Haring, Finster and Peter Max were top performers at Potter & Potter sale
Keith Haring Ignorance = Fear, Silence = Death poster, $3,840
CHICAGO – Potter & Potter Auctions‘ first-ever Fine & Outsider Art sale, which took place on December 1 and contained 365 lots, realized $155,000.
Eye-catching examples from legacy 20th century artists claimed several of the top slots in the auction, among them Keith Haring’s (American, 1958-1990) 1989 lithographed poster titled Ignorance = Fear Silence = Death. Estimated at $1,200-$1,800, it earned $3,840. Haring created the poster for ACT UP, and this image is considered one of the cornerstones of AIDS activism and modern gay rights.
Vase hand-painted by Peter Max with a mythological scene, $3,120
A vase hand-painted with a mythological scene by Peter Max (German-American, b. 1937-) was estimated at $1,000-$2,000 and sold for $3,120. The pottery vessel from 1961 was signed by Max at its base, and executed before he entered his characteristic psychedelic period.
Andy Warhol Marilyn Portfolio, $2,040
Also of note was a Marilyn Portfolio by Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987), which made $2,040. This lot consisted of a complete set of 10 prints of Monroe (after Warhol), produced by screen print on museum board. Each was printed by Sunday B. Morning and measured 36 by 36in.
Max Le Verrier, ‘The Rope Puller,’ $2,040
Completing the fine art highlights was Max Le Verrier’s (French, 1891-1973) sculpture titled The Rope Puller, which realized $2,040. This circa-1930s patinated bronze on a sandstone base was signed by Le Verrier, who was a pioneer in sculpture in the French Art Deco movement. He won a gold medal in the 1925 Exposition internationale des Arts decoratifs et industriels modernes in Paris.
Howard Finster-signed Talking Heads ‘Little Creatures’ record jacket, $875
Leading the Outsider and Self-Taught artist selections was a record jacket created by Howard Finster (American, 1916-2001) for Talking Heads’s 1985 album Little Creatures. It had been estimated at $100-$200 and brought $875. The Sire Records sleeve was signed by Finster in black Sharpie marker and was housed in an artist-designed frame.
Untitled Purvis Young painting, $3,000
Also, an untitled oil on textured cardstock painting by Purvis Young (American, 1943-2010) achieved $3,000 against an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. This framed and glazed work was signed by the artist at the lower left and measured 33 by 44-½in overall.
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