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Gray’s Aug. 28 auction features premier painting by Florida Highwayman Harold Newton

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
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Oil on canvas board by Harold Newton (1934-1994), a founding member of the Florida Highwaymen, a group of African American landscape painters, titled Beach Scene (est. $20,000-$40,000)

CLEVELAND – Fine art, furniture and decorative art from estates across the country will be auctioned on Wednesday, August 28 by Gray’s Auctioneers of Cleveland. In all, 380 lots will be offered, with a start time of 11 a.m. ET. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.

“Highlights from this remarkable sale include a Floridian coastline by Harold Newton, one of the founding members of the Florida Highwaymen, and a collection of paintings from three generations of the artistic Widlicka (Widlizcka) family — Anton, Leopold and Frederick,” said Serena Harragin of Gray’s Auctioneers. “The Newton painting is one of the finest Highwaymen works I have ever seen.”

Harold Newton (1934-1994) was a founding member of the Florida Highwaymen, a group of African American landscape painters. His work in the sale, titled Beach Scene, is an oil on canvas board nicely housed in a 28 inch by 34 inch frame. It carries a pre-sale estimate of $20,000-$40,000 and was acquired by the consignor directly from the artist.

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19th-century ink and gouache on paper by Anton Widliczka, titled Crucifixion of Jesus, signed and dated (“1898”) lower center and presented in an 11 inch by 8 ¼ inch frame (est. $800-$1,200)

The Widliczka collection includes a 19th-century ink and gouache on paper by Anton Widliczka, titled Crucifixion of Jesus, signed and dated (“1898”) lower center and presented in an 11 inch by 8¼ inch frame (est. $800-$1,200); and an oil on canvas by Frederick Widlicka (1907-1994), titled Adirondacks Post Office, Upper St. Regis Landing, signed and dated “77” lower left and in a frame (est. $200-$400).

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Oil on canvas by Frederick Widlicka (1907-1994), titled Adirondacks Post Office, Upper St. Regis Landing, signed and dated “77” lower left and nicely housed in a frame (est. $200-$400)

Samuel George Phillips (1890-1965) was an American artist, active in Pennsylvania and New York and best known as a magazine illustrator and landscape and portrait painter. His oil on canvas titled View of the Delaware River, signed lower right, 20 inches by 24 inches, should reach $3,000-$5,000. Phillips was part of the Pennsylvania Impressionist School, artists who painted in Bucks County (Pa.) after 1915.

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1940 lithograph titled Approaching Storm from an edition of 250, signed by Grant Wood (American, 1892-1942), famous for his work American Gothic, 11¾ inches by 8¾ inches (est. $2,000-$4,000)

A 1940 lithograph titled Approaching Storm from an edition of 250, signed by Grant Wood (American, 1892-1942), famous for his iconic work American Gothic, measures 11¾ inches by 8 ¾ inches and has an estimate of $2,000-$4,000. Also, an oil on canvas signed front and back by Walter C. Hartson (American, 1866-1946), Wassaic, New York, Early Spring, in a 42 inch by 48 inch frame, should sell for $1,500-$2,500.

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Oil on canvas painting by Leonard C. Lane (Canadian, 1910-1978), titled Moonlit Beach Scene, signed lower left and 25 inches by 30 inches (est. $1,500-$2,500)

Two paintings by non-American artists carry estimates of $1,500-$2,500 each. One is an oil on canvas painting by Leonard C. Lane (Canadian, 1910-1978), titled Moonlit Beach Scene, signed lower left and 25 inches by 30 inches. The other is an oil on wood panel still life from 1852 by Johannes II Reekers, (Netherlands, 1824-1895), artist signed and dated lower right and measuring 15 ¼ inches by 12 inches.

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American-made, early 20th-century molded copper eagle form weathervane, 29 inches tall by 33½ inches wide by 37¼ inches deep and boasting outstanding patina (est. $2,000-$4,000)

Furniture and decorative art will be plentiful. Just a few examples include the following.

  • An unusual and striking Victorian steer horn armchair made circa 1880-1890s by Wenzel Friedrich, having four original glass ball casters and horn “acorn tips” (est. $6,000-$8,000).
  • A Deco-style patinated brass figural group from the 20th century, signed illegibly on the base and measuring 38½ inches tall by 40 inches wide by 25 inches deep (est. $2,000-$4,000).
  • An American-made, early 20th-century molded copper eagle form weathervane, 29 inches tall by 33½ inches wide by 37¼ inches deep and boasting outstanding patina (est. $2,000-$4,000).
  • A large 20th-century Hudson Weller pottery vase painted by Hester Pillsbury, 13½ inches tall and signed on the bottom (est. $1,500-$2,500).

Gray’s Auctioneers & Appraisers is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To inquire about selling a single piece, an estate or an entire collection, call 216-226-3300 or e-mail appraisals@graysauctioneers.com.

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