MUNICH – Excellent prices were achieved in all specialist areas represented by Hermann Historica GmbH during its May and June auctions. From an Egyptian wooden statuette to the most delicate lace-trimmed imperial garments to colossal 1930s vehicles, the lots on offer met with considerable interest. And so, from May 26-28; June 1 and 2; and from June 21 to 25, the auction house’s international clientele enjoyed exceptionally gratifying sales.
LOS ANGELES – Abell Auction Co.’s June 17 online auction of items from Carol Channing’s (1921-2019) Southern California estate drew tremendous activity across all lots, with every piece sold. Buyers ranged from fans and admirers to collectors of entertainment memorabilia. Totaling approximately $406,000, the auction featured Tony and Golden Globe awards received by the Broadway legend, as well as stage-worn costumes, photos, artwork and other personal belongings.
CHICAGO – Potter & Potter‘s June 19 Summer Magic sale conjured up stunning results from start to finish. After an exciting day of spirited bidding, 94 lots made $1,000-4,999; nine lots scored $5,000-9,999; and four lots broke the $10,000 mark.
NEW HAMBURG, Canada – An important Black Cat Shoe Dressing clock – known to collectors as “The Black Cat Clock” – sold for $11,210, and an early 20th-century Peabody’s Overalls single-sided porcelain sign realized $8,850 in Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.’s online-only Advertising & Breweriana sale held June 19. All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars.
BOSTON – The handwritten lyrics for Prince’s Nothing Compares 2 U sold for $150,986 at RR Auction‘s Marvels of Modern Music Auction, which ended on June 24.
PITTSFIELD, MASS. — Featuring a selection of 700 items, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery’s two-session auction, held on May 22 and also May 29, grossed $3 million. The auction boasted offerings from hot collecting categories ranging from paintings and silver to Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamps and windows.
GENESEO, N.Y. – Cottone Auctions’s May 7-8 auction, which contained more than 650 lots, brought in $1.3 million. A fresh to the market American Revolutionary-era tiger maple rifle attracted competitive bidding and soared past its highest estimate, stealing the spotlight on the first day of the sale.
NEW YORK — Auctions of Modern & Post-War Art, Fine Photographs, and Contemporary Art at Swann Galleries in late May and early June 2021 brought in a total of $3,985,089 and at least 11 records.
MONROVIA, Calif. – There was plenty of excitement at John Moran Auctioneers in the days leading up to two of our most successful sales of the year, Postwar & Contemporary Art + Design and Prints & Multiples. Not one, but two auction world records were set at the sale and the first belonged to the Hans Jorgensen Wagner AT-33 sewing table, from circa 1960. The teak oak table that boasted drop-leaf sides and a pull-out inset basket was estimated at $1,000-$1,500, but sold for $3,125. The second world record was set with the citrus orange Made In California screenprint by revered Los Angeles artist, Edward Ruscha. The well-known print, produced in an edition of only 100, incited fierce bidding from online auction goers, as well as from nearly every phone available. Estimated at $50,000-$70,000, the stunning 1971 Ruscha piece sold for $100,000.
BOSTON – An original program for President John F. Kennedy’s famous birthday celebration held at Madison Square Garden sold for $29,232 on June 16, according to RR Auction.
The two-page program for the May 19, 1962 event, titled Happy Birthday, Mr. President, was signed on the cover by Marilyn Monroe along with a dozen other autographs from celebrities in attendance.