Rago Arts and Auction Center’s Fine Art auctions on November 17 brought in an abundant $2.29 million.  

“We expected the strong results achieved from works in the Malbin collection and got them," said Meredith Hilferty, who directs Rago's Fine Art department, “We also saw incredible enthusiasm for Contemporary Art across the board, with many lots topping their high estimate.  In the early 20th C. category, a pastel by Russian artist Nicholas Roerich that came in on Rago’s Appraisal Day stole the show selling for $87,500 against an estimate of $10,000-15,000.  Works by Bucks County artists Fern Coppedge and John Folinsbee also soared past the high estimates."

HIGHLIGHTS/STATS

All Sessions

·          Hammer:  $ 1,835,400

·          Hammer + bp:  $ 2,294,250

·          Number of Lots: 492

·          Internet Bidders: 511, From: USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Australia, The Philippines, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Ukraine, Lithuania,  United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland

·          In-House: 54

·          Phone Bidders: 190

·          Absentee Bidders: 121

·          77% sold

19th/20th C. American and European Art

·          Hammer:  $ 441,900

·          Hammer + 25% bp =  $ 552,375

·          % sold: 68%

1.     7   Nicholas Konstantinovich Roerich, Untitled   $ 87,500

2.     36  Fern Isabel Coppedge, Autumn, Bucks County   $ 62,500

3.     10  William Keith, Sentinel Rock, Yosemite Valley   $ 36,250

4.     33  Robert Spencer, Untitled   $35,000 

5.     20  Balthus (Balthasar Klossowski de Rola), Levrier   $ 25,000

6.     39  John Fulton Folinsbee, Untitled   $ 25,000     

7.     85  Edward Laning, The Building   $ 17,500

8.     43  Andrew Wyeth, Untitled (German Shepherd)   $ 16,250

9.     13  Granville Redmond, Untitled  $ 10,625

10.  50  Lloyd Raymond Ney, Paris, France   $ 9,375

Post-War and Contemporary Art 

·          Hammer:  $ 1,393,500

·          Hammer + 25% bp =  $ 1,741,875

·          Low Estimate $1,528,700

·          High Estimate 2,193,400

·          % lots sold: 80% 

1.     504   Josef Albers, Study for Painting: Mirage A   $ 81,250

2.     502   Piero Dorazio, Romance   $ 75,000

3.     591   Bridget Riley, Untitled  $ 75,000

4.     514   Jean Arp, Abstract Form II   $ 68,750

5.     512   Jean Arp, Ganymède   $ 62,500      

6.     513   Jean Arp, Abstract Form I  $ 59,375

7.     506   César (Baldaccini), L'Oiseau De Fer (Iron Bird)    $ 50,000   

8.     657   Raymond Pettibon, Untitled, (The question is..)  $ 40,625

9.     511   Frans Krajcberg, Composition   $ 26,250   

10.  516   Victor Vasarely, Nethe   $ 25,000

Consignments are now being accepted for Rago’s May 2013 Fine Art auctions and all of Rago’s Spring 2013 auctions: 609.397.9374 or info@ragoarts.com.

TO THE EDITOR

High resolution images/more information available on request.

About Rago Arts and Auction Center

Since 1994, Rago's has served thousands of sellers and buyers with a singular blend of global reach and personal service. Originally specialists in 20th century design, today Rago's expertise covers centuries of fine art, decorative arts, furnishings, jewelry and ethnographic property.  It is a world-class venue through which to buy and sell. It is also a destination for those who seek to learn and share knowledge about art, antiques and collecting, offering free valuations for personal property (from a single piece to collections and estates), appraisals and auction exhibitions in house and online. Rago's, the largest and leading auction house in New Jersey, is located midway between Philadelphia and New York.

END OF PRESS RELEASE