Swann marks strongest Printed & Manuscript African Americana sale to date

First and only issue of the Harlem Renaissance-era literary magazine ‘Fire!!,’ $32,500
First and only issue of the Harlem Renaissance-era literary magazine ‘Fire!!,’ $32,500
First and only issue of the Harlem Renaissance-era literary magazine ‘Fire!!,’ $32,500

NEW YORK — Swann Galleries’ annual Printed & Manuscript African Americana auction on March 30 was, by a wide margin, the most successful in its 28-year history. The event set records, with $1,377,463 in total sales and an even 94% sell-through rate. Eight lots hit the $50,000 mark — after only 14 lots hit that mark in the previous 27 years combined. It was the third-largest sale in the long history of the house’s book department, behind only two noted single-owner sales, the Epstein sale of 1992 and the Ford sale of 2012.

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Historic English pottery rolls out Charles III coronation souvenirs

This bone china God Save The King teacup and saucer is one of several wares that Duchess China, a company in Stoke-on-Trent, England, is creating to mark the May 6 coronation of King Charles III. Image courtesy of Duchess China
This bone china God Save The King teacup and saucer is one of several wares that Duchess China, a company in Stoke-on-Trent, England, is creating to mark the May 6 coronation of King Charles III. Image courtesy of Duchess China
This bone china God Save The King teacup and saucer is one of several wares that Duchess China, a company in Stoke-on-Trent, England, is creating to mark the May 6 coronation of King Charles III. Image courtesy of Duchess China

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (AP) – With just five weeks before King Charles III’s coronation, a British manufacturer of fine bone china is busy making God Save The King commemorative plates and mugs for the historic occasion. Craftspeople at the Duchess China factory in the central England city of Stoke-on-Trent painted delicate gold edges on more teacups and saucers March 30 to make sure there are enough to meet the expected demand for royal souvenirs.

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Reynolds co-acquired by UK’s National Portrait Gallery and Getty Museum

Installation view of ‘Portrait of Mai (Omai),’ Sir Joshua Reynolds, circa 1776. Oil on canvas, 236 by 145.5cm. Image courtesy of the owner
Installation view of ‘Portrait of Mai (Omai),’ Sir Joshua Reynolds, circa 1776. Oil on canvas, 236 by 145.5cm. Image courtesy of the owner
Installation view of ‘Portrait of Mai (Omai),’ Sir Joshua Reynolds, circa 1776. Oil on canvas, 236 by 145.5cm. Image courtesy of the owner

LONDON and LOS ANGELES – The National Portrait Gallery in London and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles announced plans on March 31 to jointly acquire and share ownership of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ masterpiece, Portrait of Mai (Omai), in a new model of international collaboration that will maximize public access to this important work.

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Neue Auctions aims high April 14 with Civil War and early Americana

Oval coin silver peace medal with hand-engraved scenes on the obverse and the reverse, estimated at $1,000-$2,000
Oval coin silver peace medal with hand-engraved scenes on the obverse and the reverse, estimated at $1,000-$2,000
Oval coin silver peace medal with hand-engraved scenes on the obverse and the reverse, estimated at $1,000-$2,000

BEACHWOOD, Ohio – A collection of Civil War and early Americana items out of Hermitage, Pennsylvania will be auctioned on Friday, April 14, starting at noon Eastern time, by Neue Auctions. All 133 lots are fresh to the market and most have been in the Heritage collection for more than 30 years. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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