A rare space memento sold through LiveAuctioneers at Regency-Superior’s April 19-20 auction of Space Memorabilia & Hollywood Collectibles. Topping the online prices realized was an American Flag that traveled to the Moon with Apollo XI for the first manned lunar landing, in July 1969. With an accompanying inscription hand signed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin, the flag sold for $14,400 against an estimate of $7,500-$10,000. The flag (6x4") was attached to a blue/white NASA presentation sheet (professionally triple matted in red, white and blue and framed to 14.5"x16") with black lettering that read: 'This flag traveled to the Moon with Apollo 11, the First Manned Lunar Landing, July 20, 1969 / Apollo 11 / July 16-24, 1969 / Armstrong-Collins-Aldrin'.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3387041
Fine Russian Art
Trinity Fine Arts's April 21 sale of American, European and Russian Art included a fantastic example of fine Russian art bringing top dollar at auction, Ivan Konstantinovich Aivazovsky’s (Russian, 1817-1900) Luminous Sunset off the Coast, a 27inch by 20.25 signed oil on canvas, earned top dollar with a hammer price of $49,000.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3413040
Photograph by Irving Penn
In Phillips de Pury's April 25 Photographs sale, Irving Penn's work became quite a draw. His 1948 (printed in 1985) photograph titled Still Life with Watermelon, one of an edition of 21 dye transfer prints, was purchased through LiveAuctioneers for $49,000 against an estimate of $25,000-$35,000. The photograph came from the esteemed collection of pioneer photography enthusiast Alain Dominique Perrin. It measured 21 ¾ x 17 inches (55.2 x 43.2 cm) and was signed, titled, and dated in pencil.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3345279
Heddon Fishing Lure
Langs’ big April 20-21 auction of antique and vintage fishing paraphernalia proved the name “Heddon” to be a magical one for enthusiasts, one of whom paid an above-estimate price to own a Musky Night Radiant Charmer lure made by the revered Michigan company. One of the most famous and recognizable of the Heddon factory’s “board” baits, the narrow-bodied, flat bellied minnow lure with a peppermint-stripe tail section, glass eyes, 2 belly weights, and side cup rigging was described by Langs as a “once in a lifetime” buying opportunity. It measured 4 5/8" in length and was in excellent condition. A LiveAuctioneers participant lodged the 26th and final bid to secure the lot for $13,500.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3424823
Bronze and Ivory Figure
Antique Place's April 8 Spectacular Easter Sunday Auction included a signed 17½-inch A. Gori cold-patinated bronze and ivory Art Deco figure of a woman holding a basket of flowers in one hand and a bloom in the other. Estimated at $11,000-$13,500, the figure drew 11 bids to sell for $22,800.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3389155
George Nakashima Dresser
Modern design took center stage in Sollo Rago’s April 21-22 auction. A four-drawer cherrywood dresser with free-edge top designed by revered furniture master George Nakashima was among the highlights, attracting 243 online catalog hits and selling through LiveAuctioneers for $11,025.
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3404356
19th-Century Water Jug
Internet bidders spent well in excess of $150,000 pursuing art objects
