An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
--Irv Kupcinet
I HOPE YOUR DAY REQUIRES A LOOSENING OF THE BELT AND A GREAT NAP. CHEER'S AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING, HOMER.
Robert Isabell was a fascinating fellow who worked in the limelight of Manhattan and yet was a very private man from the midwest. Today's story in the New York Times about the auction of his estate is really interesting. The contents of his home in Manhattan, seen by few, was truly eclectic and makes his life and possessions all the more interesting.
A great read in today's New York Times.
Here's the E-Catalogue from Southebys
Here is a list of upcoming auctions all taking place before the Holidays. Here are a number of auctions around the country and a link, worth a look for that special piece.
Lets start off locally at Weschlers.Fine Art & 20th Century Decorative Arts - Washington DC - December 5 2009 12:00PM
DOYLE AT HOME®
FINE FURNITURE, DECORATIONS AND PAINTINGS
Including Holiday Gifts
Auction
Wednesday, December 9 at 10am
Christie's Auction House: Important American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture. New York, December 2nd, 2009
Bonhams and Butterfields: American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture - December 2nd, 2009.
Susanin's in Chicago has some nice things for sale on December 5th, 2009.
Jewelry and Silver at Rago's on December 6th, 2009.
I wrote about Walton Ford early in Homer's start.I'm a huge fan of Mr.Ford and can't wait to see his new pieces now on exhibition at the Paul Kasmin Gallery through December 23rd.
Previous post included below.
Talent will out. I've recently been exposed to the great artist Walton Ford by Habitually Chic. I'm just surprised that I was unaware of his work, as it of a subject and genre that I have always loved. He will be exhibiting his work at the Paul Kasmin Gallery in New York from May 8 to July 3, 2008. I highly recommend seeing this work if you have the chance. While I might question the political undertones of these pieces, I cannot get over the sheer talent before my eyes and that always wins out.
From Artist 21, " Walton Ford was born in 1960 in Larchmont, New York. Ford graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with the intention of becoming a filmmaker, but later adapted his talents as a storyteller to his unique style of large-scale watercolor. Blending depictions of natural history with political commentary, Ford’s meticulous paintings satirize the history of colonialism and the continuing impact of slavery and other forms of political oppression on today’s social and environmental landscape. Each painting is as much a tutorial in flora and fauna as it is as a scathing indictment of the wrongs committed by nineteenth-century industrialists or, locating the work in the present, contemporary American consumer society. An enthusiast of the watercolors of John James Audubon, Ford celebrates the myth surrounding the renowned naturalist-painter while simultaneously repositioning him as an infamous anti-hero who, in reality, killed more animals than he ever painted. Each of Ford’s animal portraits doubles as a complex, symbolic system, which the artist layers with clues, jokes, and erudite lessons in colonial literature and folktales. Walton Ford is the recipient of several national awards and honors including a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Ford’s work has been featured at Bowdoin College Museum of Art, the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art at Champion, and the Forum for Contemporary Art in St. Louis. After living in New York City for more than a decade, Walton Ford relocated his studio to Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Ford and his family reside in upstate New York."
From an earlier post, compare his work. It's an obvious evolution of a style I much admire.
I recently stumbled upon the University of Glasgow's Special Collections website and proceeded to spend a few hours gazing at the most beautiful old prints. Here you will find a selection of groundbreaking and wonderfully illustrated natural history books, from the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries. All I could think of was covering my walls with some of these fantastic illustrations. I've selected just few to give you an idea of what a great resource this collection is for ideas and an appreciation of truly great art.Though I must say that I've always loved Turtles.
Erik Jacobs - New York Times
I loved this story from the New York Times.
Mimi Read, NYTimes:11/11/09: For Maryalice Huggins, old things — particularly fine antiques — are living, breathing beings. Some radiate irresistible allure. Auctions might as well be singles bars.
So it’s perfectly in character that Ms. Huggins, 57, fell under the spell of an unusual old mirror and wrote a quirky book about her 10-year obsession with it. “Aesop’s Mirror: A Love Story” was published this week (Sarah Crichton Books/Farrar, Straus & Giroux), and like Ms. Huggins’s conversation, it is a looping expressway of intersecting stories and tangents.
“It’s written for people with short attention spans, like me,” Ms. Huggins said in her husky, animated voice.
Full story here.
Great news for the fall contemporary art auctions.
ART DAILY:NEW YORK, NY.- Tonight at Sotheby’s in New York, Andy Warhol’s monumental masterpiece, 200 One Dollar Bills, brought a remarkable $43,762,500, soaring past the pre-sale estimate of $8/12 million. Competition was fierce. Auctioneer Tobias Meyer opened the bidding at $6 million and was immediately met with an almost unheard of response - a bid of $12 million, twice his opening bid. Five more bidders raised their paddles before the winning bid was cast by an anonymous purchaser bidding on the telephone. The Warhol was the top-selling lot in a sale of Contemporary Art that brought an outstanding total of $134,438,000, far-above pre-sale expectations (est. $67.9/97.7 million) and with all but two lots finding buyers
Washington is indeed a small town and a couple of weeks ago a lovely lady came into the store and we got to chatting. One thing led to another and while we had actually never met before it turned out that we had dozens of friends in common.
The lady turned out to be Tanya Potter Adler and she is chairing along with her better half Howard, this year's Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Gala.
Dr. Potter and his wife Tanya, with Gala co-chairs Tanya Potter Adler and Howard Adler. "Tanya Potter Adler, along with her husband, Howard B. Adler, will co-chair the 2009 Lombardi Gala. Tanya is no stranger to Lombardi. Her father, The Honorable John Potter, MD, is the founding director of the cancer center. We are proud to have someone with such close ties to Lombardi, and the cancer cause, at the helm of our signature fundraising event."
The subject of this blog came up and how I focus a great deal on auctions. " Well really," said the young lady, " I happen to be chairing a charity event with an online auction." "Could you help us out?" To which I replied, "just tell me what to do."
So folks, here is something vastly more worthy than my usual nonsense.
Some of the important people we look to for help.
Drs. Subha Madhavan, Lucile Adams-Campbell, Claudine Isaacs and Shawna Willey of Lombardi
The 2009 Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center Annual Gala is having an online auction in addition to its silent auction held at the Gala. This very smart idea allows individuals with a stake in the important work the center does to participate and donate and win a great gift.
About the Gala:"The 23rd Annual Lombardi Gala, on November 7, 2009, is an unparalleled celebration to benefit Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Louis M. Weiner, MD, Director. This black-tie dinner dance features a cocktail reception and renowned silent auction; a raffle that includes a 2010 model Lexus automobile; presentation of awards to remarkable individuals for their fight against cancer; and more. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Gala go directly to Lombardi for cancer research, education, and treatment.
Lombardi is just one of 40 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute, the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only one in the Washington, D.C. area. Named in memory of All Star Coach Vincent T. Lombardi, who was treated for cancer at Georgetown University Hospital, Lombardi’s world-renowned research faculty are discovering cancer risk factors, designing effective prevention strategies, and learning how to detect cancers earlier. They are developing and testing the cancer treatments of tomorrow – targeted therapies that will improve both survival and quality of life – and making progress toward the ultimate goal of eradicating cancer. Washington, D.C. has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the country, and Lombardi’s team of oncology experts ready to help you, your colleagues, family, and friends.
We hope that you will join us at the event and in the fight against cancer." The link for the entire event is here.
The online auction runs from now until November 6th. The link to the online auction is here.
Lets take a look at some of the very nice pieces donated for the online auction and their bids and values.
Set of Six
Estimated Value $300.00
Buy Now Price $450.00
Item Number 16
Item Description
Cup and Saucer - Set of Six (6) English Aymsley bone china. Each cup has a different floral design. Late 20th century.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges
Estimated Value $1,850.00
Buy Now Price $2,775.00
Item Number 19
Item Description
Crown Shaped Cruet Set English marked set of 4 crystal lacons, crown shaped holder. Salad set late 19th Century.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges
Estimated Value $250.00
Buy Now Price $375.00
Item Number 20
Item Description
Brass Jardiniere (Planter) Dutch jardiniere. 19th century. Intricate hammered brass.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges
Estimated Value $125.00
Buy Now Price $188.00
Item Number 6
Item Description
Austrian Crystal Covered Dish 20th century Austrain crystal covered dish with alpine decoration.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges
Estimated Value $2,400.00
Buy Now Price $3,600.00
Item Number 5
Item Description
Art Deco Urn Go retro with this glass urn in the art deco style. With a black frosted background and carver stylized floral motif, circa 1920, this vase is truly stunning. It will look great with many decors. Signed by: Clianick.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges.
Donated By:Sarah Boyer Jenkins
Estimated Value $150.00
Buy Now Price $225.00
Item Number 3
Item Description
Antique Porcelain Pitcher Collectors will be delighted to take home this antique porcelain pitcher. This Nippon with iris motif and gilt decoration is circa 1900.
Special Instructions
High bidder must arrange for pick up item or incur shipping/delivery charges.
Donated By:Sarah Boyer Jenkins
These are just a few of the very nice items up for bid and what a worthy way to have fun at an auction. I have attended the event a number of times and can say without reserve that it is a splendid example of people, power for good and is truly worthy of your consideration. I'll be reposting this as a reminder til the big night. CHEER'S Homer.
