Date: Fri 30-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Marsh

Full Text:

Hopeless Case Fetches $100,000 At Pleasant Valley

W/1Cut no cutline

PLEASANT VALLEY, N.Y. -- Among the 940 plus lots from the Estate of George

Marsh auctioned on Saturday, April 17, was an oil on canvas painting signed

Norman Rockwell that Mr Marsh had purchased in 1970 for $4,000.

Auctioneer Robert Doyle, CAI, offered the "Hopeless Case" as lot 177. The

bidding opened at $10,000 and accelerated to $91,000 with the help of the

standing room only crowd, absentee and phone bidders. The sale price of

$100,100 includes the ten percent buyers premium.

According to Doyle, "If you listened to the negative comments of prospective

bidders during the preview you would have concluded that "The Hopeless Case"

was a hopeless case. However, many years ago I learned that a "tire kicker" is

a buyer. The moment of truth for each lot is when it is offered on the auction

block. In this "case" the only thing that was hopeless was the thought of

stealing this painting."

George Marsh was an antique dealer in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The auction offered

many fine pieces of art glass, coins, sterling silver, artwork, furniture,

Oriental rugs and accessories.

The next auction at the Pleasant Valley will be Saturday, May 1, at 5 pm.