We all hear the big auction results: A work by Ethel Carrick-Fox sells for over $ 1 million, as it did last week at Sotheby’s. In fact, as much as I love Sothebys, they generally don’t take any works to sell under $ 10,000.
So what happens to these less valuable works? Well, they often slip into the lesser known and perhaps harder to find auctions, because of location and less advertising. Of course, these sales attract a lot of dealer interest and for instance, the sale this Sunday at Bonhams & Goodman Bay East offers some very interesting pictures at bargain prices.
We thought this is a good opportunity to point out some excellent examples of what is available there.
I’ll go straight to the ships for starters:
Lots 305, John Allcot, of the TSMV Sydney Star at Sydney 1937, estimate $ 2,500 to $ 3,500; lot 306 Joseph Frost’s “Three Master”, estimate $ 1,600 to $ 2,400, and lot 308 is a lovely 19th century work of a steam ship in oil, estimate $ 1,000 to $ 2,000.
Lots 7 and 8 should do extremely well – both are by Lawrence Daws, both are very fine gouache on paper works priced ad $ 200 to $ 200 and $ 500 to $ 700 – absolute bargains of the sale.
I have always liked Tom Garrett’s monotypes – “Tuncurry”, a large 30.5 x 38 cm is no exception, beautifully subtle tones and continues to be undervalued, estimate here is $ 1,500 to $ 2,000.
Don’t tell anyone else about this William Russell Flint etching “Women at the Seaside” because I want it. It is handsigned in ink lower right, and a lovely image. $ 200 to $ 400 – are they serious?!
How long will it take for Lionel Lindsay’s etchings to make more money in the auction room? “Quelltaler House”, ca. 1922, is a great image, estimated at $ 300 to $ 500.
Lot 177: Both Brigitte and myself were mesmerised by this stunning work by Eva Kubbos. There are two other works by her in the sale, but lot 177 is an absolute beauty. It would benefit from reframe, but at 74 x 104 cm and an estimate of $ 800 to $ 1,200, what do you want? This works deserves to sell for a lot more.
Other works of interest include a pleasant Lloyd Rees handcoloured etching from 1980, lot 184, at estimate $ 800 to $ 1,200.
Lot 192 is John Coburn’s “Study for Exodus” 1963, it’s a cracker of a work, estimated at $ 2,000 to $ 2,500 only (we want, we want, we want it…)
Jan Senbergs is currently in the news – how about lot 194, Council Print from 1977, estimate $ 300 to $ 400.
Lot 200 John Brack’s “The Ice Skaters”, 1967, this should do much better than the $ 1,000 to $ 1,500 estimate.
Frank Hinder’s lithograph of Jerry Lewes, lot 208, at $ 400 to $ 600 is great stuff.
And I must not forget lot 2: this is a lovely image from Graham Fransella, one of only 25 produced, a large colour etching, $ 400 to $ 600.
You can go to Bonhams website to view all the works on offer and if you would like more information or wish to bid, don’t hesitate to email us.