Aficionados of art of the American West convened on July 26 for the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction held at the Grand Sierra Resort. About 178 works were auctioned, for a total of just under $37 million, breaking last year’s record of $35 million.
As happened last year, the top lot was by Charles M. Russell (American, 1864‱926). “The Hold Up,” 1899, a 30-by-48-inch oil that was deaccessioned from the Amon Carter Museum; it sold to a private US collector for $5,167,000, making it the second highest price paid at auction for a Russell.
“We also set a record, by a long shot, with a bronze by Russell,” said Mike Overby, a co-owner of Coeur d’Alene, “and it was to the same collector.” Completed in 1924, “Meat for Wild Men” is 11½ by 37½ inches, and it sold for $4,047,000.
Between 700 and 800 people turned out for the auction and Overby estimated that between 450 and 500 of them were bidders. Several other bidders from around the world participated by telephone.
Prices given include the buyer’s premium. There will be a complete roundup of the auction in a future edition. For information, 208-772-9009 or www.cdaartauction.com .
