: Skinner was the site of a major American and European painting
and prints sale on September 12, opening with a grouping of
photography and fine prints.
Early in the sale, a circa 1914 Frank Weston Benson (American,
1862-1951) drypoint on paper print with a plate size of 87/8 by 7
inches was offered. From an edition of only 50 prints, it
depicted a rural scene titled "River Drifters." Estimated at
$7/900, it went off the block for $1,880. A Thomas Hart Benton
(American 1889-1975) print titled "The Prodigal Son," dated 1939,
from an edition of 250 sold well over the presale estimate of
$1,2/1,800, reaching $2,115. Another print by Benton, this one
titled "Night Firing," sold for $2,937.
The big news of this sale came when an oil on canvas measuring 27
by 391/2 inches by French artist Jean Richard Goubie (1842-1899)
was offered. Titled "Before the Hunt," this vivid painting was
estimated at $12/18,000. With several phones active, the price
advanced quickly, soaring to its selling price of $105,000.
"In Her Garden," Daniel Ridgway Knight, $105,750.
The other big news of the evening was the surpassing success
of a Petrus van Schendel (Belgian, 1806-1870) oil on board. A moody
depiction of "Market at Night-Amsterdam," it measured 28 by 223/4
inches and was estimated at $30/50,000. It sold to a customer on
the phone, who took it up to its sale price of $160,000.
An oil on canvas, "Preparing for the Storm" by American artist
William Trost Richards (1833-1905), failed to sell.
A Venetian view by French Artist Felix Ziem (1821-1911) was sold
to Vincent Vallarino, a principal of Greenwich Gallery,
Greenwich, Conn., who was present at the sale, for $47,000.
Vallarino also paid the same price for a 161/4- by 20-inch oil on
canvas by Ernest Lawson (American, 1873-1939) titled "The Quiet
River."
A striking ink and brush on chine colle, measuring 175/8 by 123/4
inches, by Japanese artist Tsguhara Foujita (1886-1968),
estimated at $6/8,000, went off the block for $22,325.
The painting that graced the cover of the catalog, an oil on
canvas by American artist Daniel Ridgway Knight (1839-1924),
achieved $105,750 with five phones active. It depicted a young
woman in a garden by the water's edge and measured 321/4 by 26
inches.
"Market at Night," Petrus van Schendel, $160,000.
Midway through the painting sale, two pastels by American
artist Laura Combs Hills (1859-1952) were offered. Both were
depictions of vases of flowers. The first was a rendition of
zinnias and pink velvet, the second was a rendition of yellow
pansies. Each sold for $14,100.
A patriotic World War I painting by American artist Jennie
Augusta Brownscombe (1850-1936) of "American Troops In France,
1918" sold for $11,750. A charming and appealing Margaret Miles
Cooper (American 1874-1965) oil on canvas of "Fall, Hamburg Cove"
sold for $2,350. A moody and evocative night scene of New York
City's Central Park, titled "When Night Comes On, Central Park,
N.Y." by American artist Orlando Rouland (1871-1945) sold for
$41,125, far surpassing its presale estimate of $12/18,000. The
oil on canvas measured 38 by 36 inches.
A spectacular Marsden Hartley (American, 1877-1943) view of the
rocky coast of Maine, an oil on board measuring 10 by 14 inches
that was found in a private New England collection, sold for
$55,812. Late in the sale, a Ralph Cahoon (American, 1910-1982)
oil on board depiction of a mermaid, unicorn, pilgrims and
sailors in a hot air balloon over the water with ships in the
background - typical Cahoon fare - was sold for $47,000.
The early part of the sale, which featured the photography and
prints, saw some spectacular surprises. A pair of wood engravings
on paper, both Vermont views by American artist Asa Cheffetz
(1896-1965), estimated at $3/500, went to an on-site buyer for
$2,938. There were a number of works done by American artist
Leonard Baskin (1922-2000). Much of the Baskin work was passed,
failing to meet reserves.
Prices quoted include a 171/2 percent buyer's premium.
