Monumental Khatchkar (Stone Cross) – the First on Display in a U.S. Museum – on Special Loan to Metropolitan Museum from Republic of Armenia

A monumental 12th-century Khatchkar – a 2,000-pound, nearly 8-foot-tall block of basalt, carved on its surface with symbols of the four evangelists, a massive cross, small birds at fountains, and surrounding patterns of interlacing – is now on display in the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries for Byzantine art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is on special long-term loan from
the State History Museum of Armenia in Yerevan.

This is the first display of a Khatchkar – a commemorative object whose name means cross (khatch) of stone (kar) in Armenian – in any museum in the United States. The Khatchkar now on view originated in Lori, the Republic of Armenia’s northernmost province, which is known for its spectacular forested landscapes.

The Hagop Kevorkian Fund generously supported the transportation and installation of the Khatchkar.

“This Khatchkar is an exceptional example of the importance of the Gospels to the Armenian people,” said Helen C. Evans, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator of Byzantine Art at the Metropolitan, “in that it depicts of the cross of salvation rising from the symbols of the four evangelists who wrote the Gospels – the angel of Matthew, the lion of Mark, the ox of Luke, and the eagle of John. We are extremely grateful to the many members of the Armenian community, both in Armenia and here in the U.S., who made possible this loan, which represents the great medieval artistic tradition of the Armenian people.”

The Armenians, who recognized Christianity as their state religion at the beginning of the fourth century, have long maintained an independent Christian tradition. Located on the eastern border of Byzantium during medieval times, they frequently installed imposing Khatchkars as memorials to the dead and to mark local events of significance. The Khatchkar now on view at the Metropolitan Museum comes from the northern region that fell to the Mongols in 1238, not long after it was carved. It features designs typical of the decoration of Armenian Gospel manuscripts, particularly pages from canon tables, and is thought never to have had an inscription. The exquisitely carved interlaces form a ‘frame’ around the monumental cross, which rests above the symbols of the evangelists. The large head of Saint Matthew’s angel presides over the smaller heads of Saint Mark’s lion, Saint Luke’s ox (on its side), and Saint John’s eagle (in profile). The presence of evangelist symbols is rare in Khatchkars of the medieval period.

The installation was organized and overseen by Helen Evans. She traveled to Armenia with Jack Soultanian Jr., Conservator in the Department of Objects Conservation at the Metropolitan, to select the Khatchkar under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and the State History Museum, and in consultation with the Office of the President of Armenia.

This fall, additional works of Armenian art will be installed in a case adjacent to the Khatchkar, including manuscripts from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum and works on loan from other institutions.

A special Sunday at the Met afternoon of lectures on the importance of Armenian medieval art and culture, along with a performance of medieval Armenian music, will take place on Sunday, November 23, 2008. Details will follow on the website of the Metropolitan Museum at www.metmuseum.org.

The Sunday at the Met program is made possible by The Hagop Kevorkian Fund.

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PAIR OF ORIGINAL CHARLES SCHULZ “PEANUTS” STRIPS TOP $100,000, AND ORIGINAL X-MEN #99 COVER ART FETCHES $55,370 AT PHILIP WEISS AUCTIONS’ APRIL 26^th SALE

            (Oceanside, N.Y.) – A pair of original Charles Schulz “Peanuts” comic strips – one daily, one Sunday – sold for a combined $106,270, and original cover art by Dave Cockrum for the “X-Men” #99 comic book hit $55,370 at a multi-estate sale held April 26 by Philip Weiss Auctions. The Dave Cockrum piece was the top lot in a sale that saw about 750 items change hands and grossed $500,000.

“I know I sound like a broken record, but even in a sour economy if you offer top-quality, fresh-to-the-market merchandise, then people will come to your auctions and people will spend their money,” said Philip Weiss, “and that’s exactly what happened at this sale. Attendance was somewhat light at right around 50 in-house bidders, but Internet, phone and absentee bidding was very strong.”

Mr. Weiss said the online bidding component (via eBayLive and LiveAuctioneers.com) was particularly active, with about 4,000 registered Internet bidders comprising the vast bulk of the nearly 6,000 total bids submitted during the sale. “But the phones were ringing all day, too, for almost every lot,” he added, “and the absentee bids included 1,500 ‘left’ bids. It was just a great day overall.”

            The “Peanuts” strips sold for similar amounts, even though the Sunday was 13 panels and the daily was only four. But the daily (signed by Schulz and dated 6-27-57) featured an early Snoopy in all four panels, plus Charlie Brown in the last panel. It sold for $52,110. The Sunday strip, dated 4-8-62, had a great baseball gag featuring Linus and Snoopy. After spirited bidding, it went for $54,160.

The Cockrum “X-Men” cover art was one of the noted illustrator’s finest efforts, a pen-and-ink drawing of an intergalactic battle scene in outer space. The piece – measuring 11-1/2″ x 17-1/2″ — was signed in the lower right by the artist. It was executed in 1976. Also, a lot of 21 original Spiderman sketches by John Romita, all from the 1960s and accompanied by a trace splash page, realized $27,120.

Following are additional sale highlights. All prices quoted include a 13% buyer’s premium.

            Comic books were a hot commodity. A copy of “Journey Into Mystery” (#83), graded 6.5 and introducing the Mighty Thor (dated 8-13-62), hammered for $3,730; a giant-size (68-page) copy of “X-Men” (#1), graded 9.6 and featuring all the X-Men superheroes on the cover (Summer 1975), made $2,710; and a rare copy of “Sub-Mariner” (#32) from July 1949, graded 7.5, changed hands for $4,065.

            A fabulous Apollo 11 Flight Plan, personally signed on the cover by 21 NASA astronauts for “Arlene” (who worked as a NASA hostess and entertained astronauts and their families in her home near Houston in the 1960s) blasted off for $8,190. The Flight Plan, housed in a three-ring binder, had the signatures of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldren and Michael Collins (all of Apollo 11) and many others.

            Animation art was led by a marvelous production cel from the classic 1930s Disney movie “Snow White,” depicting a wide-eyed Snow White and a rabbit on a Courvoisier background. The cel, framed and measuring 5″ x 6-1/4″, achieved $4,802. Also, a complete, unused ticket to the Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium in New York, dated August 23, 1966 (face value: $5.75), gaveled for $1,648.

Philip Weiss Auctions’ next big sale will be held on Saturday, May 17. It will be Part 2 of The Newport Stamp Collection. Part 1 made headlines when, on February 9, an unused 1869 24-cent inverted center U.S. stamp, #120b, certified Fine and one of only four unused examples know to exist, soared to $1.271 million. It was a new world record for a U.S. invert (the previous record: $825,000).

Part 2 of the sale promises to be just as enticing for collectors. Highlights will include U.S. singles and great rarities such as August issues #55-62; Continental and American special printings, complete #’s 167-177, 180-181, 192-204, 205C, 211D and J8-J14; 1857 and 1861 reprints, complete #’s 233A and 314A mint pair (Ex. Cromwell and Engle, one of only six such pairs known to exist). Also:

316 line pair; 318 pair; 321 pair; 322 pair; 356 line pair; an Orangeburg Coil used single; 4C and 8C blue papers; 485 double error; 544 used; 594 mint; 596 pre-cancelled; O94; PR47; R157 and R158; Hawaii #12; and many more. To learn more about the second component of this fabulous collection, click on the Philip Weiss Auctions website as sale day approaches: www.prwauctions.com.

Also on May 17, 200 other stamp, coin and paper money lots will also be sold from various collections, to include: The Chesapeake Collection featuring 50+ Scott specialty albums loaded with foreign mint sets and singles; British Colonies; four stamp collections now being broken down; and the “Silver Salt Cellar” recovered from the treasure ship Atocha (appraised value: more than $300,000).

The following day, Sunday, May 18, another blockbuster sale will be held, featuring about 200 lots of Civil War photos, ribbons, letters and many identified carte de vistes (CDVs); a collection of Jack London first-edition books and other important first-editions; 150-200 lots of better Americana, literature and illustrated books; three Charles Schulz “Peanuts” strips; and two Kentucky Long Rifles.

May 18 will also feature sports memorabilia, to include a signed Babe Ruth photograph; examples of the rare and coveted T-206 baseball cards; and more. Also slated to cross the block will be a collection of rare Russian propaganda posters from the 1930s; movie posters; post cards; and more. Check the website for more lot listings as the May dates approach. Click on www.prwauctions.com.

Looking a little further into the year, Philip Weiss Auctions also has sales planned for June and September (times and dates to be announced). Already secured for June is a beautiful, fresh-to-the-market oil-on-canvas painting by the Spanish artist Emilio Grau Sala (1911-1975). The September auction will feature a military collection that, according to Mr. Weiss, “must be seen to be believed.”

Philip Weiss Auctions conducts its sales in a spacious showroom facility, located at #1 Neil Court, In Oceanside, N.Y. (on Long Island). The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at (516) 594-0731, or e-mail them at phil@prwauctions.com. To learn more about the firm, click on www.prwauctions.com.

Barrett-Jackson helps raise over $1 million for charity during 2008 Palm Beach collector car event

Barrett-Jackson’s 2008 Charity Total Surpasses $6 Million

Scottsdale, Ariz., - April 30, 2008 – The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company recently announced that it helped raise $1.1 million for various local and national charities during the 6^th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in West Palm Beach, Fla., on March 26-30, 2008. Donations at the automotive lifestyle event were gathered through the sale of 18 collector vehicles, crowd donations and fundraisers during the Opening Night Gala. Barrett-Jackson, which routinely waives buyer and seller fees on charity vehicles, has helped raise over $6.1 million for charity during the 2008 auction season.

“Over 40 years ago, my father Russ Jackson and his partner Tom Barrett presented their first automotive event with one goal in mind – to raise money for the Scottsdale Library,” said Craig Jackson, Chairman/CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Today, I’m proud that our team has succeeded in continuing the Barrett-Jackson legacy of helping others. We experienced success again this year by exceeding the $1 million mark in charitable donations for the first time in the six-year history of the Palm Beach event. In Scottsdale, we helped raise an amazing $5 million, bringing the total to over $6.1 million for this year as we gear up for our inaugural Las Vegas auction.”

With the help of Ford Motor Company, the abundant crop of charity cars sold in Palm Beach was led by the KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs from NBC’s “Knight Rider,” which sold as a pair for $300,000 to benefit Ford’s Salute to Education program (www.stescholarships.org). Salute to Education, which awards college scholarships to high school seniors in South Florida, received an additional $264,000 from sales of four other cars, including $135,000 for a 2008 Ford Mustang ROUSH P-51A fastback #151.

“Ford stepped up to the plate once again and brought some unbelievable cars to auction in Palm Beach,” said Steve Davis, President of Barrett-Jackson. “Last year, Ford joined Carroll Shelby on stage to unveil and sell the first Shelby GT-H convertible. And they delivered again this year with the KITT cars, a stunning one-off ROUSH P-51 Mustang and several other exceptional, one-of-a-kind vehicles.”

Barrett-Jackson, together with The Armed Forces Foundation (www.armedforcesfoundation.org) and Super Chevy magazine, fetched an impressive price of $130,000 for a 1957 Chevy Bel Air custom convertible dubbed “Project American Heroes”; an additional $1,000 was donated by those in attendance. All proceeds benefited The Armed Forces Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen or disabled soldiers.

The Darrell Gwynn Foundation (www.darrellgwynnfoundation.org), a longtime charity partner of Barrett-Jackson, was the beneficiary of over $225,000 including $137,000 received from the sale of the 2008 Eliminator Daytona boat, and an additional $66,000 from a commemorative poster autographed by all the celebrities at the Scottsdale 2008 event and crowd donations. Founded to help provide for and ultimately cure spinal cord injuries and other debilitating illnesses, Darrell Gwynn Foundation also benefited from fundraisers held during Barrett-Jackson’s annual Opening Night Gala.

“The support of Barrett-Jackson as one of its official charities means the world to our foundation,” said Darrell Gwynn, President of Darrell Gwynn Foundation. “They are a perfect partner in allowing us to use their unique platform to raise awareness about paralysis and to provide aid and support.”

Funds raised during the gala were also donated to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com), an organization that helps prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation, find missing children and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families and the professionals who serve them.

Eight cars from HBO’s “The Sopranos” were sold in Palm Beach for $83,800, including Tony Soprano’s white 2003 Cadillac Escalade ESV that brought $45,000. Net proceeds from “The Sopranos” cars were donated to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles (www.childrenshospitalla.org).

Additional charity cars in Palm Beach included a 2008 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson custom pickup that sold for $50,000 to benefit America’s 9/11 Ride Foundation and a 2008 Saturn Sky Redline convertible that brought $31,000 for the Child Rescue Network.

The exceptional charity total in Palm Beach comes just two months after Barrett-Jackson helped raise $5 million during the 37^th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event in Scottsdale, Ariz. American automakers Ford, GM and Chrysler led the way by auctioning their latest performance vehicles to gather nearly $2 million for respective charities.

About The Barrett-Jackson Auction Company

Established in 1971 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Barrett-Jackson specializes in providing products and services to classic and collector car owners, astute collectors and automotive enthusiasts around the world. The company produces the “World’s Greatest Collector Car Events^TM” in Scottsdale, Palm Beach, Fla. and Las Vegas. For more information about Barrett-Jackson, visit www.barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

New York, NY, April 29, 2008 – Following the tremendous success of the Visual Arts department in London, Bloomsbury Auctions is delighted to announce the launch of the Visual Arts department in New York. The inaugural sale will showcase many iconic Pop images, including a pristine example of Roy Lichtenstein’s masterpiece graphic work Sweet Dreams Baby, a selection of images of John F. Kennedy from Warhol’s Flash series, a unique $ silkscreen, and a number of hand-colored lithographs from the 25 Cats Named Sam, and One Blue Pussy. Click here to view the catalogue online.

Modern master highlights include a complete set of Pan which includes the iconic Toulouse-Lautrec image Mademoiselle Marcel Lender en Buste, three of Picasso’s important linoleum cuts produced in the South of France in the 1960′s as well as his Fernando de Rojas. La Celestine, the book comprising 66 etchings, as part of his 347 series, Picasso’s great outpouring of energy during his 86^th year where he created 347 etchings in under a seven-month period and Chagall’s Aragon, the book comprised of 25 color etchings with aquatint.

In addition to the above are many more exquisite 20th century works by artists including Mary Cassatt, Willem De Kooning, Jean Dubuffet, Joan Miró, Robert Motherwell, Wayne Thiebaud, and many others. “We are delighted with the response we have recieved to our first catalogue and we are are tremendously excited about the success of our Print Department in New York.” says Christine Berlane, Head of Department in New York. With estimates ranging from $1000-$150,000, Bloomsbury Auctions is pleased to present a 20^th Century Prints sale to suit all budgets.The preview exhibition will be held on Thursday, May 1^st to Saturday, May 3^rd from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday, May 5^th from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday, May 6^th from 10 am to 7 pm, and Wednesday, May 7^th from 10 am to 1 pm. The auction will begin on Wednesday, May 7^th at precisely 2:00 pm. Visit www.bloomsburyauctions.com to view the catalogue, auction calendar and sale results.

Bloomsbury Auctions was founded in 1983 as the preeminent auction house for rare books and works on paper and is headquartered in London with salerooms in New York and Rome.

Bloomsbury Auctions | 6 West 48th Street | New York, NY 10036 | T +1 212 719 1000 | F +1 212 719 1400

On 15^th May Bloomsbury Auctions celebrates its 25^th Anniversary with a 500 lot sale of Important Books and Manuscripts.   Bloomsbury has come a very long way since it first started; today the five floor head office is in central London with highly successful branches in Rome and New York, selling more books than any other auction house in the world.

This is a handsome sale which embraces all manner of books and manuscripts from Private Press and Limited Editions, Illustrated Books, Children’s Books, Modern First Editions, History, English and Continental Literature and to Fine and Applied Arts, Architecture, Design, Travel, Topography, Natural History, Sports, Science and Medicine.

The morning session, which is entirely devoted to Private Press and Limited Editions, kicks off with an extremely important Kelmscott Chaucer (1896) one of 425 copies on paper, printed in red and black.  Arguably the most important work from the famous Kelmscott Press, it was printed in 1896 a few weeks before the death of William Morris its founder (estimate £30000-40000).   This session also boasts a complete collection of the Golden Cockerel Press including many of the ‘specials’ and other related material.

The afternoon sale has a fine first and only edition of the first book ever published by William Thackeray. Flore et Zephir Ballet Mythologique… (lot 252) was the first ballet where dancers performed on pointe; it is a volume of caricatures of a ballet divertissement (with two original drawings by Thackeray), in which he ridicules the illusion of flying using elaborate stage machinery (estimate £6000-8000).  No major sale which includes Children’s Books can be without Beatrix Potter and Bloomsbury offers a first edition second issue of The Tale of Peter Rabbit (lot 258).  Privately printed by Beatrix Potter after being rejected by at least six publishers, this is one of only 200 copies and is estimated £10000-15000.  Of course, no group of Modern First Editions would be complete without Ian Fleming, especially at Bloomsbury which has come to be the place for Bond books; lots 268-269 From Russia, With Love and Goldfinger are both inscribed to Agatha Soames, a first cousin of Winston Churchill‘s son-in-law (estimated £7000-9000 and £6000-8000 respectively). Another ubiquitous author in any sale which  includes First editions is JK Rowling, a first edition, first impression of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (lot 283) is estimated £10000-15000.  A scarce first edition of Quotations from Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book in the first issue white paper wrappers (lot 277), is expected to fetch between £4000-6000.

Amongst the Manuscripts is an autograph manuscript of Sir Isaac Newton‘s Note on Devils, Arianism and Antitrinitarianism (lot 292) estimated £6000-8000.  Lot 297 is an apparently unpublished autographed letter from Felix Mendelssohn the composer, in which he writes of his first visit to Britain (estimate £2000-30000.  One of the most interesting items in this section, if not the sale, is lot 303 a letter in German from Einstein, on his view of God and Judaism,‘The word God is nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish…’  This extraordinary letter is estimated £6000-8000.  A less lofty subject matter is covered in the first English edition of The Pathway to Knowledge by Nicolaus Petri translated by William Phillip (lot 321).  Printed in 1596 it is one of the earliest works on accounting to be printed in England, and is a fascinating association copy with the 17^th century mathematician William Oughtred‘s notions.

One of the most important books in the sale must be the handsome first edition of the so called Nuremberg Chronicle of 1493 (lot 365) with rare contemporary hand-colouring.  It is a history of the world from the Creation to contemporary times, including several blank pages for the owner to fill in whatever he considered to be appropriately important.  Remarkable also for its descriptions of cities (with around 116 places being identified by name), illustrations, design and woodcuts it is estimated to fetch £90000-110000.

The penultimate lot in this magnificent sale is a handsome, clean first edition of De Humani Corporis Fabbrica by Andreas Vesalius of 1543.  This work is regarded as having revolutionised the understanding of anatomy as a science and how it was taught (estimate £120000-160000).

Thriller Writer Lynda La Plante is this Year’s Patron of the Antiquarian Book Fair

The multi award winning author and screenwriter Lynda La Plante, has agreed to be the Patron and figurehead of this year’s Antiquarian Book Fair at Olympia (5th-7th June 2008).

‘Lynda La Plante’s gripping and expertly written television thrillers are the backbone of British quality viewing,’ said Adrian Harrington, Chairman of the Antiquarian Book Fair. ‘Trial and Retribution and Prime Suspect starring Helen Mirren must rate as amongst the best of their genre.  Lynda is also a major author and we’re delighted and honoured that she is opening this year’s Book Fair at Olympia.’

There are 160 international exhibitors representing the cream of the world’s antiquarian booksellers, a record number this century.  As always the Fair boasts ‘something for everyone’, no matter how obscure the subject, there is bound to be a book about it from illuminated manuscripts, early printed books, modern first editions and ‘ultra moderns’ to maps, atlases, prints, letters, autographs and vintage photographs.  The Fair is the perfect place to browse, discuss, compare, learn and buy; prices range from £30 to £500,000.

The Book Fair is the largest and most prestigious event of its kind in Europe and the oldest established book fair in the world.  It is organised by the august Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association, which means that all its members have been carefully vetted so the public can buy with confidence.

Opening times:

Thursday 5th June 4pm-9.00pm                    Friday 6th June 11.00am-7.00pm

Saturday 7th June 11.00am-6.00pm

For further visitor information and complimentary tickets please contact the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association.   Tel: 020 7439 3118   Fax: 020 7439 3119 www.olympiabookfair.com

WORKS BY RUSSIANS AND OLD MASTERS BRING BIG MONEY AT GENE SHAPIRO SALE

(New York City, N.Y.) – A stylized and historical acrylic on canvas portrait of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, done in 1989 by the Russian artist Semyon Faibisovich (b. 1949) and originally intended as cover art for an issue of TIME magazine, soared to $144,000 at an auction of important Russian art and other works held April 17 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan.

The sale was conducted by Gene Shapiro Auctions, LLC, a fine arts auctioneer of European and American art and a leader in the burgeoning field of Russian art. The auction date was timed so it would fit nicely between Russian art sales held by Sotheby’s (on April 15-16) and Christie’s (on April 18), also in New York.

“I am very happy that we are now holding our sales in New York,” said Gene Shapiro. “Many major buyers from Russia and Europe came and participated in the auction. It was great to see them physically there in person instead of only on the phones.” He added, “What was really interesting to see was that many of the Old Masters works were purchased by Russian clients as well.”

The Faibisovich painting was the top lot of the more than 250 works that crossed the block. About 90% of the offerings were by Russian artists, but the auction also featured works by European Old Masters, as well as 19th-Century European paintings and genre scenes. Phone and absentee bidding, boosted by the international flavor of the sale, was very strong. Internet bidding on EbayLive was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.

When asked about his firm’s success, Mr. Shapiro noted, “We have established ourselves as an attractive auction house, both for consignors and bidders, through a combination of aggressive international marketing, strong results and well-chosen and vetted artwork on offer. We will definitely stick with this strategy, and I invite consignors to contact us and take advantage of our strong results.”

Following are other results from the sale. All prices quoted include a 20% buyer’s premium.

Nine paintings by the highly collected Russian seminal futurist David Burliuk (1882-1967) were offered, and eight of them changed hands. Two were standouts: one was a 32″ x 26″ oil on canvas executed in 1945 and titled “Flowers by the Sea” ($57,600); the other was a 20″ x 24″ oil on canvas titled “Australia” ($48,000). Both works sailed past their high estimates; all were signed by the artist.

A pair of works by Russian-born American artists did quite well. One was a 25-1/2″ x 34-1/2″ oil on canvas by Boris Anisfeld (1878-1973), signed lower right and titled “The Three Gypsies” ($74,400); the other was a 15-1/2″ x 10-3/4″ charcoal on paper by Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955), signed lower right ($19,200). Both works drew intense bidder interest from buyers in Russia and the U.S.

The sale’s second top lot was a 70″ x 70″ oil on canvas executed in 2001 by contemporary Russian artist Natalia Nesterova (b. 1944), titled “Reflections” ($90,000). Also, two works brought identical prices of $72,000: “Landscape With Cow” (1974), by Oscar Rabin (b. 1928); and “View of the Church of Boris and Gleb, Kostroma, Winter” (1919) by Konstantin I. Gorbatov (1876-1945).

The star of the Old Masters category was a 49-3/4″ x 39-3/8″ oil on canvas by an unknown European artist, titled “Salome With the Head of St. John the Baptist” ($28,800). Another Old Master painting worthy of mention was a 18-1/2″ 25″ oil on panel painting by the 17th-century Dutch artist E. Ruytenbach, titled “A Village Scene.” The 1680 work, signed and dated lower left, realized $24,000.

European paintings that did well included an oil on canvas by Harold Clayton (British, 1896-1979), titled “Still Life of Flowers in a Glass Vase” ($19,200); an oil on canvas by Francois Adolphe Grison (French, 1845-1914), titled “The New Coat” ($15,600); and an oil on canvas by Jules A. Garnier (French, 1847-1889), titled “A Break During the Performance” ($11,400). All were signed.

A pair of works by Russian artists achieved $60,000. One was another Oscar Rabin work, a 35″ x 51-1/4″ oil on canvas done in 1995 and titled “Visa Obiknovennaya”; the other was executed by the seminal figure of the Leningrad underground, Evgeny Rukhin (1943-1976), the Russian equivalent of Jasper Johns. His 1974 mixed media on canvas work titled “Composition With Icon” was offered.

An oil on canvas by Pavel S. Naumov (Russian, 1884-1942), titled “Eve and the Serpent,” gaveled for $48,000; a watercolor and gouache on paper by Abram E.Arkhipov (Russian, 1862-1930), titled “A Smiling Village Woman,” fetched $36,000; and a set of three mixed media works on paper, from the Shower series ‘Make a Story From a Picture,’ by Ilya Kabakov (Russian, b. 1933), hit $31,200.

Rounding out the top lots, a set of six erotic lithographs by Mihaly Von Zichy (Russian, 1829-1906), went for $15,600; a 13-3/4″ x 17″ oil on panel by Alexei V. Hanzen (Russian, 1876-1937), titled “House on the Dalmatian Coast,” brought $12,000; and a 23-3/4″ x 31-1/4″ oil on canvas work by an unknown 19th-century Russian artist, titled “A View of Moscow,” hammered for $10,800.

Gene Shapiro was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and speaks Russian, French and Spanish fluently. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in art history and worked in Sotheby’s contemporary art department before branching out as a private art dealer, specializing in Russian, European and American artwork, from Old Masters to the present day.

Capitalizing on his experience and contacts in these fields, he launched Gene Shapiro Auctions, LLC. In its brief existence, the smaller but specialized auction house has established a solid reputation for selling high-quality works with excellent provenance.

Russian art will continue to be the firm’s primary focus, but Mr. Shapiro believes in offering his customers the opportunity to bid on beautiful Italian, Flemish and French Old Master works as well. “The best collections are those that comprise a mixture of art from different time periods, as well as different nationalities,” he said. “I will continue to offer this mix in my auctions.”

Gene Shapiro Auctions, LLC, is always accepting quality consignments for future sales, especially works by Russian artists, Old Masters, and European and American artists. To consign a single piece or an entire collection, you may call the firm at (917) 330-1482, or you can e-mail them at info@geneshapiro.com. For more information about the company, log on to www.geneshapiro.com.

Gene Shapiro Auctions, LLC’s next sale will be in New York sometime in the fall, most likely in October. Watch the website for more details as fall approaches.

Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from London‘s Victoria and Albert Museum to Go on View at Metropolitan Museum May 20

Exhibition dates: May 20 – August 17, 2008

Exhibition location: Wrightsman Exhibition Gallery

Press preview: Monday, May 19, 10:00 a.m. – noon

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds one of the world’s finest collections of European decorative arts. Thirty-five of its masterpieces will be on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art beginning May 20, 2008, in the exhibition Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum, while the V&A prepares a new suite of galleries for its collection. Dating from 300 to 1600, the exhibition will include superb examples of sculpture, metalwork, ceramics, and glass that are rarely lent. Most have never been on view in New York.

These mostly small-scale works of art are highly prized for their beauty, the value of their materials, and the exquisite workmanship that marks their creation. Among the highlights will be the Carolingian ivory cover of the Lorsch Gospels, an ivory statuette of the crucified Christ by Giovanni Pisano, Donatello’s bronze Putto with Fish, a pair of gilt-bronze statuettes of prophets by Hubert Gerhard, and the Codex Forster I, one of Leonardo da Vinci’s precious notebooks.

The exhibition was organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The exhibition is made possible by The David Berg Foundation.

It is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and Humanities.

Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum will provide a rare opportunity to see these works together before they are installed in the new Medieval and Renaissance Galleries opening at the V&A in fall 2009.

At the Metropolitan, the exhibition is organized by Peter Barnet, Michel David-Weill Curator in Charge, Medieval Art and The Cloisters, and Ian Wardropper, Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Chairman, Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts.

Publication and Related Programs

The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated booklet featuring the 35 Medieval and Renaissance works to be on view in New York. Published by V&A Publications and distributed in North America by Harry N. Abrams, Inc., the catalogue will be available in the Metropolitan Museum’s book shops ($27.50 hardcover).

A variety of education programs will be offered in conjunction with the exhibition at the Metropolitan, including a Sunday at the Met program to be held on June 22.

The exhibition will also be featured on the Museum’s website at www.metmuseum.org.

Prior to its showing at the Metropolitan, the exhibition was on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, and Speed Art Museum, Louisville. Afterward, it will travel to the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, and Millennium Galleries, Sheffield, before the works are installed in new galleries at the V&A in fall 2009.

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April 28, 2008

VISITOR INFORMATION

Hours

Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Sundays, Tuesdays-Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Met Holiday Mondays in the Main Building:

May 26, and September 1, 2008

Sponsored by Bloomberg 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

All other Mondays closed; Jan. 1, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 25 closed

Recommended Admission (Includes Main Building and The Cloisters on the Same Day)

Adults $20.00, seniors (65 and over) $15.00, students $10.00

Members and children under 12 accompanied by adult free

Advance tickets available at www.TicketWeb.com or 1-800-965-4827.

For More Information (212) 535-7710; www.metmuseum.org

No extra charge for any exhibition.

SOTHEBY’S TO OFFER ARTEK PAVILION BY SHIGERU BAN AT SALE OF IMPORTANT 20th CENTURY DESIGN ON JUNE 14, 2008

New York, New York – Sotheby’s is proud to offer the Artek Pavilion by internationally recognized architect Shigeru Ban in collaboration with UPM, one of the world’s leading forest products groups, as part of the June 14, 2008 sale of Important 20th Century Design. Made primarily from recycled materials, this prefabricated pavilion, which has been exhibited in Milan, Helsinki, and Miami, demonstrates the ingenuity of design in offering alternative environmentally friendly spaces in the 20th century. The Artek Pavilion is estimated to sell for $800,000/1.2 million* and is being offered on behalf of Proventus, the majority owner of Artek, with the proceeds being donated to arts and culture affiliated charities.

James Zematis, Senior Vice President and Head of the 20th Century Design Department at Sotheby’s, said, “Shigeru Ban’s Artek Pavilion is a timely symbol of sustainability. Highly acclaimed when it was exhibited in Milan, Helsinki and Miami, it will be sold during a summer season in New York that will include the much-anticipated exhibition on domestic prefabrication at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. How many collectors have wondered, ‘What if Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona Pavilion had been saved?’ We are proud to be offering a masterwork that will be studied in future classes of 21st century architecture.”

Internationally renowned architect Shigeru Ban designed the Artek Pavilion, “the Space of Silence,” in collaboration with forest products group UPM using mainly one material: extruded profile out of wood plastic composite, made primarily from recycled materials. The principle raw material for this recycled material is self-adhesive label materials made of paper and plastic. The architecture of the pavilion was designed around a structural-unit concept, repeated multiple times in forming an elongated shed-like building. The pavilion was also designed to be re-assembled, and the elements were pre-built and assembled in Finland. One module of the pavilion, which consists of a roof, wall and structural elements, is approximately 2 meters wide; this module is repeated 21 times. The entire pavilion is 40 meters long and 5 meters wide and can be taken down and re-assembled easily. This nomadic construction, an unconventional piece of ecological innovation with elegant beauty, stands for Artek’s attitude to sustainable development, amplifying the dialogue between design, architecture and art.

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban has been a remarkable trailblazer in applying ecological thinking and the principles of sustainable development to architectural design. Ban’s architecture emphasizes refinement and innovation, especially in his choice of material technologies. His original and bold approaches to the use of paper, cardboard and bamboo as construction materials, combined with a cleanlined and contemporary architectural aesthetic, have made him one of the most important architects of our time. In 1995, he started Voluntary Architects’ Network (VAN), sharing his awareness of housing shortages and deplorable living conditions in various parts of the world. Ban’s work reflects the influences of both American architectural training and the traditions of his native Japan.

The Artek Pavilion was first presented by Artek and the forest products group UPM in April of 2007, in Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Italy, in the triennial garden, a legendary platform in international design. In September of 2007, the Pavilion was erected in Helsinki, Finland in the area between the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum. In December of 2007, the nomadic pavilion was reconstructed and placed on exhibition for the third time at Design Miami, Florida.

Pavilions as architectural manifestations and exhibition spaces for furniture and lighting have had a significant role throughout Artek’s history. They have had global influence in the fields of architecture and design as tangible representations of an era – and materialize the on-going Artek ideology of promoting humane and innovative design in the present. The most well known examples of these pavilions go back to the 1930s, to the Paris (1936-37) and New York (1939) World Fairs. These pavilions were designed by the Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto and furnished by Artek, the company he founded in 1935.

About Proventus

Proventus is a privately held company that invests in companies in need of change and actively contributes to their development. In addition to the industrial operations, Proventus is the principal of the arts museum Magasin 3 Stockholm Konsthall and the Jewish Theatre in Stockholm. Proventus is also engaged in the arts through Alvar Aalto’s Maison Louis Carré in France and the Israeli based Batsheva Dance Company to which the proceeds of the pavilion will be donated. http://www.proventus.se/

About Artek

Artek was established in 1935 by four young Finns led by the visionary modern architect Alvar Aalto to promote humane and innovative design. The corner stones of Artek’s product development strategy are ethics, aesthetics and ecology. Combining the heritage of Alvar Aalto with ambitious product research, Artek today is more art and tech than ever.

www.artek.fi

About UPM

UPM is one of the world’s leading forest products group. The Group employs around 26,000 people and in 2007 made sales of EUR 10 billion. UPM’s main products include printing papers, label materials and wood products. The company has production units in 14 countries and its main market areas are Europe and North America. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange and the company has an ADR programme on the OTC market in the United States.

www.upm-kymmene.com
www.upmprofi.com

About Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s is a global company that engages in art auction, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 40 countries, with principal salesrooms located in New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris. The Company also regularly conducts auctions in nine other salesrooms around the world. Sotheby’s is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.

www.sothebys.com

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*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium.

HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF AMERICAN BRILLIANT CUT GLASS FROM FOUR IMPORTANT COLLECTIONS TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION ON SATURDAY, MAY 31, BY WOODY AUCTION

Sale’s top lot promises to be a solid apple green “White House” wine glass, cut in the “Lincoln” pattern

(St. Charles, Mo.) – Four important collections of American Brilliant Cut Glass – the rare and often colorful decorative glass pieces made mostly in this country between 1876 and 1916 and highly sought after by collectors – will be sold at auction on Saturday, May 31^st, at the St. Charles Convention Center, starting at 9:30 a.m.. The sale will be held by Woody Auction of Douglass, Kansas.

One collection in particular figures to stand out from the rest — that of Bill and Alta Barnett of Colts Neck, N.J. The couple has been collecting American Brilliant Cut Glass (ABCG) since the late ’80s, he because he considers each piece “an artistic technical marvel” and she as someone who appreciates the art form. The Barnetts’ collection comprises over 200 pieces, in a variety of categories.

One piece especially is expected to attract intense bidder interest, both for its rarity and beauty as well as for its historical significance. It is a 4-1/2″ solid apple green “White House” wine glass, cut in the “Lincoln” pattern. Seven re-orders were issued for this item after the initial order was submitted by Mrs. Lincoln, in 1861. The “Lincoln” wine glass will be sold with a modest reserve price.

“I can’t stress enough the importance of this glass,” said Jason Woody of Woody Auction. “First, its lineage can be traced to the Lincoln White House, making it a true piece of American history. A letter indicates the glass was purchased from the estate of a high-ranking Naval officer who fought in the Civil War. Also, the glass is green, not the customary red. I know of only one other such example.”

Four companies have filled cut glass orders for the White House. Dorflinger is believed to be the cutter for the “Lincoln” wine glass. A red version sold at auction in March 2004, for a reported $22,750 (less the buyer’s premium), through Christie’s. The green glass is so rare, Woody Auction and the Barnetts had to refer to the book “White House Glassware” by Jane Spillman of the Corning Museum to research its provenance.

American Brilliant Cut Glass enjoyed a 40-year reign, until right around the outbreak of World War I. In her book “Antiques Roadshow Primer,” Carol Prisant wrote, “The finest moment for American cut glass was the period from 1880-1915, when large, elaborate and brilliantly sparkling punch bowl sets, odd-shaped relish trays, mustard jars, bowls, lamps and novelty items were made.”

The audience for these decorative beauties was “a newly wealthy and innocently ostentatious middle class,” Ms. Prisant wrote, adding, “How better to reflect those nouveau riches, after all, than to spread one’s tabletop with glassy diamonds?” America led the way in the manufacture of Brilliant Cut Glass, although the genre also includes pieces crafted in England, Belgium and France.

Each piece of ABCG truly is an engineering feat. It is made by carving a free-blown or mold-blown shape into geometric patterns with variously sized, power-driven sandstone or limestone wheels and grinding with a mixture of water and sand. As a precursor to ABCG, a great deal of American cut glass was produced from 1810-1850, especially in the strawberry diamond pattern.

The Barnetts’ collection comprises 37 wine glasses; 52 “bowls” (bowls, punch bowls, rose bowls, comports and nappies); 21 “vases” (to include flower centers); 28 “servers” (to include trays, plates and salad sets); 34 “vessels” (to include decanters, jugs, jars, carafes, pitchers and a tantalus set); 11 “cabinets” (like sugar and creamers); 24 “drinking items” (minus wine glasses) and 12 “other.”

Following are expected top lots at the May 31 sale. Many are from the Barnett’s collection.

Another piece with historical cache will be offered: a signed Hawkes two-part punch bowl, related to a hospitality reception for then-President Theodore Roosevelt at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in 1904. An accompanying letter copy, indicating it reached its destination at the same time as the punch bowl, is included. The bowl is strawberry diamond, with clear split vesica, star motif and superb blank (clarity).

Also expected to wow the crowd is a Stevens & Williams green cut-to-clear biscuit jar, made in England, with engraved floral and rococo design and matching embossed sterling hallmark (1895) lid and bail. “This is one of my favorite pieces,” Mr. Barnett said. “The silver lid has the same basic pattern as the glass. It’s quite beautiful.” The jar graced the cover of a hobbies magazine in 1991.

Two extremely rare pieces will certainly draw bidder interest. One is an 18-1/2″ signed Libbey pedestal basket in the “Premier” pattern, elegant in shape and with outstanding blank and handle. The other is a 12-3/4″ x 10″ humidor set in oak and brass, signed by the maker “Dorflinger” and with a locking case. The beautiful set, in the “Marlboro” pattern, features a signed sterling collar.

Rounding out the rest of the best are as follows:

A fine 2″ x 9″ low bowl by Libbey, in the “Lennox” pattern (aka “Comet”); a beautiful 4″ x 9″ Tuthill bowl in the “Wild Rose” pattern, with great blank and cutting; an 8-1/2″ Tuthill water pitcher with six signed tumblers, in the “Primrose” pattern; a rare 16″ signed Tuthill cylinder vase in the “Wild Rose” pattern; and a signed, rare 13-1/2″ x 10″ Tuthill Easter-shaped basket in the “Rosemere” pattern.

Also: a 7″ Hawkes glass plate in the “Festoon” pattern, with superb quality cutting; a high-quality, must-see 8″ signed Libbey cider pitcher in the “Poppy” motif, with pattern cut base and handle; and a 5-3/4″ x 10″ signed Hawkes two-handled ice bucket with matching 8-1/4″ underplate, in the “Gladys” pattern, with triple-notch handles and great blank. All items (except the “Lincoln” wine glass) will be sold without reserve.

A preview will be held on Friday, May 30th, from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. On auction day, payment terms will be cash, check (with proper ID) and major credit cards. A 5% clerk’s fee will be added to all sales (waived for bidders paying by cash or check). Absentee bids will be accepted, by deadline, with a written statement indicating the amount of bid. Absentee bids will be charged a 10% buyer’s premium.

For more information on the upcoming May 31 multi-estate sale of American Brilliant Cut Glass, you may visit the Woody Auction website at www.woodyauction.com. Woody Auction is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them directly, at ( 316) 747-2694. Or, you can inquire by e-mail, at info@woodyauction.com.