Rare Newcomb pottery, 17 Picasso sketches in Coker's March 10 auction Rare Newcomb pottery, 17 Picasso sketches, and early Asian bronzes headline John Coker’s March 10 Global Arts Auction.
in graphite and colored pencil that Picasso drew on the inside back cover of a catalog for an exhibition titled “Picasso in Provence.” It is signed by Picasso and dated 27-7-62.
From the same British consignor comes a late-17th-century oil-on-panel landscape painting by Franz de Paula Ferg (Austrian, 1689-1740), with Christie’s attribution. The work depicts travelers who’ve stopped to rest among ancient ruins.
A Hugh Anton Fisher (American, 1854-1916) watercolor measuring 20 by 30 inches depicts a European scene of a man beside his horse-drawn cart, gathering wood. Signed and framed, this outstanding painting was formerly displayed in Weissmuller’s jewelry store in Cincinnati [owned by a relative of Johnny “Tarzan” Weissmuller]. “This is a good, early Fisher – the perspective goes on forever,” Coker commented.
A very special highlight of the sale is a collection of seven Dard Hunter (American, 1883-1966) books on papermaking. Each book will be auctioned as a separate lot. Some are accompanied by a photo-watermarked letter from Dard Hunter, with content specific to the particular book to be auctioned. Hunter’s designs for books, leather, glass and metal helped unify the Roycroft product line and distinguish it from those of other American Arts & Crafts enterprises.
The Hunter books, as well as many Asian antiques in the sale (Imari, early cloisonné, Canton, etc.), early lighting and beautiful silver pieces are from the estate of Marian McManus of Westport, Connecticut. McManus was a well-known radio and TV vocalist before and after World War II. She toured with boxer Jack Dempsey to raise money for the war effort, and in her travels in the Far East, she picked up many very fine antiques. She also bought from dealers and estate sales in New England. Her husband was in the papermaking business and built an outstanding library of books, including the Dard Hunter titles and first editions of 19th and early 20th-century books about early shipwrecks, Staten Island and other New York-related themes. All of these antiques and books are included in the March 10 sale.
John W. Coker’s March 10 auction will take place at the Coker gallery at 1511 W. Hwy. 11 East in New Market, TN 37820, starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com. Tel. 865-475-5163, e-mail john@antiquesonline.com. Visit Coker’s online at www.antiquesonline.com.
# # #
CAPTION FOR IMAGE AT TOP:
Newcomb College pottery loving cup with rare orange glaze, designed by Leona Nicholson. John W. Coker image.
