Bonhams presents Alligator!, an event with over 70 lots connected to Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead’s lead guitarist. Pieces range from Grateful Dead gold records to Hawaiian shirts Garcia once owned. The auction’s titular lot is a Fender Stratocaster that Jerry Garcia nicknamed “Alligator.” The guitar got its name from a sticker of an alligator in a bib, holding a fork and knife. Garcia used “Alligator” through the early 1970s, most notably during the Grateful Dead’s 1972 European tour.
Also among the highlighted lots is a gold record from the Recording Industry Association of America. Garcia and the Grateful Dead were awarded this record for the band’s self-titled debut album, which reached $1,000,000 in sales. This success came despite the band members’ disappointment with the album: “The whole process felt a bit rushed,” wrote bass guitarist Phil Lesh in his autobiography. A later award given to Jerry Garcia is also available in this auction, an Ampex Golden Reel Award. Garcia received this for the 1989 live album Dylan & the Dead, a collaboration between the Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan. View each of these lots and register to bid on Bonhams’ website.
In March 2015, renowned philanthropists Florence and Herbert Irving donated their vast collection of Asian works of art to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In the years since, the museum has carefully sorted and chosen 300 lots from their prized Irving collection to sell, with the Irving family’s blessing, to fund new art acquisitions. Sotheby’s is honored to offer more than 120 such works in their dedicated single-owner sale on behalf of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of their Asia Week auctions.
A rare and ornately carved brush pot made of spinach-green jade anchors the lots offered by the MET. Once held in the collection of renowned English collector, Alfred Morrison, this brush pot features intricate carvings of nine immortals in mountain retreat. Also available is the head of a bodhisattva carved from limestone. Dated to the Sui Dynasty of the 7th century, the carving displays the graceful countenance of a bodhisattva wearing an openwork diadem.
Venturing from the many works of carved stone, an ancient hu, a globular vessel supported on three legs and rising to a tall, sloped neck, is possibly the oldest available item from the Irving collection. Cast in the Han dynasty, these gilt-bronze vessels originated near the beginning of the Common Era. The Irving collection from the Met offers seasoned collectors the opportunity to grow their collection of Asian works of art while furthering the Museum’s new art acquisitions. View the remaining lots and register to bid at Sotheby’s.
The upcoming Luxury, Couture & Accessories auction presented by John Moran Auctioneers will include 140 lots of luxury goods, clothing, and handbags. Extending from the 1950s through the present, the selection features Hermès scarves, bags, and accessories along with a collection of clothing from American and French designers. These include Christian Dior, Givenchy, Norman Norell, and Elizabeth Arden.
Carl de Parcevaux, Jean de Fougerolle, Robert Dallet, and Philippe Ledoux are among the designers of Hermès scarves. Equestrian motifs are prominent in this selection of scarves. Givenchy clothing available in this sale will include a polka-dot and checkerboard skirt suit and a flowered blouse. Evening gowns from Christian Dior and Elizabeth Arden and ensembles from Norman Norell are also offered. The luxury accessories of this sale include riding crops, belts, shoulder bags, and leather handbags. To view the full catalog and register to bid online, visit John Moran Auctioneers.
Even though Bulgari created the first Serpenti jewelry design in the 1940s, it first rose to prominence in 1963 when Elizabeth Taylor was spotted on film wearing a Serpenti bracelet in Cleopatra. Drawing its inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, the coiled serpent-shaped design became an overnight success and a glamorous symbol of luxury. An 18 karat gold Serpenti bracelet with ruby eyes is featured in Heritage Auctions’ upcoming Timepieces Signature Auction.
A gold Rolex calendar wristwatch with moon phases is also highlighted. The piece includes a leather strap and gold hour markers. Launched in 1950, this particular watch was only produced for a few years. It was the first automatic watch to include a triple calendar and moon phases within a water-resistant case. Another notable lot is a Heuer stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with a reverse panda dial, subsidiary registers, and a minute bezel. Made in 1963, Jack Heuer produced these timepieces after recognizing a surge in luxury travel. Visit Heritage Auctions to view the entire collection and to place a bid.
Phillips, in association with Bacs & Russo, is hosting the upcoming Game Changers auction. The sale will offer watches owned by Marlon Brando, Robert Downey Jr, and Jack Nicklaus. Also available are vintage examples of Rolex, Patek Philippe, and LeCoultre timepieces.
Jack Nicklaus won 18 golf championships in his sporting career. He wore his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date watch almost every day since he received it from the brand in 1966; it comes to auction in this sale. Marlon Brando’s long lost Rolex GMT-Master, worn during the filming of Apocalypse Now, is also among the leading lots. Manufactured in 1972, the watch has a black strap and a hand-engraved etching of the actor’s name on the case-back. Also leading the auction are two vintage Patek Philippe perpetual calendar wristwatches, offered publicly for the first time. Another highlight is an Urwerk automatic mechanical control watch that combines an atomic clock with a titanium wristwatch. To find more important timepieces and to register to bid online, visit Phillips.
Al Diaz was part of the first generation of New York City subway graffiti artists. Even though Diaz’s style has evolved, he still uses iconography from the NYC subway system to make his point. In the upcoming Rebirth of the Cool: Collectible Pop, Contemporary, and Street Art auction, offered by Bedford, a 2018 piece by Diaz is the lot with the highest estimated value. It is a wooden toothbrush on which Diaz uses the letters from the NYC subway system to ask people to “Inspire an entire generation 2 create a better planet.” The 81 lots of this auction each represent the vision of a contemporary street artist, pop artist, or others involved in outsider movements.
In a recent gallery visit, Al Diaz explained that the early days of graffiti were about exposure and power. “It was kind of a big pissing contest,” said Diaz. “My name is gonna be around more than your name.” Thousands of miles away, in Penang, Malaysia, Ernest “ZACH” Zacharevic also uses spray paint in public areas to bring exposure, this time to everyday life in Malaysia. His piece in this auction, “No Fly Zone”, is a print depicting a Malaysian boy wearing an old fighter pilot helmet and aiming a paper airplane at someone off-scene. Jagged black spray paint completes the outline of the boy. The original canvas of this piece was auctioned by Sotheby’s in late 2017.
Also among the most notable lots in this auction are several iterations of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych. The original, which is in the permanent collection of the Tate, is considered one of the most important pieces in the Pop Art movement. One of these iterations available in this auction is an invitation to attend the 1981 Andy Warhol Retrospective at Leo Castelli Gallery in New York. The invitation contains a miniature version of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe. Those interested in any of these lots can register to bid on Bidsquare.
Pook & Pook returns with another auction filled with unique collectibles, furniture, and decorative arts. Their Americana & International auction will be split into two parts. Lots 120-565 will be auctioned on October 4th, and the other lots will be auctioned the following day.
A Wilhelm Schimmel carved eagle headlines the auction’s most valuable lots. The German company is known primarily for their pianos. That is why this particular eagle stands out from their regular offers. The bald eagle, America’s national bird and symbol is celebrated for its speed, agility, fortitude, elegance and impressive wingspan captured well by this sculpture.
One of the most eye-catching lots in this auction is a blue Staffordshire pitcher. Painted into the pitcher is the scene of Marquis de Lafayette visiting the grave of Benjamin Franklin in a distinct blue color. Additional Staffordshire pieces are also available.
One affordable and distinct decorative art piece is a telephone and clock sculpture by Marcia and Bill Fink. The surreal piece shows three clocks balancing on a baby doll’s head. Below the head, as if it were the doll’s body, is a telephone. The ruffles of a skirt and petite legs continue the illusion that the phone is the doll’s body. Register to bid online and view each lot on Bidsquare.
Music Memorabilia, the upcoming auction to be presented by Bonhams, will include 193 lots of ephemera and collectibles. Some of the highlights of the auction include original handwritten lyrics for Elton John’s “Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle in the Wind.” Another key piece is the handwritten lyrics for John’s “Your Song,” autographed by the artist and Bernie Taupin. Included in this lot is a vinyl record of the song and several related books.
A 1967 Gibson EB-3 electric bass guitar, owned and played by Bill Wyman, is another highlight of the auction. While the neck and body of the guitar are made of mahogany with a cherry finish, the fretboard is made of Brazilian rosewood. A stage-worn vest belonging to George Harrison is accompanied by a notarized letter of provenance from the current owner. The letter details how he acquired the vest while attending Harrison’s show at the Los Angeles Forum in 1974. To view the complete catalog and register to bid online, visit Invaluable
The warmth a Moki blanket brought the Navajo people during long winters made it one of their most prized possessions. Moki blankets and rugs, like the one available in the American Indian Art Auction by Cowan’s, are among the most popular forms of Native American decorative art for collectors. In total, the auction has 179 lots. Each represents an important aspect of Native American culture, from weaving to horse riding.
Among the lots with the highest estimated value is a pictorial weaving by Karen Benjamin titled “Red Planet”. It achieves its striking appearance with a mixture of green, red, and purple hues, each hand-dyed. Another notable piece is the previously-mentioned Moki-style rug, made by Mary Begay.
Several horse saddles and other equestrian equipment, including a parade saddle, bridle, and breastplate from L.V. Frazer are included in the auction. The pieces were made in the second half of the 20th century. Another set is a show saddle, bridle, and breastplate from Tex Tan. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the American Quarter Horse Association.
A more unusual piece is a colorful candelabra sculpture by Joan Hanley. Hanley, who passed away in February of this year, was a painter, sculptor, photographer, and illustrator. The vibrant colors of the rabbit holding a candelabra are a testament to Hanley’s diverse body of work. Register to bid and view each lot on Bidsquare.
A selection of luxury jewelry will be available in the Fine Jewels Auction presented by Sotheby’s. The use of precious colored stones for jewelry design is the signature style of Oscar Heyman & Brothers. A ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond bracelet by this jewelry house is a highlight of the auction. The piece includes bird motifs against a diamond background.
Especially featured is a yellow, oval diamond ring flanked with half-moon-shaped diamonds. A GIA-certified rectangular emerald ring with triangle diamonds is also notable. The Tiger’s Eye vintage Alhambra necklace is among the available lots by Van Cleef & Arpels. Ram’s head gold cufflinks and a matching belt buckle by David Webb will also be on offer. Those lots will be auctioned separately. Interested bidders can view lots from brands such as Cartier and Tiffany & Co. Explore the full listings and register to bid online on Sotheby’s .
