Selection of Modern art to be offered in March sale
The March 15 Exceptional Estates auction at Blackwell represents the best selection of fine art we’ve handled in a single sale. Highlights include original works and limited edition multiples by Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Alexander Calder, Joan Miro, Salvador Dali,...
Auction vs. Private Sale: Which Is the Best Way to Sell Your Artwork?
In 2017, Leonardo da Vinci’s "Salvator Mundi" shattered records, selling at auction for $450.3 million, a price no one saw coming. It was proof of what the right auction, the right buyers, and a little bidding frenzy can do. But not every painting needs to hit the...
Top Tips for Choosing the Right Firearm Auction House to Maximize Value
Not all firearm auction houses are created equal. Some have a long-standing reputation for securing record-breaking sales, while others leave sellers frustrated with low-ball offers and hidden fees. Did you know that the most expensive gun ever sold at auction, the...
How to Invest in Vintage Jewelry: Expert Tips for Maximum Value
Would you believe that a Cartier onyx and diamond panther bracelet sold for $7 million at auction, setting a world record for Cartier jewelry? Vintage jewelry isn’t just about aesthetics but one of the most profitable and timeless investments in the luxury market. ...
Record-Breaking Coin Auctions: The Most Expensive Rare Coins Ever Sold
Would you believe that a single coin once sold for over $22 million at auction? Rare coins aren’t just collector’s items—they’re historical artifacts and high-value investments that continue to shatter records. With demand for numismatic treasures on the rise, the...
Rare Firearms Auctions 101: How to Buy or Sell Unique Guns
Have you ever thought about selling or buying a truly unique firearm? Maybe it’s a family heirloom you’ve been holding onto, or perhaps you’re hoping to find a rare piece to complete your collection. These firearms aren’t just tools—they’re history, craftsmanship, and...
Dramatic Confederate letter home, Seven Days Battle
Text of a CSA soldier's letter to his sister. Lot 248 in the Exceptional Estates auction, December 7, 2024. Some punctuation added for clarity. Camp six miles from Richmond, July 13 [1862] Dear sister, I improve the first opportunity that I have had of writing since I...
John Dickinson furniture found in Florida
Blackwell Auctions has obtained several important pieces by San Francisco designer John Dickinson (American, 1920-1982), which will be offered in the December event. Included are five of Dickinson’s signature rope stools (three white and two painted), an Etruscan...
What happened with Roosevelt’s watch
It’s early March, 2023. Our auction gallery is all set up for preview. Paintings are hung neatly on the slatwall, and shelves are full of interesting historic items. We’re all ready for the following weekend, when our semi-annual themed auction we call “The American...
90 minutes with Paul Reubens
On March 21, 2023, Paul Reubens called me on my mobile to discuss some details about the disposition of several pieces of furniture from his childhood home in Sarasota, Florida. I run an auction gallery about an hour north of there, and a high school friend of his –...