Clars Auction Gallery’s September 10th and 11th sale was the grand finale of their fiscal year earning $1.5 million and gained worldwide media attention surrounding the Amelia Earhart collection that was offered. The September event was the fifth highest earning sale in the firms’ history and their 2011-2012 fiscal year was their most successful coming in just under $12.5 million, an impressive 41% increase over last year. President Redge Martin attributes this increase to “the best staff we’ve ever had, our expanding reputation in the industry, high-end buyers still willing to pay good prices for quality items plus the strength of the Asian market.” The September sale featured over 2,500 lots from 285 consignors. There were 750 successful buyers with 40% being sold online.

Turning first to the collection of Amelia Earhart photographs and memorabilia that was offered, the entire collection earned $31,000 overall with the key lot being the No. 6 Luxor flying goggles worn by Earhart in her first crash in July 1921 while learning to fly with Neta Snook. The goggles which sported a cracked lens, evidence of the crash, sold for $17,775. (PHOTO 1) Over $13,000 was earned on the rich selection of photographs and memorabilia with the high seller in this category being an autographed silver gelatin print inscribed “To my friends of the media audience” which sold for $3,245. (PHOTO 2) The prices achieved and the worldwide media attention given to this collection continue to confirm the world’s fascination with this pioneer in aviation.

While Amelia Earhart may have stolen the show at Clars September event, the fine art, decoratives, jewelry and Asian categories also performed solidly across the board.

The fine art category featured impressive offerings from both important American and European artists, from the Dutch Renaissance to Contemporary. The high seller in this category came from French Modernist Bernard Cathelin (French, 1919-2004). His 1967  oil on canvas, Premiere Neige dans la Valee du Morin (PHOTO 3) sold for nicely within estimate at $22,515. Taking second place was Rites of Passage I, 1963, by American Modernist Leon Golub (1922-2004) which earned $20,145 followed by Edouard Cabane’s (French, b. 1857) fourteen oils on canvas entitled Stations of the Cross. This collection of works sold for $17,775.

The decoratives and antique furnishings category of this sale featured a particularly rich selection of sterling. Topping this category was a David Andersen for Shreve & Company .830 silver and sterling silver twenty-seven piece hollowware suite in the ''Viking'' pattern, circa 1888-1925, which sold for $27,775. (PHOTO 4) Also offered in this category was the always highly sought after Swiss Black Forest carved bear, circa 1880. This example, which measured 35 inches high, sold for over high estimate at $6,100. Selling for twice its high estimate was an Austrian cold painted bronze scenic lamp by Franz Bergman (1838-1894). Executed in the Moorish taste, this lamp sold for $12,980.

Fine estate jewelry brought remarkable prices at the Sunday session. An emerald bead, pearl, rose cut and antique diamond accented necklace with complementary double strand bracelet, both of silver and 18k yellow gold sold for $17,775 followed closely by a diamond eternity band ring set with (17) asscher cut diamonds, weighing approximately 6.30 cts. This lots earned $16,500.

Rounding out the sale was the impressive Asian category. The prices realized on many of these lots reflect the investment quality of the items that were offered. The highlight of this category and the top seller of the sale overall was a Japanese small cloisonné enamel box of circular shape, by Namikawa Yasuyuki (1845-1927). This box was estimated to sell for $1,000 to $1,500 but achieved an astounding $38,513 in highly competitive bidding. (PHOTO 5) Selling for almost four times its high estimate was a pair of Chinese ivory wrist rests, late Qing/early Republic period, which sold for $20,145. Selling for twenty-two times its high estimate was a pair of 19th century Japanese boxwood netsuke. Estimated to bring $800 on the high side, this pair went for $18,960!

A complete list of all lots sold and prices realized is available at www.clars.com

Clars will kick off what is destined to be another very exciting year with their first sale of the 2011-2012 season on Saturday and Sunday, October 15th and 16th.

Bidding for Clars auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online @ www.clars.com, and through www.liveauctioneers.com. To register to bid and for more information, call Clars Auction Gallery at (888) 339-7600, or email: info@clars.com. Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.

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