Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Christie's Richard Mellon Scaife and Thomas Jefferson

We are back at my favorite auction house Christie's in Rockefeller Center. This photo above was for the historic Elizabeth Taylor Auction in December of 2011. I will remember that viewing as long as I live. One of the few that we had to actually get tickets to see. 

We are now viewing the auction of Richard Mellon Scaife. Yes, he is from that famous Mellon family in Pittsburgh, as a young man he inherited more than $200 million from the banking fortune built by his grandfather, Richard Beatty Mellon, and uncle, R.K. Mellon. He built a media company that included Pittsburgh's Tribune-Review, other small weekly newspapers and a majority stake in the conservative online newsmagazine Newsmax.

There has been quite a scandal since his death in July 2014, as his children felt his family trust fund was not managed correctly. They expected to find a balance in the fund of 90 million, but it was completely empty. I find this to be an interesting story to keep up upon, to see the outcome of the investigation. 

Here are some of the cool items I felt I would show you from his auction which sold for close to 4 million dollars. 

I thought these signs were very cool and they worked too! 


Can you imagine this filled with flowers? What a cool piece of furniture! The set of (2) sold for $8,125.00 us dollars a bit over the estimate. 
I thought this was pretty darn cool and I guess I was not alone. Okay, so a PAIR of the tureens below, sold for $32,500 us dollars! Wowza !! 

A PAIR OF ENGLISH CREAMWARE SHELL-FORM SWEETMEAT STANDS ('GRAND PLATT MENAGE') AND A GRAPE-FORM BOX AND COVER
CIRCA 1760, PROBABLY LEEDS, THE BOX POSSIBLY LATER DECORATED
I only photographed the grape box because I thought it was lovely. The whole lot sold for $7,500 us dollars and highest estimate was $5,000 us dollars. 
Shocked that these did not sell for the estimate, went for $2,375 us dollars. If the seller is willing to accept this price under the estimate, it is accepted. In many cases, they do not accept less than estimate, the sale is not followed through. 
 I thought these were very neat, and a bit surprised they went for such a low amount. 

This item was amazing to see in person. It is always such a joy to step into Christie's world and view some of these unique items. This sold for $43,750 us dollars. 

Mr. Mellon Scaife had a few homes that had many items to be auctioned off. 
The train car was pretty darn amazing! This only sold for $2,750 us dollars, quite a bit under estimated amount. 

This was a beautiful bust and sold for just over estimate at $6,250 us dollars 

Howard Chandler Christy (1873-1952)
Four Women in a Fanciful Garden Setting
signed and dated 'Howard Chandler Christy/1929' (the third panel, lower right)
oil on panel in three parts
66 ¼ x 71 ¾ (168 x 182 cm.), overall
Sold for $30,000 us dollars and estimate was between $30-50,000 
A really gorgeous piece of artwork 
This was sold with 2 other photos of automobile advertising for a total of $3,750 us dollars 
Quite a bit over the estimate of $1,000-$1,500 us dollars 
I could not find the information on this box but it is a biscuit box which was so well preserved. I would have purchased it depending on how high the bidding went. So darn neat! 
SEVEN POLYCHROME PAINTED TIN AUTOMOTIVE AND GASOLINE SIGNS
20TH CENTURY
The set sold for $1,500 us dollars 

SIDNEY H. RIESENBERG (1885-1971)
OVER THE TOP FOR YOU, BUY LIBERTY BONDS; TOGETHER WITH A COMPANION WORK BY ANOTHER HAND JESSE JAMES: THE MISSOURI OUTLAW
These sold for $1,375 us dollars which was over the estimate of $500-$800 

These were adorable and sold for $625 us dollars 

As I walked into the auction house, I found this cool item featuring Thomas Jefferson! It was so neat to see Mr. Jefferson's handwriting, which was very readable, up close and take a photograph as well. He was requesting wine for his home and written at Monticello. And I got to see this for FREE, which is just so so fantastic! Be sure to stop in Christie's if you pass by, you never know what you may find inside! 

Would be thrilled if you gave me a follow here: 

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