Estate of rare book dealer Estelle Chessid presented at La Belle Epoque April 6

'Fantastic Four' animation storyboards attributed to Howard Swift for Hanna-Barbera productions, estimated at $500-$1,000 at La Belle Epoque.

NEW YORK — Books and works on paper from the collection of the late Estelle Chessid, a fondly remembered member of the Manhattan rare book dealing community, will be presented at La Belle Epoque on Saturday, April 6. A talented pianist who studied at Hunter College, she became a book dealer in the 1970s and traded for more than three decades before spending her final years creating art in her Upper West Side abode.

A broad cross section of material is offered in close to 150 lots ranging from 18th-century literature to modern private press works. A highlight is a group of 13 near mint Cheloniidae Press editions illustrated by Massachusetts artist Alan James Robinson. These deluxe suites of engravings and etchings produced by the celebrated master printer Harold P. McGrath (1921-2000) include The Raven from an edition of 225 copies issued in 1980, and A Fowl Alphabet, with 26 wood engravings issued in 1988. Both are estimated at $1,000-$2,000 apiece.

Among the modern firsts is a copy of How to Raise Your IQ by Eating Gifted Children, a compilation of short essays written by renowned satirist Lewis Burke Frumkes. The 1983 McGraw-Hill Book Company first edition is a rarity in its dust jacket, with this copy signed by the author ‘To a gifted (Yum!) friend, Best wishes, Lewis B Frumkes’. It is estimated at $800-$1,200.

Alongside books, Estelle Chessid was a collector of Hanna-Barbera production animation storyboards from the 1960s and 1970s. Offered with an estimate of $500-$1,000 are 43 pages of Fantastic Four storyboards, including the opening credits for the show. They are probably the work of Howard Swift (1912-1983), who began his career working with Disney in the 1930s and 1940s but was story director at Hanna-Barbera from 1966-1981.

The nostalgia-tinged Hanna-Barbera show Abbott & Costello, featuring the famous comedy duo in their later years, ran for 39 episodes from between 1965-1967. Estimated at $300-$600 is a lot comprising the storyboards from seven of those episodes, each featuring four five-minute cartoons, plus two scripts for the episodes titled The Vikings and Going Buggy.

'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe, with wood engravings and etchings by Alan James Robinson from an edition of 225 copies, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at La Belle Epoque.

'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe, with wood engravings and etchings by Alan James Robinson from an edition of 225 copies, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at La Belle Epoque.

'A Fowl Alphabet', with 26 wood engravings by Alan James Robinson, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at La Belle Epoque.

'A Fowl Alphabet', with 26 wood engravings by Alan James Robinson, estimated at $1,000-$2,000 at La Belle Epoque.

Signed presentation copy of 'How to Raise Your IQ by Eating Gifted Children' by Lewis Burke Frumkes, estimated at $800-$1,200 at La Belle Epoque.

Signed presentation copy of 'How to Raise Your IQ by Eating Gifted Children' by Lewis Burke Frumkes, estimated at $800-$1,200 at La Belle Epoque.

'Fantastic Four' animation storyboards attributed to Howard Swift for Hanna-Barbera productions, estimated at $500-$1,000 at La Belle Epoque.

'Fantastic Four' animation storyboards attributed to Howard Swift for Hanna-Barbera productions, estimated at $500-$1,000 at La Belle Epoque.

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte

Jim Bunte has worked in editorial, design and the toy and auction industries for more than 30 years. He co-founded Auction Central News in 2007.

Mint Norman Rockwell Tom Sawyer portfolio tops La Belle Epoque’s Aug. 19 sale

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NEW YORK – A complete copy of Norman Rockwell’s Tom Sawyer portfolio comes for sale at La Belle Epoque’s Multi-Estates Summer Auction on Saturday, August 19. Number 30 from an edition of 200 issued in 1977 and features eight original artist-signed lithographs with an estimate of $4,000-$6,000. Bidding is available via LiveAuctioneers.

Many of the sets have since been split but a complete portfolio – number 30/200 of the edition– appears in the La Belle Epoque auction. The portfolio includes familiar images such as Schoolmaster and Whitewashing the Fence.

In the early 1970s, as Norman Rockwell (American, 1894-1978) reached his 80th year and national treasure status, he agreed to the creation of a series of limited-edition lithographs of his best-known works. Printed on Arches paper by both Atelier Mourlot in Paris and Arthur Jaffe Heliochrome Co. in Vienna, each was signed by the artist at the family home in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.

The Tom Sawyer portfolio, which dates to 1973, is among the most highly prized. It includes prints of classic images that had been created in Rockwell’s inter-war peak to accompany the Heritage Press edition of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Eight of the 16 classic paintings Rockwell had done in 1935-36 were printed in a numbered edition of 200 in 1973 and released on March 20, 1977, the year Rockwell was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Gerald Ford.
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Norman Rockwell ‘Tom Sawyer’ portfolio suite, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
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Norman Rockwell ‘Tom Sawyer’ portfolio suite, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
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Norman Rockwell ‘Tom Sawyer’ portfolio suite, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
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‘Still Life’ by Tom Wesselmann, estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
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Broken jaw X-ray autographed by Ken Norton and Muhammad Ali, estimated at $2,000-$4,000.
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Waylande Gregory mermaid vase, estimated at $1,500-$2,000.
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Royal Doulton jester figurine, estimated at $100-$200.
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19th-century English coachman flintlock, estimated at $800-$1,000.
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La Belle Epoque returns in fine form with first auction following renovations

Mid-century Modern Charles Eames-style reclining lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller, $832
Mid-century Modern Charles Eames-style reclining lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller, $832
Mid-century Modern Charles Eames-style reclining lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller, $832

NEW YORK – The grand reopening of La Belle Epoque Auction House kicked off with a Multi-Estates Auction on March 18, marking the house’s first auction since shutting down for 10 months of renovations due to severe water damage in their 7,000 square-foot space.

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La Belle Epoque’s Mar. 18 Grand Reopening Estates Auction offers eclectic mix

American Flyer Hamiltonian model trains, lot of three, estimated at $500-$700
American Flyer Hamiltonian model trains, lot of three, estimated at $500-$700
American Flyer Hamiltonian model trains, lot of three, estimated at $500-$700

NEW YORK – La Belle Epoque Auction House will hold its Grand Reopening Multi-Estates Auction on Saturday, March 18 at 11 am Eastern time. Its first auction of 2023 will offer an impressive collection of fine art, antiques, silver, Mid-century Modern furniture, jewelry, fashion, lighting, memorabilia, collectibles and decorative items. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Hockney lithograph achieves $20K at La Belle Epoque

David Hockney, ‘Four Flowers in a Still Life,’ $20,480
David Hockney, ‘Four Flowers in a Still Life,’ $20,480

NEW YORK – On August 13, La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery held its first auction after temporarily shutting down since suffering extreme water damage in the spring of 2022. A David Hockney (British, b. 1937-) lithograph, signed by the artist, took the lead in the sale. The live online-only Multi-Estates Summer auction featured more than 300 lots with a varied selection of fine art, decorative items, furniture, Mid-century Modern pieces and silver.

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La Belle Epoque rebounds from flood with eclectic Aug. 13 estates auction

Pair of 19th-century Chinese carved green jade elephants, est. $700-$900
Pair of 19th-century Chinese carved green jade elephants, est. $700-$900
Pair of 19th-century Chinese carved green jade elephants, est. $700-$900

NEW YORK – On Saturday, August 13 at 10 am Eastern time, La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery will conduct its first sale since suffering extreme water damage in the spring of this year. Dubbed the Multi-Estates Summer Auction, it will feature almost 300 lots of fine art, decorative items, furniture, Mid-century Modern pieces and silver. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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