Rembrandt self-portrait, original etching, signed and dated 1639, 8 5/16 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Estimate: $145,000-$150,000. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Universal Live has big expectations for its Special Post-New Year’s Art Auction to be conducted online Tuesday, Jan. 10, beginning at 6 p.m. Central. LiveAuctioneers.com will again provide Internet live bidding.
Highlighting the auction is an original Rembrandt self-portrait etching dated 1639 and 20 LeRoy Neiman signed limited edition prints.
Martin Shape, president of Universal Live, notes that the projected opening bids for the 329 lots in Tuesday’s sale total about $6 million.
He has reason to be optimistic on the heels of Universal Live’s successful art auction of Dec. 29 in which three Picassos sold for remarkable prices. Lot 037, a Pablo Picasso signed original drawing, in a book published in 1960, opened at $4,550 and finished up at $7,425 (inclusive of the buyer’s premium). Lot 120, a Picasso original signed Verve lithograph, 1954, opened at $1,000 and reached $1,520. And lot 147, another Picasso signed original drawing in a signed book published in 1954, started at $2,700 and ended at $13,220, almost double the high estimate.
The Picacsso works were consigned by a London physician and two sold to a buyer in Vienna.
“We are very international in scope,” said Shape, noting these are among the highest prices paid for Picasso signed drawings in books.
The Rembrandt self-portrait etching in Tuesday’s auction, which is estimated at $145,000-$150,000, has solid provenance. “It’s from a private party. It’s a known piece,” said Shape.
Among the Neiman works is a large serigraph on paper titled Resting Tiger from 2008, which carries an estimate of $11,300-$14,120. Another original Neiman serigraph titled Khemosabe depicts a spirited horse and is from an edition of 300 in 1985.
“They’re not new. You just can’t go out and buy these in a store,” said Shape.
Likewise, the Henri Mattisse Jazz Suite limited edition (100) print titled Sword Swallower dates to 1947 and carries an estimate of $31,050-$38,815.
The Picasso to watch in this sale is a giclee titled LeRoi, which is pencil numbered from a limited edition of 500. Picturing a man’s face, the work measures 18 1/2 x 15 inches and has a $600-$700 estimate.
Several Norman Rockwell limited edition serigraphs will be offered including his Freedom from Want, a famous scene of a family gathered together at home to feast on a turkey dinner. Signed by the revered artist/illustrator, the serigraph has a $12,000-$15,000 estimate. Another Rockwell work that appeared as a cover for the Saturday Evening Post, the limited edition serigraph of Freedom of Religion also has a $12,000-$15,000 estimate.
Several original paintings by William Chambers, which were used to make limited edition collector plates for the Bradford Exchange in the 1980s, are available. Painted on a 36-inch square canvas, an original painting depicting the dance scene from the movie The King and I is estimated at $20,000-$35,000.
While this represents one of Universal Live’s high-end auctions, not all the works offered have five-figure estimates.
A small but charming print titled The Mill by Andy Warhol, circa 1958, measuring 5 inches by 5 1/2 inches, has an estimate of $2,800-$4,310, which Shape considers an attractive price.
An Alexander Calder signed and numbered (43 of 125) print titled Spirals, 26 inches by 38 inches, will be offered with a $5,000-$6,000 estimate.
For details, phone Universal Live at 847-412-1802.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Rembrandt self-portrait, original etching, signed and dated 1639, 8 5/16 inches x 6 1/2 inches. Estimate: $145,000-$150,000. Image courtesy of Universal Live. LeRoy Neiman signed golf art serigraph on paper, ‘Resting Tiger,’ 32 1/4 x 44 inches, signed by the artist, 2008. Estimate: $11,300-$14,120. Image courtesy of Universal Live. Norman Rockwell, ‘Freedom from Want,’ signed and numbered serigraph. Estimate: $12,000-$15,000. Image courtesy of Universal Live. Henri Mattisse, ‘Sword Swallower,’ Jazz Suite print, 1947, edition of 100, image size 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches. Estimate $31,050-$38,815. Image courtesy of Universal Live. Mark Kostabi, ‘The Golden Kiss,’ signed and numbered print, 33 inches x 33 inches. Estimate: $1,350-$1,700. Image courtesy of Universal Live. LeRoy Neiman, original serigraph, ‘Khemosabe,’ 24 inches x 36 inches, signed by the artist, 1985, limited to 300 impressions. Estimate: $22,000-$25,000. Image courtesy of Universal Live. Erté, ‘Diva Suite I & II,’ signed framed prints, sheet size: 28 inches x 36 inches, 1984, numbered in pencil 264/300. Estimate: $20,000-$40,000. Image courtesy of Universal Live.
