Notable lots that share the spotlight in our July 9, 2021 issue lead with a Picasso at McInnis Auction that brought six figures after spending 50 years stored in a closet. Works by American artists piqued interest at Eldred’s, Shannon’s and Scott Daniels. Asian material made its way to a collection at Michaan’s as a Chinese porcelain Yuhuchun vase on gilt-bronze base brought five figures. Bidders weren’t playing around at Cordier Auctions when a Waco Hook robot sold for more than $6,000. These and more will satisfy the collector in you.
Out Of A Closet, Picasso’s ‘Le Tricorne’ Sells For $186,000 At McInnis Auction
AMESBURY, MASS. – “Le Tricorne,” a mixed media on paper by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), was bid to $186,000 at John McInnis’ June 26 auction of fine art and collections. Measuring 16 by 16 inches, signed and dated 1919, the painting had been kept in a closet for 50 years, among others that were left to the consignor at the time of the passing of the house to her father and then to her. A maquette for Picasso’s largest work by the same title is on exhibit at the New-York Historical Society. Picasso painted the stage curtain for the two-act ballet “The Three-Cornered Hat” (El sombrero de tres picos or Le tricorne). The ballet and curtain were commissioned by the impresario Sergei Diaghilev for his avant-garde, Paris-based Ballets Russes, the most influential ballet company of the Twentieth Century. For information, 978-388-0400 or www.mcinnisauctions.com.
Ty Cobb Baseball Card Defies Condition Issues To Hit $3,835
WORCESTER, MASS. – An auction of items from multiple New England states turned up estate jewelry, baseball cards and other sports cards, paintings, coins, sterling silver, a Matchbox car collection, Russian lacquer boxes, antiques and collectibles at Central Mass Auctions on June 16. A top seller was a Ty Cobb T206 Sweet Caporal baseball tobacco card. “The card sold for $3,835 despite some paper loss on the back of the card,” said auctioneer Wayne Tuiskula. For information, 508-612-6111 or www.centralmassauctions.com.
Documents Lead The Way In Skinner’s Manuscripts & Rare Books Auction
BOSTON – A trove of documents collected in the late 1930s from dealers Goodspeed’s in Boston and John Heise of Syracuse, N.Y., crossed the block at Skinner on June 3 and included a wide variety of interesting early documents spanning four centuries. A rare and well-preserved George Washington-signed Revolutionary War printed discharge form for a soldier in the 2nd New York Regiment (shown) sold for $18,750. The 1863 diary of Lincoln Ripley Stone, Surgeon of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, achieved $11,250. The 54th was one of the first all-Black regiments in the Union army. For information, 508-970-3293 or www.skinnerinc.com.
Asian Material, Modern Art Stand Out In Michaan’s Summer Sale
ALAMEDA, CALIF. – Top highlights in Michaan’s June 18 summer sale were many and ranged from choice Asian material to Modern art. A Chinese blue and white porcelain Yuhuchun vase on gilt-bronze base with Qianlong mark (shown) sold for $30,000, and a pair of Chinese iron-red and grisaille-decorated bowls, Yonzheng period, brought $19,200, while a screenprint in colors by Roy Lichtenstein (American 1923-1997), “Red Barn,” 1969, realized $30,000. For additional information, 510-740-0220 or www.michaans.com.
Munro Painting Captures Vibe Of Summer Living At Eldred’s
EAST DENNIS, MASS. – A painting by American contemporary artist Janet Munro, “Nantucket Ferry,” sold for $6,250 to an online bidder on an $800-$1,200 estimate at Eldred’s Summer Living sale on June 24. The charming oil on board, 18 by 24 inches, is a quintessential example of the artist’s naïve style and the casual, fun vibe of “summer living.” “This was a live auction, with online and absentee/phone bidding, and we were happy to have a good-size crowd for most of the day,” said the firm’s Cheryl Stewart. For information, 508-385-3116 or www.eldreds.com.
Baum Winter Mountainscape Highlights Scott Daniels Auction
STONE RIDGE, N.Y. – Scott Daniels presented an auction featuring selections from important estates on June 26, including midcentury furnishings and décor from a Berkley, Calif., estate to an eclectic collection from a producer. A highlight was “Winter Mountainscape,” an oil on board in blue tones by Walter E. Baum (1884-1956), which sold for $1,680. In a gilt frame and signed on the canvas by Baum, the painting measured 23½ by 17½ inches. Baum was an American artist and educator active in the Bucks and Lehigh County areas of Pennsylvania and was also responsible for the founding of the Baum School of Art and the Allentown Art Museum. For information, www.scottdanielsauction.com or 845-372-4787.
Three-Day Sale Series At Kaminski Posts Great Finale
BEVERLY, MASS. – Quite a Day 3 at Kaminski Auctions as its June 25-27 series of sales wrapped up with notable results for several lots. A lot of Flight, Barr and Barr Worcester urn, plates and dishes (shown) brought $35,000 from an internet bidder. Chamberlain’s Worcester porcelain table service sold for $12,000 to a phone bidder, and a Walpole family crest sterling silver flatware set was bid to $11,250 by an online buyer. Proceeds of all three lots go to Habitat For Humanity from the estate of the late Jonathan Seiburg of Lynn, Mass. For information, 508-367-4311 or www.kaminskiauctions.com.
Interest In Rafal Olbinski Is Strong At Shannon’s
MILFORD, CONN.- “The Turn of the Screw,” an oil on canvas by Polish American artist Rafal Olbinski (b 1943) sold for $26,000 at Shannon’s Online Fine Art Auction June 24. The work measured 30 by 22 inches and had been purchased from the artist by New York collectors. It was used as an illustration for the Cincinnati Opera. Olbinski’s other work in the sale, “Commitment,” came from the same collection, measured 30 by 20 inches, and sold for $24,700. For information, www.shannons.com or 203-877-1711.
Hook Robot Is Small But Mighty
HARRISBURG, PENN.- A Waco Hook robot, so named for the hook to the back of his head, sold for $6,600 at Cordier Auctions on June 26. Circa the 1950s, Hook robot is among the smallest Japanese friction powered robots and this example came with its original box. It was in good condition but with some wear to the bottom of the base and box. The present example is in the light blue variation. For information, www.cordierauction.com or 717-731-8662.
