Press & Announcements
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
Important Civil War Letter from Lee to Grant Leads Hindman’s May 7 Auction An important letter from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to Union General Ulysses S. Grant leads an impressive selection of autographs in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ May 7 Fine Books and Manuscripts auction. The letter, dated February 21, 1865, Richmond, Virginia, discusses their agreement to begin exchanging prisoners until one or the other party has been exhausted of them. The letter from Lee to Grant ($40,000-60,000) is one of 118 lots of historical, musical and literary autographs opening the May 7 auction, largely from Chicago-area private collections. In addition to examples from Louis XVI, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Verdi and Charles Dickens, the session includes two letters from Abraham Lincoln ($15,000-25,000), Thomas Jefferson ($6,000-8,000) and another from Robert E. Lee as superintendent of West Point ($10,000-15,000). The sale will feature a total of over 400 lots, including a number of important architectural books, John James Audubon prints, modernist and surrealist art and literary publications, and a small session of memorabilia. Highlights include a first edition of Colin Campbell’s tome, Vitruvius Britannicus ($20,000-$30,000), Herman Melville’s Moby Dick ($8,000-12,000) and Audubon’s Great Northern Diver ($10,000-15,000) and Black-Throated Diver ($8,000-12,000). Auction Schedule Fine Books and Manuscripts 1338 West Lake Street Chicago, Illinois 60607 Thursday, May 7 | 12 PM CT Preview Schedule Sunday, May 3 – Wednesday, May 6 Contact Kathryn Coldiron 312.334.4231
Eclectic Collectors and Loyal Fans Flock to See Auction of Oprah Winfrey’s Property The auction of Property from the Oprah Winfrey Collections was held on April 25 at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers after a week of preview parties, fan admiration and media buzz surrounding the sale of property from Ms. Winfrey’s Water Tower apartment in Chicago. Days leading up to the sale, endless foot traffic busied the exhibition floor of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers in Chicago. Curious faces and intrigued collectors peered into glass cases, surveyed the walls and wondered what furniture arrangements Ms. Winfrey would have had in her own home. Camera crews from major news networks lit up the scene, capturing shots of the formal, the personal and the unpredictable items once owned by the global icon. On auction day, April 25, over 550 lots were up for sale, ranging from fine art to impressive party provisions to clothing worn on The Oprah Winfrey Show. With something for everyone, the sale had nearly 800 participants from 10 different countries with an active audience of bidders on the live, online bidding platforms, LHLive and Bidsquare. In addition to online bidders, the Chicago based auction house witnessed an influx of eager buyers and spectators in the saleroom. Many out of town guests traveled both near and far to participate in the sale. One participant traveled from San Francisco to partake in her second auction to date, coming in on a red-eye with hopes of securing items from the Property from the Oprah Winfrey Collections. Another fan from the west coast came into town for a chance to land one of the couture pieces worn by Ms. Winfrey on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Collectors from downstate Illinois drove up to inspect the Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica collection, which they placed winning bids on for both the luncheon and salad plates, selling together for $17,000. Highlights of the sale included a Danish parcel gilt pine tall case clock that sold for $8,750 against a presale estimate of $3,000/5,000 and a pair of Biedermeier parcel ebonized walnut side chairs that sold for $5,250 against a presale estimate of $2,000/4,000. The Jorg and Olif Bicycle, estimated at $200/400, sold for $875. An additional highlight was Hovsep Pushman’s Little Mother, which sold for $45,000. Leslie Hindman took to the podium as the sale’s first auctioneer and later went on to say, “We were thrilled to handle property from the Oprah Winfrey collection. It brought both new and experienced buyers together to raise money for a good cause.” The sale grossed nearly $800,000. Proceeds from the auction will benefit The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, supporting the continued education of students from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ summer Arts of the American West auction, June 4 and 5, will include over 500 lots of Navajo textiles, pueblo pottery, Western paintings and decorative arts and Southwestern jewelry. The property being offered will represent private collectors and estates from across the country, including collections from the now defunct Two Rivers Gallery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. The sale will include a live and online only sessions. Among the highlights is a Western Apache figural basket ($1,500/2,500) and a collection of five McKenney & Hall portraits from History of the Indian Tribes of North America, 1836-38, hand colored lithographs ($1,500/2,500). Fine art is well represented in the summer auction and is led by Allan Capron Houser’s (American, 1914-1994) Dance of the Mountain Spirits, bronze, which is estimated to sell for $10,000/15,000 and Charles Partridge Adam’s (American 1858-1942) Lizard Head Peak, watercolor and gouache, which carries a presale estimate of $3,000/5,000. Other highlights include Gustav Baumann’s (American 1881-1971) Apple Blossoms, woodblock ($3,000/5,000); William Sanderson’s (American, 1905-1990) Clouds, oil on canvas board ($4,000/6,000) and Dan Namingha’s (American, b. 1950) Hopi Symbolism #1, 1996, acrylic on canvas ($5,000/7,000). Additional artists represented include Peter Hurd, Gerald McCann, James Kivetoruk Moses, Jose D. Royal, Birger Sandzen, Harry J. Schaare, Fritz Scholder, Jose D. Roybal, Olaf Wieghorst, Robert Wood and others. The Southwestern jewelry session offers several pieces by Edison Begay including silver and turquoise decorative boxes and jewelry. Of note: a Hopi 14K gold, silver and lander or red mountain turquoise pendant depicting a Kachina figure by Watson Honanie ($800/1,200); a silver and turquoise concha belt by Frank Patania Jr. ($1,500/2,500) and a Preston Monongye tufa cast belt buckle ($4,000/6,000) depicting a Kokopelli on a highly textured tufa-cast ground with turquoise cabochon. The jewelry session also has works by Frank Dishta, Harvey Begay, Rick Morrow, Effie Calavaza and others. Two Rivers Gallery was owned and operated by Douglas Kenyon from 1992- 2006 in Steamboat Springs. Featured in the auction is a selection of after L.A. Huffman handcolored reproduction photomurals. Laton A. Huffman was a post photographer at Fort Keogn in the Montana Territory in 1879. For the next 35 years, with a crude homemade camera, he became a frontier photographer capturing everyday life in the West. His iconic images depict cowboys and Plains Indians living and working, documenting the untamed Western landscape. These images will be of interest to private collectors and Western designers looking for quintessential cowboy imagery. In a similar vein, also available are Audubon prints, McKenney & Hall prints, hand-colored photo reprints of Western scenes, movie posters, folk art and a collection of original black and white contact prints by contemporary Western photographers. Auction Arts of the American West Thursday, June 4 | Denver Preview Friday, May 29-Wednesday, June 3 | Denver
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is pleased to announce a single-owner auction of property belonging to Ms. Oprah Winfrey. The auction will be conducted on April 25 in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Chicago saleroom. The auction is comprised of over 500 lots and includes English, French and Continental furniture and decorative arts, paintings, prints, drawings, porcelain, crystal, silver, memorabilia, clothing and accessories. The majority of the collection is property from Ms. Winfrey’s Water Tower apartment. Proceeds from the auction will benefit The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, supporting the continued education of students from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa, as they continue their education at universities in South Africa and a range of prestigious American institutions such as Stanford University, Spelman College, Smith College, Brown University and others. “Oprah’s acumen as a media icon and businesswoman has been an inspiration for millions. Perhaps even more inspiring is her dedication to altruistic endeavors, built on the foundation of sharing her success to better the lives of others,” said Leslie Hindman, founder of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. “On a more personal level, I have long revered Ms. Winfrey as a collector. I once met with Ms. Winfrey in 2003, and we discussed my perspectives and advice regarding collecting. It was immediately evident that she had extensive market knowledge and had made it a priority to form relationships with dealers, collectors and industry contacts to make informed decisions regarding acquisitions.” Leslie Hindman (pronounced “Hi-ndman”) Auctioneers is pleased to offer some of these unique items from Ms. Winfrey’s time spent in this great city during the Property from the Oprah Winfrey Collections auction to take place Saturday, April 25. Auction Property from the Oprah Winfrey Collections Saturday, April 25 Preview Thursday, April 16-Friday, April 24
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts sale to include collection from The Toledo Museum of Art as well as antiquities from the Estate of John Harney of St. Louis, Missouri. A Louis XVI console desserte once in the collection of Baron Alphonse de Rothschild will be offered at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts auction to take place on April 29 and 30. The console ($30,000/50,000) is attributed to Bernard Molitor and was acquired by The Toledo Museum of Art in 1967; it had previously belonged to Baroness Clarice de Rothschild, to whom it was returned after its confiscation by the Nazis in 1938. The console is one object from The Toledo Museum of Art being sold for the benefit of the museum’s art acquisition fund. Also included is a pair of Italian Renaissance style cassoni ($20,000/40,000), a pair of 18th century northern European chandeliers ($10,000/20,000 each), French, English and Continental furniture and a group of bronze works from the Chiurazzi Foundries. The Chiurazzi foundries were established in 1840 by Gennari Chiurazzi, an apprentice of Pietro Masulli, a Neapolitan sculptor who copied ancient works of art. The foundries flourished in the late 19th century through the end of the Second World War. The April auction also includes a group of antiquities from the Estate of John Harney of St. Louis, Missouri. Harney ran his family’s design firm, Warfield Inc., for most of his life and traveled extensively while furthering his knowledge of history and design. Included in his collection is a Roman marble torso depicting the waist and parts of both legs ($8,000/12,000), a Roman marble Ionic capital ($3,000/6,000), a marble head of a young satyr ($1,500/2,500) and other objects. Highlights of property from various owners include English and Continental furniture, decorative arts, rugs and carpets and bronze sculpture, among them a Frederick William Macmonnies figure of Diana ($8,000/12,000) and a replica of Laocoön and His Sons cast by the Barbedienne foundry ($6,000/8,000), among others. Auction Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, Including Objects from The Toledo Museum of Art Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30 Preview April 25-28 Image Captions A Pair of Italian Renaissance Style Parcel Gilt Walnut Cassoni, $20,000/40,000 (Toledo) Roman Marble Torso, 1st century A.D., $8,000/13,000 (Harney) A Louis XVI Gilt Bronze Mounted Mahogany Console Desserte, $30,000/50,000 (Toledo)
Collection of Interiors Master, Lars Bolander, Draws International Designers to Leslie Hindman Auctioneers On March 21 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers sold the collection from Lars Bolander’s Bamboo Hill home in Palm Beach, Florida, drawing enthusiastic bidding from designers and collectors alike. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Dixie Highway saleroom was filled to capacity on Saturday morning, packed with local admirers of Swedish designer Lars Bolander’s unique Anglo-Nordic style. Bidders from around the world participated as well, inspired by the many tastes of the renowned designer who amassed much of his collection through extensive travel over the last four decades and nearly doubled the pre-sale high estimate. The most desired items in the sale were decorative arts and furniture of primarily French and Swedish origin, in addition to the traditional and contemporary designs throughout the collection. Burmese, Thai and other wooden and terra-cotta figures of monks and deities also drew vigorous interest. Top lots sold include a pair of Venetian terra cotta busts that brought $25,000 against their $15,000/20,000 pre-sale estimate. The kitchen table at Bamboo Hill, a Continental Walnut Refectory Table, brought $12,500 (estimate $800/1,200). A portrait of Elizabeth I by an unknown artist drew competitive bids, realizing $10,625 against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000/6,000. A pair of Italian Marble Urns also sold well, drawing a bid of $21,250 (estimate $5,000-7,000). After many years of having a showroom on “Antique Row” in West Palm Beach, Mr. Bolander has decided to sell his nearby home and personal treasures in order to establish residence elsewhere. A preview party was held on March 19 in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Palm Beach saleroom. The exhibition for the auction was designed by Mr. Bolander himself, who relished seeing his collection
Single-owner sales at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers bring important American and contemporary artworks to spring fine art auction schedule. During its spring fine art auction season, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will be handling two significant single-owner collections that will be incorporated into both the American and European Art sale on May 20 and the Post War and Contemporary Art sale on May 21. Highlights of the American and European Art sale include an important Precisionist work by the American artist Ralston Crawford, Pennsylvania Barn, 1937 ($200,000/400,000) as well as American Impressionist Charles Courtney Curran’s Peach Blossoms, 1891 ($50,000/70/000) and Still Life, 1924, by Modernist Preston Dickinson ($50,000/70/000). A notable selection of European paintings is also on offer, including Frederico del Campo’s Venice Waterway, Emilio Sanchez Perrier’s Alcalà de Guadaira and a watercolor by Paul Signac, titled Le Port de St. Servan. Property from the collection of Carol H. and Richard M. Levin will be included in the American and European Art sale. Mr. Levin, a Kansas City native, began collecting in the second half of the 20th century. He collected with a connoisseur’s eye and put an emphasis on acquiring paintings that paid homage to American roots. This evening sale, comprised of 34 works of art, will feature prominent American artists including works from Ashcan School painters best known for portraying city and modern life of the early 20th century in rejection of the more genteel, polished movements of the time. These artists include members of “The Eight,” such as Robert Henri, William James Glackens, Everett Shinn, George Benjamin Luks, Arthur B. Davies, Ernest Lawson and John French Sloan. Other movements represented in the sale include, Social Realism, American Modernism and American Impressionism. American Regionalism is well represented by five works of art by Thomas Hart Benton. Highlights from the collection include Robert Henri’s Bridget Lavelle, 1926 ($400,000/600,000), Charles Burchfield’s Basswood Tree in Winter, 1948 ($80,000/120,000) and John Steuart Curry’s Self Portrait, 1946 ($40,000/60,000). Also in the sale are three studies, a lithograph and a painting by Thomas Hart Benton, including Discussion, 1967 ($200,000/400,000) and Study for Flood Disaster (Homecoming – Kaw Valley), c. 1951 ($120,000/180,000). Another single-owner collection will be featured in the Post War and Contemporary Art sale: the Estate of Mrs. Claudia Luebbers. Mrs. Luebbers was an avid collector who impacted the Chicago art and philanthropic communities. She spent much of her time contributing to and serving on the boards of organizations such as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; the Society of Contemporary Art; the Renaissance Society; the Woman’s Board of the Art Institute of Chicago; the Hyde Park Art Center; and the Chicago Art Salon. Highlights of the collection include Jackson Pollock drawings, a mixed media image, Night Crusade, by Gilbert & George ($100,000/150,000), a Lee Bontecou, Untitled, 1959, wall relief ($200,000-300,000), a marble sculpture from Jenny Holzer’s survival series ($40,000/60,000) and many other unique works. Proceeds from the sale of Mrs. Luebbers’ collection will benefit the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. From outside of this collection, another contemporary highlight includes Amy Sillman’s Prize, 1997 ($30,000/50,000). Coming off of her strong showing at the 2014 Whitney Biennial, Sillman continues to inspire the international contemporary art world with her exquisite colors and abstract compositions. Prize signifies the short but important period of Sillman’s early transitional work that will maintain its significance in the lexicon of her career. To conclude the Fine Art spring schedule, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Fine Prints sale will occur on the evening of May 21 and include works by artists such as Joan Miro, Andy Warhol, Wayne Thiebaud, Pablo Picasso, Jacob Lawrence and Jordan Wolfson. Image Captions Ralston Crawford, Pennsylvania Barn, 1937 ($200,000/400,000) Thomas Hart Benton, Discussion, 1967 ($200,000/400,000) Lee Bontecou, Untitled, 1959 ($200,000/300,000) Jackson Pollock, Number 62, 1939-40 ($40,000/60,000) Amy Sillman, Prize, 1997 ($30,000/50,000). Fine Art Auction Schedule American and European Art (372) Wednesday, May 20 – 10 AM CT Property from the Collection of Carol H. and Richard M. Levin (373) Wednesday, May 20 – 5:30 PM CT Post War and Contemporary Art (374) Thursday, May 21 – 10 AM CT Fine Prints (375) Thursday, May 21 – 5:30 PM CT
Colored Stones and Unique Diamonds Bring a Splash of Color to Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Fine Jewelry and Timepieces Spring Sales Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will conduct their spring Important Jewelry and Timepieces sales on April 19 and 20. The Important Jewelry sale will include over 1,200 lots while the Fine Timepieces sale will offer a varied selection of vintage and contemporary watches. In addition to a range of signed jewelry, the collection will feature an impressive selection of certified colored stones and diamonds. The timepieces collection includes a number of desirable Rolex wristwatches. The Important Jewelry auction includes numerous single owner collections that feature unique diamonds and colored stones. A representative example to be offered is an Art Deco platinum, Burmese sapphire and diamond ring containing an antique cushion cut sapphire of extraordinary color, weighing approximately 6.00 carats within a surround of old European cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.31 carats. The ring is estimated at $30,000-50,000.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Anchoring the timepieces group is a stainless steel ref. 6239 “Paul Newman” Daytona Cosmograph wristwatch, Rolex, Circa 1969, with its original box and papers. The watch features impeccable provenance and is one of the most sought after collectible Rolex references and carries an attractive $50,000-70,000 estimate. Auction Fine Jewelry Sunday, April 19 12 PM Monday, April 20 10 AM Fine Timepieces Monday, April 20 5:30 PM Preview Wednesday, April 15-Sunday, April 19 Image Captions An Art Deco platinum, Burmese sapphire and diamond ring $30,000/50,000 A stainless steel ref. 6239 “Paul Newman” Daytona Cosmograph wristwatch, Rolex, Circa 1969 $50,000/70,000
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is pleased to announce a single-owner auction of property from the collection of Carol H. and Richard M. Levin. Led by the American and European Art department, the sale will be conducted on May 20 in the Chicago saleroom. Mr. Levin, a Kansas City native, began collecting in the second half of the 20th century. He collected with a connoisseur’s eye and put an emphasis on acquiring paintings that paid homage to American roots. This evening sale, comprised of 33 works of art, will feature prominent American artists including works from Ashcan School painters best known for portraying city and modern life of the early 20th century in rejection of the more genteel, polished movements of the time. These artists include members of “The Eight,” such as Robert Henri, William James Glackens, Everett Shinn, George Benjamin Luks, Arthur B. Davies, Ernest Lawson and John French Sloan. Other movements represented in the sale include, Social Realism, American Modernism and American Impressionism. American Regionalism is well represented by five works of art by Thomas Hart Benton. Highlights from the collection include Robert Henri’s Bridget Lavelle, 1926 ($400,000/600,000), Charles Burchfield’s Basswood Tree in Winter, 1948 ($80,000/120,000) and John Steuart Curry’s Self Portrait, ($40,000/60,000). Also in the sale are three studies, a lithograph and a painting by Thomas Hart Benton, including Discussion, 1967 ($200,000/400,000) and Study for Flood Disaster (Homecoming – Kaw Valley), c. 1951 ($120,000/180,000). With his knowledgeable and gifted eye, Richard Levin was able to uncover details of an artist’s style and oversee preparatory studies for important commissions. His advocacy for the arts extended into the public sector where he is remembered and respected for his tenure on the board of directors for multiple institutions, such as the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kansas City Art Institute, Kemper Museum and Truman Library. Mr. Levin enjoyed a career as founder and CEO of Jason Empire, Inc., an importer of optics that went public in 1969 and became a part of Bushnell. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is honored to be handling the property of a collector devoted to significant 20th century American paintings. This single-owner evening sale follows Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ American and European Art spring sale, which will take place during the day on May 20. Rounding out the Fine Art department spring schedule will be the Post War and Contemporary Art and Fine Print sales on May 21.
Written by: chicagoarchitecture.org The allegorical figure who, quite literally, stood head and shoulders above the rest of Chicago for 20 years is going on the auction block. The statue of the goddess Diana was a weathervane in the form of a naked woman holding a torch in one hand and a caduceus in the other. She was made by sculptor John Massey Rhind in 1898 to top the tower that used to rise above 6 North Michigan Avenue. At the time, the building was the Montgomery Ward Headquarters. In 1947 she was removed from the building and chopped into pieces, which were snatched up by Chicagoana collectors. Her breasts went one way, her arms another. After 67 years in private hands, Diana’s head is coming on the market. It will be auctioned off November 4th at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (1338 West Lake Street). More information, check the press release after the photos. For some reason it refers to her as “Amazonian,” even though she was Greek (see Wikipedia link above). Chicago, Illinois – October 3, 2014 – This Amazonian beauty once towered over the Chicago skyline at 18 feet tall, making the Montgomery Ward headquarters the tallest building in the Windy City for over 20 years. In 1947, the Progress Lighting the Way For Commerce weathervane was dismantled and cut into 30 pieces. The remnants were claimed by astute souvenir- seeking Chicagoans. A Chicago Tribune article from July 20, 1947 reports that a prominent Chicagoan requested her bust! At that time, the David V. Nelson family acquired the head of “Progress” which will be offered at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers on November 4 in the 20th Century Decorative Arts auction. In 1898 Richard E. Schmidt was hired to add a tower to the existing Montgomery Ward building at 6 North Michigan Avenue. “Progress” was designed by Scottish-American sculptor John Massey Rhind and topped Schmidt’s pyramid form tower. In her original form, “Progress” was depicted as a nude, bearing a flaming torch in her right hand and a caduceus in her left balancing atop a globe. The metallic erosion at the top of her face reveals the wear of nearly half a century outside amongst the Chicago elements. John Massey Rhind was said to be influenced by Augustus Saint-Gaudens Diana which topped the Agriculture Building at the Chicago World’s Fair. For more information on the weathervane or the 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, please call Rebecca Williams at 312-280-1212. Preview for the sale will begin October 31 and continue until November 3.
Jewelry from the Estate and Trust of Elise Reeder Olton, Boca Raton, Florida Chicago, Illinois – April 10, 2014 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ April 6-8 auctions of Fine Jewelry and Timepieces grossed over $6 million. The highly successful sales included highlights of signed pieces from firms such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., and Ruser among others. Reflecting the fervent demand for vintage Van Cleef & Arpels, the Olton Estate jewels met with tremendous success in the sale, exceeding all pre-sale expectations and achieving an impressive 100% sold for the collection. The strong interest and incredible results perfectly exhibit the potent combination of marquee names and private estate collections. As a frequent world traveler and consummate collector of fine art, the jewelry of Elise Reeder Olton exhibits a refined taste for design and quality. An exquisite 6.06 carat emerald cut diamond of rare Type IIa D color and potentially flawless clarity brought $464,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $250,000-300,000 amidst spirited bidding. The session was highlighted by several important examples of Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, such as the invisibly set ruby and diamond earclips ($60,000 realized) and an elegant pair of channel set turquoise and diamond earclips ($45,000 realized). Specially commissioned works by Van Cleef & Arpels also prominently featured a fine, unheated Burmese sapphire within a classic diamond surround ring setting which incited intense bidding, driving it to a final price $122,500 from the pre-sale estimate of $40,000-60,000. Though Van Cleef & Arpels figured strongly in her collection, Mrs. Olton’s eclectic selection also included many fine pieces from other top jewelers which resonated with collectors. A meticulously color-matched sapphire and diamond bracelet by Oscar Heyman Brothers for Ruser was a favorite, achieving $40,000 from an estimate of $15,000-20,000. An unusual star sapphire and diamond articulated ring by Tiffany brought $30,000 while an elegant pair of diamond spray earrings by Ruser hammered at $25,000. Jewelry from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian, Naples, Florida The eclectic, colorful and whimsical collection of Gerard L. Cafesjian proved extremely popular amongst collectors during the single-owner session on April 8th. Mr. Cafesjian’s taste for bold color combinations and fanciful design spread across an incredible array of mediums including the glass works of Dale Chihuly and his important Fine Art collection to name just two. The joyful nature of his jewelry was met with an eager response. Featuring an incredibly diverse group of jewels ranging from antique to modern, conservative to avante garde, the sale exceeded all expectations and achieved 93% sell-through amidst an exciting auction day. Several notably rare and important pieces changed hands during the sale. A highly unusual gold, emerald and green beryl compact attributed to Suzanne Belperron sold for $55,000, well over double the previous auction result from 1998 and evidence of her ever-increasing importance amongst collectors. An exquisite and complex carved coral and gem bracelet by Lorenz Bäumer brought $35,000 while a bold fire opal and colored diamond necklace by Michael Youssoufian also achieved $35,000. Traditional classics such as a fancy deep yellow diamond and diamond necklace ($79,300 realized) were also offered to the eager audience. Leading a strong session notable for its large selection of Patek Philippe, the ref. 3448 for Tiffany well exceeded expectations by achieving a remarkable $182,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $70,000-90,000. The Patek timepiece, consigned by a collector in Florida, combines all of the elements inherent in a truly fine, collectible watch. Rounding out the auction was a fine single-owner collection highlighted by a number of contemporary commemorative Patek Philippe pieces. The group, offered in very fine condition and impeccably complete with all accompanying materials, was embraced with confidence by discerning collectors and proved highly successful.
An 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ref. 3448 Wristwatch, Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Circa 1970 Sold for $182,500 A Platinum Ref. 5500P Pagoda Wristwatch, Patek Philippe, Circa 1997 Sold for $32,500 An 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ref. 5500J Pagoda Wristwatch, Patek Philippe, Circa 1997 Sold for $21,250 A First Generation Stainless Steel Ref. 1655 Explorer II Wristwatch, Rolex, Circa 1969 Sold for $15,000 An 18 Karat Pink Gold Ref. 5500R Pagoda Wristwatch, Patek Philippe, Circa 1997 Sold for $27,500 An 18 Karat Pink Gold Chronograph Wristwatch, Vacheron & Constantin, Circa 1949 Sold for $18,750 Chicago, Illinois – April 8th, 2014 – Amidst an auction room crowded with enthusiastic bidders and an international group of collectors participating online and by phone, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers successfully held its Spring Fine Timepieces session, ultimately grossing over $600,000.By far the most sought after item of the evening, the 18 karat yellow gold Ref. 3448 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. realized an impressive $182,500, surpassing the pre-sale estimate of $70,000-$90,000. Other significant highlights included the trio of ref. 5500 Patek Philippe Pagodas which were offered in very fine condition and impeccably complete with all documentation. The yellow gold Pagoda sold for $21,250, the pink gold Pagoda brought $27,500, and the unworn platinum Pagoda realized $32,500. Other popular pieces included a “First Generation” stainless steel Ref. 1655 explorer II Rolex wristwatch which sold for $15,000 and a Vacheron Constantin two register chronograph with a cal. V492 movement which brought $18,750. The results from this auction are indicative of the robust and growing market demand for highly noted firms such as Patek Philippe and Rolex, especially their vintage references. Timepieces accompanied by detailed provenance and original documentation enjoyed a significant boost in demand. View the full results of the sale here. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ next Fine Timepieces auction will be held on December 8th, 2014. We are welcoming consignments through October 8th. To learn more about the sale, please contact Ashley Chan at 312.334.4223 or by email atashleychan@lesliehindman.com.
Denver, Colorado – March 31, 2014 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is honored to offer this monumental work. The bronze sculpture entitled Prayer Song will be included in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Modern and Contemporary Art sale on May 15. The bronze will be a highlight of the sale which also includes works by Parviz Tanavoli, Claire Falkenstein and George Rickey among others. Prayer Song portrays a Northern Plains Sioux Indian carrying an eagle rattle and an eagle feather fan at morning prayer. This work is number two of three and belongs to a private collector in Aspen, Colorado. The ownership of the other two editions and an artist’s copy are on record at the Allan Houser Foundation. The bronze stands nearly seven feet tall in its current tranquil setting. The themes of personal reverence and spirituality are constant in Houser’s work. He was dedicated to depicting his subjects with respect and dignity. Born on June 30, 1914, Allan C. Haozous was to become known as Allan Houser. Mr. Houser went to art school in Santa Fe and by 1939 his work was exhibited in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Chicago. In the same year he received a commission to paint a mural in the Department of Interior building in Washington, and its success led to a second mural commission there in 1940. Houser died in 1994 and the Allan Houser Foundation was established with a mission to preserve and present the lifetime work of the modern American master artist. 2014 will be the 100th anniversary of Allan Houser’s birth, and for this centenary event fourteen museums across the United States from Hanover, New Hampshire, to Phoenix, Arizona will be staging major exhibitions of Houser’s works. The growing intense demand for interesting works by Houser has been confirmed over the past few years as prices for his works continue to rise. An example of a recent sale at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers was in June 2013 in Denver where Houser’s, Water Carrier II, 1987, a table top bronze, sold for an unexpected $20,000. “Houser’s monumental bronzes rarely come up at auction. This is a unique opportunity for a private collector, a municipality, or institution to acquire something truly significant by the artist,” said Leslie Hindman, founder and CEO of the auction house. The preview for this bronze is by appointment only. To request additional images and further information, please contact Maron Hindman in our Denver office at 303.825.1855 ext. 352.
Snuff bottles up for auction March 26, 2014 (CHICAGO) (WLS) – Have you ever heard of snuff bottles? Well for hundreds of years in China they were used to carry snuff. Snuff, for sniffing. And now hundreds of them are going up for auction in Chicago. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers ( lesliehindman.com), located just west of the Loop, is in the midst of a very unusual event. Extremely valuable items from China are on the block, including furniture, textiles, porcelain and snuff bottles. For almost 400 years, snuff bottles were a status symbol in China. The most beautiful and most expensive were owned by the elite. "Snuff is basically pulverized tobacco. It's in powder form, tan colored," Phyllis Kao, director of Asian works of art, said. "They scoop it up and inhale it through their nose. . . It's a stimulant. A little pick me up." The bottles even come with tiny serving spoons that are perfect nostril size. Now, there is nothing illegal about this type of sniffing. It's not snorting. It's just sniffing snuff from tiny masterpieces. "They are works of art and functional mobile items. But they are works of art absolutely," Kao said. The snuff bottles are only available online at LeslieHindmanAuctioneers.com under the "catalogues" tab. The auction closes on Monday. What does a snuff bottle sell for? Some go for $100 bucks. Others, well, they're nothing to sneeze at. "That's right. There's one bottle in particular that people are speculating that might bring as much as $100,000," Kao said. Who would pay that for a snuff bottle? "A very serious snuff bottle collector." Or perhaps a snooty, snobby snuff sniffer.
Chicago, Illinois – March 18, 2014 Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will hold an auction of Fine Timepieces on April 8, 2014. This sale includes an extensive collection of Patek Philippe timepieces, including several important references. The eighty-four lot auction will include examples from the Estate of Gerard L. Cafesjian from Naples, Florida and the Estate and Trust of Elise Reeder Olton from Boca Raton, Florida. Important highlights of the sale include a ref. 3448 Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., a trio of ref. 5500 Patek Philippe Pagodas with boxes and full documentation, a ref. 5100 Patek Philippe, and a fine 1950’s Vacheron Constantin two register chronograph with a cal. V492 movement. In addition, there is a wide selection of vintage and contemporary timepieces from notable firms such as Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Girrard-Perregeaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Piaget and Rolex. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ auctions are free and open to the public. An exhibition will be held April 2 – April 7. The auction catalogue is available online at www.lesliehindman.com. An 18 Karat Pink Gold Ref. 5500R Pagoda Wristwatch, Patek Philippe, Circa 1997 Lot 3083 $18,000-22,000 An 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ref. 3448 Wristwatch, Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co., Circa 1970 Lot 3086 $70,000-90,000 An 18 Karat Yellow Gold Ref. 5100J Wristwatch, Patek Philippe, Circa 2000 Lot 3085 $30,000-50,000 Live Auction: Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 P.M. CST at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, 1338 West Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois.
Palm Beach, Florida – February 23, 2014 – Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ West Palm Beach saleroom had standing room only on Saturday and was full of enthusiastic pink and green clad Lilly lovers. The auction’s low estimate was $132,310 and realized nearly $600,000 with a 100% sell through rate. Fans flew in from all over the country to own a one of a kind piece of Palm Beach history. “I think Lilly would have been thrilled. So many of her admirers were able to take home a memory of her wonderful life,” said Leslie Hindman, founder and CEO. Live bidding in the saleroom, internet and telephone resulted in most lots tripling and quadrupling their pre-sale estimate. Highlights included a printed canvas whimsical map of Palm Beach, estimated at $40-60, which realized $16,250; a Victorian bamboo and lacquer bedroom suite, estimated at $1,000-2,000 brought $22,500; and a whimsical Victorian painted conservatory birdcage from Lilly’s dining room realized $12,500. From left to right: Conservatory Birdcage, Porcelain Jardiniere, and Pair of Chinese Export Urns Chinese porcelain throughout the sale was in strong demand. Internet bidding drove a pair of Chinese export porcelain covered urns to $42,500 as well as a Chinese export porcelain jardiniere to $40,000. The sale proved just how much Lilly’s fans adored her worldwide, with property selling to collectors as far as China, Ireland, Texas and New York.