Game-worn Orioles gear perches atop lineup at University Archives, May 31

Detail from circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, estimated at $900-$1,000
Circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, with grading and authentication from JSA and Mears, estimated at $900-$1,000
Circa-1990-2016 group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, with grading and authentication from JSA and Mears, estimated at $900-$1,000

WILTON, Conn. – An autograph letter handwritten in German and signed by Ludwig van Beethoven, regarding his only opera, Fidelio; a group of six game-worn baseball helmets and jerseys from the Baltimore Orioles, dating to circa 1990-2016; and an autograph letter signed by John Adams in 1801 regarding the influence of Virginia Democrats will headline University Archives’ next online-only auction, scheduled for Wednesday, May 31. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

Gallery Report: Maud Lewis work was a showstopper at Miller & Miller

ATLANTA – At the start of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall compiles the most notable auction highlights from across the United States and also the world. The May 2023 edition of Ken’s Gallery Report showcases a bumper crop of standout results. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.

Maud Lewis painting, CA$91,450, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.

An oil-on-board painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970), titled Traffic Jam, sold for $91,450 in an online-only Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction held March 25 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a circa-1820s Georgian period Canadian breakfast table in mahogany, attributed to Thomas Nisbet, rose to $16,520; and a circa-1820s Montreal key hole wall clock by Martin Cheney earned $20,060. Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Art Deco-style jardiniere, $26,620, Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery

An Art Deco-style bronze jardiniere, after a vase by Pierre Lenoir (French 1879-1953) and Marcel Guillard (French 1896-1932), for Etling, Paris, sold for $26,620 at an Estates & Collections auction held April 20-22 by Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery in Atlanta. Also, Study of a Brown Bay Horse by Rosa Bonheur (French, 1822-1899) brought $15,730; and a 1970 Modern Head Relief by Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) hit $14,520.

Ludwig van Beethoven letter, $99,000, RR Auction

A handwritten letter by composer Ludwig van Beethoven sold for $99,000 in an online auction that ended April 12 at RR Auction in Boston. The one-page letter, penned sometime in September 1823, was written in German and signed “Beethoven.” It concerned sending his work Missa Solemnis (Latin for “Solemn Mass”) to London and was addressed to Franz Christian Kirchhoffer. In the letter, Beethoven invites Kirchhoffer and his nephew Karl to lunch at his flat on Sunday.

Cartier Coussin watch, $34,650, Hindman

A Cartier 18K gold Bamboo Coussin watch sold for $34,650 at a Watches Auction held in April by Hindman in Chicago. Also, a Cartier 18K gold Tank watch rang up $16,380; a Cartier 18K gold dual-time Tonneau watch realized $8,820; a Roger Dubuis perpetual calendar chronograph Hommage watch commanded $28,350; an Alfred Dunhill lighter with a clock went for $7,560; and an 18K gold Jaeger-Lecoultre watch garnered $21,420.

Toshiko Takaezu ceramic, Moon, $541,800, Rago/Wright/LAMA

Toshiko Takaezu’s (American, 1922-2011) ceramic creation titled Moon sold for $541,800 at a Post-War Ceramics Auction held April 13 by Rago/Wright/LAMA in Lambertville, New Jersey. It was a new world auction record for the artist. Also, John Mason’s Untitled (Vertical Sculpture) went for $258,300, setting a new world auction record for the artist; Betty Woodman’s Pillow Pitcher finished at $69,300; Peter Voulkos’s Untitled (Stack) changed hands for $44,100; and Viola Frey’s Bubble Man achieved $27,720.

Negro Motorist Green Book, $50,000, Swann Auction Galleries

A 1949 copy of the Negro Motorist Green Book sold for $50,000, breaking the previous record of $27,500, in a Printed & Manuscript African Americana auction held March 30 by Swann Galleries in New York. Also, an inscribed carte de visite by the early photographer James Presley Ball achieved $125,000; a Civil War-era photograph of Black Union recruits at Camp William Penn brought $52,500; and a copy of the Harlem Renaissance-era literary magazine Fire! went for $32,500.

Late Georgian tea caddy, $2,375, Roland Auctions

An English late Georgian shell-inlaid tea caddy of sarcophagus form sold for $2,375 at a Multi-Estates Auction held April 1 at Roland Auctions in Glen Cove, New York. Also, an 18th-century American Chippendale mahogany and marble table settled at $18,750; a GIA-certified 3.34-carat diamond in a platinum ring slipped onto a new finger for $34,375; a set of 12 Chinese paintings mounted in a fold-out book brought $50,000; and a Neoclassical-style gilt bronze chandelier made $5,000.

Qing dynasty Manchu empress’s robe, $100,000, Lark Mason Associates

A Qing dynasty Manchu empress’s 12-symbol embroidered yellow gauze robe, or jifu, sold for $100,000 in an online Asia Week auction that closed March 30 at Lark Mason Associates in New York City. Also, a Qing dynasty Chinese amber figure of Shoulao realized $26,250; and a large 20th-century Nine Peach and Blossoms vase went to a determined bidder for $22,500.

Alphonse Mucha’s The Stars, $114,000, Poster Auctions International

Alphonse Mucha’s (Czech, 1860-1939) decorative panel poster from 1902, titled The Stars, sold for $114,000 at Rare Posters Auction #89 held March 26 by Poster Auctions International in New York City. Also, Geo Ham’s Monaco Grand Prix 1933 realized $20,400; Leonetto Cappiello’s 1903 Absinthe Gempp Pernod finished at $26,400; Ludwig Hohlwein’s Besuchet den Tiergarten from 1912 earned $13,200; and Charles Loupot’s 1929 Cafe Preccia: Maquette attained $18,000.

1859 Comstock Lode mining document, $16,875, Holabird Western Americana Collections

An 1859 document dating to the very beginning of the Comstock Lode silver rush in the U.S. sold for $16,875 at a Big Bonanza auction held March 30-April 2 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a U.S. $10,000 gold certificate, cancelled and not redeemable, printed in Washington, D.C. and dated May 3, 1917, achieved $2,875; and a collection of six antique Oklahoma I. T. (Indian Territory) crown top bottles brought $3,000.

Warhol Mick Jagger print, $131,250, Heritage Auctions

Artist Andy Warhol’s 1975 screenprint portrait titled Mick Jagger, signed by the Rolling Stones front man, sold for $131,250 at a Prints & Multiples auction held April 18 at Heritage Auctions in Dallas. Also, a 1989 set of four lithographs by Keith Haring, titled Pop Shop III, realized $125,000; Joan Mitchell’s large lithograph diptych titled Sunflowers brought $93,750; and Pablo Picasso’s linocut from 1962 titled Grande Tete Femme earned $62,500.

Majolica dish and cover, $62,225, Doyle

A Mintons majolica hare and duck head game-pie dish and cover attributed to Paul Comolera sold for $62,225 at Part 2 of the sale of the Joan Stacke Graham Majolica Collection, held April 4 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a circa-1875 T.C. Brown Westhead, Moore & Co. Egyptian Revival Majolica garden seat realized $50,400; and a circa-1875 Mintons majolica Japanese boat spill vase designed by Johann (John) Hasselmann Henk brought $28,350.

Wasatch Gasoline sign, $324,000, Dan Morphy Auctions

A Wasatch Gasoline 48in-diameter porcelain service station sign sold for $324,000 at an Automobilia, Petroliana & Railroadiana Auction held March 21-23 by Dan Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Polly Gasoline porcelain neon service station sign with a parrot mascot flew to $78,000; a Mohawk Gasoline porcelain service station sign with a Native American down feather graphic earned $312,000; and an Idaho Chief Gasoline service station sign made $138,000.

Tiffany Arabian lamp, $7,200, Treasureseeker Auctions

A Tiffany Studios Arabian lamp with a signed Favrile shade and a signed brass base sold for $7,200 in an online-only Spring into Treasures: Fine Art & Collectibles sale held April 16 by Treasureseeker Auctions in Pasadena, California. Also, a Meiji-era silver and enamel floral box went for $3,840; a cat painting by Jules Leroy finished at $3,520; a 19th-century malachite and bronze clock decorated with a cherub and a rooster reached $3,300; and a Japanese silver and enamel vase settled at $2,560.

Saturday Night Fever suit, $260,000, Julien’s Auctions

The iconic white suit John Travolta wore when playing the character Tony Manero in the movie Saturday Night Fever sold for $260,000 at a Hollywood: Classic and Contemporary auction held April 22 by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. Also, Bela Lugosi’s vampire mirror cigarette box from the 1931 film Dracula achieved $130,000; a coat and hat worn by Warren Beatty in the movie Dick Tracy made $91,000; and a hoverboard from Back to the Future II floated to $91,000.

Porfirio Salinas painting, $47,200, Amero Auctions

An untitled Texas landscape with bluebonnets by Porfirio Salinas sold for $47,200 at a Spring 2023 Spectacular Sale held March 26 by Amero Auctions in Sarasota, Florida. Also, a pair of Spring Festival pattern elongated hexagonal tables by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne earned $18,880; a pair of Egyptian-style bronze figures by Emile Louis Picault brought $10,620; and an equestrian-themed painting by Alfred Wierusz-Kowalski, titled Morning Ride, galloped off with $44,250.

Tiffany & Co. bird brooch, $17,500, John Moran Auctioneers, Inc.

A Tiffany & Co. mother-of-pearl, diamond, yellow sapphire and onyx bird brooch sold for $17,500 at an auction titled Jewelry from the Estate of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, held March 29 by John Moran Auctioneers, Inc. in Los Angeles. Also, a pear-shape 26-carat diamond ring realized $979,000; a Zambian emerald and diamond ring brought $21,250; and a David Webb 18K gold rock crystal and lapis lazuli bracelet changed hands for $28,125.

Pair of Chinese bowls, $94,500, Freeman’s

A pair of Chinese famille rose-decorated Balsam-Pear bowls with a Jiaqing six-character seal mark and of the period sold for $94,500 at an Asian Arts auction held April 18 at Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a pair of Chinese yellow-glazed bowls with the Kangxi mark and of the period rose to $81,900; a Chinese carved beige jade table screen left the room for $75,600; and a Chinese blue and white porcelain figural plaque from the Kangxi period earned $44,100.

 

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

Beethoven handwritten 1823 letter nears $100K at RR Auction

A circa-1823 one-page letter written by famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven on sending his work ‘Missa Solemnis’ to London sold for $99,000 at RR Auction on April 12. Image courtesy of RR Auction
A circa-1823 one-page letter written by famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven on sending his work ‘Missa Solemnis’ to London sold for $99,000 at RR Auction on April 12. Image courtesy of RR Auction
A circa-1823 one-page letter written by famed composer Ludwig van Beethoven on sending his work ‘Missa Solemnis’ to London sold for $99,000 at RR Auction on April 12. Image courtesy of RR Auction

BOSTON – A handwritten letter by the legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven sold for nearly $100,000 at RR Auction on April 12. It concerned his standout work Missa Solemnis, which translates from Latin as ‘Solemn Mass.’

Continue reading

Czech museum to return original Beethoven score

An 1820 portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven, pained by Joseph Karl Stieler. The heirs of a family from whom the Nazis stole an original Beethoven musical manuscript will receive the document from the Czech museum that has held it for roughly eight decades. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, which considers it to be in the public domain in the United States as it is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art that is itself in the public domain.

 

An 1820 portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven, pained by Joseph Karl Stieler. The heirs of a family from whom the Nazis stole an original Beethoven musical manuscript will receive the document from the Czech museum that has held it for roughly eight decades. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, which considers it to be in the public domain in the United States as it is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art that is itself in the public domain.
An 1820 portrait of Ludwig van Beethoven, pained by Joseph Karl Stieler. The heirs of a family from whom the Nazis stole an original Beethoven musical manuscript will receive the document from the Czech museum that has held it for roughly eight decades. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, which considers it to be in the public domain in the United States as it is a faithful reproduction of a two-dimensional work of art that is itself in the public domain.

 

PRAGUE (AP) – A musical manuscript handwritten by Ludwig van Beethoven is being returned to the heirs of the richest family in pre-World War II Czechoslovakia, whose members had to flee the country to escape the Holocaust. The Moravian Museum in the Czech city of Brno has had the original manuscript for the fourth movement of Beethoven’s String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130 in its collection for more than 80 years. The museum put the score on display for the first time in early December in anticipation of handing it over to its rightful owners.

Continue reading

Titans of music and horror films await at RR Auction, Sept. 14

 

Signed musical quotation by Frederic Chopin, est. $100,000-$150,000
Signed musical quotation by Frederic Chopin, est. $100,000-$150,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s September Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale boasts more than 900 items, with a special focus on Hollywood, classical music and icons of history. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

Continue reading

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/

Beethoven 4-page letter earns $251K at RR Auction

Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig von Beethoven, $251,240
Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig von Beethoven, $251,240
Four-page 1815 letter written by Ludwig van Beethoven, $251,240

BOSTON – A handwritten letter by Ludwig van Beethoven sold for $251,240 at RR Auction on April 13. The four-page letter was rendered in German and dated September 24, 1815. Beethoven wrote it to his librettist, the court poet Friedrich Treitschke, asking him to help secure 200 gold ducats in payment for their planned opera Romulus und Remus. The letter read in part: “Many sacrifices I have willingly made and am making for the sake of my art.”

Continue reading