Great results for Louis Icart and the rest of the Milhous Collection at RM Auctions, February 24-25, 2012

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.

The auction is underway

RM Auctions, in association with Sotheby’s, held an auction of the Milhous Collection of musical instruments, cars and collectibles, at the Milhous Museum in Boca Raton, Florida on February 24th and 25th, 2012. The auction was strong, with individual eye-popping results. Total sales were $38.3 million with 100% of the items selling – a superb result.

The museum was not open to the public, but I had the privilege of visiting about 15 years ago, when I sold five Louis Icart etchings to Paul Milhous. Wow, what a museum — filled with classic antique automobiles and the most amazing selection of meticulously restored orchestrions, assembled from all over the world. The music was fantastic, just like the best merry-go-round you’ve ever been on.

Original Louis Icart etching - Leda and the Swan, RM Auctions lot #364

Louis Icart etchings were a tiny part of the auction, but since I sold them to him, I’m mentioning them first. I’m happy to report they all did great! When was the last time you heard of superb prices for Louis Icart etchings at auction? It’s been a while. I hope this is the start of a new leg up in the market. Lot #364 was Leda and the Swan. It sold for a whopping $21,850, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$7,000. Other great Icart results were Lilies, $9,200; Orchids, $9,200; Speed II, $7,475; and Waltz Echoes, $8,625. If you would like to purchase any of the same etchings, framed in the same 24K gold leaf frames, for a fraction of the price, please contact me. 516-922-2090 or philchasen@gmail.com.

1912 Limited Five-Passenger Touring Oldsmobile, RM Auctions lot #823

Top lot of the auction was a 1912 Limited Five-Passenger Touring Oldsmobile, sold as lot #823. It doubled its pre-sale estimate of $1,400,000-$1,600,000, to sell for $3,300,000.

1903 Ruth Style 38-B Fair Organ, RM Auctions lot #784

The top orchestrion in the sale was lot #784, a 1903 Ruth Style 38-B Fair Organ by A. Ruth & Söhne from Waldkirch, Germany. It sold for $1,265,000, within the pre-sale estimate of $1,000,000-$1,200,000. On a personal note, I tried buying one of the player pianos, but prices were too strong for me. Drats!

For the complete results of this extraordinary auction, click on the following link. The Milhous Collection results.

Our next show is the Pier Show in New York City on the weekend of March 17th and 18th. It’s always fun, so start planning your trip to the Big Apple!

In the meantime, we’re still in business, so don’t be bashful. Call or write!
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Very fine Daum blownout scenic vase with wheel-carved detail

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. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

3 thoughts on “Great results for Louis Icart and the rest of the Milhous Collection at RM Auctions, February 24-25, 2012

  1. I own, several Louis Icart etchings, of which, I inherited. They have never been appraised, although I have taken them to antique dealers locally and they stated they were original. They are all beautifully framed. and signed in pencil, of course.

    Please advise of your interest. BY return email at bevd7770@aol.com

    Morning Cup 1940
    Modern Eve 1933
    Coursing II 1929
    Martini 1932
    Diania Coursing 1924

  2. Hi there, I am also in possession of two Louis Icart original prints, Lilies (1934) and Orchids (1937). They were found in 1976 at an estate sale, and the owner’s didn’t know what they had… we had them professionally framed immediately and they have remained there and are in quite excellent condition. Each is numbered and signed. Please let me know if you have an interest in them. Thank you!

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