Brunk Premier and Emporium Auctions
February 4-5, 2022
Asheville, North Carolina
www.brunkauctions.com  

ASHEVILLE, N.C.— Referred to as one of the greatest etchers of the Twentieth Century, Louis Orr (circa 1876-1966) was a prolific American artist known for his mastery of etching and capturing architecture. Though he spent much of his time living and working in France, Orr took on many projects in the United States, including what would become one of the most significant of his career: a series of 51 etchings of North Carolina subjects.

In 1927, during his time in Paris, Orr became acquainted with Robert Lee Humber, a North Carolinian lawyer and business executive with an interest in the arts, who proposed to the artist his concept for a project of 51 etchings depicting historical sites, buildings and landmarks throughout the state of North Carolina. Humber’s vision was to preserve the heritage of the state in the hand of a master artist, and hoped to ensure that even institutions of limited means could afford the finished works. After several years of deliberation, in June of 1939 Orr finally agreed to take on the project, and spent the next 12 years dedicated to capturing the architecture and geography of the state. Most of the nearly 8,000 etchings produced were sold in albums of five, while 91 complete sets were purchased — several of which are held by various Southern museums, libraries and universities.

Brunk Auctions is pleased to present the North Carolina series in its entirety, along with the original copper and steel plates, in its upcoming Premier and Emporium Auction this February 3-4. For more information, www.brunkauctions.com or 828-254-6846.

Important European, American, Old Master, Western, Art Nouveau, Art Deco Furniture, Paintings, Silver, and Fine Rugs
828.254.6846 • info@brunkauctions.com
Old Master and 19th Century Drawings from the collection of Claude Sterling, Former Curator, The Louvre, including Böckler, Hüet, Constantin, Vernet, others
Buccellati Sterling Octopus Seafood Bowl
German School Portrait Nobleman, wearing a ruff collar, white sash over armored breastplate
Rare Edition “Les Cuivres de Rembrandt” complete set of 80 etchings
Collection of Prominent Signatures including Chas. Chaplin; Thos. A. Edison; Queen Victoria; Winston Churchill
Italian School Bronze Portrait Bust of a Saint
Jean Dufy Le jardin des Tuileries (J. 978)
Johann Ulrich Mayr Man with a Golden Necklace and a Talon
Purse, an allegory of greed Édouard Vuillard
Bateau à l’ancre (Boat at Anchor), 1908
An Important and Extensive Collection of Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Arts and Crafts, and Related featuring Louis Majorelle (7), Jules Leleu (2), Alexander Noll, Eugene Gaillard (2), Loetz (37), Tiffany (14), Galle, Dirk van Erp (5), Emile Muller, Daum (13), Edgar Brandt, Lalique (5), Baccarat, and others
Otto Sommer The Bear Fight, 1864
After Lambert Sustris Venere nuda distesa con Mercurio e Cupido sullo sfondo del paesaggio
Studio of Anthony Van Dyck Portrait of King Charles I
Online catalog at BrunkAuctions.com
VAAL 2908001063
NCAL 3095