Crescent City Auction Gallery will hold inaugural sale at new facility March 24-25 Outstanding works of art from the estate of Dr. James W. Nelson will be sold at a premiere auction event planned for March 24-25 by Crescent City Auction Gallery at its new facility in New Orleans, La
News-Antique.com - Mar 13,2012 - (NEW ORLEANS, La.) – An unusual 19th century American patchwork sampler quilt, a phenomenal Italian carved walnut three-piece parlor suite and outstanding works of art from the estate of Dr. James W. Nelson will be sold at a premiere auction event planned for March 24-25 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in the firm’s new showroom located at 1330 St. Charles Ave.
“It worked out that the inaugural auction at the new facility is a spectacular mix of items, with over 1,200 lots,” said Adam Lambert of Crescent City Auction Gallery. “The private collection and estate of Dr. James W. Nelson of Gonzalez, La., is a fine assortment of Louisiana and New Orleans artworks.” Mr. Lambert added the March 24-25 sale will comprise Part 1 of the Nelson estate. Part 2 will be held in May.
Crescent City’s new address is the former home of New Orleans Auction St. Charles Gallery, another longstanding New Orleans auction house. Growth and expansion brought on the need for more space than Crescent City’s former quarters, on Julia Street, could provide so when the St. Charles space became available last year the firm moved quickly to acquire and occupy it. The new facility allowed them to consolidate its gallery with their seven off-site warehouses.
The historic St. Charles Avenue building, erected in 1917, was structurally sound, but some modernization and renovations were still in order. Mr. Lambert said, “Inside, we wanted the 22,000-plus square feet of space to have all modern conveniences available, to make the experience for buyers and sellers truly something special.”
A little less than half the total square footage is dedicated to modern display space and showrooms, while the rest contains warehouse space, storage and a photography studio. The walls of the gleaming new facility will provide a wonderful backdrop to Dr. Nelson’s marvelous collection of artworks. Some of the pieces in the auction will include paintings by Colette Pope Heldner, Knute Heldner, Robert Rucker, James Michalopolous, Alexander J. Drysdale, George Schmidt, Childe Hassan, Rosalie Roos Wiener (Newcomb College) and Ellsworth Woodward.
Internet bidding for the auction will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.
The American patchwork sampler quilt (est. $12,000-$18,000) contains 26 velvet and silk patches, each stitched with elaborate bird, animal and figural decorations. The framed quilt is 75 ½ inches tall by 55 inches wide. The Italian parlor suite (est. $5,000-$8,000) consists of a settee and two armchairs (all pieces 61 ¾ inches tall).
Artworks expected to do well include an oil on canvas by James Michalopolous (b. 1951), titled French Quarter House With Balcony (est. $10,000-$15,000); an oil on canvas by Robert M. Rucker (1932-2001), titled Louisiana National Guard Armory (est. $4,000-$6,000); and an oil on board by George Schmidt (b. 1944), Sacra Conversazione (est. $4,000-$6,000).
The auction will feature two original works by Collette Pope Heldner (Minn./La., 1902-1990) and one by her husband, the noted Swedish-born artist Knute Heldner (1877-1952). The couple met in Minnesota and were established there (in
