TILE PANEL WITH PEACOCK BY FREDERICK HURTEN RHEAD FOR UNIVERSITY CITY REALIZES $637,500.

“Hurricane Sandy, bearing down on us, made only slightly more noise than the results of the auction,” says David Rago. “The sale grossed $6.6 mil and the market, especially for high end Arts and Crafts, was very, very solid.  The Rhead tile gets the headlines but many records were broken for a number of American potteries.  The Forbes sale was strong almost right across the board, hammering right in the middle of the estimate range.”

The  Rhead tile sale topples the auction record set in November 1999 with the sale of Barbara Streisand's Gustav Stickley sideboard at Christie's for $596,500. The buyer is the Two Red Roses Foundation of Palm Harbor Florida, a non-profit educational institution dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, and public exhibition of important examples of decorative and fine art from the American Arts & Crafts movement.

  Rago Arts and Auction Center's 20th /21st C. Design sale: $6.6 million, October 26, 27 and 28, 2012.

- Bidders in-house: 143

- Bidders on phone: 306

- Bidders online: 527 (20th C. Pottery and Glass); 652 (Early 20th C.); 1074 (Modern)

- Number of lots: 1703

- Percent sold: 82%

Early 20th C. Design/Arts & Crafts: October 26 and 27, 2012

- Hammer: $2,746,345

- Hammer + 25% buyer's premium: $ 3,432,931

- Forbes estimates: Low: $345,200; High: $501,700

- Main Arts and Crafts estimates: Low: $1,405,300; High: $1,991,950

- 20th C. Pottery and Glass estimates: Low: $217,300; High: $318,250

- Percent sold: 85%

- 8% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, Middle East.

Friday's Pottery and Glass Highlighted Lots:

1.     433   Tiffany Studios Favrile Vase  $ 10,625

2.     469   Mary Scheier "Square Dancers"  $ 5,000

3.     457   Bohemian five art glass vases  $ 2,875

4.     374a  Galloway (attr.) Pair of Tall Garden Urns  $ 2,375

5.     381   Roblin Rare Enameled Cabinet Vase  $ 2,375

Saturday’s Arts and Crafts Highlighted Lots:

1.     542  Frederick Hurten Rhead University City Peacock Tile  $ 637,500

2.     932  Tiffany Studios Rare tall floriform vase  $ 100,000

3.     1      Dard Hunter Important and Unique Hall Chair  $ 46,875

4.     530  George Ohr Rare Corseted Teapot  $ 46,875

5.     749  Mary L. Yancey Iowa State Important Vase  $ 45,000

6.     538  Tiffany Studios Rare Glazed Earthenware Milkweed Vase  $ 42,500

7.     500  Alexander Fisher Triptych, "In Praise of Womanhood"  $ 40,625

8.     645  Van Briggle Rare Vase  $ 40,000

9.     41    Karl Kipp, Roycroft Rare Fernery  $ 33,750

10.  933  Tiffany Studios Favrile Glass Vase  $ 33,750

October 28, 2012: 20th/21st C. Design

- Hammer: $ 2,566,025

- Hammer + 25% buyer's premium: $ 3,207,531

- Low Estimate: $2,703,250

- High Estimate: $3,768,950

- Percent sold: 78%

- 9% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, Middle East.

Sunday's Modern Highlighted Lots:

1.     1039  Wharton Esherick Double Pedestal Desk  $ 62,500

2.     1000  George Nakashima Fine Minguren II Coffee Table  $ 53,125

3.     1453  Harry Bertoia Untitled Sculpture (Bush)  $ 53,125

4.     1451  Harry Bertoia Tall Sonambient Sculpture  $ 50,000

5.     1002  George Nakashima Six Conoid Dining Chairs  $ 36,250

6.     1452  Harry Bertoia Untitled Sculpture (Bush)  $ 33,750

7.     1500  Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder Early Chieftain Chair  $ 32,500

8.     1013  George Nakashima Hanging Wall Case  $ 28,750

9.     1325  George Nakashima Cross-Legged Dining Table  $ 26,250

10.  1027  Paul Evans, Directional Sculptured Metal Cabinet  $ 25,000

Consignments are now being accepted for the next 20th C. Design auctions, March 2/3, 2013: 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.