Date: Fri 26-Mar-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: MELISS

Quick Words:

Bierstadt

Full Text:

Bierstadt Oil Crosses Collins Block At $160,000

with 4 cuts

By Rita Easton

KENNEBUNK LOWER VILLAGE, ME. -- The estate of Alice M. Gade, with several

additions, was offered at a January 23 auction held at Collins Auction

Galleries. Auctioneer Bruce Collins reported a standing room only crowd of

over 300 in competition for the 280 lots offered.

"Since the turn of the century, an Albert Bierstadt oil on canvas hung in the

Metuchen, N.J. home of Alice Gade," auctioneer Bruce D. Collins said, "and it

was that painting that stole the show."

The 36 inch by 26 inch work, "American Falls at Niagara," painted circa 1870-

1880, fetched the starring bid of $160,000, going to New York dealer.

After the room quieted down, the remaining lots all sold for modest four

figure sums and under. "Why was that the only star among all the rest?"

Collins was asked, to which he replied, "To get the pearl, one must acquire

the whole oyster."

A quartered oak secretary with slant lid drop down writing surface brought

$500; a four foot by six foot Bactiari Rug reached $700; an oil on canvas by

Charles Macowin Tuttle garnered $2,700, going to a dealer; an 1850 oil on

canvas by New Hampshire artist A.C. Graves made $2,000; and "Landscape with

Figure" by Arthur V. Diehl sold at $1,600.

A Rose Medallion vase, standing 22 inches high, was purchased at $550; an

early copper bed warmer with a faux grained handle achieved $250; a Kashan rug

measuring 13 feet six inches by nine feet brought $1,200; a figural desk lamp

with a marble base fetched $475; an Arts and Crafts twist turned mahogany and

leather settee, armchair, and rocker sold as one lot, going to a New York

dealer at $1,500; and an oak case tall clock reached $400.

A Mexican sterling silver tray went out at $300; a nest of four Chinese

teakwood tables realized $325; a walnut Victorian settee sold at $250; a

Chinese rosewood marble top plant stand made $300; an oak two drawer center

table reached $350; a Continental bedroom suite went for $525; a four stack

oak bookcase made $450; and a rolled arm wicker settee was purchased at $200.

Amethyst ring, the stone surrounded with tiny diamonds, sold at $225; a

Japanese lacquered inro was purchased at $275; a set of Mexican Taxco sterling

silver earrings and bracelet sold as one lot at $180; twelve Bakelite Japanese

hair combs selling as one lot were coveted by a buyer who paid $650; a three

foot by five foot Hamadan rug fetched $375; ninety pieces of blue and white

Royal Copenhagen set of dinner porcelain achieved $750; and six wooden shaft

golf clubs ranged in price from $50 to $120 each.

Prices quoted do not reflect required ten percent buyer's premium.