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, George Braque, Guy Harvey, Robert Wyland, Peter Max, James Montgomery Flagg, Ed Ruscha, Marc Chagall, Sandu Darie, Dietz Edzard, Tony Bennett, Emile Othon Friesz, Zamy Steynovitz, Dr. Seuss, Rene Portocarrero, Lolo Soldevilla, Leighton Jones, Peter Robert Keil, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Robert Lewis, Frank Myers Boggs, Frank DiVita and many others.
A significant number of the important works in this sale were collected over decades by a single art collector, and all proceeds from the sale of these pieces will be donated to a charitable organization. All of the pieces below — with the exception of the Guy Harvey — are from this collection.
Lot 45: PABLO PICASSO, La Femme au Fauteuil
“Woman in the armchair,” 1947. Lithograph in colors on watermarked Arches paper. Signed in red crayon and numbered 44/50, LR. Sheet measures 19-3/4” x 13”. From the edition of 50 plus five artist’s proofs, published by Mourlot. Prospective bidders are encouraged to examine the piece in person, if possible, or contact Blackwell for any additional information.
Estimate: $6,000/12,000
Lot 46: PABLO PICASSO, Dejeuners III, 1959 original pencil sketch
Etude pour la Suite des Déjeuners III, graphite on paper by Pablo Picasso (OPP.59:608; PP.59:263; Z.XIX:42), signed Picasso, dated 10.8.59 and numbered III. Perforated sketchbook paper measures 13” (to outside edge of perforation) x 16-1/2”. (See Sotheby’s listing of Dejeuners II: https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2013/impressionist-modern-art-day-sale-l13004/lot.305.html). On verso, the upper left corner has faint notation: “010047” over “61064,” the significance of which — if any — is unknown. Frame is 28” x 30”. There is a gallery tag from Janie C. Lee Gallery in Houston, with “77.85” written in pen upper right of label. Provenance: Obtained from Janie C. Lee Gallery. From a Florida Modern art collection amassed beginning in the 1950s in Michigan. Purchased from Janie C. Lee Gallery.
Estimate: $50,000/100,000
Lot 47: PABLO PICASSO, Cigarette Smoker
“Fumeur a la Cigarette” aquatint in colors, on Richard de Bas paper (watermarked lower right), dated 1964, signed in pencil, numbered 48/50 (there were also fifteen artist’s proofs), published by Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, 1965. Sight size 26” x 18-3/4”. With full margins, deckle edge, framed to 33” x 25-1/2”. Removed from frame to verify watermark. Hinged mounted at top.
Estimate: $15,000/30,000
Lot 1: Alexander Calder, La Tache Bleue 1975
After Calder, an Aubusson weaving titled “La Tache Bleue” (or “the blue blob”), from The Bicentennial Tapestries. Monogrammed by artist verso in ink on label. Numbered 35 (from a series of 200). Measures about 40” X 58”.
Estimate: $5,000/10,000
Lot 52: ALEXANDER CALDER (Attrib), gouache on paper
Attributed to Calder, an unframed 43-1/4” x 29-1/2” ink and gouache on blind stamped Canson Lavis B paper. Appears to be a variation on his other 1970 Spiral work. There are two penciled notations on verso, both illegible. As no paperwork or background info exists, this can be offered only as attributed to Calder. Signed and dated center and lower right.
Estimate: $5,000/10,000
Lot 75: JOAN MIRO signed aquatint
Etching and aquatint in colors with carborundum (embossed relief areas), titled “La Bleu de la Cible (The Blue Target)” by Joan Miro (1893-1983), 1974 signed in pencil lower right and numbered 17/50 lower left. Image 25” x 19” frame measures 33-1/2” x 26-1/2”.
Estimate: $1,000/2,000
Lot 31: MARC CHAGALL Mourlot lithographs
The 1963 deluxe edition of Chagall Lithographe, Vol II, by Fernand Mourlot. Original outer canvas cover and slipcase included. Book numbered 122 of 150 and signed by Chagall. Includes signed and numbered (each 122/150) lithographs “Écuyère au bouquet” (Mourlot 404; Sorlier 404; Cramer bk. 56) — “Circus Rider with Bouquet” — and “Peintre et Modèle” (Mourlot 403; Sorlier 404; Cramer bk. 56) — “Painter and Model.”
Estimate: $6,000/12,000
Lot 61: GEORGE BRAQUE engraved plaster plaque
Incised plaster plaque with an abstracted bird by George Braque (French, 1882-1963), engraved signature in surface. On verso is label from Fairweather Garnett Gallery, Evanston, Illinois, that lists the artwork information with handwritten “purchased August 1954.” Plaque measures 6-1/2” x 7” frame measures 10” x 13-3/4”.
Lot 99: ANDY WARHOL, signed test screen print
This is admittedly something of a mystery piece. It’s from the Four Jackies (1964) series that Warhol created, the dramatic image of the First Lady soon after JFK’s assassination. The piece measures (overall) 18” wide, with a scissor-cut top and bottom, several inches from the horizontal borders of the print. The material is a thin canvas or a strong linen-textured paper. The image itself measures 21” high and 17-1/4” wide. There are significant horizontal voids across the middle, as shown in the photos, which appear to be printing errors. As well, the image does not line up parallel to the sheet, as though it was shifted during production. Horizontal crease marks on verso correspond to the voids on the front. The back is signed in faint ink, “Andy Warhol,” and the signature does appear to be authentic. On the back of the piece is written in pencil: “977C – WL -” and, under it, “6.” There are several labels on the piece with notations, but whether they are relevant is unknown. This is presumed to be a test print or rejected printing error, signed by the artist, but there is no additional information available. Interested parties are encouraged to contact us with any questions or arrange an in-person preview. Frame measures 28-1/2” x 24-5/8”.
Estimate: $2,000/4,000
Lot 100: GUY HARVEY, original marlin painting
Truly monumental, original acrylic on canvas painting of a black marlin by Guy Harvey (English/Jamaican, b. 1955). Obtained directly from the artist in October 1994 by the consignor’s father, an avid collector of marine art. (Purported to have hung in Harvey’s home.) Titled “Jumped Him Off,” this massive work measures 96” x 48” in 100” x 54” frame. Comes with COA from Harvey’s studio, as well as (unreturned) art purchase/copyright agreement and return envelope from Harvey. No source accessed by Blackwell has revealed any larger work by Harvey ever having been sold.
Estimate: $10,000/20,000
Prospective bidders are encouraged to examine the pieces in person, if possible, or contact Blackwell for any additional information.