CHICAGO – Wright’s biannual Important Design auction not only includes significant modern design, but it also highlights historical antecedents of modernism and contemporary design. Special features of the auction, which will be conducted Dec. 8, include the sale of a Douglas BTD Destroyer wind tunnel model airplane, a Tatra T87 automobile and an Aston Martin DB6 sports car. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet Live bidding. The sale will start at noon Central.
The Tatra T87 emerged in 1937 as the first true streamlined production automobile. Its pioneering design was developed by Austrian-born Hans Ledwinka (1878-1967) and engineers at the Czech Tatra company. The completely restored 1940 Tatra sedan offered by Wright has an estimate of $150,000-$200,000.
A successor to Aston Martin’s DB 5, driven in the movies by James Bond, the 1967 DB6 coupe in Wright’s sale has been completely restored. The British sports car goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 148 mph. It has a $100,000-$125,000 estimate.
The Douglas BTD Destroyer was a Navy torpedo bomber during World War II. The wind tunnel model is constructed of cast and riveted aluminum and enameled steel. It is 104 inches wide by 87 deep and 53 inches high. It has a $20,000-$30,000 estimate.
Additionally, the sale will feature 81 Mylar prints documenting the construction of the World Trade Center North Tower divided into 25 lots.
For the first time, Wright will offer the work of mid-century Mexican Modernists such as Pepe Mendoza, Arturo Pani and Pedro Friedeberg alongside Scandinavian masterworks and notable French and Italian designs.
Two Carlo Mollino Acotto lounge chairs will be offered in successive lots by Wright. The circa 1952 armchairs are of stained walnut, brass and velvet. Each has a $70,000-$90,000 estimate.
From France via a Beverly Hills, Calif., private collection is circa 1930 Bruno Weil desk by Thonet. Saint-Gobain glass was used as the top of desk, which is 59 inches wide by 27 1/4 inches deep and 28 3/4 inches high. It has a $30,000-$40,000 estimate.
Wright, in collaboration with Dan Ripley of Indianapolis, will present a collection dedicated to glass masterworks of the 20th and 21st century on Dec. 10 beginning at 10 a.m. Central. The auction will feature over 150 lots including an important Artistica Barovier Mosaico vase, a Fulvio Bianconi Con Fiori vessel and a glass sculpture by Jean Arp. There will be a special focus on works by Dino Martens including masterworks such as major Rosalinda and Oriente pieces. The auction will conclude with 146 lots of contemporary art. The start of that session will be noon Central.
Wright is located at 1440 W. Hubbard St. in Chicago.
For details phone 312-563-0020.
View a fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
