Altermann Galleries' Sale Exceeds $3.6 Million

SCOTTDALE, ARIZ.

:Altermann Galleries' October 22 auction had sales totaling $3,697,197.

Among the highlights were G. Harvey's "Twilight in the City" selling for $214,000, a new world record for the artist. The balance of the Harvey's offered produced equally strong results - "Line Camp," $46,000; "Softness of Winter," $40,250; "Slicker Weather," $12,075; and an early landscape, "Open Field," fetching $4,600.

Another world record was set when a work by Martin Grelle titled "Eagle Prayer" brought $142,500. The same painting had sold six months before in a set price sale for $55,000. A new record at auction was also set for Morgan Weistling, whose "The Pursuit" was hammered down at $48,875. Bill Anton also exceeded his usual market price, with "At Long Last" going for $25,300.

The works of the late Western artist Frank McCarthy (1924-2002) continued to fare well. "Dust Stained Posse" brought $57,500; "Under Hostile Fire" realized $54,625; "Before the Norther" sold for $28,175; "The Coming Storm" went for $28,175 and "The Whine of a Ricochet" garnered $40,250.

James Bama's "The Teamster" exceeded estimates of $25/30,000 ending up at $37,375.

The leader of the pack in the wildlife category was Bob Kuhn's "Moose in Downed Timber" bringing $60,375.

Ray Swanson's "Turning the Remuda" sold for $37,375. Paul Calle's "A View from the Heights" went for $46,000 and Melvin Warren's "Rolling His Own" ended up at $35,650. Also continuing to show strength was Olaf Wieghorst, whose "Cow Country" brought $69,000 and a small portrait entitled "Crow Indian" sold for $9,200. Cowboy Artists of America artist Jim Norton continued to perform well at auction with "Where Eagles Fly" fetching $40,250.

Gallery favorites David Mann and Mian Situ sold their works for healthy amounts, with "Land of the Sioux" by Mann going for $12,000 and Situ's "Summer in Canyon de Chelly" producing $21,850.

The Taos Society of Artists were well represented. Joseph Henry Sharp had three works sell; an early portrait titled "Chief Washakie" brought $159,000. "Eagle Star-Taos [Juan Concha]" reached $97,750. A well-composed work of two Native Americans in the artist's Taos studio, "Chant to the Rain Gods," sold within the estimate at $219,500. E.M. Hennings' portrait painting of his most popular model, Frank Samora, found a buyer at $80,500. A small impressionist work by Bert Phillips, "Cottonwoods in October," was purchased by a phone bidder at $20,700.

The works of deceased Texas artists made a good showing. Landscape artist Porfirio Salinas had all five works sell, with the top lot "Riverscape" going for $20,700. Tom Lea's "Ranger Escort West of the Pecos," which came from the collection of the former governor of Texas, also had strong telephone bidding from the Lone Star state and went for $54,625.

A small painting of the Rockies by Albert Bierstadt also found a home in Texas, with a final bid of $97,750.

Santa Fe artist Clark Hulings had four offerings. All sold, with the two major works reaching six figures: "Flower Market Aix en Provence," $192,000 and "Covered Market, Guanajuato, Mexico," $159,000.

Richard Altermann stated that, while attendance was very good, the event was once again dominated by telephone and absentee bidders. Tony Altermann added that while there were buyers from 24 states, Texas by far produced the greatest dollar amount.

Priced reported included buyer's premium. For information, 505-983-1590 or www.altermann.com.