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The 18-inch reverse-painted shade on this table lamp is signed 'Handel 6688 NI' (artist's initials). The lamp has a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.

Gar Wood powerboat ready to make waves at DuMouchelles, Oct. 16-18

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

The 18-inch reverse-painted shade on this table lamp is signed 'Handel 6688 NI' (artist's initials). The lamp has a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
The 18-inch reverse-painted shade on this table lamp is signed ‘Handel 6688 NI’ (artist’s initials). The lamp has a $10,000-$15,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
DETROIT – Garfield Wood is to powerboating in Michigan as Henry Ford is to automaking. DuMouchelles will launch their Oct. 16-18 auction with a classic 1940 mahogany Gar Wood Vacationer powerboat followed by a lot of Gar Wood memorabilia including the boat builder’s canvas racing helmet. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding. The auction will begin Friday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

Minnesota native Gar Wood began making and racing boats in the 1920s. His sleek boats of varnished mahogany were in such high demand that in 1930 – just three months after the Stock Market Crash – Wood built a factory in Marysville, Mich. It had the capacity to build 1,200 custom quality boats a year. In 1939 the factory was at full capacity.

Wood retired to Miami, Fla., in 1941. The company closed in 1947.

Today Gar Wood boats are among the most sought-after classic boats in the world. The 21-foot Vacationer utility powerboat in DuMouchelles’ auction represents the pinnacle of the Gar Wood output. It is equipped with the factory-installed Chrysler Ace 6 inboard engine. It comes with assorted documentation as to previous owners, sales brochures, boat show award plaques, and registration and production verification certificate from the Gar Wood Society. The boat with trailer has a $15,000-$20,000 estimate.

Wood’s racing helmet is accompanied by a letter written by Wood and a cover of the Detroit Yacht Club magazine dated June 1971 commemorating the boat builder’s life. The lot has a $300-$500 estimate.

The auction is also highlighted by a painting by Alberto Pasini (1826-1899), regarded as the most important of all the Italian Orientalist painters. Pasini was successful in his homeland and in France, where he spent much of his time after 1851. He traveled extensively in the Middle East and lived for more than two years in Tehran. He took commissions from the ruler of Persia, who appreciated the artist’s realist style. The painting in the auction, Arabian Camp With Arabian Horses, is representative of Pasini’s work. The 21- by 17-inch oil on canvas, which has an $80,000-$120,000 estimate, will sell on Sunday.

Also selling Sunday will be a Paris street scene of Montmartre by Jean Dufy (French, 1888-1964). The 19- by 24-inch oil on canvas painting has a $50,000-$60,000.

Sunday’s session begins at noon Eastern.

Saturday’s sale begins at 11 a.m. Eastern with an early Rookwood Pottery vase decorated with the calla lilies by Matthew Daly followed by signed Handel reverse-painted table lamp.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view DuMouchelles’ complete catalog.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

This Gar Wood 21-foot mahogany Vacationer utility boat was built in 1940 when the factory at Marysville, Mich., was at peak production. The classic powerboat carries a $15,000-$16,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
This Gar Wood 21-foot mahogany Vacationer utility boat was built in 1940 when the factory at Marysville, Mich., was at peak production. The classic powerboat carries a $15,000-$16,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.

Jean Dufy (French, 1888-1964) painted this street scene titled ‘Montmartre,' for the section of Paris. The 19- by 24-inch oil on canvas has a $50,000-$60,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
Jean Dufy (French, 1888-1964) painted this street scene titled ‘Montmartre,’ for the section of Paris. The 19- by 24-inch oil on canvas has a $50,000-$60,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.

Italian artist Alberto Pasini traveled extensively in the Middle East to paint scenes like this Arabian camp. The oil on canvas painting, 21 by 17 inches, is estimated to bring $80,000-$120,000 Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
Italian artist Alberto Pasini traveled extensively in the Middle East to paint scenes like this Arabian camp. The oil on canvas painting, 21 by 17 inches, is estimated to bring $80,000-$120,000 Image courtesy DuMouchelles.

Large calla lilies decorate the exterior of this 11 3/4-inch Rookwood Pottery vase signed by Matthew Daly. It has a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.
Large calla lilies decorate the exterior of this 11 3/4-inch Rookwood Pottery vase signed by Matthew Daly. It has a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Image courtesy DuMouchelles.