Originally published anonymously on January 1st, 1818, Frankenstein had a small print run of just 500 copies. Though the first edition included a preface written by Percy Shelley, the book received mixed reviews. Many thought that little would come of it. Mary Shelley’s masterpiece did find an audience eventually, with fans including the likes of Sir Walter Scott. The first day of Christie’s upcoming auction of Theodore B. Baum’s literature collection will feature a rare original copy of Frankenstein previously owned by Richard Manney. The available Manney copy is described as unsophisticated, crisp, and in clean condition.
The upcoming sale has many rare works of literature up for bid, such as the Silver copy of the first edition of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. This item was previously owned by John Silver, thus giving it the ‘Silver’ moniker. Other rare copies of well-known titles include the Second Folio edition of the works of William Shakespeare; a first edition, first issue, still in its wrappers copy of The Raven and Other Poems by Edgar Allen Poe; and a first edition, unsophisticated, still in its original cloth copy of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. View any of these lots and register to bid on Christie’s website.
Akiba Antiques’ upcoming September’s Finest sale will highlight fine art from 20th-century and contemporary Haitian artists. A signed painting from Andre Pierre particularly stands out. The piece depicts a siren queen rising from the ocean with her arms in the air. To the right, a man steps partially into the water to lift a fish. Before he entered the art world, Pierre was a farmer and Vodou practitioner. He often used his oil paintings to capture deities and explore religious themes. The auction catalog features other pieces of Haitian fine art, including works by Etienne Henri, Henry Robert Brésil, and Louisiane Saint Fleurant.
Beyond fine art, the September’s Finest auction offers a selection of decorative art and furniture. Glass collectors can consider a pair of 19th-century Persian candle lusters. Cut crystals hang over the bottom halves to conceal enamel and glass stems. At the center of each cluster are enameled Iranian Lion and Sun emblems. Laurel wreaths surround the crowned lions, each of which holds a curved sword. A Fabergé-style nephrite clock, several Falling Man sculptures by Ernest Trova, and carved Chinese jades are also available. For the complete catalog and to place a bid, visit LiveAuctioneers.
A Type IIa diamond ring with Internally Flawless clarity will cross Hindman’s auction block in its upcoming Important Jewelry sale. The ring centers a 5.89-carat brilliant-cut diamond surrounded by numerous smaller stones. Crafted by Taffin, this ring comes with a GIA report from 2019 and loose diamonds removed from the platinum mounting. Taffin is a New York-based jewelry house started by James de Givenchy in 1996. Since its founding, the brand has become known for settings that bring out the individuality of each gemstone. Several loose diamonds will also be available in this auction. Among them is a 5.12-carat emerald-cut diamond with D color and VVS2 clarity.
Jewelry collectors can consider several lots from luxury brands such as Verdura, Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., and Bulgari. The catalog presents several items from Bulgari’s Monete series. This line of necklaces and bracelets joins antique Greek, Roman, and Persian coins with sleek contemporary metals. Available in this sale is a Bulgari Monete necklace featuring a Roman coin and yellow gold. The front of the coin depicts a regal bust crowned with laurels. On the reverse, a small figure sits in careful thought.
Also available is a classic Verdura “Sunburst” cuff bracelet from 2007. This style, which dates back to the brand’s early years, features an enamel star shape set in 18-karat yellow gold and colorful gemstones. The motif intentionally suggests the Midieval Knights of Malta. Other notable lots on offer include a citrine and amber necklace from Tony Duquette; a gold, emerald, and diamond bracelet by Enrico Serafini; and a selection of wristwatches from Cartier, Patek Philippe, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Visit Hindman for the complete catalog and to place a bid.
Sotheby’s Long Island Trianon auction will offer a wide variety of French furniture pieces and decorative art from the Louis XIV through Louis-Philippe periods. Among the available items is a Louis XVI console table by Georges Jacob. Jacob was one of the most renowned furniture makers in the 18th century. When he was young, Jacob traveled to Paris and apprenticed under Parisian carpenter Louis Delanois. He later became known for producing innovative designs for chairs, screens, and beds with carved guilloches, twisted ribbons, fluting, and beading. The offered table has a white marble top and a ball foot at the bottom.
Another highlighted item is a Louis XVI-style Savonnerie carpet from circa 1900. The rug’s ornamentation features a large medallion at the center surrounded by a framed bay leaf wreath. Also included in the sale are a Louis XV-style diorite navette vase and a set of Italian chargers by Gianmaria Buccellati. View more lots and register to bid online at Sotheby’s.
Literati artist and art theorist Huang Binhong was known for his traditional landscape paintings. The influence of Modernism and Western Impressionism transformed Huang’s traditional Chinese painting style. His 20th-century black and white paintings underwent a revolutionary change into washes and colors. The upcoming Bonhams auction will present a landscape painting by Huang Binhong. Landscape for Professor Liu Ruli is a hanging scroll painting with color dots and ink washes. The scroll painting features an inscription dedicated to the artist’s academic partner.
Also showcased are whimsical artworks by notable contemporary Chinese painter Qi Baishi. Crows Return to Wintry Trees depicts a winter scene. Several crows fly around branches of a tree on the waterfront. Influenced by artists such as Xu Wei and Zhu Da, Qi was famous for his whimsical style. Li Keran’s Washing the Water Buffalo is another highlight. It depicts the painter’s favorite subject: a herd boy and water buffalo. Li’s artworks feature an amalgamation of Chinese calligraphy and oil painting. The available artwork employs his unique splashed ink technique and use of shadowing. The auction also presents a folding fan with calligraphy inscriptions by Li Ruiqing, a scroll painting by Lin Fengmian, and a mythological scene by Shi Lu. Interested collectors can explore the entire listings and register to bid online on Bonhams.
John Stinton’s family of painters worked for the British Royal Worcester firm for around 160 years. The artist was particularly known for his Highland Cattle landscapes. A pair of 19th-century decorated urns, painted and signed by John Stinton, is one of the key lots in the upcoming Nye & Co. auction. The double-handled urns depict Stinton’s signature rustic scenes.
A Chinese 18th-century Queen Anne armchair also highlights the listings. The rare piece of furniture seems to retain the slip seat in its original form. The carved hardwood armchair resembles some references published in The Decorative Arts of the China Trade by Carl L. Crossman, a renowned scholar and art collector. Another notable furniture lot on offer is a Chippendale mahogany block front chest. Named after English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale, this variety of furniture was in vogue in the late 18th century. It was the first time in English history that a furniture style was named after a cabinetmaker instead of a ruler. Fine art enthusiasts can consider South Quaker Hill Barn, an oil painting by Benjamin West Clinedinst. An oil study of a barn by George Reid Barton accompanies this lot. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Bidsquare.
Sarah McCoubrey is an American contemporary landscape artist. She explores the influence of time on the environment through painting and drawing. Her artwork evokes the Hudson River School style and subtly reminds the viewer of a contemporary time and place. The upcoming Freeman’s auction will showcase a painting by Sarah McCoubrey titled Christmas Trees. This oil on panel piece is signed by the artist on the bottom right. The auction also features Pablo Picasso’s Scène de ménage. The piece belongs to the artist’s extensive etching series of household scenes. The available etching bears Picasso’s stamped signature on the right.
Another notable lot is a chair designed by Richard Artschwager. A 20th-century sculptor, Artschwager created three-dimensional objects to explore form and space. The limited-edition red oak chair features a cowhide seat, a painted steel frame, and synthetic Formica Laminate accents. The chair is signed and dated on the underside. Those interested in any of these lots can register to bid on Bidsquare.
The Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce will present its upcoming Fall Arts Festival this September. The QuickDraw auction will showcase 56 curated lots from over 30 nationally recognized Western wildlife and landscape artists. The leading item is an original painting by Western artist Gary Lynn Roberts. His painting of the Wort Hotel depicts a 1941 Western scene from downtown Jackson, Wyoming. It is currently displayed in Jackson’s historic Wort Hotel.
Up and coming artists such as Amy Ringholz, Carrie Wild, Jennifer Adams, Colt Idol, and others will be featured in the QuickDraw auction. An original QuickDraw artwork by Colt Idol is particularly notable. A Montana resident, Idol often paints scenes of animals in the wild. According to the artist, his paintings are inspired by a time that no longer exists. He brings the past to life with dynamic colors and movement. Idol and other artists will have 90 minutes to create paintings and sculptures live on Town Square. Winning bidders will receive the completed artworks. Online and Town Square bidders can view the full catalog on Bidsquare.
Tibetan Buddhist scroll paintings, also known as thanka, are known for their artistic appeal. The detailed imagery and vibrant colors on the cotton and poplin artworks offer insights into ancient Tibetan culture. These scrolls are mainly used for teaching purposes. The upcoming New Haven Auctions event presents an early Tibetan thanka painting on silk. The available scroll painting depicts a symmetrical arrangement of Buddhist figures with a deity in the center. A coastal landscape by self-taught artist Charles Gruppe is another highlight. The oil painting depicting a winter harbor scene reveals Gruppe’s semi-abstract and atmospheric style. Also featured is a lush landscape painting by George Drew.
Delaware Valley furniture dates back to the late 18th century– a golden era for Pennsylvania-style furniture. Chairs were particularly important pieces of room furniture at the time. The auction showcases a circa 1800 Delaware River Valley side chair with signature details. An early Bellamine stoneware jug, called a Bartmann jug, will be available as well. The 16th-century stoneware items bear a bearded face on their necks, inspiring their German name Bartmann (bearded man). Other auction offerings include sterling silverware, Amish quilts, antique decoys, and tin toys. Interested collectors can explore the entire catalog and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
In the upcoming Sotheby’s fine watches auction, numerous Swiss luxury timepieces will be available. Particularly showcased is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore ‘Restivo’ watch. Making its first appearance in 1993, the Royal Oak Offshore collection lends a sportier look to the traditional wristwatch. Measuring 44 millimeters in diameter, this 2015 limited edition watch features a black dial surrounded by 18-karat pink gold and a rubber-clad bezel. The Audemars Piguet logo is located on the watch’s case, dial, movement, and pink gold folding closure. A Certificate of Origin book and an Audemars Piguet presentation box come with this lot.
Also included in the auction is a 2001 Rolex Daytona Beach wristwatch. The green dial, 18-karat white gold case, and green band together measure 40 millimeters in diameter. The Rolex signature can be found on the watch’s case, dial, and movement. It comes with a Rolex presentation box and outer packaging, as well as a service guarantee from 2008, a polishing cloth, and a hang tag. Visit Sotheby’s to view the entire collection of fine watches and to place a bid.
