FAIRFIELD, MAINE — Martin Johnson Heade’s “Roman Newsboys II,” 1849, sold February 3 for $189,600, kicking off the first session of James D. Julia’s three-day auction.

A rare example of a genre scene, Heade painted two versions and these appear to be his only surviving genre paintings. Heade was in Italy when this painting was done and the painting is recorded in Ted Stebbins’ catalogue raisonné of Heade’s works. Other items also did well: A Steeplechase weathervane by Jewell finished at $112,575 and a rhinoceros horn libation cup brought $56,287. Julia’s sold more than 1,300 lots in three days, with multiple lots bringing six figure prices. The three days grossed about $3.2 million.

A complete review on the auction will follow in an upcoming edition.