REMARKABLE ASIAN PRICES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS EARNS OVER $800,000 FOR CLARS MARCH 2012 AUCTION Oakland, CA — Prices realized at Clars Auction Gallery’s March 17th and 18th Antiques and Fine Art Sale were led by staggering Asian prices realized on several lots offered. As the nation kicked off A
News-Antique.com - Mar 22,2012 - Oakland, CA — Prices realized at Clars Auction Gallery’s March 17th and 18th Antiques and Fine Art Sale were led by staggering Asian prices realized on several lots offered. As the nation kicked off Asian Week, expectations were high even against conservative estimates but surprises were still plentiful. Overall, the two-day event earned $800,000 and record Internet bidder numbers were seen for the sale.
The top offering of the two-day event was among the final lots offered. Lot # 8147, a pair of Korean polychrome decorated wood figures, Joseon dynasty, were estimated at $1,000 to $1,500. Prior to the sale, several phone bidders were already scheduled on the piece. President Redge Martin opened the bidding at $1,000 and within minutes, competitive bidding drove the final sale price to $50,363.
Just a few lots prior, a Korean large underglaze blue decorated stoneware jar, also Joseon Dynasty, flew past it $500 to $700 estimate selling for $17,775. Rounding out the top sellers in the Asian category was a Chinese large greenish-white nephrite ‘imperial style’ jade seal which also sold for $17,775. Even though the prices realized across the board in the Asian category surpassed expectations which has become the norm over the past few years, Martin commented that he feels the Asian market “may be leveling off a bit which should be expected.”
It wasn’t just Asian that performed well throughout this two-day sale. Again, according to Martin, “decoratives were strong, furniture did well indicating people are buying again and special collections also performed well.” Closing the first half of their 2011-2012 fiscal year, Clars stands at 5% ahead of last year.
Among the special collections that were offered was a rare rock ‘n roll photography collection from legendary music photographer Jim Marshall (1936-2010). Overall, the entire collection which was sold in seven lots earned over $15,000 with the top lot being a portfolio of ten unframed platinum prints entitled The Jazz Portfolio which sold for $8,295. Bob Dylan drew the next highest price. A signed unframed gelatin silver print taken in 1966 in New York City sold for $1,300.
Complementing the Jim Marshall collection offered on Sunday, an extensive collection of Hollywood and celebrity memorabilia including posters and autographs was offered during the Saturday session. Comprised of over 200 lots, with names from Lyndon B. Johnson to Elizabeth Taylor, this collection earned just over $18,000. A framed Elizabeth Taylor autographed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof movie poster inscribed “Best Wishes, Elizabeth Taylor” sold for just over $500 as did a signed typewritten letter dated March 6, 1967 by the Beatles I indicating “we have just signed a nine year contract with Capital records.”
The Saturday session also featured a rich offering of 19th century European dolls of varying compositions. Expected to sell well, which it did, was a circa 1870 French fashion doll, probably Francois Gaultier, that earned $3,500. Taking second place in this special group was an antique German bisque socket head doll. Expected to sell for $200 to
