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/

Tesla, Einstein letters spar for top-lot status at RR Auction, July 13

Handwritten 1899 four-page Nikola Tesla letter from Colorado, est, $50,000-$60,000
Handwritten 1899 four-page Nikola Tesla letter from Colorado, est, $50,000-$60,000
Handwritten 1899 four-page Nikola Tesla letter from Colorado, est, $50,000-$60,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s July Fine Autograph and Artifact sale boasts a wealth of remarkable historical material from the 18th century to the present day, including significant letters by Nikola Tesla, Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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RR sale of Zelenskyy-signed baseball slams in $50K to support Ukraine

Baseball autographed in 2019 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, $50,103
Baseball autographed in 2019 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, $50,103
Baseball autographed in 2019 by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, $50,103. Images courtesy of RR Auction

BOSTON – An incredibly rare baseball signed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy sold for $50,103 at RR Auction on May 11.

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Bach cantata fragment could achieve $750K at RR, May 11

Handwritten fragment of a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, est. $500,000-$750,000
Handwritten fragment of a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, est. $500,000-$750,000
Handwritten fragment of a church cantata by Johann Sebastian Bach, est. $500,000-$750,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s May 11 Fine Autograph and Artifact sale comprises nearly 1,000 unique items, including a handwritten musical manuscript by Johann Sebastian Bach estimated at $500,000-$750,000. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Karl Marx letter could bring $500K at RR Auction, March 9

1872 letter written by Karl Marx to his French publisher, est. $300,000-$500,000
1872 letter written by Karl Marx to his French publisher, est. $300,000-$500,000
1872 letter written by Karl Marx to his French publisher, est. $300,000-$500,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale, concluding on Wednesday, March 9, boasts more than 900 outstanding lots relating to great figures in world history and culture. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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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/

Revealing Nikola Tesla letter aims for $150K at RR Auction, Jan. 12

Four-page handwritten letter by Nikola Tesla, musing on how he ranks against his inventor peers Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, est. $125,000-$150,000
Four-page handwritten letter by Nikola Tesla, musing on how he ranks against his inventor peers Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, est. $125,000-$150,000
Four-page handwritten letter by Nikola Tesla, musing on how he ranks against his inventor-rivals Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, est. $125,000-$150,000

BOSTON – RR Auction‘s first sale of the new year presents more than 1,000 remarkable lots in its Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale, taking place on Wednesday, January 12. View the fully illustrated catalog on LiveAuctioneers.

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Dickens & Twain set world records at Potter & Potter Aug. 28

Collection of five Christmas books by Charles Dickens, $28,000
Collection of five Christmas books by Charles Dickens, $28,000
Collection of five Christmas books by Charles Dickens, $28,000

CHICAGO – Potter and Potter‘s spectacular August 28 Fine Books and Manuscripts Sale was the company’s highest-grossing auction to date. After a day of spirited bidding, 107 lots realized between $1,000-4,999; 22 lots realized between $5,000-9,999; and 16 lots broke the five digit mark.

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