Gallery Report: 1921 Martiros Saryan mountain landscape climbs to $40K

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.

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Gallery Report: Green Goblin action figure scampers off with $76K at Hake’s

ATLANTA – At the start of every month, ACN columnist Ken Hall delivers top auction highlights from around the United States and the wider world. Please enjoy the September 2022 edition of his Gallery Report. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium, except where noted otherwise.

Green Goblin action figure, $76,700, Hake’s Auctions

An eight-inch Green Goblin action figure, issued by Meego in 1977 as part of its World’s Greatest Super-Heroes line, AFA-graded 80+ NM, sold for $76,700 at an auction of pop culture rarities held July 26-27 by Hake’s Auctions in York, Pennsylvania. Also, Gil Kane and Dick Giordano’s seven-panel art for page 27 of Marvel Premiere #15 from May 1974, featuring the debut of Iron Fist, reached $20,350; and Al Plastino’s original art for page 1 of Superman #184 from Feb. 1966 achieved $15,055.

Nantucket curlew decoy, $228,000, Copley Fine Art Auctions

A Harmon Hollow Nantucket curlew decoy sold for $228,000 at the 17th annual Sporting Sale held July 14-15 by Copley Fine Art Auctions in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Also, an oil on canvas image of Setter Puppies by Edmund Henry Osthaus earned $102,000; a dog painting titled Steady by A.F. Tait, depicting two setters pointing quail, achieved $73,800; a miniature shorebird set of 22 decoys by Elmer Crowell realized $92,250; and Crowell’s Wing-Up Greater Yellowlegs made $84,000.

12-cent U.S. postage stamp, $19,520, Holabird Western Americana Collections

A 12-cent U.S. postage stamp with a portrait bust of George Washington sold for $19,520 at a Wild West Auction held July 21-24 by Holabird Western Americana Collections in Reno, Nevada. Also, an 1860 U.S. Army Colt revolver with a Richards conversion attained $13,750; a light aqua Endlich & Good squat-shaped beer bottle, dating to circa 1861-1864, realized $7,187; and an early 1900s First National Bank of Foraker (Oklahoma) $10 bank note went for $4,458.

Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls, $64,000, Nye & Company Auctioneers

A pair of 19th-century Chinese Export porcelain punch bowls sold for $64,000 at an Estate Treasures auction held July 20 by Nye & Company Auctioneers in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Also, an early 20th-century folk art cowboy iron shooting gallery target, attributed to William F. Mangels and titled The Stick-Up, earned $19,200; and a taupe-upholstered sectional sofa designed by Joe DiUrso for Donghia, with squared corners and raised ends, finished at $12,160.

Camille Claudel sculpture, $150,000, Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers

A bronze and hardstone sculpture of a woman sitting in a chair with her head resting against a fireplace mantel, created by Camille Claudel (French, 1864-1913), sold for $150,000 in an online Fine & Decorative Art auction held August 1 by Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers, based in Cranston, Rhode Island. Also, an oil on canvas by B. Prabha (Indian, 1933-2001), titled Fisher Women Painting, achieved $18,750; and an ornately carved Victorian desk attributed to R. J. Horner brought $7,500.

19th-century French Japonisme armoire, $30,000, Andrew Jones Auctions

A late 19th-century French parcel paint decorated Karelian birch and faux bamboo Japonisme armoire sold for $30,000 at the Part VI sale of the John Nelson collection, held July 24-25 by Andrew Jones Auctions in Los Angeles. Also, a pair of circa-1900 Louis XV/XVI transitional style parcel gilt and blue painted bibliotheques brought $30,000, and a third quarter 20th-century Modernist fossil marble, granite and steel table went to a determined bidder for $27,500.

Machine Man Robot, $84,000, Morphy Auctions

A circa-1960 Machine Man Robot from the Japanese company Masudaya’s famed Gang of Five robot series, one of only a few known, sold for $84,000 at a Toys & Collectibles Auction held Aug. 9-10 by Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Also, a Japanese battery-operated Electroman Robot attained $78,000, and a scarce 1950s Italian gumball vending machine in the form of a 54in full-figure robot, with prizes visible inside its chest, finished at $48,000.

39-star American flag, $24,120, New Frontier Western Show & Auction

A 39-star American flag flown at the Capitol Building in Santa Fe in 1912, the year that New Mexico joined the Union, sold for $24,120 at auction held August 27 by New Frontier Western Show & Auction of Loveland, Colorado. The auction was held in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Also, an antique Colt Single Action Army revolver attributed to the 101 Ranch sold for $8,100, and a pair of Buermann inlaid spurs with cut-out snake heelbands found a new owner for $5,700.

Jean Shrimpton photo print, $3,438, John Moran Auctioneers

A massive photo print on canvas with a neon attachment, titled Jean Shrimpton Astronaut and created in 2014 by Andrew Martin Designs after Richard Avedon, sold for $3,438 at a ReDesigned auction held July 19 by John Moran Auctioneers in Los Angeles. Also, a lapis blue 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SL automobile in pristine condition sped away for $18,750, and a red 1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr. electric guitar with a 1960s-era Gibson amp earned $8,750.

Albert York oil-on-plywood work, $110,250, Sarasota Estate Auction

An oil-on-plywood painting by Albert York, titled Imaginary Playground (Trees and Fence), sold for $110,250 at an auction held July 23-24 by Sarasota Estate Auction in Sarasota, Florida. Also, Romare Bearden’s The Quilters rose to $73,000; an unsigned, untitled Itzchak Tarkay acrylic on canvas achieved $20,790; a gouache on paper by A. R. Penck brought $13,230; a sculpture by Jorge Blanco, titled Later, made $14,490; and an antique 22K gold, sterling and diamond necklace hit $11,970.

Covered Meissen dish, $4,250, Kamelot Auctions

A 19th-century covered Meissen dish sold for $4,250 at a three-day sale held July 19-21 by Kamelot Auctions in Philadelphia. Also, an original circa-1950 set of rattan armchairs went for $3,750, and an 18K gold and sapphire necklace by Marco Bicego slipped around a new neck for $2,250. The auctions were divided into Luxury Goods: Jewelry & Handbags; Mod Interiors: Chic, Bamboo & Rattan; and Estate Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts. Most lots sold above their estimates.

King Henry VIII document, $66,435, RR Auction

A one-page vellum manuscript document signed by King Henry VIII and dated July 26, 1536, in which he discusses sponsoring the feast day of St. George, patron saint of England, sold for $66,435 in an online auction held July 20-August 10 by RR Auction, based in Boston. Also, a document Abraham Lincoln signed as president, regarding rebuilding the North-South economy in 1865, realized $41,321; and an early Marilyn Monroe document, signed twice by the starlet, earned $32,103.

Nathan Cobb, Jr. swimming Canada goose, $252,000, Guyette & Deeter

A swimming Canada goose by Nathan Cobb, Jr. of Cobb Island, Virginia sold for $252,000 at a Decoy & Sporting Art auction held July 29-30 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, by Guyette & Deeter. Also, a Ward Brothers greenwing teal hen flew away for $33,000; an Edmund Osthaus sporting art canvas realized $69,600; a mute swan by Maryland carver Oliver Lawson finished at $15,600; and a set of Nantucket lightship baskets carried away $10,800.

Anne Ramsdell Congdon painting, $123,000, Rafael Osona Auctions

A 1941 oil on canvas by Anne Ramsdell Congdon, titled View from Monomoy, sold for $123,000 at an Americana, Fine Art & Marine auction held Aug. 6-7 by Rafael Osona Auctions in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Also, an iconic red sail painting by Robert Stark, Jr., titled Sunset Sail, drifted to $70,725; an 1895 portrait painted by Wendell Macy, titled Lady in the Sun, Nantucket, won $20,910; and Sybil Goldsmith’s View of Town from the Creeks, painted in 1976, rose to $8,190.

David Hockney lithograph, $20,480, La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery

A lithograph by David Hockney (British, b. 1937-), titled Four Flowers in a Still Life, dated and numbered 6/50, sold for $20,480 at a Multi-Estates Summer auction held August 13 by La Belle Epoque Auction Gallery in New York City. Also, an early 20th-century floral still life by Charles E. Porter (American, 1847-1923) achieved $1,920; a 102-piece set of Kirk sterling silver flatware weighing 127 troy ounces earned $2,300; and a Lucien Picard 14K Art Deco ladies’ watch brought $640.

1927-D Double Eagle gold coin, $4.44 million, Heritage Auctions

A 1927-D Double Eagle US gold coin, part of the Bob R. Simpson collection and graded MS66 PCGS, sold for $4.44 million at a US Coins Signature Auction held August 23 by Heritage Auctions in Dallas. The price bested the previous record for the 1927-D Double Eagle of $2.16 million, set at Heritage’s Fun US Coins Signature Auction in January 2020. In the recent sale, five bidders continued to chase the coin after it exceeded $3 million.

Kobe Bryant rookie card, $34,375, Hindman

A 1996-1997 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant rookie basketball card No. 30, graded BGS 9 Mint, sold for $34,375 at a sale of The Definitive Collection of Kobe Bryant Rookie Cards held August 24 by Hindman in Chicago. The card was considered to be a holy grail collectible and featured a die cut image of Bryant, foiled borders and a cloud background. The auction was held on August 24, which has become known as Mamba Day in honor of the numbers Bryant wore during his basketball career: 8 and 24.

Jamie Wyeth painting, $192,000, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries

A mixed-media work for Study for Lighthouse by Jamie Wyeth (American, b. 1946-) sold for $192,000 at a Splendor sale held Aug. 26-28 by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries in Thomaston, Maine. Also, a watercolor painting by Andrew Wyeth (American, 1917-2009), titled The Pantry, achieved $162,000; an oil on canvas by Robert Scott Duncanson hit $138,000; and a Modernist color composition painting by Beauford Delaney (American, 1901-1979) made $102,000.

Herend Rothschild Bird pattern table service, $10,710, Doyle

A Herend porcelain table service in the Rothschild Bird pattern sold for $10,710 at an Entertaining with Style auction held August 11 by Doyle in New York City. Introduced in 1860, the pattern portrays a story about Baroness Rothschild of Vienna, who lost her pearl necklace in her garden. Several days later, the necklace was discovered by her gardener, who saw the birds dangling it from a tree. In addition, a group of Lettuce Ware by Dodie Thayer sold as several lots for a combined $20,853.

 

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