Gallery Report: Ted Williams, Uncle Sam and a prize pumpkin made headlines in May

ATLANTA – At the beginning of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall compiles the most notable auction highlights from across the United States and the world as well. The June 2023 edition of Ken’s Gallery Report showcases a wealth of compelling results. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Kusama’s A Pumpkin (RT), $56,250, John Moran Auctioneers

A 2004 painting by Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929-), titled A Pumpkin (RT), sold for $56,250 at a California Living auction held April 11 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a 1958 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar played a sweet tune for $32,500; Edouardo Sarabia’s (b. 1976-) Painted Memories 2 from 2008 made $18,750; four topiary lounge chairs with ottoman by Richard Schultz for Knoll earned $6,500; and a circa-1980s-90s Art Deco Revival credenza settled at $5,850.

Houdini’s strait jacket, $43,200, Potter & Potter Auctions

Legendary magician Harry Houdini’s strait jacket escape, a heavy canvas jacket reinforced with leather across the neck, back, arms and waist, sold for $43,200 at a dedicated Harry Houdini event held April 8 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, Houdini’s spirit cabinet escape realized $50,400; a circa-1925 poster advertising The World Famous Houdini /Master Mystifier, commanded $11,400; and a circa-1891 tintype portrait of a young Houdini, probably taken at Coney Island, New York, reached $21,600.

John Wilkes Booth reward poster, $166,375, Nate D. Sanders Auctions

The first printing of the reward poster for the capture of John Wilkes Booth and two other conspirators in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln – issued by the War Department in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 1865, five days after President Lincoln died and six days before Booth was killed – sold for $166,375 at an auction held April 27 by Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles. The poster, originally displayed on a tree, had never been auctioned before.

Tiffany Studios Nasturtium lamp, $71,500, Woody Auction

A Tiffany Studios table lamp with a 32in Nasturtium shade sold for $71,500 in the auction of Part 2 of the Ron Blessing collection, held March 18 by Woody Auction in Douglass, Kan. Also, an R.J. Horner china cabinet in the Atlas pattern climbed to $22,000; a French cameo art glass vase marked Daum Nancy, with penguin decor, waddled off with $17,000; and a Brilliant Period Cut Glass amethyst cut to clear water pitcher attributed to Stevens and Williams brought $9,200.

Gilt Bronze Tibetan Buddha, $200,000, Briggs Auction

A gilt bronze Tibetan Buddha sold for $200,000 at a Fine Estates Auction held March 24 by Briggs Auction in Garnet Valley, Penn. It was the most ever paid for a single item at a Briggs Auction event. Also, a nearly life-size portrait of a seated beauty, titled Lorelai, changed hands for $32,000; and a pocket watch by the 18th-century Delaware clockmaker Thomas Crow earned $5,500. These sums are hammer prices, exclusive of the buyer’s premium.

German World War II machine gun, $456,000, Morphy Auctions

A German World War II Model FG-42 machine gun, Model E 1st Model, one of only about 2,000 made, sold for $456,000 at a Firearms & Militaria Auction held April 11-13 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Penn. Also, a British-made WWII silenced Sten Mark IV (SD) machine gun went for $129,000; a mid-1950s American-made Harrington & Richardson T48 (FAL) machine gun with box achieved $114,000; and a circa-2000 David McKay Brown (Scotland) 20-gauge shotgun attained $61,200.

Ted Williams’ Baseball Hall of Fame ring, $444,000, Heritage Auctions

Boston Red Sox immortal Ted Williams’s Baseball Hall of Fame induction ring, given to him upon his entry into Cooperstown on July 25, 1966, sold for $444,000 at a Spring Sports Catalog Auction held May 11-13 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, a Mickey Mantle Topps rookie card from 1952, graded SGC Near Mint+ 7.5, earned $384,00, a record for the grade; and a 1916 M101-5 (blank back) Babe Ruth card also set a new record for its graded (SGC Fair 1.5) when it achieved the home-run price of $276,000.

Andrew Clemens sand bottles, $151,200, Hindman

A pair of Sweetheart sand bottles from 1883 by Andrew Clemens (1857-1894) sold for $151,200 at an American Furniture, Folk & Decorative Arts auction held March 30 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a Tiffany & Co. seven-piece silver tea and coffee service with matching tray made $18,000; a Baltimore Federal mahogany tall case clock realized $11,970; and a Renaissance Revival etagere attributed to John Henry Belter went to a determined bidder for $22,800.

Uncle Sam clockwork toy, $72,000, Bertoia Auctions

An Ives (USA) Uncle Sam clockwork preambulator, one of two known, sold for $72,000 at a Spring Signature Sale held March 24-25 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, N.J. Also, an oversized Ives horse-drawn fire hose reel in pristine condition went for $14,400; a Kenton Speed Truck, the largest of its series, rolled away with $16,800; and a Kyser & Rex (USA) Chimpanzee cast-iron mechanical bank brought $34,800.

George Washington-owned book, $441,000, Freeman’s

A volume from the personal library of George Washington, titled The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society, a first edition copy given to Washington during his second presidential term by physician Dr. John Coakley Lettsom and featuring Washington’s bold signature at the top of the half-title page, sold for $441,000 at a Books and Manuscripts auction held May 3 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. In addition, a 1787 land grant signed by Benjamin Franklin finished at $17,640.

1854 US $1 coin, $91,062, Legend Rare Coin Auctions

An 1854 US $1 coin, graded MS65 CAC, sold for $91,062 at the Central States Numismatic Society’s 84th Anniversary Convention held April 27 in Schaumburg, Illinois by Legend Rare Coin Auctions, based in Red Bank, N.J. Also, an 1837 US $2.50 coin, graded MS65 CAC, went for $88,125; a 1942-S US 50-cent coin, graded MS 67 CAC, hit $70,500; a 1935-S US 50-cent coin, MS 67 CAC, brought $67,562; and a 1795 US 1-cent coin, PCGS MS 65 BN CAC, made $61,687.

Jefferson Davis revolver, $470,000, Rock Island Auction Company

The Jefferson Davis surrender Beaumont-Adams double action revolver, one of the most important war trophies of the Civil War, sold for $470,000 at Premier Firearms Auction #88, held May 19-21 by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Ill. Also, the engraved gold and Winchester Model 1895 belonging to Zane Grey realized $440,625; a Krieghoff FH42 Type 1 changed hands for $411,250; and the cased Colt 1861 Navy revolver presented to Capt. George Williams rose to $258,500.

Circa-1820 Armoire Crocodile, CA$29,500, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A circa-1820 Quebec armoire in a strong alligatored yellow paint that earned it the family nickname “Armoire Crocodile” sold for $29,500 at the sale of the Belzile collection held in Quebec, Canada by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg. Also, a Louis XIII armchair in old green paint realized $21,240, and an 18th-century Quebec pine armoire with four Louis XIV hourglass-shaped panels won $17,700.

Kurt Cobain Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, $595,000, Julien’s Auctions

Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s Nevermind smashed and signed black Fender Stratocaster electric guitar sold for $595,900 at a Music Icons auction held May 19-20 by Julien’s Auctions in New York City. Also, Bono’s 2002 U2 stage-played Gretsch Irish Falcon electric guitar achieved $238,125; Eddie Van Halen’s 2004 Charvel EVH Art Series 78 electric guitar settled at $114,300; and Michael Jackson’s Dangerous world tour jacket made $117,000.

Xavier de Charlevoix account, $5,700, Old World Auction

F. Xavier de Charlevoix’s Histoire et Description de la Nouvelle France – an account of French possessions in colonial North America, featuring 28 maps – sold for $5,700 in an online auction held April 12-26 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Va. Also, The New Twelve Inch British Celestial Globe by William and T.M. Bardin, composed of 12 paper gores, a brass meridian and an engraved horizon ring, realized $5,100.

Marklin toy paddle boat, $250,000, Pook & Pook

The Marklin toy paddle wheel river boat New York, in exceptional condition, sold for $250,000 at an Americana auction held May 4-5 by Pook & Pook in Downingtown, Penn. Also, an English Staffordshire slipware doll cradle dating to 1698 brought $22,500; a Berks or Montgomery County (Penn.) painted poplar shrank, a robust example of early 18th-century German furniture design, earned $81,250; and a Mifflin County (Penn.) Samuel Plank-painted box brought $45,360.

Steve Jobs-signed check, $106,985, RR Auction

An Apple Computer check signed by Steve Jobs in 1976 – the year of the company’s founding – sold for $106,985 in an online auction held April 17-May 10 by RR Auction in Boston. The check was filled out in type and signed by Jobs himself, for $175.00, payable to Crampton, Remke & Miller, Inc., a provider of business processing consulting services to high-tech companies. Also, an early 1990s NeXT business card listing Jobs as chairman and CEO brought $3,076.

1897 experimental pistol, $72,000, Cowan’s Auctions

A Bergmann Schmeisser prototype 1897 model 5 experimental pistol with holster stock sold for $72,000 at an Arms, Armor & Militaria auction held May 3-4 by Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati. Also, a Peter Chapman 28 gauge sidelock hammerless side-by-side shotgun with straight English stock hit the mark for $36,000; a Parker GH grade 20 gauge shotgun with 32in barrels attained $25,200; and a Japanese model 1902 Grandpa Nambu holster stock rose to $15,600.

Maurice Prendergast beach scene, $162,500, Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers

A colorful oil-on-panel Boston beach scene by Maurice Prendergast (American, 1858-1924), painted circa 1907-1910, sold for $162,500 in a Spring Fine Art Auction held April 27 by Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Milford, Conn. Also, a circa-1880s oil on canvas by Martin Johnson Heade (American, 1819-1904), titled Vase of Red Roses, went for $125,000; and a 1904 oil on canvas by Richard Hayley Lever (American, 1876-1958) titled Sunshine in the Hills, brought $106,250.

Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

 

Gallery Report: Alphonse Mucha’s ‘Seasons’ suite triumphs at Everard

ATLANTA – At the dawn of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from across the country and also the world. The March 2023 edition of Ken’s Gallery Report showcases a wealth of strong results. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Alphonse Mucha suite, $40,625, Everard Auctions and Appraisals

A complete 1896 suite of four lithographs by Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), titled The Seasons, sold for $40,625 at a Winter Southern Estates and Collections auction held February 28 and March 1 by Everard Auctions and Appraisals in Savannah, Georgia. Also, a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios 12-light favrile glass gilt bronze Lily lamp brought $35,000; a signed Tabriz figural carpet went for $8,125; and an Eldred Wheeler maple secretary bookcase brought $6,875.

Chippendale walnut table, $22,500, Nye & Company Auctioneers

A circa-1765 Philadelphia Chippendale carved and figured walnut dressing table sold for $22,500 in an online-only Chic and Antique Estate Treasures auction held Jan. 25-27 by Nye & Company Auctioneers in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Also, an Edison Electric Pen, including the original box, wires and stone sharpening tool, realized $21,250; a Daum Nancy Blackbird frosted vase rose to $18,750; and a set of six Queen Anne dining chairs attributed to William Savery settled at $10,880.

Maud Lewis oil painting, CA$44,250, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A painting by the renowned Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970), titled Three Black Cats, sold for $44,250 in an online-only Canadiana & Folk Art auction held February 11 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Canada. Seven paintings by Lewis in the auction brought a combined $198,380. Also, four paintings by Nova Scotia artist Joe Norris (1924-1996) realized a total of $49,560. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Old West author / historian archive, $2,625, Holabird Western Americana Collections

An archive of material pertaining to Old West author, artist and historian Ernest L. Reedstrom (1928-2003) sold for $2,625 in Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC’s two-day Treasures from the Shelves auction held Feb. 18-19 in Reno, Nevada. Also, a USS Utah photo diary of the Tampico Affair of 1914 and the invasion of Veracruz, Mexico brought $1,750, and a circa 1894-1896 Oriental coffin flask bottle out of Lamar, Colorado, lavender in color, realized $1,500.

Eminem’s Nike sneakers, $40,625, Julien’s Auctions

Musical artist Eminem’s signed and worn Nike Air Max sneakers sold for $40,625 at a Musicares Charity Relief Auction held February 5 by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Also, Paul McCartney’s personally signed book The Lyrics brought $25,600; Taylor Swift’s signed 2020 Epiphone acoustic guitar garnered $25,000; a Joe Perry stage-played and signed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar made $22,400; and a Slash-signed Gibson Les Paul electric guitar commanded $22,400.

Hemingway book, $277,200, Freeman’s

A 1924 first edition copy of Ernest Hemingway’s book in our time sold for $277,200 at a Books and Manuscripts auction held February 2 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a Reconstruction-era map of Galveston, Texas – the only known copy to have ever been offered at auction – brought $30,240, and an inscribed association copy of Stride Toward Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memoir of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, finished at $12,600.

1958 double die Lincoln penny, $1.136 million, GreatCollections

A 1958 Lincoln cent, described as a ‘double die’ because it was mistakenly made with doubling in some letters on the coin’s obverse, sold for $1.136 million at a series of six auctions for the collection of the late Stewart Blay ending January 29 at GreatCollections of Irvine, California. It was the most ever paid for a Lincoln cent and was the finest of the three 1958 double dies known. Blay’s collection of 276 Lincoln cents, dating back to 1909 and all in mint condition, sold for a combined $7.732 million during the six days.

Pastel portrait by Beauford Delaney, $48,000, Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals

A vivid pastel portrait of a blue-eyed man by the Tennessee-born African American abstract expressionist Beauford Delaney sold for $48,000 at a Winter Auction held Jan. 28-29 by Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, a church picnic scene by the self-taught African American artist Helen Lafrance realized $25,600; a painted blanket chest from Wythe County, Virginia brought $40,960; and a Korean silver inlaid iron censer went to a determined bidder for $37,500.

C. Gilman shelf clock, $51,250, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A 19th-century B. C. Gilman (Exeter, N.H.) Boston shelf clock sold for $51,250 at a Couture, Jewelry and Fine & Decorative Art auction held February 27 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an early 20th-century Duffner & Kimberly heraldic armorial table lamp brought $4,062; a Jose Reyes (American and Filipino, 1902-1980) Nantucket friendship basket hit $3,750; and an Old Master oil painting of Christ by Charles Robert Leslie made $3,750.

1952 Topps baseball brick, $873,300, Morphy Auctions

An unopened 1952 Topps baseball brick containing eight factory-sealed 5-cent wax packs sold for $873,300 at a Toys, Sports Cards & General Collectibles Auction held Feb. 1-3 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Each of the eight packs held five cards and it was widely speculated they were likely from Topps’ first series. The brick could be traced back to a private purchase in Seattle in 1991. The new owner is a collector who wished to remain anonymous.

Five-volume maritime atlas, $38,525, Old World Auctions

A five-volume maritime atlas from 1764 by J. N. Bellin, including 581 maps of the world and continents, plus many regional maps and city plans and coastal charts, sold for $38,525 in a sale held Jan. 25-Feb. 8 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Virginia. Also, A New Map of Texas, with the Contiguous American & Mexican States from 1837, by Samuel Augustus Mitchell, earned $14,950; and a carte-a-figures world map created in 1652 by Claes Janszoon Visscher achieved $10,925.

Tiffany Studios window, $237,500, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery

A Tiffany Studios Jesus in a Field of Lilies window sold to a church for $237,500 at a Fine and Decorative Arts auction held January 28 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Also, a grouping of yellow diamonds from one estate, led by an 18K white gold, yellow gold and diamond ring, rang up $181,250; a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Curtain Border floor lamp achieved $100,000; and a circa-1905 Tiffany Studios Moorish and Turtle Back chandelier rose to $81,250.

Wolfgang Paalen painting, $163,000, Hindman

A vibrant untitled 1943 painting by Wolfgang Paalen sold for $163,000 at a Figuratively Speaking auction held February 10 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, two other works by Paalen, from 1947 and 1943, went for $47,250 and $20,160, respectively; two paintings by Alice Rahon, Paalen’s wife, one untitled from 1946 and one dubbed Le Chat from 1943, each went for $13,860; and a portrait of the artist and critic Florence Arquin by Kathleen Blackshear earned $9,450.

Colt Model 1847 revolver, $105,750, Rock Island Auction Company

A C Company U.S. Colt Model 1847 Walker percussion revolver sold for $105,750 at a Sporting & Collector Auction ending February 17 at Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Illinois. Also, an engraved Civil War New Haven Arms Company Henry lever action rifle hit the mark for $41,125; an early serial number 5 Colt black powder SAA in scarce 44 Rimfire made $18,880; and a Civil War-era LeMat Grape Shot changed hands for $16,450.

W. Jacobs’ Salthaven, $31,250, Potter & Potter Auctions

A first edition presentation copy of W. W. Jacobs’ (British, 1863-1943) book titled Salthaven, inscribed to and by Samuel C. Clemens (aka Mark Twain, 1835-1910), sold for $31,250 at a Fine Books & Manuscripts auction held February 16 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a near-fine set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s (1892-1973) the Lord of the Rings trilogy brought $19,200, and a 37-volume collection of The Works of Mark Twain realized $16,250.

Daniel Boone compass, $109,375, Heritage Auctions

A compass owned by legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone sold for $109,375 at an Americana & Political Signature Auction held Feb. 25-26 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, a carte de visite signed by President Abraham Lincoln as a donation to a Sanitary Fair held Oct. 18, 1864 in Tazewell City, Illinois earned $106,250; a circa-1857 double partner’s desk designed by Thomas U. Walter made $40,000; and a display with signatures of both Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth rose to $37,500.

Marc Chagall artwork, $8,400, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

An artwork by Marc Chagall (1887-1985), titled Daphnis et Grathon, signed and numbered (26/60), sold for $8,400 at a Midcentury, Modern Art & Contemporary Sale held January 28 by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a pair of Mies van der Rohe Barcelona leather lounge chairs left the room for $5,000; a 1981 landscape by Charles Griffin Farr (1908-1997), titled Tuolumme, reached $4,305; and Salvador Dali’s Manhattan Skyline finished at $5,700.

2007 factory-sealed iPhone, $63,356, LCG Auctions

A 2007 factory-sealed first-edition iPhone sold for a new record price of $63,356 at a Winter Premier Auction held February 19 by LCG Auctions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Also, a 1978 Star Wars Boba Fett action figure (Canada 20-Back AFA 85) realized $22,206; a 1982 Masters of the Universe Battle Ram vehicle (AFA 85) sped off with $20,920; a 1983 G.I. Joe Dragonfly vehicle (XH-1 AFA 85) brought $9,418; and a 1984 Transformers Bumble Bee (AFA 85) earned $18,353.

Orville Bulman work, $63,000, Doyle

A 1967 tropical landscape painting by Orville Bulman (American, 1904-1978), titled Les Nouveaux Familles, sold for $63,000 at a Fine Art auction held February 15 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a 1991 sculpture by Olbram Zoubek (Czech, 1926-2017), titled Eve-Arrow, attained $9,825; an unframed color lithograph after Pablo Picasso, titled Tete de Bouffon, realized $9,450; and a 1992 painting by Hunt Slonem (American, b. 1951-), titled Chandelier 8, hit $8,820.

Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

 

Gallery Report: Tiffany Poppy lamp flourishes at Morphy’s

ATLANTA – At the start of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the world at large. For your enjoyment, here is the August 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Tiffany Studios Poppy table lamp, $541,200, Morphy Auctions

A circa-1905-1910 Tiffany Studios Poppy leaded-glass table lamp sold for $541,200 at a Fine & Decorative Arts Auction held June 8-10 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a pair of circa-1920s Cartier Art Deco platinum and diamond drop earrings in the original display-case box, with a total diamond weight of 4.68 carats, attained $98,400; and a circa-1780 Connecticut Chippendale cherry slant-lid secretary went to a determined bidder for $41,820.

Presidential presentation set, $17,500, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A set of presentation items sent to Eleanor Roosevelt following the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945, from King Abdul Aziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, including a traditional Arabian robe, headdress, scarf, dagger and belt, sold for $17,500 at a Historic Arms & Militaria auction held July 21 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a circa-1941 World War II USMC Johnson Model 1941 rifle and bayonet, missing the scabbard, earned $9,038.

Queen Anne-style secretary, $25,000, Andrew Jones Auctions

A 20th-century Queen Anne-style parcel gilt ebonized Chinoiserie-decorated secretary bookcase sold for $25,000 in an At Home auction held July 17 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a French first standard silver six-piece tea and coffee service with two-handled tray (Fanniere Freres, Paris, 1868) settled at $18,750; and an English lacquered cabinet on a giltwood stand, the cabinet dating to the first quarter of the 18th century and the stand to the late 17th century, realized $18,750.

 

Colt No. 5 Paterson revolver, $38,188, Rock Island Auction Company

A cased Colt No. 5 squareback Texas Paterson percussion revolver hit the mark for $38,188 at a Sporting & Collector Firearms Auction held June 22-24 by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Illinois. Also, a U.S. Ainsworth inspected Colt Cavalry SAA revolver nearly doubled its high estimate, finishing at $10,575; and a U.S. Rock Island Arsenal model 1903 sniper rifle also surpassed estimate to achieve $10,575. Overall, the auction grossed $7.059 million.

Staffordshire platter, $14,580, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

A Staffordshire American historical transfer-printed ceramic platter featuring the Arms of Pennsylvania sold for $14,580 at a Premier Americana Auction held June 23-25 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Also, a blown-molded GII-6 deep bowl in an unusual brilliant yellow green, probably made in Kent, Ohio around 1830, realized $39,487; and a pair of Charles Peale Polk (American, 1767-1822) portraits of Gerard and Margaret Briscoe from 1799 brought $72,900.

‘Islandia’ map by Ortelius, $12,650, Old World Auctions

A 1585 map titled Islandia by Abraham Ortelius, decorated with images of sea monsters, sold for $12,650 in an online auction held June 22 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Virginia. Also, a 1735 world atlas with 99 maps in contemporary color by Covens & Mortier achieved $19,925; a World War II persuasive map with images of Hitler, Stalin and Churchill made in 1941 by Antonio Soares realized $8,625; and A New Sectional Map of Florida from 1923, published by Matthews-Northrup Co., rose to $11,500.

Art glass tall vase, $10,620, Bodnar’s Auction

An art glass tall vase, initially believed to have been made by Duran but later found to be by Fenton, sold for $10,620 at an estate auction held June 23 by Bodnar’s Auction in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey. Also, an electrified oil lamp made in the style of Tiffany changed hands for $7,965; a 14K gold Burmese ruby and diamond bracelet realized $3,068; a platinum tanzanite and ruby diamond ring made $3,068; and a Louis C. Tiffany art glass lamp shade went for $2,124.

1992 Chinese gold coin, $576,000, Heritage Auctions

A 1992 People’s Republic of China gold proof Completion of the Lunar Cycle 2000 Yuan (Kilo) coin, graded PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC, sold for $576,000 at a World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session & Signature Auction held in Hong Kong on July 7-9 by Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas. Also, a Republic Yuan Shih-kai silver Pattern Dollar Year 3 from 1914, MS64 NGC, ended at $564,000; and a 1908 Kuang-hsu Dollar ND, MS67 PCGS, went for $528,000.

Sally Michel painting, $26,250, John Moran Auctioneers

A 1975 oil painting by American artist Sally Michel (1902-2003), titled Deserted Beach, sold for $26,250 at a Post-War and Contemporary Art + Design auction held June 21 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a 1941 painting by Milton Avery, titled Girl on Balcony, realized $24,700; a painting by Thomas Nozkowski, Untitled (8-50), earned $23,750; a colorful print by Frank Stella, titled The Monkey Rope, rose to $23,750; and an untitled ceramic by Doyle Lane achieved $7,500.

Nikola Tesla letter, $51,651, RR Auction

A four-page letter penned by innovator Nikola Tesla, dated July 14, 1899, handwritten from his Colorado Springs Experimental Station, in which he insists his wireless technology is superior to Marconi’s, sold for $51,651 in an online auction held June 24-July 13 by RR Auction, based in Boston. Also, a Benjamin Franklin-signed document from 1786 made $24,079; a Pope Francis-signed baseball brought $17,125; and a George Washington-signed document from 1795 hit $18,750.

Illuminated manuscript leaves, $43,750, Clars Auction Gallery

A group of three Persian illuminated manuscript leaves, gouache and gilt on paper and script in ink, sold for $43,750 at an auction held July 17 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Also, a 2004 screenprint by Yayoi Kusama (Japanese, b. 1929-), titled A Pumpkin GB-D, signed, titled and dated, edition 47/80, realized $40,625; a Chinese huanghuali rounded corners cabinet made $20,000; and a 1965 Salvador Dali lithograph, titled Drawers of Memory, earned $10,625.

Sitting Bull’s Winchester rifle, $132,000, Cowan’s Auctions

A Winchester 1st Model 1876 rifle, believed to have been taken from Sitting Bull’s cabin on the day of his death in 1890 during a botched arrest attempt by U.S. Indian Police, with documentation, sold for $132,000 at a Frontier Firearms auction from the collection of Larry Ness, held June 8 by Cowan’s Auctions in Cincinnati. The rifle, along with other weapons recovered that same day, were turned in to Standing Rock Reservation Indian Agent Major James McLaughlin.

Marilyn Monroe gown, $218,750, Julien’s Auctions

A gown and headpiece Marilyn Monroe wore in the film There’s No Business Like Show Business sold for $218,750 at a Hollywood Legends auction held July 15 by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Also, Chris Evans’s Captain America original hero prop Vibranium shield used in The Avengers went for $200,000; an original Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope stormtrooper helmet achieved $192,000; and a Harry Potter Nimbus 2001 broomstick flew away with $76,800.

1987 Hermes handbag, $8,125, Crescent City Auction Gallery

A circa-1987 Hermes Kelly Sellier handbag, in natural black box calf leather with gold hardware, sold for $8,125 at a Summer Estates Auction held July 15-16 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a watercolor on paper by Alberta Kinsey (American, 1875-1952), titled Still Life with Roses, signed and framed, brought $2,250; and a limited-edition Louis Vuitton Jeff Koons Masters Van Gogh MM Neverfull printed coated canvas bag with leather accents made $4,375.

Signed B.B. King Gibson Lucille guitar, $16,800, Potter & Potter Auctions

A Gibson Lucille electric guitar signed by B.B. King, Eric Clapton and some members of King’s original band, part of King’s 70th birthday tribute concert held in Memphis in 1995, sold for $16,800 at a Pop Culture, Disneyana & Collectibles Sale held June 16 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a James Bond Secret Agent shooting attache case toy with the original box brought $3,840; and a card inscribed by Bob Marley with accompanying backstage photos rose to $3,360.

John Singer Sargent charcoal on paper, $72,000, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

A charcoal-on-paper portrait of Sir William Headworth Williamson, 10th Baronet, by John Singer Sargent (American, British and Italian, 1856-1925) sold for $72,000 at an auction held July 8-10 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, Andy Warhol’s iconic image of Marilyn Monroe, one of a series of 10 serigraphs from a 1967 portfolio, finished at $93,750; and a profile bust portrait oil painting of a young woman by Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) realized $25,000.

Colt .41-caliber Army revolver, $19,800, Milestone Auctions

A pearl-handled Colt .41-caliber Army Special revolver sent in 1909 as a shipment of one to J.B. Crook & Co. (N.Y.), with engraving by Cuno Helfricht’s shop, sold for $19,800 at a Premier Collectible Firearms Auction held June 17-18 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, Ohio. Also, a Colt Model 1861 Navy revolver, manufactured in 1863, brought $18,600; and a replica Colt 1851 Navy .44-caliber gun used by Clint Eastwood in the Western film The Outlaw, Josey Wales earned $17,400.

 

William Herbert Dunton oil, $1.2 million, Coeur d’Alene

A circa-1915 oil on canvas by William Herbert Dunton (American, 1878-1936), titled Treed, sold for $1.2 million at a Coeur d’Alene Art Auction held July 23 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada. It was a new auction record for the artist. Also, Philip R. Goodwin’s work Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea realized $968,000 (also a record); and Charles M. Russell’s 1925 work Mexican Vaqueros Roping a Steer hit $544,500.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: Loie Hollowell painting crests $1M at Clars

ATLANTA – At the beginning of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and across the wider world. Here’s the May 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Loie Hollowell painting, $1.05 million, Clars Auction Gallery

A painting by Loie Hollowell (American, b. 1983), titled Point of Entry (Blood-Orange Moon Over Orange Sac), sold for $1.05 million at a Modern + Contemporary Art + Design sale held March 25 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Also, a 1961 drawing by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), titled Etudes VII (d’apres Manet), brought $150,000, and a double-sided oil on canvas painting by Maria-Mela Muter (Polish/French, 1876-1967) changed hands for $106,250.

Winchester cartridge board, CA$70,800, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A Winchester cartridge board dating to circa 1884 sold for $70,800 in an online-only Petroliana & Advertising Auction held April 23 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a circa-1905 Carhartt’s Overalls single-sided porcelain corner sign achieved $25,960, and a Canadian Ford V8 dealer double-sided porcelain sign from the 1930s realized $15,340. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Marble sculpture of a woman, $21,250, Ahlers & Ogletree

A classical early 20th-century Continental School semi-nude marble sculpture of a woman sold for $21,250 in a two-day Spring Estates & Collections auction held April 9-10 by Ahlers & Ogletree in Atlanta. Also, an Untitled Abstract oil painting by Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004) realized $20,000, and an oil on canvas by Henri Hecht Maik (French, 1922-1993), titled Le Reveille du Hibou (The Awakening of the Owl), achieved $20,000.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse motorcycle, $222,000, Bertoia Auctions

A circa-1932 Tippco (Germany) Mickey and Minnie Mouse motorcycle tin wind-up toy sold for $222,000, a new world record auction price for any Disney toy, at the sale of the Monique Knowlton antique toy collection held March 11-12 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, N.J. Also, a Masudaya (Japan) Machine Man Robot made $72,000, and a Bandai (Japan) Flying Spaceman ‘Superman’ friction cycle in the original box rose to $57,600.

B. Prabha painting, $37,500, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

An oil on canvas by B. Prabha (India, 1933-2001), depicting three women dressed in white and yellow, sold for $37,500 at an auction held April 4 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, R.I. Also, a religious painting by Mahadev Dhurandhar (India, 1867-1944), depicting a man laying down his bow and arrows at the feet of Shiva, changed hands for $31,250.

Crystal ball casket magic apparatus, $36,000, Potter & Potter Auctions

Jonathan N. Hofzinser’s Crystal Ball Casket illusion, created circa 1860, sold for $36,000 at Part 2 of the Ken Klosterman magic collection held March 26 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a color lithograph from around 1920, titled Rostrum The Last Word in Magic, commanded $26,400; and Alexander’s Sawing a Woman in Half illusion, made by F.G. Thayer of Los Angeles in 1921, finished at $24,000.

Chinese food vessel, $487,500, Hindman

A Chinese archaic bronze ceremonial food vessel from the mid-Western Han dynasty sold for $487,500 at an auction of Chinese and Himalayan Works of Art held March 29 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a semi-translucent apple green jadeite tripod censer and cover realized $287,500; a translucent grayish-celadon jadeite covered vase rang up $81,250; an archaistic bronze wine jar and cover garnered $40,625; and a carved yellow jade covered vase went for $20,000.

Wesco Model 212 gas pump, $38,400, Morphy Auctions

A West Coast Equipment Company (Wesco) Model #212 gas pump, professionally restored in Hancock Gasoline livery, sold for $38,400 at an Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana auction held March 29-30 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Buick Authorized Valve in Head neon porcelain sign in complete, original condition realized $27,600, and an Edsel Automobiles double-sided porcelain neon dealership sign went for $24,000.

Lincoln’s pocket knife, $519,000, Heritage Auctions

A custom pocket knife in its original presentation box, given to Abraham Lincoln on June 16, 1864 by Alfred B. Justice for attending the Great Central Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia, sold for $519,000 at a Lincoln and His Times Auction held Feb. 12-13 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, the key to Box No. 7 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., where Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, earned $495,000; and a bust of Lincoln by Chicago artist Leonard Volk attained $399,000.

Cartier Art Deco desk clock, $359,100, Doyle

A circa-1925 Art Deco desk clock by Cartier sold for $359,100 at an Important Jewelry auction held April 12 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a natural pearl necklace with a platinum and Fancy Intense blue diamond clasp found a new owner for $226,800; a jade bead necklace with a gold clasp earned $201,600; a platinum and diamond ring slipped onto a new finger for $195,300; and an antique gold, sapphire and diamond horseshoe brooch changed hands for $138,600.

Huanghuali armchairs, $948,000, Freeman’s

A pair of Chinese huanghuali armchairs from the late Ming to Qing dynasty sold for $948,000 at an Asian Arts auction held April 13 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, two Chinese blue and white porcelain panels went for $403,200; a Chinese Qing dynasty famille rose-decorated Butterflies and Blossoms vase with the four-character Yongzheng mark achieved $189,000; and a Chinese Qing dynasty creamy-white jade carving of a bear realized $107,100.

Handwritten Beethoven letter, $251,240, RR Auction

A four-page letter handwritten by Ludwig van Beethoven, dated Sept. 24, 1815 and penned in German to his librettist, the court poet Friedrich Treitschke, sold for $251,240 in an online auction held April 13 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, a notice of insurance claim for Lee Harvey Oswald, a proof of death certificate obligating the insurance company to pay Oswald’s mother $863 for her son’s demise, brought $79,436; and a Marilyn Monroe-signed photograph, taken in 1953, earned $28,895.

Tom Brady rookie card, $4,800, Cordier Auctions

A 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady rookie card #236, graded PSA 9, sold for $4,800 in sports card and comic book auctions held April 3 and April 10 by Cordier Auctions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Also, a copy of Detective Comics #225, the first issue of Martian Manhunter (1955) hit $4,080; a copy of Detective Comics #233, the first issue of Batwoman (1956) brought $3,120; a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card #164 made $3,360; and a 1980 Topps Baseball unopened wax box realized $2,250.

Popeye and Olive Oyl toy tank, $105,000, Milestone Auctions

A Linemar (Japan) battery-operated Popeye and Olive Oyl Tank with its original box sold for $105,000 at an Antique Toy Spectacular held April 9 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, Ohio. Also, a Linemar battery-operated Popeye and Row Boat with its original box earned $13,200; a Chein tin wind-up Popeye Overhead Puncher with its original box rang up $11,400; and a Chein tin wind-up Popeye Heavy Hitter with its original box rose to $11,400.

Saturn V digital computer memory module, $71,335, RR Auction

A Saturn V Launch Vehicle digital computer memory module sold for $71,335 in an online-only Space Exploration Auction held March 10-April 21 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, Gus Grissom’s prototype pressure suit from Project Gemini went for $64,850; Dave Scott’s Apollo 15-flown CSM update checklist achieved $58,885; Alan Shepard’s Project Mercury spacesuit glove changed hands for $43,923; and Jack Swigert’s Apollo 13-flown flag earned $52,878.

Hughie Lee-Smith painting, $365,000, Swann Auction Galleries

Aftermath, a circa-1960 painting by Hughie Lee-Smith (American, 1915-1999), sold for $365,000 – a new record for the artist – at an African American Art auction held March 31 by Swann Galleries in New York City. Also, a 1982 dry pigment work by Ed Clark, titled Spatial Image III, commanded $341,000; an untitled (Atmospheric Effects Series) acrylic on paper by Alma Thomas from 1971 made $209,000; and an untitled circa 1958-1959 oil painting by Beauford Delaney hit $137,000.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: Vietnamese art prevails at Doyle New York

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. Please enjoy the March 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Vu Cao Dam oil, $126,000, Doyle

A 1970 oil on canvas by Vu Cao Dam (French and Vietnamese, 1908-2000), titled Divinite, signed and dated “vu cao dam 1970” at the lower right and signed with Vietnamese and Latin characters on the reverse, sold for $126,000 at a Fine Art auction held February 23 by Doyle in New York City. Also, Le Vase Chinois by the Vietnamese artist Le Pho changed hands for $113,400, and Le Pho’s Les Poppies achieved $75,600.

Saint-Gaudens statue of Lincoln, $1.2 million, Skinner Auctioneers

A statue of Abraham Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, titled Abraham Lincoln: The Man (Standing Lincoln), sold for just under $1.2 million at an American Art Auction held January 28 by Skinner Auctioneers in Boston. Also, an original Peanuts comic strip from 1960 by Charles Schulz, titled Tyrannosaurus Rex, realized $150,000; a Charles E. Prendergast gilded frame rose to $32,500; and a view of Giverny by John Leslie Breck, titled A Mill Stream, hit $75,000.

Von Braun-signed photo, $14,400, Weiss Auctions

A NASA photo signed and inscribed by German-born American engineer Dr. Wernher Von Braun sold for $14,400 in an online-only, two-day, two-session sale held Jan. 26-27 by Weiss Auctions in Lynbrook, New York. Also, a collection of 1916-1930 Standing Liberty quarters, missing only the 1927-S coin, soared to $161,000; an archive of material relating to Lillian Gish changed hands for $6,325; and a circa-1570 close helmet, almost certainly English and possibly worn by an Earl, made $9,300.

Alexander Jackson painting, CA$47,200, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A circa-1945 original oil painting by Canadian Group of Seven artist Alexander Young Jackson (1882-1974), titled St. Lawrence South Shore Village, sold for $47,200 in an online-only Canadiana & Folk Art auction held February 12 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a vibrant oil on board by another Group of Seven artist, Franz Johnston (1888-1949), titled The Battlement, Lake of the Woods, went for $25,960. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

LaVerne coffee table, $27,060, Neue Auctions

A Philip and Kelvin LaVerne coffee table titled Eternal Forest, cast with an all-over tree pattern and patinated in silver, sold for $27,060 in an online-only Winter Fine Antiques & Art auction held February 19 by Neue Auctions in Beachwood, Ohio. Also, a Soriana leather furniture seating group by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina realized $27,060, and a 1987 screenprint by Tom Wesselmann (American, 1931-2004), titled Bedroom Face, made $12,300.

Marx Speedboy 4 prototype, $16,800, Milestone Auctions

A Marx prototype Speedboy 4 motorcycle with a soldier driver, ‘AMMO’ box and spring-loaded cannon for shooting projectiles sold for $16,800 at a Winter Antique Toy Spectacular held January 29 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, Ohio. Also, a Marx tin wind-up Tom Corbett Space Cadets Rocket Ship with hand-painted details earned $6,600, and a late 19th-century Wilkins cast-iron water tower fire wagon brought $8,400.

Roger Muhl painting, $9,375, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

An original still life abstract painting by Roger Muhl (French, 1929-2008), titled Tulipes Rouges (Red Tulips), sold for $9,375 in an online-only Estate Fine Art & Antique auction held February 21 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an interior genre painting by John Carlin (American, 1813-1891) realized $7,500; a fine silk gold thread Chinese dragon robe from the Qing dynasty hit $3,438; and a still life painting by Herbert Cash (American, 1864-1914) rose to $4,062.

1907 U.S. $10 gold eagle coin, $587,500, Legend Rare Coin

A 1907 U.S. $10 rolled edge gold eagle coin, one of only 42 struck and graded MS65+, sold for $587,500 at Regency Auction 50. The auction was held January 27 at the PCGS Members Only Show in Las Vegas, Nevada by Legend Rare Coin Auctions, based in Lincroft, New Jersey. In addition, a near-gem 1776 Continental dollar, the E.G. FECIT type, graded PCGS MS64 CAC, went for $146,875; and an 1879 Stella flowing hair $4 U.S. coin, graded PCGS PR64 CAMEI CAC, went to a determined bidder for $217,375.

BTS Grammy ensembles, $160,000, Julien’s Auctions

Seven custom-made ensembles worn by members of the pop band BTS while performing their hit song Dynamite at the Grammy awards, filmed from Seoul, South Korea in March 2021, sold for $160,000 at a Musicares Charity Relief Auction held January 30 by Julien’s Auctions, based in Los Angeles. Also, Keith Richards’ signed black Gibson gloss acoustic electric guitar, offered with an NFT, brought $57,600; and Paul McCartney’s signed Hofner B-Bass Hi Series violin bass guitar made $38,400.

Celentano oil painting, $55,000, Swann Auction Galleries

An oil-on-canvas painting by Daniel Celentano, titled Pelham Bay, sold for $55,000 at an Artists of the WPA auction held January 27 by Swann Auction Galleries in New York City. It was a new record for the artist. Also, a 1942 oil on Masonite by Aaron Bohrod, titled Getting Ready for Auction, realized $21,250; a 1936 double-sided carved woodblock, Cape Cod Cottage and The Coffee Pot, brought $23,750; and a circa-1935 early Jackson Pollock lithograph, titled Stacking Hay, made $16,250.

Smokey and the Bandit car, $500,000, Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, LLC

The 1977 Pontiac Firebird TransAm car made popular in the 1977 cult classic film Smokey and the Bandit sold for just under $500,000 at an auction held January 22 by Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, LLC in Scottsdale, Arizona. It wasn’t the actual car used in the movie, but it was the car given to actor Burt Reynolds for his work in the film. Reynolds sold it in 2014 due to financial problems. It had just 3,600 miles on its odometer.

Cirque Medrano lithograph, $10,200, Potter & Potter Auctions

A 1930s-era color lithograph for Cirque Medrano of Paris, signed by the designer Raoul Ortez and featuring the clown Charlie Cairoli with his father, Jean-Marie Cairoli, on the violin, sold for $10,200 at a Midwinter Vintage Poster Sale held January 29 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a 1960s-era airline poster titled India for Big Game / Air India for Service achieved $7,200; and Dozier Mobley’s Think About It! poster realized $4,800.

Lazar Vozarevic oil, $132,000, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

An oil on wood on canvas by Lazar Vozarevic (Serbian, 1925-1968), titled Circulo, sold for $132,000 at a Modern Art & Contemporary Sale held February 5 by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a pink 1969 Ford Mustang 351 single-family owner car sped off for $19,200; a set of 12 Hans Wegner (Danish, 1914-2007) chairs, known as The Chair design, brought $12,800; and a 1950s Gio Ponti/M. Singer & Sons sideboard made $11,520.

Fernand Leger gouache, $375,000, Clarke Auction Gallery

A circa-1954 gouache painting by Fernand Leger (French, 1881-1955), titled Les loisirs, sold for $375,000 at an Awesome Estates Auction held February 6 by Clarke Auction Gallery in Larchmont, New York. Also, a painting signed by Alexandre Cabanel (French, 1823-1889), titled Contemplation or The Italian Servant, went for $55,000, and an untitled map-drawing of Las Vegas by Saul Steinberg (American, 1914-1999) rose to $40,000.

Bach signed document, $400,000, RR Auction

A handwritten receipt signed twice by composer Johann Sebastian Bach sold for $400,000 in an online auction held Jan. 14-Feb. 9 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, a photograph of the Romanov Grand Duchesses, signed by all four, earned $75,001; a draft article on the state of humanity, signed by Albert Einstein, rang up $56,914; a King Henry VIII-signed document ordering lavish leashes and collars for his dogs made $50,419; and a Beatles Hollywood Bowl acetate realized $23,837.

Charles M. Russell sculpture, $72,000, Case Antiques Inc., Auctions & Appraisals

A 1929 bronze casting of Charles M. Russell’s sculpture titled Smoking with the Spirit of the Buffalo, commissioned by his wife Nancy three years after the artist’s death, sold for $72,000 at a Winter Auction held Jan. 29-30 by Case Antiques, Inc., Auctions & Appraisals in Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, a Chinese famille verte fish bowl with poem and landscape decoration reached $66,000, and a Tiffany & Co. sword, belt and commendations presented to U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Cadwalader Ringgold hit $52,800.

Tiffany Studios floor lamp, $181,250, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery

A Tiffany Studios Curtain Border leaded glass and patinated bronze floor lamp sold for $181,250 at a Fine & Decorative Arts auction held February 5 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Also, a Tiffany Studios Byzantine floor lamp lit up the room for $115,625; a Giambologna bronze sculpture of Aphrodite, Goddess of the Sea, made $53,750; and a 19th-century Hertz Brothers carved oak banquet table rose to $35,000.

George Brown Excelsior riverboat, $25,200, Pook & Pook and Noel Barrett

A George Brown Excelsior side-wheel toy riverboat, one of only two known, incomplete and in distressed paint condition, sold for $25,200 at an Antique Toys & Board Games auction held December 3 by Pook & Pook and Noel Barrett in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Also, a circa-1880 Ives lithograph paper on wood baseball toss target hit the mark for $9,840; a Lionel standard gauge Blue Comet flew down the tracks for $9,840; and a Schoenhut bandwagon with some repainting rang up $5,040.

Gertrude Abercrombie painting, $387,500, Hindman

A surreal 1964 oil on panel by Gertrude Abercrombie, titled The Dinosaur, sold for $387,500 at a Somewhere Out There auction held February 17 by Hindman in Chicago. It was a new world auction record for the artist. Also, Wesley Willis’s The Lakefront realized $4,375; Larissa Bates’s Sleeping Mother, Man with Lazar Beams, went for $1,375; and a work on paper by Miyoko Ito, titled Objects in the Nursery, went to a determined bidder for $2,500.

Seven Seas Comics #4, $18,750, PBA Galleries

A copy of Seven Seas Comics #4 from 1947, graded CGC 6.5 and featuring artwork by Matt Baker, sold for $18,750 at a Comic Books Sale held February 3 by PBA Galleries in Berkeley, California. Also, a copy of Crime Patrol #15, graded CGC 4.0, featuring the first Crypt Keeper story, changed hands for $9,375; a copy of Horrific #3, graded CGC 6.0, earned $5,312; a copy of Weird Mysteries #5, graded CGC 2.5, realized $6,875; and a copy of Mister Mystery #11, graded CGC 6.0, achieved $5,937.

Patek Philippe wristwatch, $229,000, Kodner Galleries

A Patek Philippe Nautilus 5990/1A-001 men’s wristwatch sold for $229,000 at a Valentine’s Day auction held February 9 by Kodner Galleries in Dania Beach, Florida. Also, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A-001 men’s wristwatch slipped onto a new wrist for $181,500; an AGL 35.60-carat Ceylon sapphire brooch realized $78,650; a pair of fancy yellow diamond and platinum earrings achieved $66,500; and an EGL-certified 5.02-carat diamond engagement ring brought $60,500.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: Hale Woodruff abstract sells for record $665K at Swann

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 February 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Hale Woodruff painting, $665,000, Swann Auction Galleries

A circa-1958 oil on canvas by Hale Woodruff, titled Carnival, sold for $665,000 at an African American art sale held October 7 by Swann Galleries in New York. It was a record for an abstract work by the artist. Also, a limestone Head carved in 1943 by Elizabeth Catlett realized $485,000 and a new record for the artist, and a circa 1950-1951 oil on canvas by Norman Lewis, titled Past Time, rose to $233,000.

Ansel Adams signed photograph, $9,687, Holabird Western Americana Collections

A 1960 Ansel Adams original photograph from his Yosemite Series, signed and titled Moon and Half Dome, print No. 10, sold for $9,687 at a December Dreams: Premier Americana Auction held Dec. 17-19 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a 12.5-cent token from The Payteller of Rhyolite, Nevada, gaveled for $5,500; and a Wells Fargo & Co. Express Directory of Chinese Houses in California, dating to 1878, went to a determined bidder for $13,750.

Oriental porcelain pieces, $17,500, Crescent City Auction Gallery

A group of four pieces of Oriental porcelain from the 19th and 20th centuries sold for $17,500 at a Winter Estates Auction held Jan. 21-22 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a circa-1960 painting by Clementine Hunter (American, 1887-1987), titled Hauling Cotton, achieved $6,875; a 20th-century scratch-built ship model titled Natchez VI made $4,375; and a set of eight Louis XIII style dining chairs hit $3,125.

1951 Mercury coupe, $1.95 million, Mecum Auctions

A customized 1951 Mercury coupe sold for $1.95 million at a collector car auction held January 15 by Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, Florida. The two-tone green coupe was known as the Hirohata Merc after the 21-year-old Japanese American veteran who commissioned it in 1952. It was built by some of the most prominent names in the California car scene of the day, including George Barris, who designed cars for the TV shows Batman, The Munsters and The Beverly Hillbillies.

Julie H. Beers painting, $20,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A landscape painting by Hudson River School artist Julie H. Beers (American, 1835-1913), titled Summer at Mossy Brook, sold for $20,000 in an online-only Estate Fine Art & Antiques auction held January 6 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a watercolor on paper by Anthony Thieme (American, 1888-1954) of men in boats on calm waters made $12,500; and a 19th-century European mahogany-stained glass bronze bar achieved $19,200.

1930s Eco Model 160 gas pump, CA$35,400, Miller & Miller Auctions Ltd.

A 1930s Canadian Eco Model 160 clockface gasoline pump sold for CA$35,400 (all prices for this sale are given in Canadian dollars) in an online-only Petroliana, Advertising Signs & Memorabilia auction held December 4 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a 1946 McColl-Frontenac double-sided Canadian porcelain sign realized CA$35,400, and a circa-1930s Canadian Red Indian single-sided porcelain sign rose to CA$27,140.

Thornton Dial painting, $84,700, Ahlers & Ogletree

A 1991 mixed media painting by Thornton Dial (American, 1928-2016), titled Struggling Tiger, sold for $84,700 in a New Year’s Signature Estates Auction held Jan. 14-16 by Ahlers & Ogletree in Atlanta. Also, a Tiffany Studios Favrile glass door from the 1920s, titled The Sower, rose to $51,425; an oil on canvas painting by Willard Metcalf (American, 1858-1925), titled The Barn Door, realized $37,200; and a Renaissance Revival desk made by Wooten went for $37,200.

Tom Brady signed jersey, $480,000, Goldin Auctions

A 2021 Tom Brady-signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey, worn a few weeks before he won Super Bowl LV in Tampa, sold for $480,000 in an auction ending on January 8 that was conducted by Goldin Auctions in Runnemede, New Jersey. It was a new all-time record for an NFL game-worn jersey. Also, a 2003-2004 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James-signed rookie patch card hit $1.5 million, and a 1958 World Cup Sweden ticket stub from Pele’s debut game on June 15, 1958 achieved $36,000.

Charles Baugniet oil, $26,400, Roan, Inc.

An oil on wood by Belgian artist Charles Baugniet (1814-1886), titled Le Toilette de la Mariee, sold for $26,400 at a two-day Pre-Christmas Auction held December 17 and 18 by Roan, Inc. in Cogan Station, Pennsylvania. Also, a vibrant fruit and candy still life painting on canvas by Annie M. Snyder (American, 1852-1927), brought $6,600, and two 13.5K solid yellow gold plate sections sold for a combined $8,690.

Hopi Indian polychrome dish, $9,400, Pook & Pook, Inc.

A Hopi Indian Sikyatki pollaca polychrome dish sold for a little more than $9,400 at a biannual Native American Indian sale held October 27 by Pook & Pook, Inc. in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Also, a Navajo Indian coin silver squash blossom necklace brought $8,064; a group of three Hopi Indian kachina dolls realized $4,221; a Native American Indian birch bark canoe went for $3,024; a double-grooved stone axe rose to $1,386; and a Navajo child-size blanket changed hands for $3,906.

Raoul Dufy painting, $125,000, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

A watercolor and gouache on paper by Raoul Dufy (French, 1877-1953), titled Araut La Course: Epsom, signed and titled by the artist, sold for $125,000 at a New Year’s Day Auction held on the holiday by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a sideboard made in 1930 by Emile Jacques Ruhlmann (French, 1879-1933) brought $48,000, and a Tiffany & Co. Chrysanthemum sterling silver seven-piece tea and coffee set weighing a total of 445 troy ounces realized $28,290.

Chinese Hu-form vase, $54,000, Roland Auctions

A 19th-century Chinese famille rose Hu-form vase decorated in enamels with the Hundred Deer motif sold for $54,000 at a New Year’s Day auction held on the holiday by Roland Auctions in Glen Cove, New York. Also, a framed Tibetan thangka achieved $43,750; a pair of Neoclassical-style gilt bronze urn-form wine coolers rose to $46,875; and a pair of circa-1765 George III mahogany game tables in the manner of Thomas Chippendale went for $37,500.

Banksy’s Girl with Balloon, $174,000, Michaan’s Auctions

A screenprint by the enigmatic British graffiti artist Banksy, titled Girl with Balloon and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Banksy’s Pest Control Office, sold for $174,000 at a Winter Fine Sale held December 17 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, California. Also, Ira Yeager’s oil on canvas titled Chicken Lady realized $18,000; an Ernie Barnes mixed media study sketch of a couple dancing brought $24,000; and an oil painting by Henrietta Berk rose to $16,800.

1901 Nikola Tesla letter, $341,295, RR Auction

A four-page letter handwritten in 1901 by Nikola Tesla, in which he discusses his place among America’s greatest inventors, sold for $341,295 in an auction held Dec. 13-Jan. 12 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, a Purple Rain album signed by Prince soared to $73,698; a letter signed by Queen Mary I earned $30,990; and an Alexander Hamilton Treasury Department signed circular brought $22,688.

Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, $35,000, Burchard Galleries

A Tiffany Dragonfly lamp lit up the room for $35,000 at an auction held November 14 by Burchard Galleries in St. Petersburg, Florida. Also, a pair of Alexander Calder lithographs went for $3,000 and $1,900, respectively; a Chinese bronze of Guanyin sailed past its $5,000 high estimate to bring $7,000; two Knoll Barcelona lounge chairs with ottomans designed for Knoll by Mies van der Rohe earned $5,250 and $4,500, respectively; and a pair of cloisonne Qilin figures went for $1,600.

Spider-Man’s black suit, $3.36 million, Heritage Auctions

Original comic book artwork showing Spider-Man debuting a black costume, from page 25 of the 1984 comic book Secret Wars #8 and hand-drawn by artist Mike Zeck, sold for $3.3 million on January 13 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, artwork from page 84 of the same Spider-Man comic book finished at $288,000, and a CGC Fine 6.0-graded copy of Action Comics #1, which features the first appearance of Superman, went for $3.1 million.

Herend service, $11,340, Doyle NY

A Herend porcelain Rothschild bird pattern table service sold for $11,340 at a Doyle at Home Auction held January 11 by Doyle NY in New York. Also, a Holly Hunt black lacquered wood and bronze peso dining table achieved $9,450; a chinoiserie decorated fabric eight-panel folding screen with four matching panels brought $9,450; a George Smith upholstered dark stained wood loose cushion sofa rose to $6,930; and a group of upholstered green-painted wicker furnishings hit $6,930.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: Newly discovered Mucha study achieves record $965K

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 January 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Alphonse Mucha study, $965,000, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers

A newly discovered 1920 oil on canvas painting by Alphonse Mucha (Czech, 1860-1939), titled Young Couple from Rusadla, sold for $965,000 at an auction held December 2 by Toomey & Co. Auctioneers in Oak Park, Illinois. The painting is a fully realized study, depicting an embracing young couple and was part of a larger, lost composition titled Rusadla, which illustrated a procession scene from a Slavic Midsummer Feast. The price is a new auction record for a study by Mucha.

Revolutionary War powder horn, $44,280, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A Revolutionary War powder horn from 1775, owned and carved by Siege of Boston minute man Thomas Smith, sold for $44,280 at a Historic Arms & Militaria auction held Nov. 20 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Another powder horn, a circa 1746 example identified to Moses Brewer of the Provincial militia, earned $22,140. Also, a circa-1812 silver Captain Isaac Hull presentation medal given to Lt. Alexander S. Wadsworth for naval gallantry brought $40,590.

Cartier Pasha men’s watch, CA$64,900, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A Cartier Pasha minute repeater men’s wristwatch sold for CA$64,900 in an online-only Watches & Jewels sale held Nov. 20 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a Cartier Diabolo Tourbillon men’s wristwatch went for CA$29,500; a 15.45-carat diamond cocktail ring realized CA$29,500; a Rolex Explorer II “Steve McQueen” watch achieved CA$23,600; and a Rolex Submariner Date watch rose to CA$12,980. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

George I chinoiserie cabinet, $27,500, Andrew Jones Auctions

A George I chinoiserie decorated japanned cabinet on later stand, the cabinet dating to the early 18th century, sold for $27,500 during Part 2 of the auction of the John Nelson collection held December 12 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a pair of 20th-century Louis XVI style gilt bronze, cut and molded clear glass 16-light chandeliers lit up the room for $23,750, and a pair of large 19th-century Italian Carrara marble busts of classical women went to a determined bidder for $22,500.

Dr. Renz’s Herb Bitters bottle, $24,250, American Bottle Auctions

A Dr. Renz’s Herb Bitters bottle, light lime green in color and one of maybe four examples known that have a uniquely styled applied tapered top, sold for $24,150 in online-only auction #72, Part 1 of the Mel Hammer collection, held Dec. 10-19 by American Bottle Auctions in Sacramento, California. The sum represents a record for the bottle. Also, a Dr. Wonser’s USA Indian Root Bitters bottle with an applied top and medium amber in color finished at $15,525.

Freedman’s mechanical bank, $174,000, Bertoia Auctions

An original Freedman’s mechanical bank, made circa 1880 by Jerome B. Secor of Bridgeport, Connecticut and one of fewer than 10 known, sold for $174,000 at an annual Fall Sale of toys, banks and holiday antiques held Nov. 18-19 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, New Jersey. Also, a large hand-painted Marklin Central Station, produced for the English market circa 1902-1910, realized $40,800, and a circa-1870 German belsnickle with lamp fixture rang up $30,000.

Yongzheng-marked bowl, $160,000, Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers

A Chinese porcelain bowl with a lid bearing the marks of the Yongzheng period (1678-1735) sold for $160,000 at an auction held October 28 by Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers in Roseville, Michigan. The bowl was decorated with a blue, red and green motif with insects, and the lid had a pale jade-colored animal finial. However, the inside of the bowl and the inside of the lid both had Yongzheng markings. The winning bid was placed online.

Napoleon’s 1797 garniture, $2.875 million, Rock Island Auction Company

A gold-encrusted six-piece garniture of five relief carved firearms and a gilt dress sword presented to Napoleon Bonaparte by the Director of the French Republic in 1797 sold for $2.875 million at a Premier Firearms Auction held December 3 by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Illinois. Also, a solid silver Winchester 1866 rifle, L.D. Nimschke’s tour-de-force, hit the mark for $977,500, and a gold-plated John Ulrich signed “1 of 1000” Model 1873 lever-action rifle realized $431,250.

James P. Regimbal bronze, $5,625, John Moran Auctioneers

A patinated 1980 bronze sculpture by James P. Regimbal (American, Washington state, b. 1949-), titled Rocky Trails, sold for $5,625 at an Art of the American West auction held November 30 by John Moran Auctioneers in Monrovia, California. Also, a 1950 painting by Ted DeGrazia (American, Arizona, 1909-1982), titled Navajo with 7 Horses, achieved $7,500; and an early 20th-century Navajo/Dine Germantown double saddle blanket hit $5,625.

Nobel Prize from 1990, $312,500, Nate D. Sanders Auctions

The 1990 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to E. Donnall Thomas for his use of bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia and other blood cancers, sold for $312,500 at an auction held December 9 by Nate D. Sanders Auctions in Los Angeles. Thomas first proposed his theory in 1957 and worked methodically throughout the 1960s and 1970s to turn the theory into a clinical treatment. It was dismissed at the time as implausible and experimental but gradually gained acceptance.

Folk art portrait of a cat, $152,100, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates

A late 19th- or early 20th-century American folk art portrait of a black and white cat sold for $152,100 at a Premier Americana Auction held Nov. 17-20 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mt. Crawford, Virginia. Also, a hand-sewn 34-star 1864 Lincoln-and-Johnson presidential campaign flag achieved $128,700; a Native American Party political flag banner went for $99,450; and a Johannes Spitler paint-decorated yellow pine blanket chest realized $76,050.

Majolica wine cooler, $81,900, Doyle

A circa-1865 Minton majolica cobalt-blue ground Victorian wine cooler and cover sold for $81,900 at Part 1 of the Joan Stacke Graham Majolica Collection held December 14 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a Delphin Massier majolica butterfly jardiniere went for $25,200; a Mintons majolica large fish dish and cover finished at $25,200; a Delphin Massier majolica vase modeled as a grasshopper brought $20,160; and a Mintons majolica model of a fawn flower holder rose to $15,120.

Harry Houdini’s Bible, $102,000, Potter & Potter Auctions

Harry Houdini’s Bible, a 1901 Red Letter edition inscribed, “To Dunninger, best wishes, Houdini, Nov. 30, 1925”, sold for $102,000 at a Winter Magic Auction held December 11 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a 1990s-era Pyramids of Egypt wine and water trick by John Gaughan & Associates went for $14,400, and a Blaney Ladder Levitation prop, made by Walter Blaney in the 1990s, rose to $15,600.

Rembrandt etching from 1634, $20,000, Dallas Auction Gallery

A 1634 etching by Rembrandt, titled Self-Portrait with Sabre, sold for $20,000 at a Fine and Decorative Art Auction held November 17 by Dallas Auction Gallery in Dallas. Also, a portfolio of 20 Sol LeWitt serigraphs from 1981, dubbed Lines in Two Directions and in Five Colors with All Their Combinations, realized $18,750, and a 1983 mixed media on board by Dan Rizzie, titled The Blood of the Poet, earned $10,625.

Custer’s Civil War gun holster rig, $37,500, Holabird Western Americana Collections

U.S. Army Captain George Armstrong Custer’s gun holster, dispatch case, belt and brass buckle from the Civil War sold for $37,500 at a November Wonders: Western Americana Auction held Nov. 18-22 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a 14K gold necklace with diamond bands and emerald eyes, accompanied by a matching ring and earrings, achieved $11,560, and a circa-1910 10-cent brass octagonal token for the H. Champagne Bar in Genoa, Nevada hit $3,750.

Beatles-signed album, $31,251, RR Auction

A copy of the Beatles album Please Please Me, signed by all four members of the band, sold for $31,251 in an online Marvels of Modern Music auction that began October 14 and ended November 18 by RR Auction in Boston. The consignor indicated the signatures were obtained at the Adelphi Cinema in Slough, England in 1963. Also, a Beatles-signed 1963 Winter Gardens program earned $24,750, and a Nirvana-signed Smells Like Teen Spirit picture disc achieved $15,000.

Daniel Garber’s ‘Sycamores,’ $390,600, Freeman’s

A large-scale canvas painting by the Pennsylvania Impressionist Daniel Garber, titled Sycamores, sold for $390,600 at an American Art auction held December 5 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, Kenneth Nunamaker’s canvas River Road at Centre Bridge climbed to $201,600; Fern Coppedge’s December Afternoon (Carversville) achieved $226,800; Edward Redfield’s Abandoned Road hit $352,800; and Mary Elizabeth Price’s Mallow and Lily made $107,100.

1907 Saint-Gaudens gold coin, $4.75 million, Heritage Auctions

A 1907 Saint-Gaudens Ultra High Relief U.S. gold coin, graded proof-68 CAC, sold for $4.75 million in a private transaction between GreatCollections Coin Auctions of Irvine, California, and Heritage Auctions of Dallas. The coin last appeared in a 2007 Heritage auction where it sold for $1.84 million. The buyer then was Bob R. Simpson, founder of XTO Energy and an owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. Fewer than 20 of the Ultra High Relief coins were minted and just 13 to 15 exist today.

1837 cutlass pistol, $27,025, Skinner Auctioneers

A Cyrus B. Allen Elgin patent cutlass pistol from 1837 with the original holster/scabbard sold for $27,025 at a Historic Arms & Militaria auction held October 29 by Skinner Auctioneers in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Also, a New Hampshire 2nd Battalion marked French model infantry musket hit the mark for $44,062; a 34th Regiment of Foot Dublin Castle pattern 1769 short land service musket rose to $34,075; and a New Hampshire-attributed Dog Pommel saber changed hands for $11,750.

Hank Aaron 1976 uniform, $224,000, Julien’s Auctions

Hank Aaron’s 1976 storied final season game-worn Milwaukee Brewers full uniform sold for $224,000 in an Icons & Idols: Sports auction held December 5 by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, Aaron’s game-used baseball glove from 1976 was a hit for $76,800; Babe Ruth’s circa 1922-1924 game-used Louisville Slugger bat (Mears A7) realized $32,000; and a Kobe Bryant original 2000 Los Angeles Lakers limited edition Jeff Hamilton signed sportsmen’s jacket achieved $28,800.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: 1867 Winslow Homer painting tops $900K

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 his December 2021 edition of Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Winslow Homer painting, $936,000, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

An oil on canvas painting by Winslow Homer, titled Coming through the Rye, painted in France and inscribed “Homer/Paris 1867,” sold for $936,000 at a sale held November 12-14 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, an 18th-century Chinese flambe glazed moon flask with Qianlong seal mark made $180,000, and a Tiffany Dragonfly table lamp brought $99,450.

Burchfield watercolor, $375,000, Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers

A watercolor on two joined sheets of paper by Charles Burchfield, created between 1948 and 1957 and titled January Sun, sold for $375,000 in an online Fall Fine Art Auction held October 28 by Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Milford, Connecticut. Also, a 1943 oil on board by Thomas Hart Benton, titled Study for Sugar Cane, finished at $275,000; and a 1901 oil painting by Susan Watkins, titled Woman Playing a Guitar, hit $106,250.

Kikuo Saito abstract art, $14,760, Neue Auctions

An abstract oil painting by Japanese-American artist Kikuo Saito, titled Summer Ghost (1997), sold for $14,760 in an online-only Fine Art & Antiques auction held October 30 by Neue Auctions in Beachwood, Ohio. Also, a colorful Parisian street scene by Constantin Kluge, titled Place de la Madeleine, realized $9,840, and a large Milpa stoneware vessel by Claude Conover finished at $8,610.

1871 Union Pacific Railroad pass, $5,125, Holabird Western Americana Collections

A Union Pacific Railroad complimentary pass (#1), issued to General A. W. Marley on Dec. 31, 1871, sold for $5,125 at an Autumn Splendor Western Americana Auction held Oct. 28-Nov. 1 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a 1947 50-peso Mexican gold coin with 14-carat bezel reached $3,125, and a group of six vintage gaming chips for Harrah’s and other Nevada casinos went for $3,875.

Galle cameo glass vase, $6,600, Woody Auction

A blown mold French cameo glass vase signed Galle and featuring a cameo carved vine and blossom decor sold for $6,600 at the sale of the Jochimsen collection held October 23 by Woody Auction in Douglass, Kansas. Also, a Fenton mosaic art glass pedestal also knocked down for $6,600; a Galle French cameo art glass vase with blown mold cherry branch decor realized $4,750; and an unmarked Royal Flemish by Mt. Washington vase with griffin and dragon enamel decor changed hands for $3,000.

B. Prabha painting, $38,750, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A painting by B. Prabha, titled Indian Women Painting, sold for $38,750 in an online-only Estate Fine Art & Antique Auction held November 15 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a Cubist figural watercolor by Maqbool Fida Husain, of a couple on horseback, achieved $10,625; and a mixed media mounted to canvas portrait painting by the infamous forger Han Van Meegeren brought $5,938.

Captain America shield, $259,540, Hake’s Auctions

A Captain America hero-prop shield created by Marvel Studios senior prop master Russell Bobbitt and used by Chris Evans for close-up shots in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame sold for $259,540 in an online Premier Entertainment & Historical Memorabilia Auction held November 2-3 by Hake’s Auctions in York, Pennsylvania. Also, a copy of Fantastic Four #1 comic (Nov. 1961), CGC-graded 6.0 Fine, featuring the debut of Marvel’s first superhero team, knocked down for $37,269.

1980 Nobel Prize, $275,000, Nate D. Sanders

The 1980 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to George D. Snell, sold for $275,000 at an auction held October 30 by Nate D. Sanders in Los Angeles. Snell won the Nobel Prize for his discovery of MHC, the genetic foundation of a body’s immunological response to tissue and organ transplants, determining whether it accepts an organ or rejects it. The first successful organ transplant occurred in 1954, when one identical twin donated a kidney to his sibling.

Apollo 17 cuff checklist, $744,000, RR Auction

Astronaut Gene Cernan’s Apollo 17 cuff checklist, which provided instructions for man’s last moonwalk and held handwritten notes for the last words spoken from the surface of the Moon, sold for $744,000 in an auction held Sept. 26-Oct. 21 by RR Auction in Boston. Also, Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11-flown Lunar Module checklist hit $143,750; Aldrin’s Apollo 11-flown flight form page reached $129,693; and an Apollo 11 First on the Moon book, signed by its crew members, made $41,721.

Amy Winehouse dress, $243,200, Julien’s Auctions

The dress worn by the late British singer Amy Winehouse at her final stage performance in 2011 sold for $243,200 at an auction titled Property from the Life and Career of Amy Winehouse, held November 6-7 by Julien’s Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, the Moschino custom-made red leather heart-shaped purse she brought to the 2007 Brit Awards made $204,800; a floral gold lame D&G stage-worn dress realized $150,000; and a Temperly London tan and black jumpsuit worn by her in 2008 brought $121,600.

The Light and Heavy Chest, $156,000, Potter & Potter Auctions

The Light and Heavy Chest, a magic trick apparatus made in France in 1844 and owned and used by Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, achieved $156,000 at Part 1 of The Klosterman Collection, a sale held October 30 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. The hardwood box became light as a feather or immovable, depending on the magician’s command. Also, Karl Germain’s Blooming Rose Bush illusion made $132,000, and Harry Houdini’s Upside Down in the Water Torture Cell poster brought $108,000.

Hopi Indian pottery bowl, $9,000, Pook & Pook, Inc.

A Hopi Sikyatki revival pottery bowl, likely made by the celebrated potter Nampeyo, sold for a little more than $9,000 at a Native American Indian Sale held October 27 by Pook & Pook, Inc. in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Also, an authentic Navajo coin silver squash blossom necklace earned $8,064; a group of three Hopi kachinas realized $4,221; an Algonquin style miniature birch bark canoe model with moose and deer designs made $3,024; and a child-size Navajo rug achieved $3,906.

Paul Revere engraving, $429,000, Doyle New York

Paul Revere’s iconic 1770 hand-colored engraving of the famous Boston Massacre of March 5, 1770, titled The Bloody Massacre, sold for $429,000 – a new auction record for the print – at an American Paintings & Prints auction held November 2 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a landscape by Fidelia Bridges titled Small Bird with Flowering Ironweed rose to $93,750, setting a record for the artist, and a marine painting by William Bradford also hit $93,750.

Claude Conover vessel, $87,500, Wright

A chalky, engobe-decorated Oltah vessel by Claude Conover sold for $87,500 at an auction titled Shaping Stoneware: The Ceramic Forms of Claude Conover held October 28 by Wright in Chicago. It was the most ever paid for a work by Conover, eclipsing the $53,125 realized by a Uilku vessel at Rago Auctions in 2015. Another piece shattered that record in the October auction: a Uchben vessel that brought $75,000. Overall, the sale grossed $1.229 million.

Early Apple-1 computer, $500,000, John Moran Auctioneers

A vintage Apple-1 computer, known as the Chaffey College Apple-1 as it was originally purchased in 1977 by an electronics professor at the school (who sold it the following year to a student for $650) sold for $500,000 at a Postwar & Contemporary Art + Design sale held Nov. 9 by John Moran Auctioneers in Monrovia, California. Also, a painting by Ariana Papademetropoulos earned $162,500, and a color lithograph by Alexander Calder brought $8,125.

Chippendale chest, $25,200, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery

A circa-1780 diminutive chest from Massachusetts sold for $25,200 at an annual Fall Americana and Chinese Auction held October 30 by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, an elegant blue and white Chinese urn changed hands for $20,480; a portrait of a nobleman done in the manner of Jean de Court finished at $15,600; and a pair of cylindrical polychromed Majolica vessels realized $12,500.

Set of two Lalanne Moutons, $705,600, Freeman’s

A suite of playful Moutons (Sheep) de Pierre by Francois-Xavier Lalanne sold for $705,600 at a Modern and Contemporary Art auction held November 17 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a bold canvas by Russian Expressionist Chaim Soutine, titled Le Viaduc Rouge Pres de Vence, achieved $302,400; an Untitled (Study for Fiery Circle) sculpture by Harry Bertoia hit $107,100; and Vietnamese artist Vu Cao Dam’s painting titled Divinite rose to $40,950.

 

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/

Gallery Report: Magical mechanical bank conjures $288K winning bid

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 his October 2021 edition of Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Kyser & Rex mechanical bank, $288,000, Bertoia Auctions

A Mikado cast-iron mechanical bank made by Kyser & Rex (Philadelphia) sold for $288,000 at Part 2 of the sale of the Schroeder toy collection held Sept. 10-11 by Bertoia Auctions in Vineland, New Jersey. The bank, in pristine to near mint condition, was the red table version. The user placed a coin under the right hat, turned the rear crank and watched as the man lifted the left hat to reveal the coin, then lowered the hat as the coin was deposited.

 

1987 Hermes handbag, $15,000, Crescent City Auction Gallery

A circa-1987 Hermes Kelly Sellier handbag in natural black box calf leather with gold hardware sold for $15,000 at an Important Estates Auction held Sept. 18-19 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a 1988 oil on canvas by James Michalopoulos, titled New Orleans Center Hall Cottage, went for $10,625, and a circa-1965 oil painting by Clementine Hunter, titled Uncle Tom in the Garden with Little Eva, made $9,375.

Chinese dragon bowl, $200,000, Briggs Auction, Inc.

A Chinese porcelain dragon bowl with Yongzheng mark sold for $200,000 in an online Fine Estates Auction held July 30 by Briggs Auction, Inc. in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania. Also, an early 20th-century Louis Vuitton steamer trunk adorned with various travel stickers brought $12,250; a Scandinavian peg tankard with Danish Coronation medal realized $10,625; a George Nakashima Minguren side table with triangular-form free-edge top made $8,750; and a painting by James Webb hit $8,750.

Elvis contract for Graceland, $114,660, PristineAuction.com

The 1957 contract signed by Elvis Presley and both of his parents for the purchase of the home in Memphis that became known as Graceland soared to $114,660 in a single-lot online auction held August 10 by PristineAuction.com, based in Phoenix, Arizona. The document stated that the Presleys would trade their property on Audubon Drive in Memphis for a $55,000 credit, plus an extra $90,000 to purchase Graceland.

 

Model steam locomotive, CA$15,340, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

A 7 ¼in gauge model steam locomotive of the Great Western Railway 4-6-0 locomotive and tender sold for $15,340 in back-to-back online auctions held September 11 and 12 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada. Also, an 1869 French style Boneshaker bicycle sped off for $10,620; and an iconic 1946 Wurlitzer jukebox Model 1015 hit $7,670. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Moby-Dick first edition, $60,000, Potter & Potter Auctions

A first American edition copy of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick; or, The Whale sold for $60,000 at a Fine Books & Manuscripts Sale held August 28 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a 38-volume set titled The Writings of Mark Twain brought $33,600; a set of five Christmas books by Charles Dickens made $28,800; and a typed letter by Nikola Tesla, signed, hit $10,800.

Shaw cup and saucer, $75,000, Skinner, Inc.          

A cup and saucer from Samuel Shaw’s Society of the Cincinnati Chinese Export porcelain service sold for $75,000 in Americana auctions held Aug. 18-19 by Skinner, Inc. in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Also, an Andrew Clemens patriotic sand bottle rose to $75,000; two molded copper models of the Massasoit weathervane brought $31,250 and $43,750; a portrait of a child in a blue dress by William Matthew Prior climbed to $28,750; and a Portsmouth, New Hampshire work table brought $17,500.

Ivan Aivazovsky painting, $169,650, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

An oil on canvas by Ivan Aivazovsky, titled After the Storm, sold for $169,650 at an auction titled the Splendid, Part II, held August 27-29 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, an oil on hardboard depicting the yacht America by James E. Buttersworth realized $117,000; and a painting by Andrew Wyeth, titled In the Georges Islands, finished at $87,750.

Korean glazed ceramic moon jar, $22,500, Auctions at Showplace

A large Korean Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) white glazed ceramic moon jar sold for $22,500 at an estate auction held August 8 by Auctions at Showplace in New York. Also, an Indian ink and watercolor on paper Paithan manuscript illustration, depicting a figure with two horses, earned $4,062; and a colorful 1990 Pop Art acrylic on paper of a man, a house and a water tower by Tom Slaughter finished at $3,125.

Duncan McFarlane oil, $39,680, Marion Antique Auctions

A mid-19th-century marine oil on canvas rendering of the packet ship City of Montreal by Duncan McFarlane sold for $39,680 at a Summer Sale held June 26 by Marion Antique Auctions in Marion, Massachusetts. Also, a diminutive oil on canvas by Charles Henry Gifford, depicting New Bedford Harbor, realized $33,920; an Izannah Walker doll went for $26,240; and two wooden decoys by Canadian carver Tom Chambers rose to $5,625.

Laverne Chan cabinet, $113,400, Freeman’s

A four-door Chan cabinet by renowned 20th-century designers Philip and Kelvin LaVerne sold for $113,400 at an Art and Design auction held September 15 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a striking glazed ceramic work ,Untitled (Dango) by Jun Kaneko, achieved $20,160; a 1950s settee by Paul Laszlo realized $11,970; and two prints by Josef Albers, SP IV and SP XII, both from Homage to the Square, brought $13,680 and $10,710.

Jason Rich painting, $12,500, John Moran Auctioneers

An oil on board by Jason Rich, titled Working Sun to Sun, sold for $12,500 at an Art of the American West auction held August 31 by John Moran Auctioneers in Monrovia, California. Also, a painting by Bill Anton, titled Range Management, brought $10,625; a 20th-century Thomas Curtis, Sr. Navajo / Dine silver bolo and buckle set achieved $8,750; and John William Hilton’s 1961 work Desert Hideaway realized $7,500.

Sleeping mallard decoy, $144,000, Guyette & Deeter, Inc.

A sleeping mallard decoy by Shang Wheeler, which was featured on the dust jacket cover of Shang by Dixon Merkt, sold for $144,000 at a Summer Auction held Aug. 6-7 by Guyette & Deeter, Inc. in Saint Michaels, Maryland. Also, the finest known pair of canvasbacks by Elmer Crowell soared to $78,000; a mallard drake by John Blair, Sr. rose to $96,000; and an oil painting of waterfowling on Chesapeake Bay by Herman Simon brought $102,000.

Nicolai Fechin still-life, $281,000, Dallas Auction Gallery

A floral still-life painting by Russian artist Nicolai Fechin sold for $281,000 at an auction held September 8 by Dallas Auction Gallery in Dallas. Also, a 1951 work by Porfirio Salinas, titled Bluebonnets with Fence and Gate, realized $56,250; a signed oil on canvas by G. Harvey titled Pinon Smoke Santa Fe achieved $75,000; a circa-1905 Parisian street scene by Edouard Cortes went for $93,750; and an acrylic on canvas by Ernie Barnes, titled Two Shots, hit $81,250.

Copy of Journey into Mystery, $319,800, Goldin Auctions

A copy of Journey into Mystery #83, from 1962, featuring the first appearance of Thor, graded CTGC 9.4, sold for $319,800 in an online auction held in September by Goldin Auctions, based in Runnemede, New Jersey. Also, a copy of the 1962 Marvel Amazing Fantasy #15 comic, featuring the first appearance of Spider-Man, commanded $707,000; and a 1996 copy of the Super Mario 64 game, graded WATA 9.8/A++, changed hands for $800,000.

Taffin diamond ring, $387,500, Hindman

A diamond ring by Taffin, containing an internally flawless cushion cut 5.89 carat diamond, D color and Type IIa, sold for $387,500 at an Important Jewelry auction held September 13 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a diamond ring with a 5.12 carat emerald cut diamond, D color, VVS2 clarity, rose to $181,250; a Vendura yellow gold multi-gem and diamond ‘Sunburst cuff bracelet hit $43,750; and a Tiffany & Co. diamond bracelet realized $37,500.

Harrington & Richardson calendar, $6,548, Route 32 Auctions

A 1908 Harrington & Richardson Arms Co. calendar, depicting a hunter with a back pack and elk by artist Phillip Goodwin, sold for $6,548 at a Firearms & Western auction held Aug. 26-27 by Route 32 Auctions in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Also, a Winchester Model 1866 .44 caliber centerfire rifle, shipped in 1870, realized $7,188; and a 1911 Peters (“Big Game Ammunition Will Stop Them”) poster rose to $5,462.

Copy of Amazing Fantasy #15, $3.6 million, Heritage Auctions

A copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 from 1962, featuring the first comic book appearance of Spider-Man, by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, sold for $3.6 million at a Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction held Sept. 8-12 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. It was the most ever paid for a comic book, eclipsing the $3.25 million pledged earlier this year for a copy of Action Comics #1. Also, a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 from 1963 realized $241,200.

Chinese Imperial vase, $2.45 million, Doyle New York

A Chinese Imperial falangcai vase, created during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796), sold for $2.45 million at an Asian Works of Art auction held September 20 by Doyle in New York. The vase came from the collection of Sarah Belk Gambrell, the Belk department store heiress. It bore a four-character mark in blue, indicating its origin as a product of the Qianlong Emperor’s imperial workshop. Only a few were produced.

Gerrit Beneker painting, $11,250, Bakker Project

An early 20th-century oil on board by Gerrit Beneker, titled Mudhead, sold for $11,250 in an online Fine Arts auction held August 28 by The Bakker Project in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Also, an early 20th-century charcoal drawing by Kathe Kollwitz, titled Mother and Child, achieved $12,500; and a circa-2010 oil on canvas by Christopher Sousa, titled Sometimes in the Morning, went to a determined bidder for $6,250.

Gallery Report: Honus Wagner baseball card slams in a record $6.6M

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 his September 2021 edition of Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

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