KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A cheerful bird’s-eye view of beachgoers by illustration artist George E. Hughes was the top seller at Case’s Summer Auction, held July 8-9, soaring to $103,700 against an $18,000-$22,000 estimate. Hughes, who lived from 1907-1990, was second only to Norman Rockwell as the most prolific artist for the Saturday Evening Post, and this oil-on-Masonite beach painting was the Post’s cover image for its August 2, 1952 issue. The anonymous buyer won it on the phone, underbid by a suitor in the saleroom and others online. The auction, featuring art from multiple Southeastern estates and private collections, attracted more than 7,500 registered bidders from more than 60 countries and achieved a 98% sell-through rate. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers.