The seventh annual Jackson Hole Art Auction was held on Saturday, September 14th at the Center for the Arts in Jackson, Wyoming. Hosted by Trailside Galleries and Gerald Peters Gallery, more than 85% of the featured 284 lots sold, realizing $8.39 million in sales. As the auction got under way, the Center for the Arts auditorium was packed with active bidders who have made the Jackson Hole Art Auction their annual destination each September. Additionally, there were more than 200 phone bidders resulting in very active bidding throughout the sale.

Among the lots in this year’s sale was an important collection from the estate of James Grisebaum. Thirty one of the thirty two available lots from this estate were sold including the Ken Riley painting “The Recruiter”, which had an estimate of $70,000-$90,000 and sold for $128,700 with buyer’s premium. A rare Wilhelm Kuhnert of a Leopard sold for $76,500, exceeding its estimate of $45,000-$65.000. A palpable gasp from the audience could be heard as a 20 x 16 oil by G. Harvey of an Indian Tepee, estimated to sell between $10,00 and $15,000 hammered at $40,000 plus buyer’s commission for a total of selling price of $46,800.

Property from a Wyoming estate featured the cover lot; a 13 ¼ x 20 3/8 Gouache by Henry Farny titled “Returning Hunters” that fetched $409,500 with buyer’s premium as well as G. Harvey’s “Winter Gold”, estimate of $60,000-$90,000 which boasted a sales price of $169,650.

Additionally, a new work painted specifically for the Jackson Hole Art Auction by Cowboy Artist of America member Martin Grelle soared past it’s estimate of $75,000-$125,000, to reach a final price of $263,250.

Other highlights included an Olaf Wieghorst painting “Bronc Rider" that far exceeded its estimate of $40,000-$60,000, hammering at $110,000 for a total price with buyer’s premium of $128,700. Six offerings by Richard Schmid, included an 8 x 12 oil titled “Carnations” which soared past its estimate of $10,000-$15,000, selling for $52,650. A rare oil by Maynard Dixon, “Remuda,” fetched $438,750.

Now in its seventh year, the Jackson Hole Art Auction continues to distinguish itself as one of the country’s premier auctions houses, drawing collectors and consignors from all across the country as well as from abroad. The superb offerings in this year’s sale of sporting, wildlife as well as masterworks of the American west and the strength of the final sales attest to the continuing high collector demand for important and relevant works of art.

Auction results available at www.jacksonholeartauction.com