TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – The Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa is champing at the bit to show off the real dinosaur skeleton it is getting – not one of those plaster or robotic ones. It’s nicknamed Big John after the South Dakota rancher whose land was the final resting place for the ancient bones, which set a Guinness record for the largest triceratops skeleton ever uncovered.
LYNBROOK, N.Y. – A full Psittacosaurus dinosaur skeleton, a coveted acetate master recording from Elvis Presley’s early sessions at Sun Records, an archive of material relating to Barbra Streisand and items signed by JFK and the Beatles will all come up for bid in Weiss Auctions’ Iconic and Eclectic auction on Thursday, September 29. The online auction, packed with approximately 500 rare and unusual items, will start at 10 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
ATLANTA – At the start of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the wider world. Please enjoy the September 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted otherwise.
Green Goblin action figure, $76,700, Hake’s Auctions
An eight-inch Green Goblin action figure, issued by Meego in 1977 as part of its World’s Greatest Super-Heroes line, AFA-graded 80+ NM, sold for $76,700 at an auction of pop culture rarities held July 26-27 by Hake’s Auctions in York, Pennsylvania. Also, Gil Kane and Dick Giordano’s seven-panel art for page 27 of Marvel Premiere #15 from May 1974, featuring the debut of Iron Fist, reached $20,350; and Al Plastino’s original art for page 1 of Superman #184 from Feb. 1966 achieved $15,055.
Nantucket curlew decoy, $228,000, Copley Fine Art Auctions
A Harmon Hollow Nantucket curlew decoy sold for $228,000 at the 17th annual Sporting Sale held July 14-15 by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Also, an oil on canvas image of Setter Puppies by Edmund Henry Osthaus earned $102,000; a dog painting titled Steady by A.F. Tait, depicting two setters pointing quail, achieved $73,800; a miniature shorebird set of 22 decoys by Elmer Crowell realized $92,250; and Crowell’s Wing-Up Greater Yellowlegs made $84,000.
12-cent U.S. postage stamp, $19,520, Holabird Western Americana Collections
A 12-cent U.S. postage stamp with a portrait bust of George Washington sold for $19,520 at a Wild West Auction held July 21-24 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, an 1860 U.S. Army Colt revolver with a Richards conversion attained $13,750; a light aqua Endlich & Good squat-shaped beer bottle, dating to circa 1861-1864, realized $7,187; and an early 1900s First National Bank of Foraker (Oklahoma) $10 bank note went for $4,458.
Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls, $64,000, Nye & Company Auctioneers
A pair of 19th-century Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls sold for $64,000 at an Estate Treasures auction held July 20 by Nye & Company Auctioneers in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Also, an early 20th-century folk art cowboy iron shooting gallery target, attributed to William F. Mangels and titled The Stick-Up, earned $19,200; and a taupe-upholstered sectional sofa designed by Joe DiUrso for Donghia, with squared corners and raised ends, finished at $12,160.
Camille Claudel sculpture, $150,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
A bronze and hardstone sculpture of a woman sitting in a chair with her head resting against a fireplace mantel, created by Camille Claudel (French, 1864-1913), sold for $150,000 in an online Fine & Decorative Art auction held August 1 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, based in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an oil on canvas by B. Prabha (Indian, 1933-2001), titled Fisher Women Painting, achieved $18,750; and an ornately carved Victorian desk attributed to R. J. Horner brought $7,500.
19th-century French Japonisme armoire, $30,000, Andrew Jones Auctions
A late 19th-century French parcel paint decorated Karelian birch and faux bamboo Japonisme armoire sold for $30,000 at the Part VI sale of the John Nelson collection, held July 24-25 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a pair of circa-1900 Louis XV/XVI transitional style parcel gilt and blue painted bibliotheques brought $30,000, and a third quarter 20th-century Modernist fossil marble, granite and steel table went to a determined bidder for $27,500.
Machine Man Robot, $84,000, Morphy Auctions
A circa-1960 Machine Man Robot from the Japanese company Masudaya’s famed Gang of Five robot series, one of only a few known, sold for $84,000 at a Toys & Collectibles Auction held Aug. 9-10 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Japanese battery-operated Electroman Robot attained $78,000, and a scarce 1950s Italian gumball vending machine in the form of a 54in full-figure robot, with prizes visible inside its chest, finished at $48,000.
39-star American flag, $24,120, New Frontier Western Show & Auction
A 39-star American flag flown at the Capitol Building in Santa Fe in 1912, the year that New Mexico joined the Union, sold for $24,120 at auction held August 27 by New Frontier Western Show & Auction of Loveland, Colorado. The auction was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Also, an antique Colt Single Action Army revolver attributed to the 101 Ranch sold for $8,100, and a pair of Buermann inlaid spurs with cut-out snake heelbands found a new owner for $5,700.
Jean Shrimpton photo print, $3,438, John Moran Auctioneers
A massive photo print on canvas with a neon attachment, titled Jean Shrimpton Astronaut and created in 2014 by Andrew Martin Designs after Richard Avedon, sold for $3,438 at a ReDesigned auction held July 19 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a lapis blue 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SL automobile in pristine condition sped away for $18,750, and a red 1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr. electric guitar with a 1960s-era Gibson amp earned $8,750.
Albert York oil-on-plywood work, $110,250, Sarasota Estate Auction
An oil-on-plywood painting by Albert York, titled Imaginary Playground (Trees and Fence), sold for $110,250 at an auction held July 23-24 by Sarasota Estate Auction in Sarasota, Florida. Also, Romare Bearden’s The Quilters rose to $73,000; an unsigned, untitled Itzchak Tarkay acrylic on canvas achieved $20,790; a gouache on paper by A. R. Penck brought $13,230; a sculpture by Jorge Blanco, titled Later, made $14,490; and an antique 22K gold, sterling and diamond necklace hit $11,970.
Covered Meissen dish, $4,250, Kamelot Auctions
A 19th-century covered Meissen dish sold for $4,250 at a three-day sale held July 19-21 by Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia. Also, an original circa-1950 set of rattan armchairs went for $3,750, and an 18K gold and sapphire necklace by Marco Bicego slipped around a new neck for $2,250. The auctions were divided into Luxury Goods: Jewelry & Handbags; Mod Interiors: Chic, Bamboo & Rattan; and Estate Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts. Most lots sold above their estimates.
King Henry VIII document, $66,435, RR Auction
A one-page vellum manuscript document signed by King Henry VIII and dated July 26, 1536, in which he discusses sponsoring the feast day of St. George, patron saint of England, sold for $66,435 in an online auction held July 20-August 10 by RR Auction, based in Boston. Also, a document Abraham Lincoln signed as president, regarding rebuilding the North-South economy in 1865, realized $41,321; and an early Marilyn Monroe document, signed twice by the starlet, earned $32,103.
Nathan Cobb, Jr. swimming Canada goose, $252,000, Guyette & Deeter
A swimming Canada goose by Nathan Cobb, Jr. of Cobb Island, Virginia sold for $252,000 at a Decoy & Sporting Art auction held July 29-30 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, by Guyette & Deeter. Also, a Ward Brothers greenwing teal hen flew away for $33,000; an Edmund Osthaus sporting art canvas realized $69,600; a mute swan by Maryland carver Oliver Lawson finished at $15,600; and a set of Nantucket lightship baskets carried away $10,800.
Anne Ramsdell Congdon painting, $123,000, Rafael Osona Auctions
A 1941 oil on canvas by Anne Ramsdell Congdon, titled View from Monomoy, sold for $123,000 at an Americana, Fine Art & Marine auction held Aug. 6-7 by Rafael Osona Auctions in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Also, an iconic red sail painting by Robert Stark, Jr., titled Sunset Sail, drifted to $70,725; an 1895 portrait painted by Wendell Macy, titled Lady in the Sun, Nantucket, won $20,910; and Sybil Goldsmith’s View of Town from the Creeks, painted in 1976, rose to $8,190.
David Hockney lithograph, $20,480, La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery
A lithograph by David Hockney (British, b. 1937-), titled Four Flowers in a Still Life, dated and numbered 6/50, sold for $20,480 at a Multi-Estates Summer auction held August 13 by La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery in New York City. Also, an early 20th-century floral still life by Charles E. Porter (American, 1847-1923) achieved $1,920; a 102-piece set of Kirk sterling silver flatware weighing 127 troy ounces earned $2,300; and a Lucien Picard 14K Art Deco ladies’ watch brought $640.
1927-D Double Eagle gold coin, $4.44 million, Heritage Auctions
A 1927-D Double Eagle US gold coin, part of the Bob R. Simpson collection and graded MS66 PCGS, sold for $4.44 million at a US Coins Signature Auction held August 23 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The price bested the previous record for the 1927-D Double Eagle of $2.16 million, set at Heritage’s Fun US Coins Signature Auction in January 2020. In the recent sale, five bidders continued to chase the coin after it exceeded $3 million.
Kobe Bryant rookie card, $34,375, Hindman
A 1996-1997 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant rookie basketball card No. 30, graded BGS 9 Mint, sold for $34,375 at a sale of The Definitive Collection of Kobe Bryant Rookie Cards held August 24 by Hindman in Chicago. The card was considered to be a holy grail collectible and featured a die cut image of Bryant, foiled borders and a cloud background. The auction was held on August 24, which has become known as Mamba Day in honor of the numbers Bryant wore during his basketball career: 8 and 24.
Jamie Wyeth painting, $192,000, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
A mixed-media work for Study for Lighthouse by Jamie Wyeth (American, b. 1946-) sold for $192,000 at a Splendor sale held Aug. 26-28 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, a watercolor painting by Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-2009), titled The Pantry, achieved $162,000; an oil on canvas by Robert Scott Duncanson hit $138,000; and a Modernist color composition painting by Beauford Delaney (American, 1901-1979) made $102,000.
Herend Rothschild Bird pattern table service, $10,710, Doyle
A Herend porcelain table service in the Rothschild Bird pattern sold for $10,710 at an Entertaining with Style auction held August 11 by Doyle in New York City. Introduced in 1860, the pattern portrays a story about Baroness Rothschild of Vienna, who lost her pearl necklace in her garden. Several days later, the necklace was discovered by her gardener, who saw the birds dangling it from a tree. In addition, a group of Lettuce Ware by Dodie Thayer sold as several lots for a combined $20,853.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
NEW YORK — Dinosaurs have not walked the earth in millions of years but they remain a source of fascination. People of all ages still dig them, literally and figuratively. Not only are dinosaur fossils of high interest, they are pop culture icons. On the eve of the 29th anniversary of the release of Jurassic Park, which debuted on June 11, 1993, and in anticipation of the June 10, 2022 release of Jurassic World Dominion, it makes sense to look at collecting dinosaur fossils. While it’s highly unlikely that serious collectors who drop hundreds of thousands for a fossil will be influenced to collect by a new movie, dinosaurs’ starring role in an endless parade of hit TV shows and movies should encourage the next generation of natural history collectors.
ATLANTA – At the beginning of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the world at large. Here’s the June 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.
Ed Clark’s Creation, $740,000, Hindman
Ed Clark’s acrylic on canvas Creation sold for $740,000 at a Post-War & Contemporary Art auction held May 11 by Hindman in Chicago. It was the highest price ever achieved for the artist. Also, John Craxton’s esoteric Cretan taverna scene Still Life with Three Sailors achieved $400,000, and four works by Chicago’s Queen of the Bohemians, Gertrude Abercrombie, went for a combined $925,000. The top achiever among the four was an oil on Masonite titled Toddy, Possim and Christine that realized $337,500.
U.S. 1901 one-cent error stamp, $5,500, Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC
A U.S. one-cent stamp commemorating the Pan American Exposition of 1901 with an inverted center – an error stamp philatelic rarity – sold for $5,500 at a Western Americana Auction held April 21-24 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC in Reno, Nevada. Also, a US Mint San Francisco 23.06-ounce silver ingot, 999.75 fine, earned $8,125; and a Navajo squash blossom turquoise and coral necklace with matching earrings signed by Victor Moses Begay achieved $1,438.
Burchfield watercolor, $587,500, Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers
A 1965 watercolor on paper by Charles Burchfield (American, 1893-1967), titled Nighthawks and the Moon, sold for $587,500 in an online-only Spring Fine Art Auction held April 28 by Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Milford, Connecticut. Three paintings by Burchfield combined to sell for more than $1 million. Also, a signed watercolor and pastel on paper by Maurice Prendergast (American, 1858-1924) attained $187,500.
Baignoire de Cartier watch, $9,225, Neue Auctions
A Baignoire de Cartier 18K gold and diamond ladies’ watch, made around 2010, sold for $9,225 in an online-only Fine Interiors, Art & Antiques auction held April 30 by Neue Auctions in Beachwood, Ohio. Also, a large pair of Chinese turquoise glaze terracotta foo dogs on stands rose to $5,842; a pair of 1980s Art Deco-style lacquered wood and upholstered club chairs realized $3,567; and an English sterling silver serving tray made in London in 1783 went for $4,612.
Newcomb Pottery group, $11,938, Crescent City Auction Gallery
A collection of six Newcomb Pottery pieces sold for $11,938 at an Important Estates Auction held May 13-14 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a pair of 19th–century Chinese porcelain baluster ginger jars finished at $6,875; an untitled abstract artwork by George Bauer Dunbar (American, b. 1929-), featuring red gold leaf over red clay with die keen, realized $4,375; and a 141-piece set of sterling flatware by International in the Continental pattern made $8,125.
Presentation copy of The Great Gatsby, $67,200, Potter & Potter Auctions
A presentation copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925, Charles Scribner & Sons, N.Y.) sold for $67,200 at a Literature Sale held April 26 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a copy of Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol brought $26,400; a copy of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon went for $22,800; and a copy of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms went to a determined bidder for $21,600.
Chinese porcelain plaques, $137,500, Clements
A pair of 20th-century Chinese porcelain plaques bearing the artist’s marks of Pan Taoyu (1887-1926) sold for $137,500 at an auction held April 2 by Clements auction house in Hixson, Tennessee. Pan Taoyu was one of the foremost creators of porcelain during China’s Republic period (1912-1949). He adopted the studio name Gu huan and died young, at age 39, so his surviving works are very scarce. The winning bidder was a Canadian dealer who was acting on behalf of Chinese clients.
John Hancock letter, $1.896 million, Freeman’s
A 1776 letter signed by John Hancock announcing America’s independence to the state of Georgia sold for $1.896 million at a May 4 Books and Manuscripts auction held by Freeman’s in Philadelphia, the star of a pair of sales that included the auction house’s May 3 American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts auction. Also performing well at the back-to-back auctions were a Chippendale mahogany sideboard table, which rose to $163,800; Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of George Washington, which finished at $94,500; and a first American edition of Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice, which achieved $21,420.
Portrait by Thomas Sully, $94,500, Doyle New York
An 1839 portrait by Thomas Sully (British and American, 1783-1872) of Commodore James Biddle sold for $94,500 at an auction of American Paintings, Furniture & Decorative Arts held May 3-4 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a 1759 Map of the Improved Part of the Province of Pennsylvania by Nicholas Scull, the largest map printed in America in the 18th century, realized $88,200; and a pair of silver vases commissioned to memorialize Thomas Biddle, who died in a duel in 1831, brought $59,850.
1798 $1 Small Eagle coin, $205,625, Legend Rare Coin Auctions
A 1798 $1 U.S. Small Eagle coin with 13 stars, graded PCGS AU 58 CAC, sold for $205,625 at Regency Auction 51, held April 28 by Legend Rare Coin Auctions in Lincroft, New Jersey. Also, a 1795 $1 U.S. coin with two leaves, PCGS AU 58 CAC, achieved $105,750; an 1802/1 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS MS64+ CAC, changed hands for $102,812; an 1809/8 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS MS64+ CAC, went for $79,312; and an 1827 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS AU58+ CAC, rang up $79,312.
Maud Lewis oil painting, CA$413,000, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
A 1967 oil-on-board painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970), titled Black Truck, sold for CA$413,000 in an online-only Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction held May 14 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, Lewis’s oil painting Oxen Pulling Logs realized CA$88,500; a group of three letters from Lewis to friend and artist John Kinnear attained CA$82,600; and a circa-1825 powder horn by John Tansel made $22,420. Prices in this entry are given in Canadian dollars.
1879 map of the Western U.S., $16,675, Old World Auctions
An 1879 six-sheet Map of the Territory of the United States, West of the Mississippi River, Edward Freyhold’s updated version of Lieutenant Warren’s general map, sold for $16,675 in an online auction held April 13-27 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Virginia. Also, William Blaeu’s atlas of China and Japan, based on the compilations of the Jesuit Father Martino Martini during his mid-17th-century travels, made $13,800; and a 1779 Thomas Jefferson signed appointment hit $10,925.
Skeletonized watch, $15,000, John Moran Auctioneers
A Vacheron Constantin skeletonized wristwatch, featuring 18K gold and diamonds with a 36-jewel stem-wind set movement, sold for $15,000 at a Spring Jewels auction held May 3 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a large 14K gold carved lapis lazuli scarab pendant necklace with an Egyptian scene on the reverse realized $5,938; a platinum ring centering an emerald-cut, 2.58-carat diamond hit $23,750; and a circa-1880 diamond brooch went for $13,750.
Imperial dragon carpet, $324,500, Skinner Auctioneers
A circa-1600 Chinese Ming Imperial dragon carpet sold for $324,500 during two sales of the Jim Dixon collection held April 25-May 5 by Skinner Auctioneers, online and in the Boston gallery. Also, a circa-18th-century Northwest Persian or South Caucasian rug, finely woven in multi-colored lozenges on a coral-colored field, rang up $40,625; a circa-1800 early central Anatolian rug fragment earned $35,000; and two Chinese Ningxia fragments from the Kangxi era rose to $5,625.
Antoni Clave painting, $37,500, Andrew Jones Auctions
An oil on canvas by Antoni Clave (Spanish, 1913-2005), titled L’enfant a l’oiseaux, sold for $37,500 at an online auction of property from the collection of Kirk and Anne Douglas held May 18 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a Chinese Export porcelain jardiniere on stand attained $11,250, and an Oushak carpet from West Anatolia finished at $10,625.
Bob Dylan lyrics, $60,500, RR Auction
Lyrics handwritten in 2013 by Bob Dylan for his classic song All Along the Watchtower, made popular by Jimi Hendrix, sold for $60,500 in an online auction that began April 14 and ended May 19 at RR Auction, based in Boston. The lyrics were written on one page in black ink and signed at the bottom “Bob Dylan, 2013.” Also, Jim Morrison’s handwritten lyrics for The Doors hit song Love Her Madly realized $43,750, and a Beatles signed Parlophone promo card achieved $25,970.
Rolex Daytona watch, $90,000, Clars Auction Gallery
A Rolex Daytona chronograph wristwatch, ref. 6263, slipped onto a new wrist for $90,000 at a Spring Fine Jewelry & Timepieces auction held May 19 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Soon after, on May 21-22, Clars held a Fine Art, Furniture & Asian Art auction, in which an unheated Burma ruby, diamond and 18K gold ring sold for $14,400, and a print by the Japanese painter, performer and installation artist Yayoi Kusama (b. 1933-) realized $12,000.
Kurt Cobain guitar, $4.5 million, Julien’s Auctions
Kurt Cobain’s 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar, played in the grunge rock group Nirvana’s breakthrough hit and 1991 music video Smells Like Teen Spirit, sold for $4.5 million at a Music Icons auction held May 20, 21 and 22 by Julien’s Auctions in New York City. Also, Johnny Cash’s owned and stage-played 1956 Martin model D-21 acoustic guitar hit $437,500, and the pink gown and accessories worn by Madonna in her classic music video Material Girl went for $287,500.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/