Antiques & Auction News 010816

Page 1

COMPLIMENTARY COPY

Modern Design Powers Palm Beach Modern Auctions

AAN Current News

Harry Bertoia Sculpture Formerly On View At Miami Bank Cashes Out At $112,500 FRIDAY JANUARY 8, 2016 • VOL. 47, NO. 2

A 15th-Century Shirt Of Chain And Mail Armor Sells For $2.3 Million If anyone has ever wonemployees go above and dered whether Rock beyond every day to make Island Auction sure that we stay the Company (RIAC) world’s #1 firearms knows how to end auction house,” said the year with a Hogan. RIAC has flair for the dramaintained that matic, the 2015 title for 12 consecD e c e m b e r utive years. P r e m i e r e Day one of the Firearms Auction sale started left no doubt. strong with a Before the sale host of held Dec. 4, 5, Winchesters flyand 6 began, it ing off the block had the makings such as the for a successful deluxe Winchester 1873 event. There were with vivid casehardenitems tied to welling in lot 8 that sold for known historical $86,250, far surpassing names, top condition The 15th-century shirt of its estimate of $65,000. guns, rarities and pro- chain and mail identified to Other popular genres totypes, seven excep- military powerhouse and enjoyed success as well. tional collections, and architectural patron Qaitbay, Lot 281 contained a over 3,000 collector Sultan of Egypt realized $2.3 stately cased and firearms. Though, even million. engraved John Rigby with all these pieces in side lever, double barrel place, few could have anticipated rifle that exceeded its $12,000 estihow the sale would result. Led by mate en route to a sale price of the $2.3 million dollar sale of a $27,500. A Kentucky rifle from the 15th-century Egyptian shirt of chain illustrious Piedmont collection proand plate, the auction achieved a vided a highlight when the Jacob realized total of nearly $15 million Dickert Lancaster Flintlock rifle with and pushed the 2015 sales of An Ulrich engraved and gold inlaid deluxe Winchester 1894 rifle from the Mac McCroskey collection sold for $207,000. the auction house to over $51 million. That figure is an industry record that bodes well for the firearms market as a whole. “It really comes down to our customers and our employees,” said director of auction services Kevin Hogan. “Our customers are extremely loyal. The consignors place a lot of trust in us to present their items well and to market them, and the buyers trust us to honestly represent thousands of the world’s top firearms. They can put that trust in us because our

The market for modern art and design was put to the test in a two-session sale held Nov. 21 and 22, at Palm Beach Modern Auctions (PBMA) and came through with flying colors and a $1.5 million total. The 700 presented lots attracted more than 125 guests competing onsite against five constantly engaged phone lines and an Internet console that buzzed with activity from start to finish. In all, more than 1,200 online bidders from 15 countries signed up for the event, which was PBMA’s largest ever. Afterward, purchases were shipped as far afield as Japan,

Australia and Chile. “There were strong sellthrough rates in virtually all categories, and prices realized were consistently high, both in the art and furniture sections of the sale,” said PBMA auctioneer and co-owner Rico Baca. “In the auction business, it’s

Results From Embassy’s Christiana Machine Co. Sale

Continued on page 3

on page 5

This Harry Bertoia double-sided metal sculpture, one of 10 commissioned by First National Bank of Miami, sold for $112,500.

always a case of supply and demand. Because there’s currently so much demand in the marketplace for premium-quality modern design, consignors to this sale felt confident about bringing us their best pieces.” Among those “best pieces” was a Harry Bertoia two-sided metal sculpture that was one of 10 commissioned by and displayed at the First National Bank of Miami. The work was also exhibited at Sotheby’s The George Nakashima “Minguren I” coffee table Feb./March 2014 event titled with 1973 receipt from the artist sold for $16,250. Continued on page 2

On Nov. 14, Embassy Auctions International, based in Kinzers, Pa., held a large sale for the Christiana Machine Company. An array of industrial artifacts and antiques, including a collection of work incentive posters, was sold. The posters from Mather & Co., Chicago, Ill., were from 1927. Over 150 lots were sold for a total gross of $59,000. Featuring wonderful graphics and slogans, and in good condition, the posters were a highlight of the sale. Located in Christiana, Pa., the machine company is one of the oldest continuous running factories in the country. It was established in 1833 as a foundry for various custom metal work. The captions tell more of the

Old State Theatre Antique Mall Announces Changes

Market-Defining Auction For Genre Fiction on page 11

Courtyard Light Show At The Emporium on page 8

January Sale At The Emporium on page 8

A “How’s Your Control” work incentive poster printed in 1927 by Mather & Co., Chicago, Ill., sold for $1,568.There is a healthy market for quality early 20th century illustrated poster art.

its distinct rattlesnake-shaped patchbox in lot 129 rang the bell at $25,000, ignoring its estimate of $16,000. Day one’s sales were certainly impressive and it started out strong, but the second day of auction would prove to be the one that no one in attendance will forget. Lot 1014, was a stunning Ulrich engraved and gold inlaid deluxe Winchester 1894 rifle from the legendary Mac McCroskey collection, that sold for $207,000. Four lots

This Willem de Kooning lithograph sold for $13,750 on page 2

In This Issue

Continued on page 2

This Jacob Dickert, Lancaster, Pa., flintlock rifle with its distinct rattlesnake-shaped patchbox sold for $25,000.

The “Are You Ready” poster sold for $1,512.

The “Leaders Get There” poster sold for $1,680.

SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 4 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 8 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7

FEATURED AUCTION: Swann Galleries - November 10, in New York City - page 11

AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 11


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.