ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - A trove of nearly 100 artworks from the estate of Christian Buchheit (1885-1974), who served for 50 years as Building Superintendent for The Art Students League in New York, will headline a two-day auction slated for the weekend of November 12th and 13th by Burchard Galleries in the firm's spacious showroom at 2528 30th Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

“This is truly a rare estate find,” said Jeffrey Burchard, owner of Burchard Galleries. “When Mr. Buchheit retired, many of the League artists and teachers paid tribute by presenting him with a 50th year anniversary party that included a portfolio of original watercolors, drawings, oils and prints. Many of these will be in the auction and are being offered to the public for the first time.”

Also up for bid is Part 2 of the estate collection of Yves Georges Prade (1904-1992), a major force in the Parisian art world, having served as editor and art critic for the Blue Review and, along with Pablo Picasso, was a wartime activist for imprisoned artist Max Jacob, among others. Part 1 of the estate, sold September 17th and 18th, also by Burchard Galleries, was a huge success.

In addition to the artworks, the auction will also feature 19th century French marble-top furniture, Civil War swords, vintage lighting, three large R. J. Horner-quality triple bow oak curios, old posters, pristine Oriental rugs, vintage jewelry (gold, diamonds and gemstones) and more – in all more than 1,000 quality lots. Start times will be 8:30 am on Saturday and 12 noon Sunday (EST).

The more than 150 artworks in the sale will include paintings, prints and sculptures by renowned artists such as James J. Audubon, Salvador Dali, George Grosz, Peter Max, Henry MacGinnis, Benson Bond Moore, James Rosenquist and many others. For those unable to attend in person, online bidding will be facilitated by the two platforms LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com.

The Buchheit trove will include treasures such as a charcoal drawing of a seated nude by George Grosz (German, 1893-1959), measuring 18 inches by 10 inches and signed lower right. Grosz was known for his caricature drawings and depictions of life in Berlin, Germany in the 1920s. He emigrated to the United States in 1933. The drawing is estimated to hammer for $2,000-$3,000.

Also expected to bring $2,000-$3,000 is an oil on canvas by Hayley Lever (Australian/American, 1876-1958), titled New England Street Scene, signed lower left and housed in a 23 inch by 27 inch gilded frame. Lever was born and raised in Australia and studied in Europe but finally settled in the U.S. He was heavily influenced by the impressionists, most notably Van Gogh.

An oil on canvas painting by Henry MacGinnis (Am., 1875-1952), titled Erie Canal Sunset, has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$4,000). The signed work is in a contemporary frame measuring 26 ½ inches by 32 ½ inches. MacGinnis was primarily a landscape artist. He was influenced by impressionism but stayed within the realm of realism, softened by an impressionistic approach.

An etching by the Australian artist Martin Lewis (1881-1962), titled The Boss, unframed and 16 ½ inches by 11 inches, signed in pencil lower right, will be sold to the highest bidder, as will two pieces by Joseph Pennell (Am., 1866-1922) to be sold as one lot: Municipal Building Arch, in a 17 inch by 21 inch black frame, and Elevated Railway, also in a 17 inch by 21 inch black frame.

Additional works from the Buchheit group will include a pair of etchings by William McNulty (Am., 1889-1963) being sold as single lots: Orchard Street (1933) and The Bridges of New York (1930). Etchings by Kenneth Hayes Miller (Am., 1876-1952), titled Two Women Shopping and Department Store, both measuring about 14 inches by 19 inches, will also be sold individually.

Some works by lesser known artists in the Buchheit collection will be grouped in multiples, presumably at attractive price points and containing three or four pieces in one lot. An example is the lot featuring four works, by Boardman Robinson (Canadian, 1876-1952), James Mathieu (Fr., 20th century), Joseph Mirachi (Am., 1920-1991), and Dorothy Varian (Am., 1895-1985).

Yves George Prade's resume is as impressive as his substantial art collection. He was the Vice President of the Municipal Council of Paris and of the General Council of the Seine. He also served as Secretary of the Management of the Bank of Paris and the Netherlands and was the Director of Mumm Champagne. The Part 2 sale will complete the liquidation of Prade's estate.

One of the more tantalizing artworks from the Prade estate is the portrait of the renowned French painter Maurice Utrillo, possibly painted by his wife, Lucie (1878-1965). Maurice taught Lucie to paint and her works do appear at auction from time to time. The portrait contains inscriptions in French by Lucie that suggest she may have painted the portrait, but this cannot be confirmed.

Another feature lot from the Prade group is a sanguine drawing by the French artist Jean Baptiste Le Prince (1734-1781), titled Portrait d’Une Grande Dame Russe. The 8 ¾ inch by 7 ¼ inch drawing comes in a gilded gesso frame. Le Prince was known for his graphic art of Russia and its peoples. He was also the first artist to introduce aquatint into his etched and engraved plates.

Also up for bid will be a 9 inch by 12 inch (sight, less the frame) watercolor painting by Louis Robert Arthur Latapie (Fr., 1891-1972), titled Cubist Nude Figures in an Interior. And what art auction would be complete without a Rembrandt? Actually, this sale’s got three – all etchings by the Master: one of an elderly man, one of an elderly lady and one an etching done in two pieces.

Previews will be held on Saturday, November 12th, from 8 am until the start of sale at 8:30 am for the Saturday session (450 lots in a marathon multi-estate discovery auction); and from 1-6 pm on Saturday afternoon for the Sunday session (550-600 lots of estate antiques, fine art and jewelry). A preview will also be held from 10 am until the first gavel falls at 12 noon Sunday.

Burchard Galleries is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single piece, an estate or a collection, you may call them toll-free at (800) 520-2787; or, you can send an e-mail directly to Jeffrey Burchard, at jeffb@burchardgalleries.com. To learn more about Burchard Galleries and the November 12th and 13th auction, visit www.burchardgalleries.com.

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