Circa-2005 Rolex Daytona in 18K rose gold with pave diamond dial and ruby hour markers, $175,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
DALLAS — A Rolex originally offered to only the most important international dealers underscored its stature as an elite timepiece when it sold for $175,000 June 1 to lead Heritage’s Fine Watches & Timepieces Signature® Auction to $2,470,424.
Circa-2017 Patek Philippe World Time wristwatch with cloisonne enamel dial, estimated at $60,000-$1 million. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
DALLAS — A gorgeous circa-2017 Patek Philippe watch, designed to look as if the hands revolve around the earth’s axis, will have the most serious of collectors counting the minutes until Heritage Auctions‘ Watches & Fine Timepieces Signature® Auction on Thursday, June 1. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Exquisite signed/numbered Tiffany Studios Nasturtium table lamp with 19in (dia.) leaded-glass shade featuring multicolored confetti glass tiles and flowers in various shades of red, orange, purple and yellow against a green ground. Tiffany-stamped telescoping cat’s-paw base. Excellent condition. Estimate $120,000-$160,000
DENVER, Pa. – Arguably, Morphy’s most-loved sale from its always-busy calendar of events, the annual pre-Christmas Fine & Decorative Arts Auction consistently delivers luxury, rarity and peerless quality to discerning collectors and holiday gift-givers. This year’s edition, which will be held on December 19 and 20, is brimming with superior jewels and watches, paintings, art pottery, silver, and dazzling Tiffany Studios lamps. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
ATLANTA – At the beginning of each month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the wider world. Here is the November 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted otherwise.
Le Pho painting, $337,500, Hindman
A painting by Vietnamese artist Le Pho (1907-2001), titled Femme Peignant (Woman Painting), sold for $337,500 at Fine Art auctions held Sept. 27-29 by Hindman in Chicago. Also, Le Pho’s paintings La Lettre and Les Dahlia Jaunes brought $237,500 and $137,500, respectively; an untitled portrait of a baseball player by Ernie Barnes rang up $312,500; Friedel Dzubas’s 1978 work Aglaura went for $137,500; Ron Davis’s Red Top, from 1968, realized $131,250; and Gertrude Abercrombie’s Blue Screen, completed in 1945, hit $225,000.
Copy of Wonder Woman #1, $54,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers
A copy of DC Comics’ Wonder Woman #1, featuring the first appearance of Ares and a retelling of the origin of Wonder Woman, graded CGC 5.5, sold for $54,000 at a sale of the Henry Anderson collection held October 1 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, a copy of DC Comics’ Detective Comics #38, featuring the origin and first appearance of Batman’s sidekick Robin, the Boy Wonder, graded CGC 3.0, brought $51,600.
American National pedal car, $66,000, Milestone Auctions
An American National Deluxe Coupe pedal car, fitted with opening doors, sliding windows, interior upholstery and curtains, sold for $66,000 at a sale of antique and vintage toys from the Mark Smith collection held September 24 by Milestone Auctions in Willoughby, Ohio. Also, a Gendron 50in-long chain-drive pedal car with a steel body and a wooden radiator, tires and frame sped off for $24,000; and a Domo Maserati 4cl tether race car made in Italy brought $6,600.
Chinoiserie-style table, $10,000, John Moran Auctioneers
A black lacquered Chinoiserie-style console table with gilt highlights sold for $10,000 at an auction of Property from the Thomas and Erika Jayne Girardi Residence held September 21 at John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, an 81in-tall bronze sculpture of a man by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. brought $13,750; a pair of Michael Taylor Monticello outdoor garden armchairs realized $7,150; and a 19th-century Continental hand-painted, black lacquered cabinet with mythological oil paintings rose to $11,875.
John Speed map of the world, $12,650, Old World Auctions
A New and Accurat Map of the World by John Speed, an iconic 1626 first state version of Speed’s double-hemisphere world map with blank verso, sold for $12,650 in an online auction held in September by Old World Auctions, based in Richmond, Virginia. Also, Islandia, a 1585 map by Abraham Ortelius – one of Ortelius’s most decorative maps, featuring fantastical sea monsters – earned $12,075, and an unusual 1658 oval bible map of the world by Danckert Danckerts made $7,475.
1821 Half Eagle gold coin, $4.62 million, Heritage Auctions
An 1821 Half Eagle $5 gold U.S. proof coin, graded PR65 Cameo, the only proof in private hands and one of only two proof examples known (the other is in the Smithsonian Institution), sold for $4.62 million at Part 1 of the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Core Collection held September 29 by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions in Long Beach, California. Also, a 1795 BD-1 13 leaves $10 U.S. coin, MS64, rose to $690,000; and an 1848 CAL. quarter eagle coin, MS64, garnered $552,000.
Chinese porcelain vase, $504,000, Doyle
A Chinese famille rose porcelain vase with the Qianlong mark and of the period sold for $504,000 at an Asian Works of Art auction held September 21 by Doyle in New York City. Also, another exceptional Qianlong mark and period tianqiuping-form vase, decorated with a monochrome blue glaze, went to a determined bidder for $94,500, many times its $10,000-$15,000 estimate.
Maud Lewis folk art painting, $100,300, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
A mixed media painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1980), titled Winter Sleigh Ride, sold for $100,300 in an online-only Canadiana & Folk Art auction held October 8 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd., based in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, a mixed media diorama by Adelard Brousseau of Quebec, titled Maple Sugar Time, rose to $10,620; and an acrylic on paper by Norval Morrisseau (Canadian, 1932-2007), titled Ancestral Visitors, made $11,800. Prices are in Canadian dollars.
Tiffany Poppy table lamp, $93,750, Fontaine’s Auction Gallery
A circa-1905 Tiffany Studios Poppy table lamp with vibrant red poppies surrounded by blue and yellow background glass sold for $93,750 at a fall sale held Sept. 24-25 by Fontaine’s Auction Gallery in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Also, a circa-1910 Tiffany Studios Peony Border chandelier realized $87,500; a platinum bracelet with more than 45 carats of diamonds finished at $81,250; and a circa-1880 Eastlake walnut four-piece bedroom set commanded $27,500.
Winchester Model 21 shotgun, $14,100, Rock Island Auction Company
An engraved and gold-inlaid Winchester 16-gauge Model 21 double-barrel shotgun set, offered with its case, hit the mark for $14,200 at a Sporting & Collector Auction held Oct. 5-6 by Rock Island Auction Company in Rock Island, Illinois. Also, a Ben Shostle signed master relief engraved Colt first generation single-action Army revolver with its case earned $11,750, and a pair of Remington Custom Ship Model 547 sporting bolt action rifles scored a bull’s-eye for $10,575.
William Skilling elephant painting, $18,750, Dallas Auction Gallery
An undated, signed oil on canvas dubbed Untitled (Elephant profile) by William Skilling sold for $18,750 at a Fine & Decorative Art auction held September 21 by Dallas Auction Gallery in Dallas. Also, an undated oil on canvas by Edouard Leon Cortes, titled La Place de l’Opera, realized $18,750; Texas artist Jose Vives-Astara’s 1982 painting titled Landscape of Vail – Colorado went for $6,875; and a pastel by Texas artist Reveau Basset, titled Mallards Landing, attained $3,750.
John Steinbeck letter, $32,426, RR Auction
A two-page letter John Steinbeck wrote to his 14-year-old son, Thomas, dated Nov. 10, 1958, in which he offers wise, fatherly advice on matters of the heart, sold for $32,426 in an online auction held Sept. 23-Oct. 12 by RR Auction, based in Boston. Also, Edgar Allan Poe’s handwritten letter soliciting a donation for the Southern Literary Messenger garnered $149,999, and Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten letter regarding the mutinous crew of John Paul Jones’s flagship earned $62,500.
Ansel Adams Yosemite photo print, $38,750, Holabird Western Americana Collections
An Ansel Adams-signed Yosemite photo print from around 1959 sold for $38,750 at a Western Frontiers auction held October 13-16 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, a Gibson model ES175 Sunburst electric guitar with a factory Bixbee whammy bar realized $3,500; a beautiful circa-1900 red mesa chief pattern rug went for $4,000; and a gold 1914 $50 American Buffalo coin brought $2,250.
Diamond and gold brooch, $2,080, Clars Auction Gallery
An antique diamond and platinum-topped 14K gold brooch designed as an old mine or old European-cut diamond-set flower, the diamond weighing 2.0 carats, sold for $2,080 at an auction held Oct. 15-16 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Also, a monumental 1996 work by Nathan Oliveira (American, 1928-2010), titled Wing-Owl, flew to $28,750; and a suite of prints by Richard Diebenkorn (American, 1922-1993), titled Six Soft Ground Etchings, finished at $16,250.
Lion model circus wagon, $6,600, Potter & Potter Auctions
A lion model circus wagon from around 1940, finely detailed and painted, sold for $6,600 at a Circus Sale held September 24 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a 1944 Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey / World’s Biggest Menagerie bird’s-eye view poster settled at $3,600; a 1930s Sells-Floto Miss Arline and Kiddo Balloon horse poster maquette earned $4,080; and a pair of gloves believed to have been owned by Buffalo Bill Cody changed hands for $1,560.
First edition 2007 factory-sealed iPhone, $39,340, LCG Auctions
A factory-sealed 2007 first-edition iPhone sold for a record price of $39,340 at a Fall Premier Auction held October 16 by LCG Auctions in New Orleans. Also, a 1978 Star Wars Luke Skywalker action figure with a double telescoping lightsaber, graded AFA 85, achieved $33.359; a 1987 G.I. Joe Defiant playset, CAS 80, earned $32,513; a 1982 Masters of the Universe He-Man action figure, AFA 80, brought $32,513; and a 1985 Transformers Jetfire, AFA 90, realized $18,353.
Gorham silver candelabras, $84,000, Cottone Auctions
A pair of Gorham sterling silver Art Nouveau candelabras made for the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair sold for $84,000 at a Fine Art & Antiques auction held September 23 by Cottone Auctions in Geneseo, New York. Also, a 1963 gouache on paper by Alexander Calder (American, 1898-1976), titled The Beams, went for $90,000; a Tiffany Studios Peony table lamp lit up the room for $103,200; and a Chinese Ming-style blue and white ewer, with a Qianlong mark and of the period, brought $282,000.
William S. Kendall painting, $24,000, Kaminski Auctions
A painting by William Sergeant Kendall (American, 1869-1938), titled St. Ives Pray for Us, signed and dated 1890, sold for $24,000 at a two-day estates auction held Sept. 24-25 by Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, Massachusetts. Also, a set of six circa-1970 Tucroma leather chairs, by Guido Faleschini for Pace Furniture, climbed to $4,800; an 18K gold bracelet with two sapphires at the closure settled at $12,000; and a set of Hermes Le Jardin de Pythagore dinnerware made $4,200.
Rolex Daytona Big Red watch, $90,000, Jones & Horan
A Rolex Daytona Big Red ref 6263 watch sold for $90,000 at a four-hour afternoon sale held September 25 by Jones & Horan in Manchester, New Hampshire. Also, a Patek Philippe Calatrava ref 2526 achieved $27,000; a Rolex Submariner ref 16808 reached $26,000; and a Tropical Deep Sea Alarm Diver finished at $25,000.
Zhang Daqian handscroll, $23,370, Michaan’s Auction
A large handscroll painting attributed to Zhang Daqian (Chinese, 1899-1983), titled Landscape, sold for $23,370 at an Annex Auction held Aug. 15-18 by Michaan’s Auction in Alameda, California. Also, a Chinese blue and white moon flask realized $19,680; an oil on canvas Self Portrait by Henrietta Berks (American, 1919-1990), achieved $9,225; an unmounted 2.20-carat diamond with pendant mount made $10,455; and two Flora Danica items, a tureen and a dish, won $3,382.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
Tiffany Studios table lamp with 20in conical leaded-glass shade in ‘Poppy’ motif exhibiting the very highest standards of Tiffany artistry. Astounding colorway and complex composition, including exceptionally rare base with 16 iridescent Favrile-glass balls as supports for the telescoping stem. Tiffany stamps to both shade and base. Sold for $541,200 (inclusive of 23% buyer’s premium) against an estimate of $350,000-$450,000. Morphy Auctions image
DENVER, Pa. – During the second session of their June 8-10 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction, Morphy’s sold a rare circa 1905-1910 Tiffany Studios “Poppy” leaded-glass table lamp for an astounding $541,200 (all prices quoted include a 23% buyer’s premium). Based upon their research, Morphy’s believes it to be a world-record auction price for a Tiffany lamp in the Poppy motif.
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 June 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices include the buyer’s premium, except where noted.
Ed Clark’s Creation, $740,000, Hindman
Ed Clark’s acrylic on canvas Creation sold for $740,000 at a Post-War & Contemporary Art auction held May 11 by Hindman in Chicago. It was the highest price ever achieved for the artist. Also, John Craxton’s esoteric Cretan taverna scene Still Life with Three Sailors achieved $400,000, and four works by Chicago’s Queen of the Bohemians, Gertrude Abercrombie, went for a combined $925,000. The top achiever among the four was an oil on Masonite titled Toddy, Possim and Christine that realized $337,500.
U.S. 1901 one-cent error stamp, $5,500, Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC
A U.S. one-cent stamp commemorating the Pan American Exposition of 1901 with an inverted center – an error stamp philatelic rarity – sold for $5,500 at a Western Americana Auction held April 21-24 by Holabird Western Americana Collections, LLC in Reno, Nevada. Also, a US Mint San Francisco 23.06-ounce silver ingot, 999.75 fine, earned $8,125; and a Navajo squash blossom turquoise and coral necklace with matching earrings signed by Victor Moses Begay achieved $1,438.
Burchfield watercolor, $587,500, Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers
A 1965 watercolor on paper by Charles Burchfield (American, 1893-1967), titled Nighthawks and the Moon, sold for $587,500 in an online-only Spring Fine Art Auction held April 28 by Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Milford, Connecticut. Three paintings by Burchfield combined to sell for more than $1 million. Also, a signed watercolor and pastel on paper by Maurice Prendergast (American, 1858-1924) attained $187,500.
Baignoire de Cartier watch, $9,225, Neue Auctions
A Baignoire de Cartier 18K gold and diamond ladies’ watch, made around 2010, sold for $9,225 in an online-only Fine Interiors, Art & Antiques auction held April 30 by Neue Auctions in Beachwood, Ohio. Also, a large pair of Chinese turquoise glaze terracotta foo dogs on stands rose to $5,842; a pair of 1980s Art Deco-style lacquered wood and upholstered club chairs realized $3,567; and an English sterling silver serving tray made in London in 1783 went for $4,612.
Crescent City Auction Gallery photo requests
Newcomb Pottery group, $11,938, Crescent City Auction Gallery
A collection of six Newcomb Pottery pieces sold for $11,938 at an Important Estates Auction held May 13-14 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans. Also, a pair of 19th–century Chinese porcelain baluster ginger jars finished at $6,875; an untitled abstract artwork by George Bauer Dunbar (American, b. 1929-), featuring red gold leaf over red clay with die keen, realized $4,375; and a 141-piece set of sterling flatware by International in the Continental pattern made $8,125.
Presentation copy of The Great Gatsby, $67,200, Potter & Potter Auctions
A presentation copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby (1925, Charles Scribner & Sons, N.Y.) sold for $67,200 at a Literature Sale held April 26 by Potter & Potter Auctions in Chicago. Also, a copy of Oscar Wilde’s The Ballad of Reading Gaol brought $26,400; a copy of Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon went for $22,800; and a copy of Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms went to a determined bidder for $21,600.
Chinese porcelain plaques, $137,500, Clements
A pair of 20th-century Chinese porcelain plaques bearing the artist’s marks of Pan Taoyu (1887-1926) sold for $137,500 at an auction held April 2 by Clements auction house in Hixson, Tennessee. Pan Taoyu was one of the foremost creators of porcelain during China’s Republic period (1912-1949). He adopted the studio name Gu huan and died young, at age 39, so his surviving works are very scarce. The winning bidder was a Canadian dealer who was acting on behalf of Chinese clients.
John Hancock letter, $1.896 million, Freeman’s
A 1776 letter signed by John Hancock announcing America’s independence to the state of Georgia sold for $1.896 million at a May 4 Books and Manuscripts auction held by Freeman’s in Philadelphia, the star of a pair of sales that included the auction house’s May 3 American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts auction. Also performing well at the back-to-back auctions were a Chippendale mahogany sideboard table, which rose to $163,800; Rembrandt Peale’s portrait of George Washington, which finished at $94,500; and a first American edition of Jane Austen’s book Pride and Prejudice, which achieved $21,420.
Portrait by Thomas Sully, $94,500, Doyle New York
An 1839 portrait by Thomas Sully (British and American, 1783-1872) of Commodore James Biddle sold for $94,500 at an auction of American Paintings, Furniture & Decorative Arts held May 3-4 by Doyle in New York City. Also, a 1759 Map of the Improved Part of the Province of Pennsylvania by Nicholas Scull, the largest map printed in America in the 18th century, realized $88,200; and a pair of silver vases commissioned to memorialize Thomas Biddle, who died in a duel in 1831, brought $59,850.
1798 $1 Small Eagle coin, $205,625, Legend Rare Coin Auctions
A 1798 $1 U.S. Small Eagle coin with 13 stars, graded PCGS AU 58 CAC, sold for $205,625 at Regency Auction 51, held April 28 by Legend Rare Coin Auctions in Lincroft, New Jersey. Also, a 1795 $1 U.S. coin with two leaves, PCGS AU 58 CAC, achieved $105,750; an 1802/1 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS MS64+ CAC, changed hands for $102,812; an 1809/8 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS MS64+ CAC, went for $79,312; and an 1827 $5 U.S. coin, PCGS AU58+ CAC, rang up $79,312.
Maud Lewis oil painting, CA$413,000, Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
A 1967 oil-on-board painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1901-1970), titled Black Truck, sold for CA$413,000 in an online-only Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction held May 14 by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. in New Hamburg, Canada. Also, Lewis’s oil painting Oxen Pulling Logs realized CA$88,500; a group of three letters from Lewis to friend and artist John Kinnear attained CA$82,600; and a circa-1825 powder horn by John Tansel made $22,420. Prices in this entry are given in Canadian dollars.
1879 map of the Western U.S., $16,675, Old World Auctions
An 1879 six-sheet Map of the Territory of the United States, West of the Mississippi River, Edward Freyhold’s updated version of Lieutenant Warren’s general map, sold for $16,675 in an online auction held April 13-27 by Old World Auctions in Richmond, Virginia. Also, William Blaeu’s atlas of China and Japan, based on the compilations of the Jesuit Father Martino Martini during his mid-17th-century travels, made $13,800; and a 1779 Thomas Jefferson signed appointment hit $10,925.
Skeletonized watch, $15,000, John Moran Auctioneers
A Vacheron Constantin skeletonized wristwatch, featuring 18K gold and diamonds with a 36-jewel stem-wind set movement, sold for $15,000 at a Spring Jewels auction held May 3 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a large 14K gold carved lapis lazuli scarab pendant necklace with an Egyptian scene on the reverse realized $5,938; a platinum ring centering an emerald-cut, 2.58-carat diamond hit $23,750; and a circa-1880 diamond brooch went for $13,750.
Imperial dragon carpet, $324,500, Skinner Auctioneers
A circa-1600 Chinese Ming Imperial dragon carpet sold for $324,500 during two sales of the Jim Dixon collection held April 25-May 5 by Skinner Auctioneers, online and in the Boston gallery. Also, a circa-18th-century Northwest Persian or South Caucasian rug, finely woven in multi-colored lozenges on a coral-colored field, rang up $40,625; a circa-1800 early central Anatolian rug fragment earned $35,000; and two Chinese Ningxia fragments from the Kangxi era rose to $5,625.
Antoni Clave painting, $37,500, Andrew Jones Auctions
An oil on canvas by Antoni Clave (Spanish, 1913-2005), titled L’enfant a l’oiseaux, sold for $37,500 at an online auction of property from the collection of Kirk and Anne Douglas held May 18 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a Chinese Export porcelain jardiniere on stand attained $11,250, and an Oushak carpet from West Anatolia finished at $10,625.
Bob Dylan lyrics, $60,500, RR Auction
Lyrics handwritten in 2013 by Bob Dylan for his classic song All Along the Watchtower, made popular by Jimi Hendrix, sold for $60,500 in an online auction that began April 14 and ended May 19 at RR Auction, based in Boston. The lyrics were written on one page in black ink and signed at the bottom “Bob Dylan, 2013.” Also, Jim Morrison’s handwritten lyrics for The Doors hit song Love Her Madly realized $43,750, and a Beatles signed Parlophone promo card achieved $25,970.
Rolex Daytona watch, $90,000, Clars Auction Gallery
A Rolex Daytona chronograph wristwatch, ref. 6263, slipped onto a new wrist for $90,000 at a Spring Fine Jewelry & Timepieces auction held May 19 by Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California. Soon after, on May 21-22, Clars held a Fine Art, Furniture & Asian Art auction, in which an unheated Burma ruby, diamond and 18K gold ring sold for $14,400, and a print by the Japanese painter, performer and installation artist Yayoi Kusama (b. 1933-) realized $12,000.
Kurt Cobain guitar, $4.5 million, Julien’s Auctions
Kurt Cobain’s 1969 Fender Mustang electric guitar, played in the grunge rock group Nirvana’s breakthrough hit and 1991 music video Smells Like Teen Spirit, sold for $4.5 million at a Music Icons auction held May 20, 21 and 22 by Julien’s Auctions in New York City. Also, Johnny Cash’s owned and stage-played 1956 Martin model D-21 acoustic guitar hit $437,500, and the pink gown and accessories worn by Madonna in her classic music video Material Girl went for $287,500.
View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/
Left, a Rolex Big Red Daytona Cosmograph, $125,000, and right, a 6.17-carat round brilliant-cut diamond ring, $137,500
LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Rago/Wright‘s Fall Jewelry/Watches & Timepieces sale, held October 20, did not disappoint. The event was also the first presentation of watches and timepieces under the Rago/Wright banner.
Morphy Auctions