: In many ways Thursday, August 5, was a typical auction day, like
so many others in the 55-plus years of Dick Withington's life as
an auctioneer.
At 86 years young, Dick thought he had seen it all. He has sold
everything from chinchillas to Dunlap highboys. But there was a
buzz at the sale with a standing-room-only crowd and a feeling of
excitement was in the air. Many were there to spend the usual fun
day at an old-fashioned Withington country auction. The barn was
warm and inviting with a few centuries of furniture and
decorative accessories on display. Tables full of Flow Blue to
carnival glass, tall clocks to Edison players - there is always
something for everyone.
But the star of the day was a seemingly insignificant, 103/4 by
18 inch painting signed "W.L. Metcalf '86." Inscribed on the back
was "La Maison de Claude Monet," the subject, a cluster of
unpretentious buildings in a field of red poppies. The timeworn
canvas was slowly coming away from the early wood stretcher board
... no frame. One could pass it by without a second glance, but
there was something special about this painting.
All week there were dozens of inquiries from all over the country
followed by cries of amazement, "No phone bids? No left bids?
I've never heard of such a thing!" But it really did not matter.
As Withington has proven time and time again, if you have the
goods they will come.
During preview the little gem was studied by all the experts and
most were confident this was an early Metcalf and quite a
discovery. At 11 am, Withington offered the painting to the crowd
with his usual light-hearted humor, "Who will start the bidding
at $100?" he queried. With giggles in the background, one gent
stepped forward and stated, "I'll start the bidding at $100,000."
Quickly the bidding surpassed $200,000 mark with several active
bidders.
The final hammer price was $313,500, including the ten percent
buyer's premium. The buyer represented a New York gallery and was
reportedly prepared to pay "whatever was necessary to buy the
painting."
The Metcalf appeared unexpectedly while picking up dolls for
auction in Massachusetts, Withington recounted. "The consignor
asked us to take a few other things, including some silver, and
assorted smalls, and, 'Oh,' she said, 'you might as well take
this old painting, too.' Won't she be surprised."
