Weschler’s Auctioneers: African-American Art Auction, Sale 1424

Weschler's Auctioneers will offer a compelling selection of African American art, featuring the Collection of Reverend Douglas E. Moore and Dr. Doris Hughes-Moore on February 26, 2016. This specialized sale focuses on the works of modern and contemporary African-American artists, including one of the largest private collections of  prints by Elizabeth Catlett. 

Sale 1424 consists of 108 lots and includes the Moores’ comprehensive collection of prints by Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and John Biggers that is an all-encompassing visual representation of the changing landscape of black life in America from the 1940s to the early 21st century. In addition to the artists already mentioned, there are selections that represent other artists from other collectors as well, including Lois Mailou Jones, Charles Sebree, Anthony Watkins, Richard Dempsey, Ulysses Marshall, Martha Jackson Jarvis, John T. Riddle, Jr., Sam Gilliam, and others. 

Select highlights from this upcoming auction follow:
 

    Elizabeth Catlett, Two Generations, Lithograph, 1979. Sight size: 19" x 26". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 29: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Two Generations: This lithograph, number 75/100, is inscribed "To our friend, Douglas Moore" in pencil. The lot has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.

Elizabeth Catlett, Cartas, Lithograph, 1986. Sight size: 29½" x 22". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers 

Lot 37: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012) 

Cartas: This 1986 lithograph is 68/80 and is inscribed in pencil, "To Doug Moore- So happy you like this". Cartas, lot 37, has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.  

Elizabeth Catlett, Homage to the Panthers, Lithograph in color, 1993. Sight size: 36" x 22". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 58: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Homage to the Panthers: This lithograph which is in color is an artist proof 3/20 with an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000.
  

Elizabeth Catlett, Domestic Worker, Lithograph, 1995. Sight size: 27" x 19". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 60: Elizabeth Catlett (American, 1915-2012)
Domestic Worker: This lithograph is a later edition dated '46 - '95 and is number 5/6 in the edition. Domestic Worker has an estimate of $10,000 - 15,000.   

Romare Bearden, Slave Ship, Serigraph, 1977. Sight size: 33" x 23½". Property from the collection of Reverend Douglas Moore and Dr. Doris-Hughes Moore. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 75: Romare Bearden (American 1911-1988)
Slave Ship: This serigraph is 73/144 and has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000. 

Lois Mailou Jones, Monte Carlo, Watercolor on board, 1955. Sight size: 18½" x 23½". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers 

Lot 85: Lois Mailou Jones (American 1905-1998)
Monte Carlo: Lot 85 has an estimate of $8,000 - 12,000. This work is accompanied by a copy of a letter from the artist.

 

Charles Sebree,  Head of a Man, Casein on paper, 15" x 10". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 96: Charles Sebree (American 1914-1985)
Head of a Man: This lot has an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000. 
 

Martha Jackson Jarvis, Grandfather's Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mixed media sculpture, 48" x 28". Property of various owners. Image: Weschler's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Lot 98: Martha Jackson Jarvis (American b. 1952)
Grandfather's Red Hot Chili Peppers: This mixed media sculpture is unsigned, and has an estimate $5,000 - 7,000.     

For a full range of available art by African-American artists in Sale 1424, see online auction catalogue.

For convenience to clients who cannot attend the auction, Weschler's offers telephone bids or will execute absentee bids without charge. In addition, buyers may bid live on Invaluable. Please visit Invaluable to register for the auction and bid live along with those in the auction house and on the telephone. Read more about buying at Weschler's. For additional information on bidding, contact: 202/ 628-1281.  

RESULTS: Swann's African-American Fine Art Sale 2390, The Art Collection of Maya Angelou

Swann Auction Galleries' African-American Fine Art Sale 2390 held on September 15th brought in $1,294,200 with buyer’s premium, doubling its pre-sale high estimate ($637,000) for the sale as a whole. Of the 44 lots that were offered at auction, 43 sold (98% sell-through rate by lot). Over the years of reporting the results of this auction, I can't ever  recall a 98% sell-through rate which attests to its success. According to Nigel Freeman, Swann Galleries’ Director of African-American Fine Art, “We are absolutely thrilled–this auction exceeded all of our expectations and reinforced the great status of Dr. Angelou as an American cultural icon. It was an honor to handle her collection." 

Select highlights from The Art Collection of Maya Angelou: African-American Fine Art (Sale 2390) are featured in this post, focusing on those lots in which an artist auction record was established. All price quotes for art sold include buyer's premium.

Lot 32 FAITH RINGGOLD (1930 - )
Maya's Quilt of Life (Acrylic on canvas and painted, dyed and pieced fabrics, 1989. 1854x1854 mm; 73x73 inches. Inscribed "Maya's Quilt of Life by Faith Ringgold © 1989")

Maya's Quilt had an high estimate of $250,000 and it sold to a private individual/collector for $461,000. *Maya’s Quilt of Life (1989) was acquired by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. (*updated 09/19/2015).

Lot 3
JOHN BIGGERS (1924 - 2001)
Kumasi Market (Oil and acrylic on masonite board, 1962. 863x1524 mm; 34x60 inches. Signed and dated in oil, left edge, center.)

Lot 3, Kumasi Market, was the second highest selling lot. It had an  estimate of $100,000 - 150,000 and sold to a private individual/collector for $389,000.



Lot 44
MELVIN EDWARDS (1937 - )
OWWA Maya (Welded steel, 2011. 254x178x102 mm; 10x7x4 inches. Signed and titled in steel, verso.)

Lot 44 was one of my personal favorites and I have a special spot for a piece such as this. OWWA Maya exceeded its $12,000 high estimate and sold to a dealer for $40,000. 


Lot 38
JEANNE MOUTOUSSAMY-ASHE (1951 - )
Maya Angelou (Silver print with extensive hand coloring, 1993. 254x267 mm; 10x10 1/2 inches, full margins. Signed and dated 11/93 in ink, lower margin, with the artist's ink stamp verso.)

This photograph of Maya Angelou, Lot 38, had an estimate of $1,000 - 1,500. It far surpassed that estimate with a realized price of $17,500, and was purchased by an institution.


Lot 15  
PHOEBE BEASLEY (1943 - )
Catnap (Collage of various papers and mixed media on cotton canvas, 1980. 914x914 mm; 36x36 inches. Signed in brush and ink, lower right recto. Signed, titled, dated and inscribed "©" and with the artist's contact information in ink, lower center verso.)

Catnap is an excellent example of Phoebe Beasley's popular work in collage. With an estimate of $4,000 - 6,000, Lot 15 sold for $11,875 to a private individual/collector.


Lot 39 ALONZO ADAMS (1961 - )
Phenomenal Woman (Watercolor and pencil, 1993. 565x756 mm; 22 1/4x29 3/4 inches. Signed, titled, dated and inscribed "To: Dr. Angelou - You give me hope and inspiration" in pencil, lower left and right.)

Phenomenal Woman with an estimate of $3,000 - 5,000, sold for $10,000 to a private individual/collector.


Lot 40
JAMES MCKISSIC (1972 - )
Jimmy's Blues (Oil on cotton canvas, circa 1987. 508x406 mm; 20x16 inches. Signed and inscribed "To Maya Angelou: Thanks for the inspiration" in ink, upper right.)

Jimmy's Blues, a portrait of the late writer James Baldwin, gets its title from the author's 1985 book of poetry. Lot 40, Jimmy's Blues, had an estimate of $1,000 - 1,500. It sold for $9,375 to a private individual/collector.  


Lot 41
CHARLY "CARLOS" PALMER (1960 - )
His Story (Acrylic and collage on cotton canvas, circa 2008. 610x762 mm; 24x30 inches. Signed in acrylic, lower right.)

Lot 41, His Story, had an estimate of $2,000- 3,000 and sold to a private individual/collector for $7,500. 

SEE Final Results for all lots in Sale 2390.