November Outsider Art Auction Mixed

by Marty Steiner

In many ways, folk art and outsider art sales are just like any other art auctions. The established and recognized artists reach and hold their premium prices. Only occasionally does one see a "bargain" in this part of the market.

The remainder of the folk art market represents an opportunity for collectors of any means to find material to suit their tastes and budget. With the continual discovery of new artists and a broadening awareness by collectors and interior designers, many of today's moderate purchases could become the darlings of the future. Where else can you purchase art at auction from $5 to $16,500?

The Slotin folk art auction of November 13-14, 1999, moved to a new home in Buford, Georgia, about 30 minutes north of Atlanta. One advantage of this move was a full week of previews. The two-day sale featured almost a thousand lots. Auction catalogs are a strong element of every Slotin sale; every lot is pictured, many in color.

Lots are grouped by medium. Canes and walking sticks, pottery, anonymous works (frequently vintage), quilts, and African-American items led off. A dozen canes and walking sticks ranged in price from $27.50 to $275 (including buyer's premium). South Georgia artist O.L. Samuels's bird head cane sold for $27.50 (est. $100/200). Another Samuels cane with a carved and painted image of a man and a donkey atop a two-legged shaft on a carved boot base brought $165 (est. $300/400). Carl McKenzie canes ranged from $49.50 (est. $200/300) for a black snake cane to $275 (est. $200/ 300) for a yellow and brown snake cane.

The most interesting cane, also the sole cane to exceed its estimate, was by Z.B. Armstrong and sold for $247.50 (est. $100/ 200). It utilized a railroad spike as the handle and had a marker-decorated wood shaft.

Four Michael and Melvin Crocker pottery lots caught my eye. A set of four bean pots of graduated sizes decorated with farm scenes brought $330 (est. $300/500); a four-gallon decorated crock, $247.50 (est. $300/ 500); a realistic-looking rattlesnake perched to strike, $275 (est. $400/600); and an unusual face jug, $137.50 (est. $200/300).

Whimsical images included three by Albert Hodge, including Santa Claus (est. $250/350) and Uncle Sam (est. $300/400) at $192.50 each, and a 9 inches Mamie for only $88 (est. $200/300). Other potters represented included the Hewells of Georgia, Marie Rogers, and Jim Bozeman.

Maine decoy artist Jay Adams had four 1970's duck decoys, all estimated at $100/200, that brought from $49.50 to $60.50. An anonymous maker's tray with nine shorebirds brought $275 (est. $200/400), and a carved and painted tree with seven birds brought $330 (est. $300/400).

There were two carved horse and wagon pieces; one brought $137.50 (est. $100/200), and the other, with a driver, $165 (est. $500/700). A bottle-cap snake sold for $137.50 (est. $150/250), and an old bottle-cap chain, 12é4 inches long with 32 links, fetched $247.50 (est. $200/400).

Fabric offerings included three hooked rugs and seven quilts. A rug from South Dakota made of women's nylons was a bargain at $71.50 (est. $200/300), and a traditional floral pattern rug sold for $165 (est. $200/300). A wonderful Noah's ark by Dorothy Strausser, wife of folk art collector Sterling Strausser, brought $467.50 (est. $300/500). Four of the quilts were identified in the catalog as African-American: a geometric quilt top, $82.50 (est. $200/300); a feed bag Red Bird quilt, $357.50 (est. $400/800); an intricately pieced South Carolina quilt with family provenance, $467.50 (est. $400/800); and a large colorful cross pattern, $137.50 (est. $300/500). An old Georgia pink dogwood quilt in mint condition sold for $247.50 (est. $400/800).

Slotin believes his is the nation's first and only auction house dedicated solely to folk and outsider art. This is not a-sale-a-week operation. Steve and Amy Slotin work hard to gather a wide variety of works for only two sales a year.

This sale grossed around $500,000. Steve Slotin observed, "One of the reasons that this auction was so successful is because we were able to bring together all of the popular folk art forms under one umbrella. We have broadened the horizon of what people want to collect, thus shaping what is truly important in this important field. Another reason people turn to Slotin Folk Art Auction is because we scour the nation to bring the best self-taught art to the auction block. We are the only auction hall consistently offering museum-quality self-taught art pieces."

The Slotins also produce Folk Fest, an annual show that features galleries and dealers from across the country and a few from outside the U.S. That event is scheduled for August 18-20.

For more information, call Slotin's at (770) 932-1000.