Antiques & Auction News 052419

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COMPLIMENTARY COPY

“Zapata” Sets Print Record For Diego Rivera Lithograph From 1932 Brought $45,000 At Swann’s On May 2 FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019 • VOL. 50, NO. 21

Horst Sells Clarke Hess Collection: Session One Two More Sales Slated, Along With Two Real Estate Auctions By Karl Pass A two-day sale on behalf of the Clarke E. Hess estate took place at Horst Auctioneers’ facility in Ephrata, Pa., on April 26 and 27. Hess, of Lititz, Pa., was among the preeminent collectors and historians of all things Lancaster County. His primary interests centered on Mennonite genealogy and decorative arts. Our community lost one of the giants Among the stars of the sale was this Lancaster County pieced when Hess passed sampler quilt, which brought $30,000. The buyer was the away at 64, following a Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, underbid by a private six-year battle with collector from Berks County. ALS. Hess’s 2002 book, “Mennonite Arts,” remains an authoritative reference on the subject. “Clarke had a genealogical mind,” mentioned Dr. Donald Herr. A passionate geneologist, Hess loved the cultural history and provenance of things and recorded an in-depth catalog of his collection, which numbered 5,560. The numeric records he kept of his things included any The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society known family background and paid $9,400 for this small red Weber box where and when he bought it. with floral decoration. Number 1 was acquired in October 1966, and #5,560 in October 2018. Some items had very little information, and some contained thorough family lineages. The auction catalog Horst produced was taken directly from Hess’s inventory and included as much information as possible. Some minor variations in spelling or terminology in the catalog represent changes and developments in Hess’s understanding of the items as the years went by. At the end of each description in the catalog was his inventory number in brackets. This 7.75-by-6.25-inch fraktur cut-work Posted on Horst’s website (which attributed to Jacob Botz was made for will remain there indefinitely) is the Elisabeth Wissler (b. 1784). It sold for $8,500 entire inventory list. The only excepto John David Wissler, an artist and ancestor tions are for items donated or sold of Elisabeth. “I also have a show towel that before his death. This resource can Elisabeth owned,” stated Wissler. It was be cross referenced with the catalog underbid by the Lancaster Mennonite and serves as a fitting tribute. Historical Society. Unlike many in today’s marketplace, Hess was less condition-con- information to others. Hess gifted a large array of scious about objects he bought; he collected history. Simply put, Hess material to regional organizations, spent his life studying Pennsylvania among them the Lancaster German culture and arts. He was an Mennonite Historical Society. His immensely well-liked association with the collector and researcher society was decades in who was always willing the making, as he to share ideas and Continued on page 2

With seven records and a standout selection of Latin American art, Swann Galleries’ sale of Old Master Through Modern Prints on May 2 offered works by the greatest innovators in the field. The house’s largestever offering of Latin American prints and originals proved to be popular. “While bidding on our multiple platforms was spirited as usual in this auction, with many international buyers, it was especially heightened during our first-ever focused, standalone catalogue of Latin American Art, where we set a record for any lithograph by Diego Rivera, and Diego Rivera’s “Zapata” is a lithograph done in 1932 that records for color sold for $45,000, setting a new auction record for any print Mixografia prints by Rufino by Rivera. Tamayo,” remarked Todd Weyman, vice president and direc- print by the artist, and “El Sueño” (La Noche de los Pobres), which tor of prints and drawings. Highlights included two 1932 earned $27,500, going to a colleclithographs by Diego Rivera: tor. Mixografia prints by Rufino “Zapata,” which brought $45,000 Tamayo found success with “Dos to a collector, a record for any Continued on page 4

Heritage Auctions’ Bidders Fuel Blazing Sports Card Market Dozens Of Record Prices Realized In $8.86 Million Spring Trading Card Auction Heritage Auctions’ April 18 and 19 Sports Card Catalog Auction established itself as the most lucrative of the 2019 season to date, blasting past pre-auction estimate tallies of $7 million to close with aggregate winning bids of $8.86 million. The auction provided no quarter for bargain shoppers, with huge prices recorded across all subgenres of graded singles and sets, unopened wax and boxes, condition-rarities and low-pop commons. Seven cards recorded six-figure prices.

This 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #71, PSA Mint 9, commanded $216,000.

AAN Current News

Bertoia’s Spring Signature Sale Rings Up $2.3 Million on page 10

LancasterHistory Receives $150,000 For Stevens And Smith Historic Site on page 14

41st Museum Mile Festival Set For June 11 on page 18

Ty Cobb’s 1915 Cracker Jack card, one of just three to earn a Mint 9 rating from PSA, sold for $504,000. “We’re certainly receiving a higher volume of consignment calls,” said Chris Ivy, director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “The market remains strong, and these stunning results across the board are prompting some longtime collectors to consider selling.” Inaugural class Hall of Fame singles took the top three spots on day one. Ty Cobb’s 1915 Cracker Jack card, one of just three to earn a Mint 9 rating from PSA, commanded Continued on page 4

Scott Antique Markets Reopens In Washington Court House on page 19

In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . . starting on page 3 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 7 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . . starting on page 7

FEATURED RESULTS: Bertoia’s Spring Signature Sale - in Vineland, New Jersey - Page 10

AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . . on page 8 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . on page 19


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