The Maps & Atlases, Natural History & Color Plate Books auction, offered by Swann Galleries, is anchored by the rare and early maps and atlases being placed under the gavel. The featured Admiral’s Map is a 1513 edition of Ptolemy’s Geographiae, a compilation of the geographical knowledge of the second century Roman Empire. This is one of the earliest publicly available maps that included the Americas. The map shows parts of the Florida peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico. Cuba and Hispaniola are labeled “Isabella” and “Spagnolla,” after the queen of Spain. Also visible is the South American continent, represented as a single mass with limited coastal information. The interior landmass is labeled “Terra Incognita.” Also represented are Western Africa, Iberia, a part of England, and a mythical island called Hy Brasil.
Also up for bid is an archive of illustrated Japanese diaries written during World War II and the following years of occupation. They were written by a young man named Nishigori. Included in this lot are 15 personal diaries written primarily in Japanese script, with partial English and narrative illustrations throughout. At the start of the series, Nishigori was just 12 years old, and he continued writing through the age of 28. His reflections and drawings relate to the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II, his family relationships, his religious beliefs and experiences, and his Japanese pride and nationalism. Later entries were written almost entirely in English.
A complete later edition of Münster’s cosmography, a collection of the geographical knowledge of the world in 1544, will also be presented. Maps included in the cosmography span two perspectives on the world (modern and Ptolemaic), as well as four continents. Depictions of London, Paris, Venice, Lisbon, Florence, Frankfurt, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Cairo are also visible. There are many color illustrations up for bid from Currier & Ives, John James Audubon, Pierre-Joseph Redouté, and others. View any of these lots and register to bid at Swann Galleries.
Illinois artist George Colin was known for his rural farm scenes and landscapes, each piece painted with vibrant colors. Retired from his day job as a flour mill worker, he dedicated the rest of his life to art. Working on paintings and drawings, he assembled a collection of over 7,000 art pieces and was later “discovered” by a Chicago photographer in the mid-1980s. Eventually, Colin’s works found their way to galleries across the country, including the Smithsonian and the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. A number of his works, including four woodblock prints, will be available in the Four Artists Auction presented by Material Culture. This auction will display artworks of four American artists—George Colin, Sybil Gibson, Jim Bloom, and Jack Gerber.
Another highlight of the sale is a set of twelve paintings titled Twelve Pastels by Sybil Gibson. Her works mainly include figurative images of dream-like faces, young girls, birds, and florals. Also featured in the auction are seven paintings by Pennsylvanian artist, Jim Bloom. He incorporates expressionism into his artworks, mostly relating them to his own experiences with human interaction, relationships, and society. To browse the complete catalog of this auction and register to bid, visit Invaluable.
The upcoming ‘Icons & Idols: Hollywood’ auction by Julien’s Auction offers over 400 items taken out of the production archives and vault of Hollywood films, including Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Superman, and Gone with the Wind. Highlights of the sale include Sir Ian Holm’s tobacco pipe from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The tobacco pipe will be the first Bilbo Baggins pipe that has ever appeared in an auction. The pipe, gifted to Randall William Cook on his 50th birthday from the film’s director, Peter Jackson, comes with the original birthday card, as well as a letter of authenticity from Cook.
The top highlight of the sale is Steve McQueen’s first Husky acquisition, a 1968 Husqvarna Viking 360 motorcycle purchased from motocross champion Bengt Åberg. Another highlight is a Superman cape worn by Christopher Reeve in the 1978 movie. The costume was part of a world-wide contest to promote the movie’s release in 1978. About 50 items from Star Trek will be offered for sale including a Vulcan T’Pau Starship model from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, William Shatner’s Captain Kirk Starfleet command jacket from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, as well as uniforms and key costumes from the crew of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Additional lots include a 1930 18K white gold open face pocket watch belonging to Andy Warhol by Paul Ditisheim, and an original Emmy Award presented to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in the 70s. To view the entire collection and to register to bid, visit Julien’s Auction.
The 1895 magazine cover featuring an Afghan girl was a popular cover image for National Geographic. The photograph of the girl with green eyes adorning a red headscarf has been called the “First World’s Third World Mona Lisa.” The archival pigment print Sharbat Gula by Steve McCurry is a featured photo of the upcoming auction by Bonhams.
The auction also offers works of Vogue magazine photographer Irving Penn. The 1971 photograph by Penn titled Guedras in the Wind is presented at the highest estimate. Guedra is a dance form in Morocco where the women dance on their knees with their faces covered with a piece of fabric. The platinum-palladium print mounted on aluminum represents Penn’s experiment with different printing techniques. Other highlights include photographs by Ormond Gigli, Ansel Adams, and Pentti Sammallahti. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bonhams.
The upcoming monthly online auction, The José Rodrigues Collection of Victoria Sovereigns World Coins by Heritage Auctions, features more than 100 rare coins, mainly from Australia and Great Britain. The history of Sidney Mint dates back to 1855 when it started operating after the British Secretary of State approved the establishment of the mint in Sydney. In fact, it was the first branch of the Royal Mint beyond the shores of England. Alloyed with pure silver and occasionally with copper, the coins produced in the Sydney Branch were identical to the British coins with the distinction of mint mark.
One of the key lots featured in the auction is the Victoria gold Sovereign 1879 MS61 by NGC, which is the only one to be graded as mint state. The year 1879 saw only 20,013 sovereigns in heavy circulation, and the specimen survived with limited handling. Another highlight is the Victoria gold “Shield” Sovereign 1883-M MS63+ NGC released by the Melbourne mint.
To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Heritage Auctions.
Coming to auction are pieces from the estate of the late Nancy Sinatra, presented by Julien’s Auctions. Lots from Mrs. Sinatra’s marriage to Frank Sinatra and from her personal belongings following their divorce are included. Frank Sinatra held Nancy in high regard: “In Nancy, I found beauty, warmth, and understanding,” he said one year after their separation, according to Julien’s Auctions.
A Steinway & Sons piano owned by both Frank and Nancy Sinatra is one of the auction’s highlighted lots. The couple bought the piano new in 1949, the same year Mr. Sinatra recorded his version of “Some Enchanted Evening.” The grand piano has a satin finish and includes the original bench. Also from the Sinatras’ joint collection is St. Patrick’s in Winter, a painting by Guy Wiggins. This lot is one of six pieces represented in this sale that the Sinatras bought from Dalzell Hatfield Galleries.
Bidders will find a bronze bust of Frank Sinatra sculpted by Robert Berks among the auction’s featured lots. Berks produced the bust in 1976 to honor the musician. Nancy Sinatra was gifted the artwork and kept it for many decades. It even appears atop the previously-mentioned Steinway & Sons piano in a 2015 Vanity Fair photo. To view any of these lots and register to bid, visit the Julien’s Auctions website.
Weiss Auctions will offer the upcoming TOYS, TRAINS, SOLDIERS, & MORE auction in December. Featured toys include pre-war model trains as well as post-war Lionel boxed sets, Green Hornet materials, and diecast and pressed steel vehicles. The latter pieces are sourced from the estates of Joseph Cutrofello and Neil Padron, both avid train collectors.
Showcased in this auction is a Super Lionel full-scale switcher train set. The set features a switcher and matching tender, PRR boxcar, Shell tank car, B&O hoppers, and NYC caboose. Each piece has a satin patina. Also highlighted is a Lionel full-scale Hudson. This T-rail train has cab lettering on both sides and functional wheels, showing no apparent fatigue. Other available items include a boxed Lionel 2351 set, Green Hornet wrist radios with a Remco shipping carton, a 1920s TootsieToy Auto-Race game, and 20 vintage Western coloring books. Visit Weiss Auctions to view the whole catalog and to place a bid.
The Doyle+Design auction offered by Doyle will showcase contemporary and modern design, furniture, and works from makers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Standing out in the furniture and design offerings are pieces from Tiffany Studios, Jacques Adnet, Max Ingrand for Fontana, Jean-Michel Frank, and more. The leading lot of the auction is a dragonfly lamp by Tiffany Studios from around 1910. The dragonfly motif on the patinated bronze and leaded glass lamp was inspired by Japanese culture and decorative arts.
Jean-Michel Frank is known in minimalist design spaces for his elegant furniture and luxury materials. A pair of parchment-covered low wood tables by the designer are presented in this sale. Additional lots include a black walnut and Pandanus cloth cabinet by George Nakashima and a 1901 acid-etched cameo glass vase by Imperial Glass Works. The vase has a Baluster form and depicts two cranes standing in shallow water amid reeds. Also available is a wide selection of modern furniture, as well as pai ntings and Russian works of art. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Invaluable.
Bonhams presents antique Chinese collectibles in their upcoming Chinese Works of Art auction. Chinese period furniture like the pair of Qing dynasty Huanghuali horseshoe-back chairs are a featured collectible. Among Chinese furniture materials, the Huanghuali wood is distinguished by its translucent surface and sweet fragrance. The carved backrest and the front beaded apron represent Chinese furniture of the Qing period.
Qianlong porcelain articles are another highlight of the auction. A finely carved ‘chicken bone’ jade ‘marriage’ bowl is a notable piece. The carved designs like the vines with melons signify the family and future generations, whereas the butterflies represent marital bliss. These marriage bowls are an auspicious wedding gift in the Chinese culture. Porcelainware, jade articles, ruby glassware, bronze figurines, and paintings are also a part of the auction. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bonhams.
Nadeau’s Auction Gallery will present jewels, timepieces, and fine artwork in their upcoming Annual New Year’s Day Auction. The auction features Cavalli in Riva al Mare, an oil painting by Giorgio De Chirico. The Italian artist is best known for his metaphysical and Surrealist paintings. Also offered is a gouache on paper titled, Wavy Brushstrokes by Sol LeWitt. Gouache works by LeWitt, who influenced the development of conceptual and minimal art, are based on free-flowing shapes in contrasting colors.
A GFA-certified platinum and diamond ring is highlighted among the jewelry lots. An emerald, diamond, and sapphire ring is another notable piece. Wristwatches, desk clocks, and mantel clocks by Rolex and Tiffany & Co. will be presented as well. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Bidsquare.
