NEW YORK – Doyle enjoyed success with back-to-back auctions on January 24 and January 25. The first showcased Old Master & 19th Century Paintings & Drawings, and the second focused on English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts.
ATLANTA – At the start of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall gathers top auction highlights from across the United States and the world at large. The February 2023 edition of Ken’s Gallery Report features an abundance of intriguing results. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.
Martiros Saryan landscape, $40,625, Roland Auctions
A landscape painting by Martiros Saryan (Armenian, 1880-1972) sold for $40,625 at an auction held January 7 by Roland Auctions in Glen Cove, New York. Also, a painting by Jean Dufy (French, 1888-1964), titled Clown, realized $5,000; a multicolor filet-de-verre vessel by Mary Ann “Toots” Zynsky (American, b. 1951-), achieved $7,500; a Le Coultre Marina angel fish clock earned $1,125; and an Adrian Pearsall walnut Crescent lounge chair and ottoman made $4,062.
Copy of Tales to Astonish, $18,125, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
A copy of Marvel Comics Tales to Astonish #90 (April 1967), graded CGC 9.8, featuring the first appearance of the Abomination and the first Silver Age appearance of Byrrah, sold for $18,125 at the auction of Part 2 of the Andy Yanchus collection held January 1 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a copy of Marvel Comics Marvel Premiere #28 (Feb. 1976), graded CGC 9.8, featuring the first appearance of the Legion of Monsters, changed hands for $6,125.
Rolex Jean-Claude Killy watch, $80,000, Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
A late 1950s or early 1960s Rolex Jean-Claude Killy Chronograph Calendar stainless steel wristwatch, model 6036, sold for $80,000 at a New Year’s Day Signature Auction held January 1 by Nadeau’s Auction Gallery in Windsor, Connecticut. Also, a platinum ring set with a 10.07-carat pear-shape brilliant diamond flanked by tapered baguette diamonds realized $66,000, and an abstract landscape painting signed by Milton Clark Avery (1885-1965), titled Rolling Hills, rose to $45,000.
George Viavant watercolor, $13,750, Crescent City Auction Gallery
A watercolor on paper by George Louis Viavant (American, 1872-1925), titled Nature Morte: Crawfish, sold for $13,750 at a Winter Estates Auction held Jan. 20-21 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a 101-piece set of Herend porcelain dinnerware in the Rothschild Bird pattern flew to $8,125; a circa-1880 French provincial Henri II carved oak bookcase earned $4,062; and a painting by Alexander Drysdale (American 1870-1934), titled Louisiana Marsh, floated to $4,062.
Painting after Frank Stella, $35,280, Freeman’s
A bright, dynamic painting after Frank Stella, titled Metropolitan Museum M, sold for $35,280 at an auction titled The Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan, held January 25 by Freeman’s in Philadelphia. Also, a green Kagan Omnibus sofa exceeded its low estimate by a multiple of seven to realize $22,680, while a selection of paintings by James Hiroshi Suzuki included his canvas dubbed Gens, which achieved $16,360. His works Poems in October and Untitled both bested their estimates as well.
1923 Babe Ruth baseball card, CA$23,600, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
A 1923 Willards Chocolates Babe Ruth baseball card from a Canadian-issue set, graded BSA 3 VG, sold for $23,600 in an online Advertising & Historic Objects auction held January 21 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a cutaway model of a 1962 Vickers VC-10 BOAC jet plane soared to $18,880, and a monumental Coca-Cola porcelain sign from 1939 made $9,440. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Lalique Anemones Grand vase, $24,200, Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery
A Lalique Anemones Grand vase and pedestal sold for $24,200 at an auction of items from the collection of entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz held January 12 by Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery in Atlanta. Also, an artist proof’s bronze sculpture on a brass base by Tolla Inbar (German and Israeli, b. 1958-) brought $20,570; a painting by Robert Jessup (American, b. 1952-) realized $18,150; and a Gibson Les Paul guitar custom-made for Katz captured $7,865.
Granville Redmond oil, $237,500, Andrew Jones Auctions
An oil painting by Granville Redmond (American, 1871-1935), titled Rolling hills with California poppies, sold for $237,500 at the auction of the Jack and Ellen Phillips collection held Jan. 15-16 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a painting by Guy Rose (American, 1867-1925), titled View from Arroyo Terrace, Pasadena also brought $237,500; and an oil by Edgar Alwin Payne (American, 1883-1947), titled Fishermen’s Harbor, Concarneau, France, went for $81,250.
Paul Revere silver pitcher, $138,000, Weiss Auctions
An original Paul Revere silver pitcher sold for $138,000 in an online-only estates auction held Jan. 18-19 by Weiss Auctions, based in Lynbrook, New York. Also, Alfred von Wierusz-Kowalski’s oil on canvas titled Bedouin Camp realized $99,000; and Charles Schulz original art for a Peanuts strip 10-panel Sunday page, dated 12/26/1982, changed hands for $44,400.
Tobacco trade figure, $121,500, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
An American folk art carved and painted tobacco trade figure depicting Sir Walter Raleigh, attributed to the shop of Samuel Robb, sold for $121,500 at a Premier Americana Auction held Nov. 17-19 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates in Mount Crawford, Virginia. Also, a first edition copy of The Book of Mormon settled at $60,750; a 19th-century American School portrait of a Southern belle rose to $42,525; and a Daniel Seagle 15-gallon stoneware jar scooped up $25,515.
Sargent charcoal portrait, $69,300, Sarasota Estate Auction
A charcoal-on-paper portrait by John Singer Sargent of Elisabeth Mills Reid sold for $69,300 at an auction held Jan. 8-9 by Sarasota Estate Auction in Sarasota, Florida. Also, Hunt Slonem’s Toco Toucans realized $37,800; a portrait of George Washington attributed to Gilbert Stuart brought $26,460; Fernando Botero’s wooden sculpture of a gentleman seated atop a horse, titled Man on Horse, galloped to $5,040; and a Jorge Blanco sculpture titled Thinker made $11,340.
Tom Wesselmann artwork, $162,500, Clars Auction Gallery
A 1962 artwork comprising oil, fabric and collage cutouts on a seven by seven inch tin by Tom Wesselmann (American, 1931-2004), titled Little Great American Nude #13, sold for $162,500 at a Fine Collectors Auction held November 20 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Also, a Golden Sea Horse bicycle designed for Playland at Sutro Baths in San Francisco rolled to $15,000, and an Italian micromosaic of the Doves of Pliny by the Vatican Mosaic Studio earned $13,750.
Tiffany Studios Nasturtium lamp, $123,000, Morphy Auctions
A Tiffany Studios Nasturtium leaded-glass table lamp on a telescoping cat’s-paw base sold for $123,000 at a Fine & Decorative Arts Auction held Dec. 19-20 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Loetz Lotus Leaf vase with iridescent gold and purple-blue glass settled at $33,210; an Amphora monumental Gres-Bijou cat vase with an 8179 Amphora Crown mark achieved $11,685; and a luminous signed A. Walter pate-de-verre Hermit Crab bowl changed hands for $10,455.
French marble figure, $34,650, Doyle
A dynamic 19th-century French marble figure of Victory sold for $34,650 at an auction of English & Continental Furniture, Silver & Decorative Arts held January 25 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a second quarter 18th-century George I marble-top giltwood side table came to rest at $12,600; a set of 16 George III-style painted dining chairs realized $13,860; and a pair of Italian Neoclassical terracotta masks went for $10,080.
1870-S $3 US gold coin, $5.52 million, Heritage Auctions
An 1870-S $3 US gold coin, SP50, sold for a record $5.52 million at an auction of the Bass collection, Part II US Coins Signature Auction, held January 5 in Florida at Orlando FUN by Heritage Auctions, based in Dallas. Also, the finest known 1795 Capped Bust Right Eagle coin, MS64, reached $2.1 million; an 1835 Quarter Eagle, HM-1, PR67 Deep Cameo, finished at $1.2 million; a 1798/7 BD-2 Eagle, MS62, brought $1.1 million; and a 1796 BD-2 No Stars Quarter Eagle, MS63, garnered $990,000.
Sculptures after Giacometti, $40,590, Michaan’s Auctions
A pair of lithe, monumental bronze sculptures after Diego Giacometti (one shown), both dubbed Le Chat Maitre d’Hotel, sold for a combined $40,590 ($18,450 and $22,140, respectively) at a Gallery Auction held January 20 by Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda, California. Also, a Dominick & Haff sterling silver tea set earned $5,227; a set of 12 Maitland Smith-style side chairs with gilt-patinated chinoiserie motifs realized $2,460; and a set of Israeli ship’s binoculars found a new owner for $2,460.
1902 Reno, Nevada $10 banknote, $12,500, Holabird Western Americana Collections
A 1902 $10 red seal banknote from the Farmers & Merchants National Bank in Reno, Nevada, PMG graded Very Fine 20, sold for $12,500 at a Pikes Peak or Bust! Auction held Jan. 19-22 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC in Reno. Also, an 1852 slave broadside offering a reward for “the apprehension of (two) runaway Negroes” (both females) went for $8,750; and a circa-1868 dark lime green Dr. Boerhaave’s Stomach Bitters bottle reached $8,435.
1980 Winter Olympic medal, $86,136, RR Auction
The silver medal won by Soviet ice hockey player Sergei Starikov when the USSR beat Sweden in the contest for second place at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, sold for $86,136 in an online auction held Dec. 16-Jan. 19 by RR Auction in Boston. It was the year of the storied Miracle on Ice hockey match between the Soviet Union and the U.S., which was famously won by the U.S., 4-3. Starikov appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated when he joined the NHL’s New Jersey Devils in 1989.
Click to view top auction results on LiveAuctioneers: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
LONDON – Apollo Art Auctions hopes to make your Christmas merry and bright with unique antiquities, ancient artworks, coins and wearable jewelry chosen especially for their beautiful December 11, 2022 holiday sale. Whether you’re a collector or a gift-giver in search of something unforgettable, you’ll find it in this impeccably curated auction. The 500+ cataloged lots encompass a broad range of well-provenanced and expertly authenticated artifacts from Classical Europe, through Egypt and the Near East, as well as many treasures from India and China.
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/
ATLANTA – Vivid and colorful oil on canvas paintings by Syd Solomon (American, 1917-2004) and Henri Hecht Maik (French, 1922-1993) each brought $20,000, while a classical early 20th-century Continental School marble sculpture of a woman finished at $21,250 in Ahlers & Ogletree’s two-day, two-session Spring Estates & Collections auction, held April 9 and 10.
LOS ANGELES – Works in marble achieved marvelous results in Andrew Jones Auctions‘ October 24 auction of The John Nelson Collection, Part I, which more than doubled its presale estimate to realize $1.6 million. Leading the sale were two magnificent life-size Italian Carrara marble models of dogs, both from the 19th century, that brought $62,500.
NEW YORK – Doyle will auction an important Roman marble figure of Aphrodite on Wednesday, October 13 at 10 am Eastern time. Part of a selection of property from the estate of fashion designer Herbert Kasper, the figure will be offered as Lot 320 within the auction of English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.