The highlight of Neal Auction’ June 25-26 sale was lot 79, Norman’s Chart of the Lower Mississippi River from Natchez to New Orleans, after Marie Adrien Persac (b. France 1823, d. Manchac, La., 1873, active New Orleans 1857-1872) which came to the auction from the Lemann Family collection at Palo Alto plantation.
After intense bidding, the 1858 chart map, commonly known as “Norman’s Chart” after the name of its publisher, sold on the salesroom floor for $197,000. Prices in this report include Neal Auction Co.’s buyer’s premium.
Best described by an 1858, New Orleans Crescent report, Norman’s Chart is considered the “perfect picture of the windings of the Father of Waters from this city to Natchez, with every plantation on its banks, drawn out and colored, with the name of the owner and whatever name he may have given his plantation. … Mr. A. Persac, who descended the river in a skiff, landing at every mile, and drawing every plantation line and taking down every name and landmark on both banks of the river, deserves the highest credit for his very able and useful labor.”
Neal Auction Co.’s Norman’s Chart was a gift from Persac to the original owner of Palo Alto plantation, where the artist stayed as a guest for many months while performing the cartographic research for the map.
Neal Auction Co. continues to maintain the world record auction price for an original work by the artist with Palo Alto Plantation, which sold in November for $371,000.
Runner-up on the list of top lots was what’s known as “The Treaty Map” because of its use in determining the geographical boundaries for the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago. John Disturnell’s (1801-1877) highly important 1847 hand-colored Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Mejico … achieved a record price for the work at auction, selling for $107,000 amid intense salesroom competition.
An 1851 first edition folio titled The War between the United States and Mexico… realized $86,712, a record price for the work. The rare, collaborative effort between journalist George Wilkins Kendall (1809-1867) and lithographer Carl Nebel (1805-1855) attracted considerable attention from absentee bidders, telephone bidders and the salesroom floor.
Common American Swan, plate 411, a hand-colored Havell Edition engraving from John James Audubon’s (American, 1785-1851) Birds of America made $59,750. Trumpeter Swan, Young, plate 376, a hand-colored Havell Edition engraving from Audubon’s Birds of America achieved $41,825. Eider Duck, plate 246, a hand-colored Havell Edition engraving from Audubon’s Birds of America brought $25,692, second only in price to the 2004 example from the royal house of Sachsen-Meiningen.
Dawn Along the Bayou, a 1909 oil on canvas by Alexander John Drysdale (American/New Orleans, 1870-1934) sold for $44,215, an auction record for the artist.
Considered one of the finest 18th-century maps of the Mississippi River Valley, Mississippi River From Iberville to Yazous, a two-sheet copper engraving from the Atlantic Neptune by Joseph Frederick Wallet des Barres (English, 1722-1824), rolled to $44,215.
A pair of Chinese Famille Rose porcelain baluster vases from the early 20th century sold for an impressive $34,655. The vases were delicately enameled with quail amid rocks and chrysanthemums, and saw intense bidding from the telephones, the Internet and the salesroom floor.
Internet and salesroom bidders battled mightily for a late-19th/early 20th century Chinese gilt decorated porcelain bottle vase with Guangxu marks. The winner paid $29,875.
Pigeons, a 1954 oil by Marie Atkinson Hull (American/Mississippi, 1890-1980) realized $28,060, the second highest price achieved at auction for a work by the artist and the highest price achieved for a work on canvas board.
Lloyd’s Map of the Lower Mississippi River from St. Louis to the Gulf of Mexico, published in 1862 by James T. Lloyd, achieved the impressive record auction price of $26,887.
A pair of mid-19th century Southern School portraits of David Franklin McCrary (1812-1885) and his wife, Elizabeth Cowan Lowry McCrary (1826-1901) soared well above estimate to achieve $23,790 amid fierce salesroom competition.
A 1922 Newcomb College art pottery matte glaze lamp decorated by Anna Frances Simpson with moon and moss-laden cypress trees sold for $20,315. A Newcomb College art pottery matte glaze lamp decorated by Sadie Irvine with palm trees and moon design achieved an impressive $19,120.
Bobwhite Quail, a still-life watercolor by George Louis Viavant, (American/New Orleans, 1872-1925) achieved $19,120.
An important pair of early 19th century American classical mahogany knife boxes attributed to Joseph Barry, Philadelphia, sold exceptionally well at $17,327.
In terms of furniture, an early 19th-century American classical figured mahogany games table attributed to Duncan Phyfe, New York, sold well at $9,261, and a 19th-century American classical carved mahogany library armchair, attributed to Duncan Phyfe & Son, also performed commendably, selling for $10,455.
For details visit Neal Auction Co.’s website at www.nealauction.com or phone 800-467-5329.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
