Auction highlights for our December 17, 2021 issue lead with a dozen Ward Bennett library chairs in good condition, crossing the block and closing at $11,213. Fox and Crane Online Auctions’ sold a 40½-by-30-inch oil on canvas, that was estimated at $1/5,000, for $21,600. A Rolex Daytona “Big Red” cosmograph watch left the gallery at $84,700. Read on to get your fix of auction results.

Dozen Ward Bennett Library Chairs Leads At Public Sale

HUDSON, N.Y. – A large set of 12 ebonized oak chairs brought the top price at Public Sale Auctions’ November 20 sale when they closed at $11,213. The chairs were made by Ward Bennett Designs for Brickel after a design for the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, Texas. In generally good condition with minor use-wear, the auction catalog had estimated them at $800-$1,600 and suggested their use for an office, library or even a large dining table. For information, 518-966-7259 or www.public-sale.com.

Russian Modernist Painting Soars For Fox & Crane

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. – The leading lot in Fox and Crane Online Auctions’ November 20 sale of Ephemera, Art and Antiques “from Manhattan to Woodstock” was an untitled nude in a blue palette by Russian artist Oleg Nikolayevich Tselkov (1934-2021), which achieved $21,600. Described as in “as found estate condition,” the 40½-by-30-inch oil on canvas had been estimated at $1/5,000. For more information, www.foxandcraneonlineauctions.com or 845-234-0083.

Furniture Strong At Old Kinderhook’s Live & Live-Streamed Auction

VALATIE, N.Y. – Antique furniture put in a strong showing at Old Kinderhook Auction Company’s November 30 “Happy Thanksgaveling” sale. “It was great,” said the firm’s co-owner Errol Farr. “Almost no lots passed and the action on the lots was great.” Farr said it was the first resumption of a live auction since the Covid pandemic and the first live-streaming event on LiveAuctioneers. A set of 14 Lancaster Windsor chairs by D.R. Dimes of Northwood, N.H., in black crackle finish sold for $5,000. They were branded on the underside with maker’s mark and featured maple turnings, oak bendwork and pine bodged seats. The same amount was achieved by a massive and solid tiger maple banquet dining table. For information, www.oldkinderhookauction.com.

Early American Photographic Portrait Sells At Auction As Part Of Archive Realizing $300,000

CINCINNATI, OHIO – On November 15, Hindman Auctions sold one of the earliest photographic portraits taken in America as part of a collection of photographs that realized an impressive $300,000. The archive was purchased by a Midwestern museum. The daguerreotype portrait of Henry Fitz Jr was taken in January 1840. Offered in the Henry Fitz Jr Archive of Photographic History, the photographs were recently “rediscovered” after lying for 87 years in an unheated shed in Peconic, N.Y. The cache included photographs of Henry Fitz Jr (1808-1863) and his family taken between 1840 and 1842 as well as early telescopes and other optical devices. For information, 312-447-3271 or www.hindmanauctions.com.

‘Big Red’ Rolex Winds Up In The Black At Kodner Galleries

DANIA BEACH, FLA. – Estate jewelry, art and collectibles were the draw at Kodner Galleries on December 1. Notable among the blue-chip timepieces on offer was a Rolex Daytona “Big Red” Cosmograph watch, which left the gallery at $84,700. The stainless steel bracelet watch with a white dial, automatic self-winding movement and 40mm case was deemed by the auction house to be in very good condition. For information, 954-925-2550 or www.kodner.com.

Ralph Lauren Wingback Chairs Fly For Auction Barn

NEW MILFORD, CONN. – A pair of vintage leather wingback armchairs, made by Ralph Lauren, was the top lot in the November 29 sale at The Auction Barn. Found in a storage warehouse and estimated at $800-$1,200, the gently worn pair featured a tufted back and brass tack trim. A trade buyer on the West Coast won the lot, taking them to $2,250. For more information, 860-799-0608 or www.theauctionbarnct.com.

Tiffany Bracelet Leads A Whole Lotta Bling At Benefit Shop Foundation

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. – After conducting her inaugural holiday jewelry auction last December, Pam Stone, owner of the Benefit Shop Foundation, was gratified by the results and feedback she got from buyers. She knew she wanted to do another, and after an outpouring of jewelry and fashion donations from estates over the last six months, she presented a holiday jewelry and designer fashion auction on December 2. Featuring nearly 700 lots of jewelry, designer fashion and accessories, the auction covered a broad array and was led by a Tiffany bracelet that sold for $4,800. Featuring a diamond cut curd link chain with hallmarked clasp, links measuring 10mm wide and a length of 7¾ inches, the bracelet came with a Tiffany & Co. velvet pouch. For information, 914-864-0707 or www.thebenefitshop.org.

Portrait Flag Flies High In Heritage Political Americana Auction

DALLAS – An outstanding Henry Clay portrait flag sold for $47,500 to lead Heritage Auctions’ December 4-5 Americana & Political Signature® Auction. The flag, which measures 24¾ by 25¾ inches, includes a sepia tone portrait of Clay in the canton, surrounded by 26 stars. An American attorney and statesman from Kentucky who served in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, Clay was the seventh House Speaker and the ninth Secretary of State and received electoral votes in the 1824, 1832 and 1844 elections. He is credited with helping to found the National Republican Party and the Whig Party. It was the top lot in a sale that totaled $522,996. For information, www.ha.com.

‘Rocky’ Script A Knock Out At Julien’s

LOS ANGELES – The original handwritten Rocky script by Sylvester Stallone sold for $437,600 at Julien’s Auctions on December 5, offered in a 500-lot single owner sale from the actor, screenwriter and director’s collection. The script was offered inside of a 1970s-era Mead brand spiral-bound notebook. Rocky was Stallone’s breakout film, the first major film he ever acted in or sold as a screenwriter, which went on to win the 1976 Academy Award for Best Picture. For information, www.juliensauctions.com or 310-836-1818.