August 2019 - Auction Central News

Yayoi Kusama mirror room coming to Indianapolis museum

August 30, 2019/in Art, Design & Architecture, Top News /by Tom Hoepf

Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929), ‘All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins,’ 2016, wood, mirror, plastic, acrylic, LED, 115 1/8 × 163 3/8 × 163 3/8 in. Dallas Museum of Art, TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Fund, 2018.12.A-I © Yayoi Kusama, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo / Singapore / Shanghai; Victoria Miro, London / Venice

INDIANAPOLIS – Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms may well have inspired the notion of immersive experiences with art. A pioneer in the genre, the first of these rooms debuted in 1965. Now, the first mirror pumpkin room created since 1991 is coming to Newfields. All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, which was acquired by the Dallas Museum of Art in 2017, will be on view at Newfields from Oct. 3 through March 29 under the title of “Infinitely Kusama.”

Morphy continues tradition of rare toy auctions Sept. 24-25

August 30, 2019/in Upcoming Auctions /by Tom Hoepf

Circa-1880 Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) ‘Roller Skating’ cast-iron mechanical bank. Estimate $80,000-$120,000. Morphy Auctions image

DENVER, Pa. – Although Morphy Auctions is one of America’s largest and busiest auction houses, with a year-round calendar of sales in many categories, the Pennsylvania-based company launched its business in 1997 with a specialty in fine antique toys and banks. Their enduring leadership role in the toy community has been paid back handsomely with a loyal worldwide following of antique and vintage toy, still and mechanical bank, and figural cast-iron collectors who never miss their sales. Morphy’s next big toy, bank and doll event will take place at their gallery on Sept. 24-25. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers. Read more

Japan’s natural beauty present in Jasper52 prints sale Sept. 4

August 30, 2019/in Upcoming Auctions /by Tom Hoepf

‘Wisteria Maiden Fujimusume,’ Kitano Tsunetomi, 19½in. x 14½in. Estimate: $1,500-$2,000. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – The natural beauty of Japan is realized in an online auction of original woodblock prints to be conducted by Jasper52 on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Subjects range from scenic landscapes to lovely women. The 77 prints in the sale span the 19th century to modern. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

Exploring a passion for model boats

August 29, 2019/in Be Smart /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

This cased boat model of the pleasure motor/sail yacht, Palawan, 38½ by 39 by 16¼ inches, made $6,750 at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in August 2015. Photo courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — You don’t have to live on the coast or an island like Nantucket to have an appreciation for nautical antiques, although it helps, since a collection of this type seems quite comfortable in a weathered seaside home. But as is the case with any well-designed antique, model boats — in particular — can add charm to any home.

The Hot Bid: Why this toy robot sold for $86,100

August 29, 2019/in Columns & International, The Hot Bid /by Tom Hoepf

The rare Machine Man robot toy stands 15 inches tall. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

NEW YORK – Over the summer months, The Hot Bid revisits antique and vintage collectible items that set world records in the past. Today’s subject: an out-of-this-world robot.

What you see: A tin lithographic Machine Man Japanese robot toy, circa 1960. Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania, sold it in March 2019 for $86,100 – a record for this toy and for any “Gang of Five” Japanese robot toy.

Vintage trade tokens ‘good for’ business

August 29, 2019/in Collectibles & Pop Culture, Top News /by Tom Hoepf

This trade token from the J.W. Brown Saloon in Garrett, Indiana, sold for $600+ the buyer’s premium at an auction in 2014. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers and Holabird Western Americana Collections

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – They are the kinds of things you’d toss in your junk drawer and then – in a cleaning frenzy perhaps years into the future – throw away.

Susanin’s presents Marshall Field’s Tiffany panels Sept. 20

August 29, 2019/in Upcoming Auctions /by Tom Hoepf

Collection of six Tiffany Studios glass zodiac panels from the historic Marshall Field’s Building in Chicago. Estimate: $100,000-$120,000. Susanin’s image

CHICAGO – A collection of Tiffany Studios mosaic glass zodiac panels and favrile glass mosaic tiles, an oil on canvas painting by Vietnamese artist Le Pho (1907-2001), and a lacquered polyurethane Homme Chair with a tubular steel base by Ruth Francken (Czech-American, 1924-2006) are just a few premier lots in Susanin’s Fall Premiere Auction slated for Friday, Sept. 20. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

Shaheen collection of impressionist art donated to Atlanta’s High Museum

August 29, 2019/in Museums /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

ATLANTA – The High Museum of Art announced today that Atlanta-based philanthropists Doris and Shouky Shaheen have donated their entire impressionist, post-impressionist and modernist painting collection, totaling 24 artworks, to the Museum. The Shaheen gift is one of the most significant groups of European paintings ever to enter the Museum’s collection, rivaled only by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation donation in 1958, which established the core of the High’s European art holdings. This marks the High’s first acquisition of paintings by renowned artists such as Henri Fantin-Latour, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani and Alfred Sisley.

Gabriela Urtiaga named MOLAA chief curator

August 29, 2019/in People /by Tom Hoepf

Gabriela Urtiaga. Courtesy of Museum of Latin American Art

LONG BEACH, Calif. (EINPresswire.com) – Dr. Lourdes I. Ramos-Rivas, president and CEO of the Museum of Latin American Art announced today that Gabriela Urtiaga of Buenos Aires has been selected to serve as the museum’s chief curator.

Film classics have top billing in online poster auction Sept. 3

August 29, 2019/in Auctions, Upcoming Auctions /by Tom Hoepf

‘Niagara,’ one sheet poster, 1953, starring Marilyn Monroe and Joseph Cotten, linen-backed, 27in. x 41in. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500. Jasper52 image

NEW YORK – Murder, mystery, suspense and voluptuous blondes are at the head of a Jasper52 online auction of movie poster and memorabilia auction taking place Tuesday, Sept. 3. The opening attraction is a one sheet poster for the 1953 feature Niagara starring Marilyn Monroe. Bid absentee or live online exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.