PRESS RELEASE:
LEIGHTON GALLERIES PREMIERE BOOK AUCTION A SUCCESS!
On September 15th Leighton Galleries held its first book auction featuring the Marino Collection of rare and collectible books. The session also included autographs and sculpture of historical and political interest, as well as Napoleonic items, militaria, ephemera and other related materials.
The highlight of the sale was a 1744 Journal of the Proceedings of The Congress pamphlet noting the principal achievements of the first Congress in taking united action against the differences between Great Britain and America. Estimated at $2000-3000, the as-is pamphlet brought a surprising $19,000. Other items of note were James McNeill Whistler’s “Nocturnes – Marines – Chevalet Pieces” selling for $4700, an association copy of G. Clemenceau’s Au Pied Du Sinai which sold for $3900, a 1918 extra-illustrated copy of The Education of Henry Adams, An Autobiography brought $2700, and a Renoir autograph realized $1400 against an $800-1200 estimate.
Historical-related sculpture also fared well. A plaster bust of George Washington sold for $2300 against an estimate of $600-800, a 27” bronze sculpture of a standing Napoleon by Eugene Marioton brought $1900, a 30” Volkstedt porcelain figure of King Frederick the Great of Prussia realized $650, and a terracotta bust of Abraham Lincoln sold for $500 against a $400-600 estimate. A large majestic marble bust of Napoleon signed Canova estimated at $10,000-15,000 did not sell.
Military items were particularly popular with very active pre auction interest. An Imperial Prussian Stelldertretter helmet sold for $850 against a $300-400 estimate, a WWI Prussian spiked helmet marked Berlin 1916 brought $700 against its estimate of $250-350, a German cavalry Picklehaub realized $550, and a socket bayonet grouping sold at $750 against a $400-600 estimate.
Some nice surprises of the evening were realized in the ephemera category. A set of 8 GE Edison Mazda stand-up counter cards sold well over its $200-300 estimate at $1500, a 1955 Marilyn Monroe Golden Dreams calendar reached $800 against a $300-500 estimate, and a lot of 2 international postcard albums estimated at $200-300 realized $1300. Other items of interest were two gelatin silver prints by Roman Vishniac “The Cheder Slonim” realizing $650 and “A Square in Kazimierz Cracow” bringing $550, several nice sets of leather bounds sold mainly in the $200-300 range, and a piece of charred wood from the 1929 White House fire retrieved by Mr. Marino himself brought $200.
Prices given include a 17% buyers premium. For more results or information www.leightongalleries.com. or 201-327-8800.