ lithograph, 1970, numbered 20/80, sheet size 26 x 38 in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,500. Capo Auction image

 

NEW YORK – Capo Auction Fine Art and Antiques will shine the spotlight on contemporary art and unusual decorative items at their auction on Saturday, Sept. 23. The sale will offer a wide-ranging selection of fine and contemporary art, decorative pieces, silver and jewelry, along with antique and modern furniture. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Jasper52 to present colorful Americana auction Sept. 24

Folk art courting scene New England, early 19th century, school girl watercolor, 17 ½ x 20 in. sight. Estimate: $1,400-$18,00. Jasper52 image

 

NEW YORK – Handcrafted tramp art, cast metal figures and original artwork are highlights of a Jasper52 Americana auction that will be conducted Sunday, Sept. 24. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Objects in Cowan’s American Indian, Western art auction Sept. 23 span millennia

Eastern Woodlands pipe, 5 ½ in. x 8 ¼ in. x 2 in, fourth quarter 18th century. Estimate: $80,000-$100,000. Cowan’s Auctions image

 

CINCINNATI – Hoping to build on a spring auction that saw a record number of bidders and record sale prices, Cowan’s Fall American Indian & Western Art Auction features an even more diverse collection of art and artifacts. The Sept. 23 auction features a wide range of beadwork, blankets, jewelry, pottery, war clubs and tomahawks, and western art as well as another unparalleled collection of prehistoric art and artifacts. Absentee and Internet bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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