PORTLAND, MAINE — Barridoff Galleries principal Rob Elowitch chuckled when checking record prices for James Fitzgerald (American, 1899–1971), whose “Saltin’ Mackerel aka Working Day, Monhegan” sold to a collector in the room on October 16 for $74,400. “It seems that the last auction record — $59,250 – was set by us in 2006,” said Elowitch. Signed “James Fitzgerald” lower left, the 30-by-40-inch oil on canvas is alive with workers and gulls amidst the rugged idyllic spot that has attracted artists, fisherman and visitors since the turn of the century.

A complete report on the sale will appear in an upcoming edition.