Lambertville, NJ   Rago Arts and Auction Center’s Fine Art auctions on May 12 brought in an abundant $2 million, with enthusiastic bidding for top lots (reflects buyer’s premium of 25%).  

"We saw spirited bidding for art in almost every category," said Meredith Hilferty, who directs Rago's Fine Art department, "While Bucks County Impressionists seem to be holding their own; we saw incredible enthusiasm for Contemporary Art.  Many of these lots exceeded estimates and broke records, including work by Jerzy Kujawski, Rodney Graham and Suzanne Caporael."

HIGHLIGHTS/STATS

All Sessions

·          Hammer:  $ 1,658,200

·          Hammer + bp:  $ 2,072,750    

·          High estimate:  $ 2,218,000

·          Low estimate:  $ 1,525,100

Post-War and Contemporary Art 

·          Hammer:  $ 1,054,600

·          Hammer + 25% bp =  $ 1,318,250

·          Low Estimate: $ 821,700

·          High Estimate $ 1,186,300

·          % lots sold: 79% 

1.     513  Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz, Fenced   $ 68,750

2.     520  Julien Stanczak, Unrestful Space   $ 59,375

3.     616  Raymond Pettibon, Untitled (What is signified...)   $ 50,000

4.     559  Nicholas Krushenick, Sterling Moss at the Esses   $ 43,750

5.     707  Jules de Balincourt, Value Right   $ 40,625     

6.     716  Damien Hirst, Spin Painting (Shark)   $ 36,250

7.     598  Richard Joseph Anuszkiewicz, Untitled   $ 31,250   

8.     719  Damien Hirst, Spin Painting (Skull)   $ 31,250

9.     713  Damien Hirst, Spin Painting (Butterfly)   $ 26,250   

10.  539  David Smith, 1708/Tick Ridge   $ 23,750

11.  518  Hans Haacke, Double Decker Rain (Dripper)   $ 23,750

19th/20th C. American and European Art

·          Hammer:  $ 441,250

·          Hammer + 25% bp =  $ 551,563

·          % lots sold: 88% 

1.     36   George William Sotter, A Little House, Winter   $ 53,125

2.     12   Frederick Judd Waugh, Seascape   $ 43,750

3.     42   Fern Isabel Coppedge, Untitled   $ 37,500

4.     33   Arthur Meltzer, Byways of Yesterday   $ 36,250 

5.     98   David Alfaro Siqueiros, Dos Cabas   $ 27,500

6.     39   Fern Isabel Coppedge, Untitled (Landscape)   $ 17,500     

7.     119  Chen Chi, Fireworks 4th of July   $ 16,250

8.     109  Theo Tobiasse, La dome au Samavour   $ 15,000

9.     7    Carl Emil Milles, Angel   $ 15,000

10.  121  Marcel Duchamp, Pharmacy   $ 13,750

The Reingold Collection 

·          Hammer:  $ 162,350

·          Hammer + 25% bp =  $ 202,938

·          % lots sold: 62% 

1.     133  Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, Star    $ 22,500

2.     205  Harriet Whitney Frishmuth, The Vine   $ 13,750

3.     359  Peter Anthony Chinni, Untitled   $ 11,250

4.     321  Jonathan Kenworthy, Untitled (Lion)   $ 6,875

5.     125  Janet Scudder, Untitled (Girl with Shell)   $ 4,375

Consignments are now being accepted for Rago’s November Fine Art auctions and all of Rago’s Fall 2012 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.

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