SKINNER SETS SEVEN NEW WORLD RECORDS
IN MARCH AUCTION OF PAINTINGS & PRINTS
BOSTON, Mass. - March 13, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner held a highly successful auction of American and European Paintings and Prints on March 3rd, marked by a full gallery of bidders, more absentee bids than at any of its previous sales, and a gross of over $2.6 million - a figure well over the high end of expectations. Highlights included several record-breaking paintings, led by the unsigned work, The Frigate U.S.S. Congress at Sunset, Possibly Boston Harbor by William Bradford that set a record for an unsigned work by Bradford when it sold to a telephone bidder for $457,000. Also breaking record ground were Venetian View by George Loftus Noyes (lot 576) that sold for $56,400, and Midsummer by Melbourne H. Hardwick (lot 377) that went to a telephone bidder for $49,938 following avid bidding against absentee and other telephone bidders. Other record breakers included Suncook River, New Hampshire by Leon Foster Jones (lot 470) that sold for $21,150, Figures on a Shore by David Kindleberger (lot 410) that realized $19,975, The Old Fisherman by Ross Moffett (lot 636) that reached $18,800, and Old Houses, Stroud Water, Maine by Walter Griffin (lot 474) that went for $17,625.
Prints
The auction featured a broad and interesting range of prints and related material. Among the highlights, Pablo Picasso's Picador Debout Avec Son Cheval (lot 155) sold for $8,225, and two ceramic objects by the artist, Still Life and Bunch (lots 157 and 158) sold for $6,463 and $8,225 respectively. Zinnias (lot 7) and Our Own Garden (lot 8) by Gustave Baumann realized $6,463 and $4,406. The sale also offered a large group of etchings by Frank Weston Benson, led by Bound Home (lot 11) that sold for $9,988, Dory Fisherman (lot 22) that realized $6,463, and Pintails (lot 10) that went for $3,760. Also included was an extensive offering of 21 etchings by Anders Zorn, topped by Reading (lot 217) that reached $2,350, and Before the Stove (lot 219) that brought $1,528.
Paintings
A fine group of still lifes in the auction was led by William McCloskey's Peaches (lot 383) that sold for $116,000. Table Top Still Life with Bird attributed to John D. Graham (lot 700) ignited competition between two telephone bidders, ultimately selling for $64,625. Lacquer, Silk and Celadon/A Still Life with Zinnia, Dahlia and Cosmos by Laura Coombs Hills (lot 616) realized $35,250, Still Life with Apples, Peaches, and Melon by Peter Baumgras (lot 345) sold for $32,900, and Zinnias (lot 628) by Jane Peterson went for $11,163.
Cityscapes featured Midtown Winter by Guy Carleton Wiggins (lot 563) that went for $32,900, and Arthur Clifton Goodwin's Mount Vernon Street, Boston and Boston Public Garden, (lots 562 and 480) that brought $15,275 apiece. Topping the landscapes in the sale, Barbizon Landscape attributed to Laszlo de Paal (lot 354) sold for $23,500, and two works by Aldro Thompson Hibbard, After the Rain (lot 500) and View from My Studio (lot 500A), brought $17,625 each.
Several paintings in the auction had been deaccessioned from museum collections. From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, highlights included the previously mentioned Hardwick, the Jones, and the Griffin, as well as Vesper by Jonas Lie (lot 552) that garnered $88,125, Lady of Clan-Care by Louis Kronberg (lot 595) that sold for $23,500, Ballet Girl Against the Light, also by Kronberg, that went for $23,500, and Preparing for the Pageant by William Baxter Palmer (lot 597) that brought $10,575. From the Fuller Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts, the sale offered a group of paintings by Gerrit Beneker, including Concaneau, Brittany (lot 579) that sold for $7,050, and Bill Rollins, Engineer (lot 634) that reached $3,408.
Also featured was pug artwork from the estate of a renowned philanthropist, equestrian, and canine advocate, which included the 19th century British School Jimbo, Cherie, Salembo, Chloe, and Topsy/A Pug Group Portrait (lot 660) that sold for $11,163, Kitty/A Portrait of a Pug on a Tufted Cushion by John Charlton (lot 662) that went for $5,288, and the 19th century British School Two Resting Pug Pups (lot 664) that garnered $7,050. Other animal portraiture included the 20th century American School Curious Kitty (lot 672) that realized $1,998, and Carlo/A Portrait of a Seated Dog by Scott Leighton (lot 671) that brought $1,175.
Additional Highlights
Sculpture in the auction was led by Goliath Heron by Paul Howard Manship (lot 441) that sold for an impressive $94,000. Additional highlights in the sale covered a range of styles and periods, including Guglielmo Zucchi's A Serenade (lot 348), that drew international competition, bringing a final bid of $41,125. Edmund C. Tarbell's The Flowered Hat (lot 606) reached $35,250, Epic Equestrian Battle in the manner of Jacques Courtois (lot 307) realized $28,200, and On the Bayou by Alice Ravenal Huger Smith (lot 493) sold for $23,500. Xavier Bueno's Boy with a Rooster (lot 706) and Fernando Zobel's Abstract Composition (lot 707) each sold for $22,325. Two works by Russian artists drew markedly stiff competition, resulting in Barns attributed to Vladimir Feodorovitch Stozharov (lot 499) selling for $17,625, and the 20th century Russian School At the Gates of the City (lot 586) selling for $16,450. Rounding out the selections, Thomas W. Bretland's horse portrait, Catton (lot 317) garnered $15,275, Welding by Gerrit A. Beneker (lot 638) sold for $15,275, On the Beach by Jane Peterson (lot 534) brought $14,100, and Three-Day Guests at Wellesley College by William Baxter Palmer Closson (lot 599) reached $14,100.
The auction closed with a group of cartoons and illustration art. Cartoons ranged from I Toss This Booma-Rang/A Krazy Kat Cartoon by George Joseph Herriman (lot 749) selling for $3,290, to the Hanna-Barbera Studios The Jetson Family (George, Jane, Judy, Elroy and Astro) in Their Car (lot 755) going for $999. Illustration art featured the 20th century American School Scotland Yard (lot 745) that went for $2,703, and Fore! The American Girl to All the World attributed to Charles Dana Gibson (lot 744) that realized $823.
Upcoming Auction and Website Information
Skinner's next auction featuring American and European paintings will be held in Boston on May 19, 2006. A complete list of prices realized at the March 3rd auction is available at
www.skinnerinc.com. For more information, call 978-779-6241, or visit
www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
