My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday. This week we’ll go hiking and white water rafting before our shows in the greater LA area, so there won’t be a Thursday post.
Heritage Auction held their Illustration Art auctions June 27-28, 2012, proving that Gil Elvgren is still King of the Hill. Heritage sold seven works by Elvgren that ranged in price from $11,875 to $176,500, for an average of $82,036, far surpassing the results for any other artist in the sale. Of course there are other illustration artists that can sell for more, like Norman Rockwell, but they weren’t represented in the sale. Besides, Elvgren is noted for pinup art, whereas the other big shots are not.
Gil Elvgren, Skirting the Issue (Breezing Up), Heritage lot #78139
Lot #78139 was an Elvgren painting titled Skirting the Issue (Breezing Up), from 1956. It took the prize for top lot, selling for $176,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.
Al Buell painting, Brunette Pin-Up, Heritage lot #78110
After Elvgren, second prize, (really 7th prize after six Elvgrens) went to Al Buell. His painting, Brunette Pin-Up, circa 1940, sold for $32,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $2,000 — truly an impressive result. The most a Buell painting has sold for in recent Heritage auctions was $10,000 in March of 2012, so this was quite a jump. Let’s see over the next few auctions if a new level has been set for Buell, or this result was just a fluke.
Hy Hintermeister painting, The Last Word, Heritage lot #78314
One of my favorite artists, Hy Hintermeister, sold very reasonably. Lot #78314, The Last Word, sold for $4,062.50, against a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 – $5,000. A similar painting, Hold Everything, sold for $20,000 in Heritage’s March, 2012 Illustration Art auction.
For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Heritage’s Illustration Art results. You’ll have to sign in to view the prices.
We’ll be exhibiting at a show at the end of next week in Redondo Beach, CA, July 27-29. Please come and visit us and show support by considering purchasing something. This will be our last time exhibiting in the greater LA area if we don’t sell enough to make it worth our while.
In the meantime, we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let us know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.
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Come visit us in Redondo Beach, July 27-29
Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com
I saw your post about the Al Buell pin up selling at Heritage for $32,500.
I, for one, am glad to see his work getting the attention it deserves and hope to see the prices continue in future auctions. I realize, being his grandson, that I am biased, but I think his work is stunning and so beautifully painted. I am working on a coffee table book of his 1940s and 1950s story illustrations. Please let me know if you come across any of his paintings in your antiques dealing. Thank you.
Jon Buell
jon@buelldesign.com
214.317.1878
Nice to hear from you, Jon. Hope your grandfather continues to get the recognition he deserves.
Hi I was looking for any information you might have on Hy Hintermeister. I have what I think is an original painting by Hy Hintermeister. It is signed in the left corner “Hintermeister” and on the lower right hand corner it says. Original painting by Hy Hintermeister. It is the “Grandma Take A Dare” painting. However it looks as if it was done on a sketch pad and above the spot where it says Original painting it says ” copr.c.moss 1949 litho in us” It is in perfect condition and I also have a copy a little larger but damaged a little. I would just appreciate if you might tell me what it is. Thank you so much
It sounds like you have a lithographic copy of the original painting. It was done with a photograph, so even the words “Original painting” were copied. The originals were oil on canvas.
Is there any way to tell if a Hintermeister painting is original and authentic? This one is signed Hy Hintermeister in the bottom left of the painting. It shows five older fisherman in shirts, ties, and fishing vests standing in a creek and admiring one’s catch. I don’t have access to the exact measurements at this time, but it is a very large painting. Thanks for any thoughts you may have on the subject.
In Christ Alone,
Lisa
Lisa, I haven’t heard of any Hintermeister reproductions. First you have to ascertain that you have an original oil on canvas painting. Then if it’s the quality that Hintermeister usually paints, I would assume it’s original. If you have any interest in selling it, please send me a photo. Best. Philip