Under The Hammer – Antique Auction News (Aug. 2009)
~ The crypt above Marilyn Monroe’s in the Westwood Cemetery in Los Angeles sold on eBay on August 24th for $4,602,100. A total of 21 bids were made on this piece of real estate that comes with a deed. (Fifty-five bids were withdrawn by bidders making mistakes or by eBay for administrative reasons.)
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~ A book containing 200 color plates of celebrated posters by various Art Nouveau artists—L’Estampe Moderne, two volumes, Paris, 1897-99—was the top lot at Swann Galleries’ August 5 auction of vintage posters in New York. It sold for $21,600, including buyer’s premium. Other top-selling Art Nouveau images were: Privat Livemont’s Absinthe Robette, Brussels, 1896, $12,000; and Alphonse Mucha’s Monaco-Monte-Carlo, Paris, 1897, $14,400.
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~ A John Shearer slant-front desk exceeded expectations by fetching $42,700 (with 22 percent buyer’s premium) at the Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, N.J., recently. The desk was originally catalogued as an “American walnut slant-front desk with brass pulls, ca. 1760-1780″ until a Virginia scholar identified it as a heretofore unknown John Shearer desk. His known work is currently listed at fifty pieces.
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~Guyette & Schmidt’s annual summer decoy auction on July 18 & 19 at Wyndham Hotel in Portland, Maine, grossed just under $1.3 million with 36 lots selling for over $10,000. Top lot in the sale was a snow goose by John Tax, which sold for $55,200. An eider decoy from Deer Isle, Maine, sold over estimate at $46,575 and a pintail drake by John Blair, Jr., (Philadelphia) sold for $54,625.
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~An 1880 $4 Coiled Hair stella, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, Low R.7, PR62 NGC realized $546,250 at Heritage Auction Galleries’ July 31-Aug.2 Los Angeles U.S. Coin Auction, leading the almost $25 million event. Sale price includes 15% buyer’s premium.
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~On Aug. 15, one lucky bidder paid $75,000 for a Dolly Parton “5 to 9” overnight/tour package. Sabrina Taylor and Tabitha Hall of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, won: a visit to Dolly Parton’s private residence; an overnight stay in the guest cottage on the grounds; a country-style breakfast served the next morning by Dolly Parton; and a private tour of the residence for them and ten more guests, followed by a barbeque on the grounds with bluegrass entertainment, all hosted by Dolly. The incredible access package was offered as part of the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation’s annual Evening of Elegance fundraiser.
Dolly, the foundation’s honorary chairperson, was one of the many babies delivered by Dr. Thomas, who went to Sevier County in 1926 to serve in the dual role of minister and family physician. Established in 1983, the foundation’s mission is to help expand the range and quality of health care services available in Sevier County, Tennessee.
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~ On June 7, Antik A.S. of Istanbul, Turkey, held its 257th Painting and Works of Art auction at the Swissotel The Bosphorus. Top lot was the painting, “In the Island of Sandal Sefa” by Ibrahim Calli, which hammered for $326,797.
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~ Marvel’s 1963 Spider-Man #1, rated CGC NM 9.4, sold for $83,650 (including 19.5 percent buyer’s premium) at Heritage Galleries’ August 14-15 event in Dallas. Another Spider-Man comic, Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962), CGC VF- 7.5, realized $52,280. This issue introduced Peter Parker and his alter-ego, along with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May.
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