Stories for March '20
(Fragment)Fairhaven Antiques Festival Resurrected
After an eight-year hiatus, the Fairhaven Antiques Festival will return to southwest Ohio this year. Under the management of Katherine Bovard, the popular event will be held Thursday and Friday, June 4 and 5.
Founded in 1975, the annual show was originally managed by the Fairhaven Dealers Association. Built on a ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)The Met Acquires David Drake Storage Jar
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has purchased a stoneware storage jar by the enslaved black potter and poet David Drake (c. 1801-1870s). Made at the Stony Bluff Manufactory pottery site in Old Edgefield District, South Carolina, in 1858, the alkaline-glazed vessel is signed, dated, and inscribed by Drake. There are ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Gun Dealer Tony Wilcox Charged with Larceny
A former Warrenton, Virginia, business owner has been charged following a joint investigation by the Warrenton Police Department and the Virginia State Police. The Warrenton police began the investigation upon receiving a complaint after the business owner moved to another state.
Anthony “Tony” Wilcox, 53, of Leola, Pennsylvania, has been charged ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Ohio Country Antiques Show Changes Owners
The Ohio Country Antiques Show has been sold to promoter Jennifer Sabin. The event will become part of the Heartland family of shows. The change took place in January.
Bruce Metzger of Queen City Shows, Cincinnati, Ohio, founded Ohio Country, which began as an annual event in April 2005. Held at ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)$10,000 Reward Offered for Long-Lost Well of the Scribes
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered to anyone with information leading to the recovery of sections of the long-lost sculpture Well of the Scribes, which disappeared from the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library 50 years ago.
The 1926 bronze fountain went missing from the Central Library in ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Letter from London
This month’s “Letter” begins with a return to Madame de Pompadour’s boudoir but then moves on to look at such fun attractions as upside-down dinner plates, silver pigs, and a mummified cat.
An ancient lion hunter, a North American Indian chief with the less than flattering title of “Flat Mouth,” and ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Good or Good Enough
The Young Collector
Normally, sitcoms are light, fluffy palate cleansers or heartwarming relatable family stories. We take refuge in one most nights before bed, sort of as a way to rid ourselves of everything else we’ve heard or read during the day, and we’ve discovered that The Good Place is a ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Spring Fox Valley Antiques Show Canceled
The calendar had barely passed January 2020 when the Chicago Suburban Antiques Dealers Association (CSADA) decided to cancel the March 14 and 15 spring Fox Valley Show in St. Charles, Illinois. Fox Valley is thought to be the longest-running antiques show in the country, and the spring event was to ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Rufus Porter’s Curious World
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Brunswick, Maine
At age 92, while visiting his son in West Haven, Connecticut, a still vigorous Rufus Porter died suddenly on August 13, 1884. The New Haven Evening Register reported, “The funeral of Rufus Porter, the aged inventor, who died yesterday at the hospital, took place ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Kochan Joins Morphy Auctions
James Kochan has been appointed to the position of specialist for Morphy Auctions’ Americana, early arms, and militaria division. He will also be involved in the curation and cataloging of American manuscripts and fine art.
Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions, said in a press release, “He is one of the ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Riding a Tailwind
The Americana market is gathering strength. That’s our conclusion following Americana Week in New York City.
There were lower prices—sometimes far lower—on many exceptional objects that have crossed the auction block recently, and some examples that were not of high merit seemed to go at bargain prices.
Both Sotheby’s and Christie’s racked ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Exhibitions, March 2020
Christine Merrill, Foxhounds in a Kennel, oil on canvas, 42" x 60".
—Through March 6 —New York City
The William Secord Gallery is hosting a show of dog paintings by Christine Merrill in Christine Merrill, The Royal Breeds. The exhibition is a tribute to the breeds owned by the British royal family ... (Read More)
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(Auction)The Singh Sale of Americana
Sotheby’s, New York City
The Singh Sale of Americana
by Lita Solis-Cohen
Photos courtesy Sotheby’s
Dr. Arun Singh was born in India in 1944, overcame childhood hand injuries and undiagnosed dyslexia, and went to medical school. When he traveled to America in 1967 to continue his studies, he had only a few dollars in ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Hicks’s Peaceable Kingdom Brings $4.575 Million
Christie’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Christie’s
At Christie’s on January 24, Edward Hicks’s Peaceable Kingdom, estimated at $1.5/3.5 million, sold for $4,575,000 (includes buyer’s premium) to an anonymous collector; a Newport mahogany dressing table attributed to Christopher Townsend was bought by the Chipstone Foundation in Milwaukee for $81,250 (est. $20,000/40,000); the ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)2020 Wunsch Awards
Surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues, Maine Antique Digest’s senior editor, Lita Solis-Cohen, was presented with the 2020 Eric M. Wunsch Award for Excellence in the American Arts at a reception at Christie’s in New York City on January 22. It is the eighth year that the Wunsch Americana Foundation ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)"Becoming America" Launched at American Folk Art Museum
On January 21 the American Folk Art Museum in New York City hosted a reception to celebrate the publication of Becoming America: Highlights from the Jonathan and Karin Fielding Collection of Folk Art. The 264-page tome with 271 color illustrations chronicling the Fieldings’ American folk art collection will be available ... (Read More)
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(Auction)The Outsider Art Fair 2020
New York City
Collectors at different levels were given an opportunity to view and buy art—paintings, sculptures, mixed media, ceramics—at the 28th edition of the Outsider Art Fair, and they did so with gusto.
The four-day show, held January 16-19 at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street, has been managed for ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Christie’s Outsider Art Auction
Christie’s, New York City
Photos courtesy Christie’s
Christie’s January 17 Outsider art auction, held the morning after the opening of the Outsider Art Fair, was a celebration for collectors and dealers and for curator Cara Zimmerman, head of sale.
The sale, which offered 129 lots, totaled $3,312,125 (including buyers’ premiums), with a 98% ... (Read More)
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(Show)Washington Winter Show Celebrates American Icons
Washington Winter Show, Washington, D.C.
The annual Washington Winter Show of antiques and fine art was held January 10-12 at the Katzen Arts Center on the campus of American University in Washington, D.C. This year marked the 65th edition of the show and the tenth year that it was held at ... (Read More)
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(Fragment)Ron Bourgeault Honored in Boston
Historic New England’s elegant event “My Favorite Things” celebrated Ronald Bourgeault for his lifetime of contributions to American decorative arts in a gala evening on January 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. Over 200 guests arrived for cocktails and dinner to toast and roast Bourgeault.
The man of the ... (Read More)
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(Auction)A New Year, a New Decade, and a Lot More Old Stuff
Robert L. Foster, Newcastle, Maine
It’s a new year and a new decade, and there’s lots of old stuff to go. Robert Foster broke the New Year’s ice with his traditional January 1 auction in Newcastle, Maine, just as he’s done for the last several decades since taking over his father’s ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Native American Art
Bonhams, Los Angeles, California
Photos courtesy Bonhams
A Navajo blanket (the catalog cover lot) and a Plains muslin painted with ledger drawing-like figures of a Sun Dance scene were the stars of the December 16, 2019, auction at Bonhams in Los Angeles. Department director Ingmars Lindbergs told M.A.D. that at 190 lots, ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Illustration Art at Swann
Swann Galleries, New York City
Photos courtesy Swann Galleries
Swann Galleries offered 277 lots of illustration art in its December 10, 2019, auction. Categories included advertising and design; theater and fashion; children’s book and magazine illustration; general book and magazine illustration; sports, action, and adventure; comics, cartoons, and caricatures; and The New ... (Read More)
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(Issue Story)Top Results in Antique Jewelry at John Moran Auctioneers
Antique Jewelry & Gemology
John Moran Auctioneers, Monrovia, California, wrapped up its 2019 season with a fine jewelry and timepieces auction on December 10, 2019. Collectors “vied for a glittering selection of jewels and gems. Signed pieces, good gems, and important jewels proved ever popular with the audience,” according to a ... (Read More)
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(Auction)American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionism
Freeman’s, Philadelphia
Photos courtesy Freeman’s
Freeman’s December 8, 2019, American paintings sale was a good barometer of the market.
Romare Bearden’s “New York Scenes” provoked the most spirited bidding. The set of 23 watercolors on paper, some with pencil and collage, each signed in pencil, the largest 11?" x 9¼", sold with buyer’s ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Art & Design with Tradition & Innovation
Toomey & Co., Oak Park, Illinois
In December 2018 as Toomey & Co. in Oak Park, Illinois, introduced a new “Tradition & Innovation” sale, vice president and senior specialist John Walcher explained the thinking behind the move: “We saw a need for more curation regarding the market and trends as a ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Antique Toys and Other Amusements
Pook & Pook, Inc., and Noel Barrett Antiques and Auctions Ltd., Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Photos courtesy Pook & Pook, Inc., and Noel Barrett
On December 7, 2019, along with the usual fare of playthings from the past and holiday decorations, Noel Barrett and Pook & Pook offered a collection of Coney Island, Atlantic ... (Read More)
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(Auction)It was First, Second, and Third for North Carolina Furniture at Mebane
Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, Mebane, North Carolina
Photos courtesy Mebane Antique Auction Gallery
As expected, the Mebane Antique Auction Gallery was packed on December 6, 2019, for Jon Lambert’s annual Americana and Continental sale. This sale topped the year-end “to do” list for 150 area antiques dealers, collectors, Mebane auction regulars, and ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Scrimshaw and More at Thanksgiving Sale
Marion Antique Auctions, Marion, Massachusetts
Photos courtesy Marion Antique Auctions
Local estates and collections are reliable components of the biannual sales by Marion Antique Auctions in Marion, Massachusetts, and they draw good crowds to the auction hall. The Thanksgiving sale on November 30, 2019, presented fine objects to a crowd.
Attendance was slightly ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Thanksgiving Americana
Garth’s Auctions, Columbus, Ohio
Photos courtesy Garth's Auctions ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Two Art Auctions
Bonhams, Los Angeles, California
Photos courtesy Bonhams
In this one story M.A.D. is covering two Bonhams auctions in Los Angeles on November 25, 2019: the sale of the Eddie Basha collection of Western American art, and Bonhams’ traditional California and Western art auction. San Francisco specialist Aaron Bastian said the two auctions ... (Read More)
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(Auction)The Louisiana Purchase Auction: Magnificent Portrait Closes 2019 with a Flourish
Neal Auction Company, New Orleans, Louisiana
The Neal Auction Company in New Orleans wrapped up its 2019 activity with its most important sale, the Louisiana Purchase Auction. Held this time on November 23 and 24, 2019, the annual event traditionally focuses on regional material, both historical and contemporary. These consignments are ... (Read More)
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(Auction)A Grand Old Flag: The Stars and Stripes Collection of Dr. Peter J. Keim
Freeman’s, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Photos courtesy Freeman’s
The largest collection of historic American flags ever offered at auction was scheduled to be the first sale at Freeman’s new Philadelphia gallery at 2400 Chestnut Street on November 24, 2019. The city of Philadelphia’s building inspector held up permits, so the flags that were supposed ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Casco Bay Closes Out Its First Calendar Year
Casco Bay Auctions, Freeport, Maine
It was a small auction, only about 220 lots. But on November 23, 2019, it came near the end of the first calendar year in business for auctioneer Andrew Davis and his Casco Bay Auctions in Freeport, Maine. Davis reported that he was satisfied with the ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Masterworks of American Craft
Rago Arts and Auction Center and Wright, Lambertville, New Jersey
Photos courtesy Rago Arts and Auction Center and Wright
Rago Arts and Auction Center and Wright’s first co-branded “Masterworks of American Craft” sale offered 43 lots on Friday morning, November 22, 2019, at Rago’s salesroom in Lambertville, New Jersey. A few days ... (Read More)
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(Show)Salon Art + Design
New York City
The eighth edition of Salon Art + Design was held November 14-18, 2019. The show “tweaked a few things” this time around yet continues to offer visually appealing, and in some cases arresting, works of art and design from a range of time periods and cultures.
The show welcomed ... (Read More)
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(Auction)Stuckey Stoneware
Davies Auctions, Lafayette, Indiana
A selection of Upton Stuckey stoneware, made in Loogootee, Indiana, in the second half of the 19th century, highlighted a consignment sale held by Davies Auctions in Lafayette, Indiana, on November 16, 2019. Prices for four marked examples ranged from $825 to $2860 (including buyer’s premium).
The pottery ... (Read More)
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(Auction)American History
Cowan’s Auctions, Cincinnati, Ohio
Photos courtesy Cowan’s Auctions
Believed to be the earliest known image of American slaves with cotton, a quarter-plate daguerreotype discovered in Texas and subsequently traced to a family of Georgia slave owners sold for $324,500 (including buyer’s premium) against an estimate of $100,000/150,000 during the American history sale ... (Read More)
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