Press & Announcements
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
CHICAGO – On May 3 and 4, Hindman Auctions’ Fine Books & Manuscripts sales realized more than $1.4 million. The Library of Jack Charles Davis, sold to support charitable institutions, was presented on May 3, and was followed by the Fine Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana auction on May 4. Lot 91 | Leon Battista Alberti. De re Aedificatoria. 1485. First Edition Of The First Printed Treatise On Archtecture Price Realized: $100,000 May 3 | The Library of Jack Charles Davis The Library of Jack Charles Davis sale doubled its expected estimate to achieve $718,750 across 424 lots, with works by Mark Twain and John Steinbeck emerging as the top lots. Attorney and philanthropist Jack Charles Davis was dedicated to promoting the economic and community development of his hometown, Lansing, Michigan. A collector at heart, Davis had deep interests in theater, existential philosophy, literature, architecture, art, history, and politics, each of which are reflected in his fine collection of books and manuscripts. Lot 79 | Samuel L. Clemens (“Mark Twain,” 1835-1910). The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. First American Edition, First Printing | Price Realized: $18,750 Bidders clearly saw the value in the collection, with the sale achieving an outstanding 98 percent sell-through rate. First editions of 19th and 20th century literature were among top performers, led by a first American edition, first printing of Mark Twain’s seminal The Adventures of Tom Sawyer from 1876 (lot 79), which sold for $18,750. Additional highlights included a first edition, first printing of John Steinbeck’s Cup of Gold (lot 288) which realized $18,750, against a presale estimate of $5,000-7,000; a first edition of T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land (lot 114), which soared past its estimate of $2,000-3,000 to achieve $17,500; and a first American edition of Ernest Hemingway’s In Our Time (Lot 178), which was Hemingway’s agent Curtis Brown’s copy, and sold for $17,500 compared to an estimate of $10,000-15,000. Lot 178 | Ernest Hemingway. In Our Time. New York: Boni & Liveright, 1925. First American Edition, Hemingway’s Agent’s Copy | Price Realized: $17,500 May 4 | Fine Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana The Fine Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana auction realized $687,663 across 313 lots, with especially strong results achieved for printed Americana. Leading the Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts session of the May 4th auction was the first edition of the first printed work on architecture, Leon Battista Alberti’s 1485 De re aedificatoria (lot 91), which realized $100,000. Alberti, architect of several important Renaissance buildings, began work on his treatise in the middle of the 15th century, and this incunable edition of his work was published by his brother after his death. Lot 329 | John James Audubon. Hooping Crane (Plate CCXXVI), Grus Americana | Price Realized: $56,250 The Americana session saw competitive bidding throughout, continuing to be a strong category for the department, and achieving notable results for a fine selection of John James Audubon engravings, nearly all of which were consigned by a Palm Beach collector and accounted for seven of the 15 highest prices of the auction. The Hooping Crane (lot 329) was the highlight of the collection, selling for $56,250, more than five times its presale estimate. A group of early maps of Virginia also brought strong results, with a copy of Captain John Smith’s important map of Virginia, published circa 1625 (lot 377) bringing $25,000, well above its estimate. Lot 377 | Captain John Smith. Virginia. [London ca 1625] | Price Realized: $25,000 “Competitive bidding in both auctions led to robust results in terms of both prices realized and sell-through rates and are evidence of a very strong market,” shared Gretchen Hause, Hindman’s Vice President and Senior Specialist of Book and Manuscripts. “In particular, we are incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to work on the sale of the Jack Charles Davis collection, the proceeds of which will fund community-based charitable giving, long a passion of Davis and his wife, Susan.” Overall, the two auctions had a combined 95 percent sell-through. Bidding for the auctions was available in-person, via telephone, online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room and additional online bidding platforms. All auction results for the May 3rd auction can be viewed here and for the May 4th auction here. Future Books & Manuscripts Auctions The Books & Manuscripts Department is looking forward to two American Historical Ephemera & Photography auctions this June in Cincinnati. On June 22, the department will offer American Historical Ephemera & Photography, featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann. An online-only sale of American Historical Ephemera & Photography will be offered from June 17 to 28. The next Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana auction will be held on November 8 and 9 in Chicago.
CHICAGO – An assortment of colored gemstone rings will be offered in Hindman’s May 17th Important Jewelry auction, highlighted by a rare 10.14 carat Padparadscha Sapphire, Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring. With a wide array of emerald, sapphire and ruby rings also included, this sale is ideal for anyone looking to elevate a collection with a sophisticated statement piece. Highly sought-after designers such as Cartier, Harry Winston, Oscar Heyman, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels will also be reflected in the offering. Padparadscha Sapphire, Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring A Padparadscha Sapphire, Pink Diamond and Diamond Ring (lot 220; estimate: $35,000 – $55,000) is among the exquisite lots. “Padparadscha” means lotus blossom, and these orangey pink sapphires are an uncommon type with their exceptionally distinctive color. Although these sapphires have been in-demand among jewelry collectors for some time, the gemstone has been more visible with notable figures such as Princess Eugenie receiving one as her engagement ring center stone. Emerald and Sapphire Rings & Brooches Lot 238 | Harry Winston, Jacques Timey, Colombian Emerald and Diamond Pendant/Brooch | Estimate: $35,000 – $55,000 A selection of emerald and sapphire jewelry will also be featured. The star lot of the group will be an Emerald and Diamond Pendant/Brooch, by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston (lot 238; estimate: $35,000 – $55,000) with a 7.30 carat Columbian emerald. Additional noteworthy offerings include an Antique, Diamond and Emerald ‘Toi Et Moi’ Ring (lot 26; estimate: $25,000- $35,000) and an impressive 22 carat Colombian Emerald and Diamond Ring (lot 110; estimate: $30,000 – $50,000). Lot 223 | Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring | Estimate: $40,000 – $60,000 Several sapphire rings will also be offered, highlighted by a Burmese Sapphire and Diamond Ring (lot 223; estimate: $40,000- $60,000). A Sapphire and Diamond Ring with a 10.12 carat sapphire (lot 83; $30,000 – $50,000), a Cartier, Sapphire and Diamond Ring (lot 197; estimate: $30,000- $50,00), a Sapphire and Diamond Ring by F.J. Cooper with a 7.42 carat sapphire (lot 234; estimate: $10,000- $20,000) and an Unheated Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond Ring (lot 279; estimate: $10,000 – $20,000) are also notable lots. Diamond Rings Lot 262 & 263 | Diamond Rings | Estimates: $150,000-200,000 and $90,000-110,000 Eye-catching diamond rings will also be among sale standouts. Two diamond rings, one round brilliant cut and one emerald cut, are among top highlights (lot 262 and 263; estimates: $150,000-200,000 and $90,000-110,000). Additional Top Lots Lot 198 | Oscar Heyman, Diamond and Colored Diamond Bib Necklace | Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000 The top lots of the auction include an Oscar Heyman, Diamond and Colored Diamond Bib Necklace (lot 198; estimate: $80,000 – $120,00) and a matching bracelet (lot 199; estimate: $25,000-35,000). A Colored Diamond and Diamond Necklace (lot 219; estimate: $70,000 – $100,000) and a Cartier Art Deco, Coral and Diamond ‘Flower in Hand’ Brooch (lot 35; estimate: $25,000 – $30,000) are also special offerings. How to Bid Bidding for the May 17th Important Jewelry auction will begin at 10am CT, and will be available in-person, via phone, and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room, and additional online bidding platforms. Additional information about the auction can be found via the website page and the catalogue.
CHICAGO – Hindman’s May 12th Prints & Multiples auction will include a remarkable session of modern and contemporary master prints. David Hockney’s Lithograph of Water Made of Lines (lot 77; estimate: $50,000-70,000), from his most sought-after series of prints, was created at the pinnacle of his print making career and serves as an anchor to the session that heavily features American and British Pop Art. Lot 77 | David Hockney, Lithograph of Water Made of Lines, 1978-1980. Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000 Dorothea Lange’s iconic photograph Migrant Mother, Nipomo California, 1936 (lot 179; estimate: $50,000-70,000) will be the focal point of the photography session. Among the most recognized images in the history of photography, this work has been reproduced countlessly, but only recently has the real story of this famous image come to light, inspiring everything from History Channel specials to museum exhibitions attempting to unravel the mystery of the seemingly simple image. Lot 179 | Dorothea Lange, Migrant Mother, Nipomo California, 1936. Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000 Additional highlights from the auction include prints by Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Frank Stella, Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, Jackson Pollock, Louise Nevelson, Francis Bacon, Alex Katz, and Roy Lichtenstein. Significant collections to be offered include property from the Estate of Richard Altermann, Santa Fe, New Mexico, The JFM Foundation Collection, Denver, Colorado, and The Estate of Leona Chanin. How to Bid: Bidding for the May 12th Prints & Multiples Auction will begin at 10am CT, and will be available in-person, via phone, and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room, and additional online bidding platforms. Additional information about the auction can be found via the website page.
CHICAGO – Property from the Collection of Richard D. Simmons (Alexandria, VA), the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Washington Post from 1981 to 1991, will highlight Hindman’s May 10th American and European Art auction. Simmons played an integral role in the development of the Post into one of the nation’s leading newspapers. Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s 1899 oil on canvas titled La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer, which will be offered with an estimate of $400,000-600,000, will headline the collection. This magical landscape is exemplary of Renoir’s work at the time, with its rapid brushstrokes and naturalistic representation of the coastline. The auction will offer over 100 paintings, works on paper and sculptures, with a strong selection of American and French Impressionist and Modernist works. Celebrated artists will include William Merritt Chase, Alfred Sisley, Robert Henri, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Montague Dawson, Wolf Kahn, Hale Woodruff, William Edouard Scott, Paul Klee and LeRoy Neiman. Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer Lot 10 | Pierre-Auguste Renoir, La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer Lot 10 | Estimate: $400,000-600,000 La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer (lot 10) is a quintessential example of Renoir’s landscapes, which illustrates his passion for depicting the south of France. Renoir first traveled to the region in 1882, to visit fellow artist and friend Paul Cézanne in Aix-en-Provence. His discovery of the region and its surroundings – including further south towards the French Riviera –had a strong impact on the artist’s palette and led him to employing a new range of luminous color tones. In these later years, Renoir devoted himself increasingly to landscapes, including experimenting more when depicting the countryside which offered him a greater ability to improvise. With its expressive brushstrokes and sparkling color, La Baie de Villefranche-sur-Mer is suggestive of the artist’s fondness for the region. The sun-washed view is woven loosely together with variegated brushstrokes to form a colorful pattern, in which the clustered dwellings are overwhelmed by the sweeping sky and exuberant, untamed vegetation. The warm tone and radiant light beautifully capture the lush, serene environment. The present view is an evocative example of Renoir’s landscapes of the French Riviera and demonstrates Renoir’s mastery at capturing the subtleties of natural light, a central tenet of Impressionism. Lot 58 | William Merritt Chase, A Road to the Sea (Shinnecock Bay) | Estimate: $150,000-250,000 Additional works from the Simmons collection include William Merritt Chase’s A Road to the Sea (Shinnecock Bay) (lot 58; estimate: $150,000-250,000) and Alfred Sisley’s pastel on paper La Seine à Saint-Mammès (lot 11; estimate: $50,000-70,000). Executed in 1902, A Road to the Sea (Shinnecock Bay) is one of many depictions Chase made of the sand roads of the Long Island region and perfectly captures a summer day and the artist’s en plein air style. Also on full display is Chase’s commitment to documenting the environment exactly as it was experienced, from the curving road that invites the viewer into the scene to the movement of the clouds. Montague Dawson Paintings Lot 50 | Montague Dawson, Onward-The Norman Court | Estimate: $50,000-70,000 The admired maritime artist Montague Dawson will be spotlighted through four of his paintings, three of which are from the Collection of James and Patrice Schoonmaker (Naples, Florida). The selection will be led by Dawson’s Onward-The Norman Court (lot 50; estimate: $50,000- $70,000) and The Surrender (lot 51; estimate: $40,000 – $60,000). Wolf Kahn Works Lot 80 | Wolf Kahn, Dark Beaver Pond | Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000 Bidders will also have an opportunity to bid on a wide selection of works by German-born American artist Wolf Kahn, with eight brilliant works by the artist. The top lots of the group are Kahn’s Dark Beaver Pond (lot 80; estimate: $30,000 – $50,000) and Pink Sky (lot 81; estimate: $20,000-30,000), with all being consummate examples of Kahn’s vivid, abstract landscapes. Hale Woodruff, William Edouard Scott and William Thompson Goss Paintings Lot 91 | Hale Woodruff, Windblown Trees | Estimate: $30,000- $50,000 Works by distinguished African American artists Hale Woodruff, William Edouard Scott and William Thompson Goss will be offered towards the conclusion of the auction. Known for his bold figurative style and murals, Woodruff also created stunning landscape paintings such as Windblown Trees (lot 91; estimate: $30,000-50,000) and Classical Landscape (lot 92; estimate: $30,000-50,000). Another respected muralist who was also known for challenging the standard depictions of African American life in the beginning of the 20th Century, William Edouard Scott’s works are also among notable offerings, such as his Haitian Scene, 1952 (lot 96; estimate: $5,000 – $7,000). How to Bid Bidding for the auction will begin on May 10 at 10am CT, and will be available in-person, via phone, Hindman’s Digital Bid Room and additional online bidding platforms. Additional information about the auction can be found via the website page and the catalogue.
Works from the wareHOUSE, Atlanta and Remarkable Works by John Craxton and Ed Clark are also Expected to Draw Significant Attention CHICAGO – Hindman’s May 11th Post War & Contemporary Art auction will feature two prominent deaccessions by Chicago Imagists Jim Nutt and Karl Wirsum from the Roger Brown Collection at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (New Buffalo, Michigan), being sold to support The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Scholarship Fund. A distinguished Chicago Imagist himself, Brown bequeathed his estate to his beloved alma mater SAIC, to serve as invaluable resources to students, alumni and the greater public at large in perpetuity. In addition to the deaccessions from the Roger Brown Collection, works released from the uniquely specific personal collection of John and Sue Wieland also known as the wareHOUSE will be available. The Wieland’s began collecting in the mid-1980’s and their collection, which now includes works by more than 350 national and international artists in an extraordinary array of variations on the themes of residences, architecture and dwellings, is displayed in Atlanta’s Westside District, appropriately in a 27,000 square foot warehouse. Rounding out the offerings in the auction are exceptional examples by Jean Dubuffet, Roberto Matta, Stanley Whitney, Larry Poons, Jules Olitski, Alexander Calder, George Rickey, William Turnbull and Harry Bertoia. Following the record-setting sale at Hindman in February of Gertrude Abercrombie’s The Dinosaur, four more equally compelling paintings by the artist will be offered, including a charmingly miniature work that was originally gifted to jazz icon and friend Dizzy Gillespie. A Pair of Works from the New Buffalo, Michigan Roger Brown Collection, Sold to Support the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Scholarship Fund Lot 6 | Jim Nutt, Do you See Something?, 1985 | Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000 Roger Brown was not only a world-renowned artist, but also an avid collector of works by his fellow Chicago Imagists along with folk and indigenous art, textiles, decorative arts and other genres. The complete collection at the Veronda Pavilion and Roger Brown Studio and Guest House in New Buffalo, Michigan encompasses contemporary art, tribal sculpture and textiles, folk art and works by self-taught artists, as well as pieces by Brown himself (SAIC website). Lot 7 | Karl Wirsum | Any One? Ten Is!, 1979 | Estimate: $30,000 – $50,000 The leading highlight from the wareHOUSE consignment is Thomas Ruff’s Substrat 9 III (lot 62; estimate: $50,000-70,000), a prime example of the artist’s innovative and boundary pushing photography. Another noteworthy piece from the collection is AfriCOBRA founding member Wadsworth Jarrell’s vibrantly eye-catching Cookin’ N Smokin’ (lot 17; estimate: $30,000 – $50,000). Lot 62 | Thomas Ruff, Substrat 9 III, 2002-03 Estimate: $50,000 – $70,000 The top lots to be offered in the auction are British ex pat painter John Craxton’s iconic Creten taverna scene Still Life with Three Sailors (lot 18; estimate: $150,00-250,000) and Ed Clark’s Creation (lot 65; estimate: $150,000- $250,000), a powerfully physical abstract, painted with a push broom, by an artist, once overlooked and now highly in demand. Lot 18 | John Craxton, Still Life with Three Sailors, 1982-1987 | Estimate: $150,000 – $250,000 How to Bid: Bidding for the May 11th Post War & Contemporary Art auction will begin at 10am CT, and will be available in-person, via phone, and online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room, and additional online bidding platforms. Additional information about the auction can be found via the website page and the catalogue.
Auction Featuring Surrealist, Outsider, Psychedelic, Street Art, Magical Realist, Avante Garde, Pop, Visionary and Activist Works Sees Tremendous Bidding Activity, Achieves $970,656 CHICAGO – An extraordinary surreal Gertrude Abercrombie painting set a new world auction record for the artist at Hindman Auctions on February 17 when it sold for $387,500. The 1964 oil on panel measuring 7 ½ by 9 ½ inches and entitled The Dinosaur was the highlight of Hindman’s Somewhere Out There auction, which featured incredibly one-of-a-kind artworks from the more “out there” regions of the imagination. Led by the Abercrombie piece, the auction achieved a total of $970,656, nearly tripling its presale estimate. “Gertrude Abercrombie was one of the artists that we had in mind for inclusion when we dreamt up this genre-spanning sale of enchantingly strange image-based narrative works,” shared Zack Wirsum, Hindman’s Senior Specialist for Post War and Contemporary Art. “This vision manifested to a powerful result, much like the ostrich egg that Gertrude’s sorceress subconscious made reality and she transmuted once again into this record-setting painting.” Lot 31 | Gertrude Abercrombie. The Dinosaur, 1964. Oil on panel. Price Realized: $387,500 With this carefully curated auction, Hindman offered a thematically consistent ensemble of a wide range of artists bridging the 1940s to now, satisfying the current market demand for high caliber work with visionary and fantastical approaches. Including but not limited to Surrealist, Outsider, Psychedelic, Street, Magical Realist, Avante Garde, Pop and Activist artworks, the sale saw inspired bidding at every price point and level of collecting. Gertrude’s Abercrombie’s The Dinosaur A brilliant Surrealist artist, Abercrombie’s work has only recently become celebrated on an international level. This work of a large ostrich egg and tiny dinosaur in a barren landscape is an iconic example of her painting, combining her distinctive simplicity with the personal references so characteristic of her art. Abercrombie claims that the ostrich egg came to her in a dream, as many of her subjects often appeared to her. Like the other recurring objects in her work (cats, owls, stoneware vases and compotes, gloves, bunches of grapes), the ostrich egg was a personal emblem that in some ways stood for the artist herself. Despite claiming that she had painted many ostrich eggs throughout her career, only two other works by Abercrombie have been identified that include this egg. The earliest example, a 1963 piece entitled The Ostrich Egg, currently hangs in the Illinois State Museum while the only evidence of the other piece is a photograph circa 1970 of Abercrombie working in her studio. The current location of the painting, however, is unknown. The Dinosaur is a beautiful example of Abercrombie’s late career work and shows her outstanding approach to composition that is not only flawless but smart, witty and thought-provoking. Additional information about the artwork can be found here. Additional Records & Highlights Hindman also set new auction records with the sale of Wesley Willis’s The Lakefront (lot 5), which sold for $4,375; Larissa Bates’s Sleeping Mother, Man with Lazar Beams, after Poussin’s Narcissus (lot 19), which realized $1,375; Kojo Griffin’s Untitled (Woman Reaching for Child, Woman in Background) (lot 23), which sold for $11,250; and for a work on paper by Miyoko Ito with Objects in the Nursery (lot 98A), which realized $2,500. Lot 52 | William Anastasi. Untitled (Bababad XI), 1988. Acrylic on canvas. Price Realized: $93,750 Standout lots from the auction also included William Anastasi’s Untitled (Bababad XI) from 1988 (lot 52), which climbed well pasts its estimate of $30,000-50,000 to sell for $93,750. Joe Coleman’sGive Me That Old Time Religion from 1995 (lot 17) was another top performer, and more than doubled its presale estimate to sell for $87,500. Works by self-taught painting virtuoso Joe Coleman seldom come up for auction, and this meticulously detailed and whimsical grotesque example by the dually challenging and awe-inspiring artist saw competitive bidding to match this rare acquisition opportunity. Coleman’s work has become highly coveted, with his client list including rock, movie and art star patrons. Lot 17 | Joe Coleman. Give Me That Old Time Religion, 1995. Acrylic on panel. Price Realized; $87,500 Extraordinary prices were also achieved for Yannis Gaïtis’s, My Side-Your Side (lot 41), which sold for 37,500 against a presale estimate of $15,000 – $25,000; Christian Boltanski’s Portrait of Young Girl Smiling (lot 176), which realized $21,250 compared to a presale estimate of $10,000-15,000; and Jiri Anderle’s Space and Time (lot 42), which sold for $12,500 against a presale estimate of $3,000-5,000. Lot 41 | Yannis Gaïtis. My Side-Your Side, c. 1977. Oil on wood on oil on canvas. Price Realized: $37,500 Hindman continued to show its strength in offering works by the Chicago Imagists. Gladys Nilsson’s Seams Strait (lot 110) was a crowd pleaser, exceeding its presale estimate to sell for $17,500. The title of this vibrant 1970 watercolor interestingly references the 1968 etching by husband and fellow Imagist Jim Nutt, seams straight. Lot 110 | Gladys Nilsson. Seams Strait, 1974. Watercolor on paper. Price Realized: $17,500 Bidding for the February 17th auction was available via phone, online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room and through other online bidding platforms. Additional information about the auction can be found here. Hindman continues to welcome consignments for its May 11th Post War & Contemporary Art auction.
Important, Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet from the Perry-Belmont Family Among Showstopper Lots Impressive Sapphire & Diamond Lots Also Among Highlights CHICAGO – On December 7, Hindman Auctions will present an Important Jewelry auction with stunning examples of rubies, sapphires, emeralds and colored diamonds. Festive jewelry that will be offered includes an impressive collection of pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels as well as jewelry by notable makers Cartier, Suzanne Belperron, Graff, Oscar Heyman, Seaman Schepps and Tiffany & Co. Important collections to be featured include jewelry from the family collection of Commodore Matthew C. Perry and August Belmont I, Property from the Collection of Maria Perry (Lexington, Kentucky), Property from the Collection of Barbara Kohl-Spiro (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) and Property from a Private Collector (Naples, Florida). Additional noteworthy lots in the final auction of the year for Hindman’s Jewelry & Timepieces Department are a collection of Rolex watches, Property from a Private Collector, Watertown, Wisconsin. An Important, Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet The standout lot of the December auction is an important, antique Burmese ruby and diamond bracelet from the Perry-Belmont Family in Brooklyn, New York (lot 121; estimate: $130,000-$330,000). The bracelet was owned by Caroline Slidell Perry Belmont, daughter of Commodore Matthew C. Perry and wife of August Belmont I. This exceptionally crafted bracelet has an intriguing history and has been in the possession of the family for multiple generations. Additionally, the details are striking – the bracelet contains two pear shaped unheated Burmese rubies and numerous old mine cut diamonds, hinged with a side clasp. Another special ruby lot that is expected to receive intense bidding interest is a rare unheated Burmese ruby and diamond ring (lot 122; estimate: $120,000 – $220,000). The ring contains one cushion cut ruby weighing approximately 4.00 carats and two trilliant cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.80 carats total. In Hindman’s May Important Jewelry auction, an important Burmese ruby and diamond ring achieved $287,500, and we are expecting to see similar excitement. Two Extraordinary Sapphire Rings Lot 53 | An Important Antique, Color-Change Sapphire and Diamond Ring, by Gillot. Estimate: $80,000 – $120,000 Impressive highlights also include a Tiffany & Co., Schlumberger, unheated Burmese sapphire and diamond ‘two bees’ ring (lot 204; estimate: $70,000 – $110,000). The ring features one cushion cut sapphire weighing approximately 9.50 carats and four marquise cut diamonds. The second ring is an important antique, color-change sapphire and diamond ring, by Gillot (lot 53; estimate: $80,000 – $120,000). It consists of an intricate handmade setting with engraved detail containing one oval cut color-change sapphire weighing approximately 20.50 carats. Two Fancy Yellow Diamond Rings A superb fancy intense yellow diamond ring by Cartier features one radiant cut, natural fancy intense yellow diamond weighing 9.07 carats, with trilliant cut diamonds on either side (lot 123; estimate: $200,000 – $250,000). The second impressive ring features a radiant cut, natural fancy yellow diamond weighing approximately 14.74 carats (lot 92; estimate: $175,000 – $275,000). Lot 123 & 122 | A Superb Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond Ring, by Cartier. Estimate: $200,000 – $250,000 & a Rare Unheated Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring. Estimate: $120,000 – $220,000 Additional Highlights Other ring highlights include an Art Deco, Colombian emerald and diamond ring (lot 29; estimate: $10,000 – $20,000) and an emerald cut diamond ring weighing 5.15 carats and of D color (lot 71; estimate: $70,000 – $90,000). The auction will also offer a stunning selection of signed bracelets and necklaces. One example is an Oscar Heyman & Brothers, yellow sapphire and diamond bracelet (lot 176; estimate: $25,000- $35,000). A Van Cleef & Arpels, emerald and diamond bracelet is another notable lot (lot 165; estimate: $15,000- $20,000). An Art Deco, diamond necklace (lot 52; estimate: $10,000 – $15,000) and an oval sugarloaf cabochon sapphire (lot 51; estimate: $15,000 – $25,000) are other fantastic selections. How to Bid Bidding for the December 7th sale begins at 10 am CT. Bidders will be able to participate via absentee bid, by phone, or live in-person or online through the Digital Bid Room, Hindman’s recently launched online and mobile bidding platform, and additional online bidding platforms. Preview of the auction will be available at Hindman’s Chicago office by appointment. Additional information about the sale can be found via the auction page and catalogue. Featured Image: Lot 121, A Superb Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond Ring, by Cartier. Estimate: $200,000 – $250,000 & a Rare Unheated Burmese Ruby and Diamond Ring. Estimate: $An Important, Antique Burmese Ruby and Diamond Bracelet. Estimate: $130,000 – $330,000
Exclusive Sea Silk, also known as Byssus, to be Spotlighted in Couture Sale Limited Material Important to Climate Change Dialogue CHICAGO – On December 1, Hindman Auctions will offer sea silk, a highly rare and coveted material, in a one-of-a-kind selection. Sea silk, also known as byssus, is a natural material with a distinctive glow, reminiscent of gold threads. The history of sea silk is complex, and the material has emerged as a critical part of the climate change dialogue as it is made of a type of mollusk that has been named an endangered species. Used since antiquity, the earliest example has been dated to the fourth century BCE, but it was likely used even earlier. Sea silk is so rare that, according to sea-silk scholars, only a small number of examples exist in museums and private collections, presenting buyers with a singular opportunity to acquire this highly sought after and elusive material. Lots 3 & 5 | Detail, Sea Silk Hat & Shawl. Estimate for hat/shawl: $4,000-6,000 / $6,000-8,000 The sale will offer a hat, shawl and pair of gloves made from knitted sea silk. The items are family heirlooms, which the owners date to around 1920, with a story that traces the items to southern Italy, one of the most important historic sources of sea silk. History of Sea Silk (Byssus) While silk for textiles is typically made by protein filaments produced by the mulberry silkworm, sea silk is made from protein filaments (also known as byssus) produced by the noble pen shell, or Pinna Nobilis, a mollusk found only in the Mediterranean Sea. These large mollusks can produce protein filaments that were historically harvested, spun and made into textiles or used for embroidery with a mesmerizing metallic sheen. Intense attention on byssus has developed over the past several decades and the term to indicate the filament from the Pinna Nobilis. The growing interest in the term stems from the fact that ancient references to the name, including in the Bible and Rosetta Stone, have been found to refer to a material of high status and diaphanous quality, but which was likely made of cotton or linen, and not the sea silk that comes from the sea. The term byssus started to be used for sea silk only during the 16th Century. The history of the use of sea silk is still being explored, and a project was launched in the 1990s to trace all known samples of sea silk in museums and private collections, and only less than one hundred objects were found to date. The sea silk hat, shawl and gloves that will be offered this December were not included in this survey, as they are new to the market. Lot 3 & 5 | Sea Silk Hat & Shawl Impact of Climate Change / Endangered Species The increasing attention that sea silk has seen is in part due to the dramatic reduction in the number of Pinna Nobilis mollusks, attributed to environmental changes in their habitat brought on by human activity. Although attempts to protect the species started in the 1990s, a 2016 parasite outbreak caused the death of 99% of Spain’s Pinna Nobilis population. Due to this ongoing ‘mass mortality event,’ the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species has included the Mediterranean Pinna Nobilis as a Critically Endangered species. The sea silk hat, shawl and gloves will be offered in the December 1st Luxe Holiday: Couture & Luxury Accessories auction. The sale will feature over 100 years of fashion and luxury accessories. From vintage Louis Vuitton trunks to Parisian haute couture, to the largest collection of Chanel clothing and accessories ever presented by Hindman, this auction has exceptional items for nearly everyone on your holiday gift list. Bidding for the December 1st auction will begin at 10am CT and will be available via Hindman’s Digital Bid Room, our online and mobile bidding platform. Additional information about the sale can be found on the auction page. Featured Image: Sea Silk Shawl & Gloves
CHICAGO – On May 4, Hindman Auctions will present Joan Mitchell’s Untitled, 1989 as the centerpiece of its Post War and Contemporary Art auction, where it will be offered with an estimate of $500,000-700,000. Executed during the later years of Mitchell’s career, this work is an outstanding example of her shift towards lush and transcendent painting. The softer strokes and sense of restraint in Untitled, 1989 contrast Mitchell’s slashing paint handling in earlier work, while still illustrating her singular vision and timeless approach. Untitled, 1989 is from a Private Collection (Atlanta, Georgia) and was purchased from Cheim & Read in New York in 2012. “We are thrilled to be offering this outstanding work as the focal point of this year’s May Fine Art auctions, especially with the premiere of Joan Mitchell’s major retrospective this September,” remarked Hindman’s Senior Specialist for Post War and Contemporary Art, Zachary Wirsum. “Mitchell’s work has seen intense interest at market over the past few years. We are looking forward to bidders’ response to this magical work, which is an incredible example of how her painting evolved.” Untitled, 1989 features vast created compositional space, which makes the work seem more vibrant than its size, 24 by 19 ¾ inches, might suggest. Through broadly applied blue and shadowy streaks of black and billows of white, the painting moves the gaze to landscape-like references that can be interpreted as the edge of a body of water in the lower right foreground and a pale green shore or horizon in the distant upper left. The depth and visual movement of the work is further accentuated by the varied decisive marks. This painting, like much of Mitchell’s later works, feels more emotionally connected than works from earlier in her career, and visually connects with Cy Twombly, Jackson Pollock, and Claude Monet. Lot 32 | Untitled, 1989. Joan Mitchell (American, 1925-1992). Estimate: $500,000-700,000 As a renowned female voice who gained recognition during the second wave of the Abstract Expressionist movement in 1950s New York, Mitchell resisted the understanding of abstraction as nonhierarchical flat overall painting and juxtaposed static structural elements with intense passages of colorful gestural improvisation. Mitchell worked in a variety of mediums throughout her career and is widely recognized as one of the most significant artists of the post war era. Mitchell has strong ties to Chicago as she was born and raised in the city and earned an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2018, Hindman set a global record for Mitchell’s Untitled (Pastel), 1991 when it sold for $1,212,500, which is the highest price realized at auction for a work on paper by the artist. Bidding for the May 4 Post War and Contemporary Art auction will begin at 10am CT, and bidders will be able to participate via absentee bid, by phone, and live online through the Digital Bid Room, Hindman’s recently launched online and mobile bidding platform. Additional details about Untitled, 1989 (lot 32) can be found here. For more information about the auction, please view the auction page and catalogue. The auction will take place on the second day of Hindman’s three days of Fine Art Sales from May 3 to 5.
Palm Beach Collections Sale Beats Estimates and Sees Strong Interest in Decorative Arts & Fine Art Categories PALM BEACH – Hindman is pleased to announce the success of its Palm Beach Collections sale. Bidders participating by phone, absentee bid and four online bidding platforms sent the January 25 and 26 auction sessions well past its low estimate to a total of $655,313. The Palm Beach team was thrilled to see such a strong start to its 10th anniversary year. The auction featured objects from the collection of Mrs. A. Edward Allinson of Palm Beach and Southampton, including a collection of paintings and watercolors by American female artists of the first half of the 20th century. The collection saw fantastic results in multiple categories. Outstanding results from the Allinson collection were seen in the sale of Jane Peterson’s artworks, with Peterson’s Along Water’s Edge (lot 116) selling for $22,500, more than seven times its estimate and resulting as the top lot of the auction. Tiger Lilies and Zinnias (lot 117) and Two Macaws (118) by Peterson also surpassed their estimates, realizing $10,000 and $5,120 respectively. Jane Peterson (American, 1876-1965) Along Water’s Edge watercolor and gouache signed LL 11 x 17 inches. Collection of Mrs. A. Edward Allinson Presale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000 Price Realized: $22,500 Strong interest was also shown in the decorative arts pieces presented from the collection. In particular, a Waterford cut glass eight light chandelier (lot 22) ultimately realized more than triple its presale estimate, selling for $13,750. A set of four Victorian silver figural salts by E & J Barnard (lot 23) also exceeded its estimate and realized $12,500. A 308-piece BR Hemple .800 silver flatware service (lot 33) also received great interest and sold for $11,250. An intricate Chinese brass-mounted gilt-decorated black lacquer cabinet (lot 6) also saw strong excitement from bidders and sold for $9,600 against a presale estimate of $5,000 – 7,000. Other top performers included Hunt Slonem’s Untitled (Parrots) (lot 243) which sold for $15,000 against a presale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000. Alexander Liberman’s Svet II (lot 245), a mixed media construction on masonite, realized more than four times its presale estimate, selling for $13,750. Margaret Patterson’s Cottage on Sunny Hillside (lot 111) ultimately realized $8,750, more than four times its presale estimate. For the next Palm Beach Collections sales on March 2 and 3, Hindman will collaborate with guest curator and respected Palm Beach interior designer Guy Clark. Additional celebrations will be held throughout the year in honor of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Palm Beach office.
Hindman’s Post War and Contemporary Art Auction Broke Firm’s Record for Top Lot Sold at Auction CHICAGO – Alexander Calder’s standing mobile, Triple Cross, 1947, more than tripled its pre-sale estimate on Thursday, October 1 in Hindman’s Post War and Contemporary Art sale in Chicago. The work was one of two offered at auction by one of the most the revolutionary artists of the 20th century in Thursday’s sale. Triple Cross, 1947, held a pre-sale estimate of $600,000-$800,000, and set a record for the highest sale price in the Chicago auction house’s 38-year history. “Triple Cross is an early example of Calder’s work and has excellent provenance, which certainly contributed to the strong price the work commanded today,” said Joe Stanfield, Director of Fine Art for Hindman. “This record price for Hindman exemplifies the strength of the market despite this tumultuous time and we were thrilled to see this work sell so well this week in Chicago.” Calder’s instantly recognizable kinetic sculptures revolutionized three-dimensional art in the early 20th century. In 1926, the young artist began a seven-year sojourn in Paris, where he absorbed European Modernism and was particularly influenced by the biomorphic forms, flat planes, and primary colors used by Piet Mondrian and Joan Miró. Calder used these motifs to invent his own artistic language, constructing sculptures brimming with dynamism and vibrancy. Triple Cross exudes a whimsy that belies its sophisticated construction. One of Calder’s standing mobiles, it reflects the artist’s training as a mechanical engineer, as well as his use of humble materials such as sheet metal and wire struts. A long thin rod balances on top of the swooping foundation and forms the basis of a chain-linked system of smaller rods. Biomorphic, metal shapes are attached to the terminal points of the rods and carefully counterbalance each other. The black base, all angles and curves, is a solid contrapuntal to the colorful, quivering construction that rests on top. It is also worth noting that this sculpture does not bear the artist’s trademark CA monogram having been created during a younger, more idealistic period when Calder felt the work itself to be signature enough. The sculpture received immense presale interest with numerous international bidders on the phone vying for the lot on auction day. The Calder was a part of the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, the only daughter of legendary St. Louis artist Fred Conway. Crancer and her husband were avid supporters of the art community in St. Louis and were incredible collectors. Another Calder, Petit poteau jaune (Little Yellow Post), 1963 (Lot 62) from the Crancer Estate was also sold in the October 1 auction. This work was offered with a pre-sale estimate of $200,000-300,000 and sold for $432,500.
October Auction Follows Enormous Success of Spring Timepieces Sale
“The September Sale: Fall Fashion & Luxury Accessories” presents 253 lots of vintage and contemporary fashion and accessories from the turn of the 20th century to today. The property in this auction was gathered from around the United States, from New York to Los Angeles and from Palm Beach to Chicago, including rare items from collectors and family archives. The online catalogue is now available In addition to contemporary luxury accessories, this auction holds one of the very first “it bags”, with a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk (Lot 232) from the early twentieth century. While most Louis Vuitton trunks provide space for the transport of folded clothing and accessories, this trunk, known as the “Wardrobe Trunk”, also provides space (complete with Louis Vuitton-marked wooden hangers) for hanging clothing and comes with six drawers. The oldest clothing items in this auction were made by Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) in the early twentieth century and include the designer’s famous “Delphos” (Lot 5) and “Peplos” (Lot 6) dresses in fine pleated silk. From 1927 comes another rare example of fashion history in a purple leather coat (Lot 1) made by the French Haute Couture House of Callot Soeurs. The coat, along with three other items in this auction (Lots 2-4), are all from the 1920s and 30s and are brought to auction by a descendant of the wearer. The auction also holds designs from an extensive list of contemporary fashion designers, such as Oscar de la Renta, Vivienne Westwood, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons, Gianfranco Ferre, Dennis Basso, Valentino and many others. Ralph Rucci is the designer with the most items in this auction, including 17 items (Lots 68-75) from Chado Ralph Rucci, which was introduced in 1994. Contemporary and vintage luxury accessories, including many that were never used, form a major part of this auction. Many of today’s hottest brands are included: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Fendi. Some of these items date back to the 1970s and include iconic styles, such as Chanel’s Classic Flap Bags and monogram canvas from Louis Vuitton. Hindman’s Couture and Luxury Accessories department will host one more Couture auction this year, scheduled for December 11, 2020. View the catalogue here.
Auction House Continues Trend of Successful Spring Jewelry and Timepieces Auctions CHICAGO – Hindman’s May 14th Fine and Important Jewelry Auction realized over $1.8 million in 330 lots. The sale was held remotely, bringing together telephone and online bidders from across the globe. The sale offered jewelry sourced from numerous estates and collections from across the country. Pieces by well-known, trusted houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. achieved strong results overall. Signed, wearable pieces of jewelry were in high demand, and brought top prices. Pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels sold especially well with the Diamond and Sapphire ‘Feuilles’ Bracelet and Brooch (lots 139 & 139A), the Amethyst and Pink Sapphire ‘Hawaii’ Convertible Set (lot 137) and the Ruby and Diamond Earclips (lot 42), each exceeding their high estimates. The auction’s top lot, an oval brilliant cut diamond weighing 10.17 carats, realized $137,500 against a presale estimate of $70,000-90,000. This desirable oval shape, as well as the covetable size contributed to strong interest among bidders. Diamonds in general held their own against pre-sale market uncertainty, with certified diamonds in the sale selling at 87% overall. The auction boasted an extraordinary example of Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Jewelry as well. The Tiffany & Co, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Art Nouveau, Topaz, Emerald and Polychrome Enamel Necklace (lot 81) was one of the main highlights of the day, and a collector’s piece rarely seen at auction. Competitive bidding among seventeen bidders and four online bidding platforms contributed to the exceptional result, finally selling for six times the estimate, realizing $60,000 over a presale estimate of $10,000-15,000. Brooches were also in high demand, as examples by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels realized strong prices. An exquisite En Tremblant Diamond Flower Brooch (lot 167) soared over its presale estimate of $7,000-9,000, realizing $35,000 among strong presale interest and numerous bidders on the telephones. A Cartier, Art Deco Diamond and Rock Crystal Brooch (lot 51) and a Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly Brooch (lot 158) doubled their presale estimates, each selling for over $8,000, against presale estimates of $4,000-6,000. “We were delighted by the successful remote execution of our Fine & Important Jewelry auction, and by the remarkable results the sale delivered,” shared Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. “Our buyers responded to what was a well-curated sale of beautiful jewelry. We were thrilled to see such a high level of engagement and to deliver such strong results to our consignors.”
CHICAGO – Hindman saw stellar results from the remotely executed Fine Timepieces auction held on Wednesday, May 13th. The 71 lot auction realized over $600,000, surpassing the high estimate and selling 100% of the lots included in the sale. Building on the success of Hindman’s remotely executed auctions in March and April, this sale generated high engagement from remote bidders participating over the telephone and across all four online bidding platforms. “We were thrilled to see such a fantastic response to the fine timepieces we offered at auction on Wednesday. The success of this sale continues the trend of incredibly successful online and remotely executed live auctions at Hindman,” shared Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. “Over the past few months, we have seen a very high level of engagement from existing collectors as well as new clients – bidders are actively seeking quality property and really taking advantage of online platforms and phone bidding.” Prominent brands, like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier continued to bring exceptional results with multiple lots selling near or over the high estimates. The top selling lot of the sale was a Patek Philippe REF. 5980-1 ‘Nautilus’ wristwatch in 18 karat rose gold with diamonds and a mother-of-pearl chronograph subdial. This timepiece realized $75,000 surpassing its presale estimate of $60,000-70,000. A Franck Muller ‘Double Mystery” wristwatch in white gold and diamond inlays graced the cover of the auction catalogue and was a top seller at $27,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000. A Cartier ‘Tortue XL’ wristwatch in 18 karat white gold with diamond inlays was one of many exciting results of the day selling for $60,000, three times its high estimate. Bidders were enamored with the 164 baguette cut diamonds inlayed in the bezel and dial of this remarkable modern example of Cartier’s legendary model. The top Rolex of the day was a platinum ‘Cosmograph Daytona’ wristwatch (lot 66) REF. 116506. This example of the iconic Rolex featured an ice-blue dial with center sweep seconds, chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and a chestnut brown bezel. The watch easily beat its presale estimate of $30,000-40,000 selling for $58,880. Other highlights from the auction included a highly sought-after Patek Philippe REF. 5711/1A-010 stainless steel ‘Nautilus’ wristwatch that sold for $55,000; a Rolex ‘Black Zebra Datejust’ wristwatch REF. 116199 in 18 karat white gold that realized $27,500; and a Cartier ‘Clé de Cartier Panther Décor’ wristwatch in 18 karat white gold with diamond inlay which sold for $25,600. Hindman is now welcoming consignments for its next Timepieces Auction, October 6, 2020. For more information, visit HindmanAuctions.com.
Strong Sales from Online Jewelry Auction Confirm Virtual Bidders are as Active as Ever CHICAGO – Internationally recognized art auction house Hindman Auctions realized top prices on Tuesday, March 31st during the Essential Jewelry sale. Sourced from private collections and estates from across the country, the online auction sold over 90% of the 444 lots of contemporary, period and antique jewelry offered for sale. Securing over $423,000 in total sales, against a pre-sale estimate of just over $368,000, Tuesday’s auction confirmed online bidding continues to be a powerful avenue for selling jewelry. Signed, wearable pieces yielded strong results including a pair of Lalaounis, Yellow Gold Octopus Earclips which realized $2,530 against an auction estimate of $700-900. Additionally, a Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold and Diamond Cat Brooch sold for $2,400 against a pre-auction estimate of $300-500. The auction also boasted the sale of a Diamond, Jade and Ruby Butterfly Brooch with a presale estimate of $500-700, and sold for over $3,200 and a pair of Seaman Schepps Shell Earclips estimated at $700-900 which realized $4,800. “We are all navigating this uncertain time together and today we were thrilled to achieve such strong results for our consignors and were equally happy to see our buyers as active as ever,” reported Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. Hindman looks forward to continued spring sales, with a full auction schedule including Fine Timepieces on May 13, Fine & Important Jewelry on May 14, and Essential Jewelry on May 15.