RAGO’S FEBRUARY 20TH/21ST C. DESIGN SALE BRINGS $5.12 MILLION.  WILLIAM PRICE/ROSE VALLEY COMMUNITY TRESTLE TABLE SELLS FOR $237,500.  NAKASHIMA COFFEE TABLE SELLS FOR $87,500.

Lambertville, NJ   Rago Arts and Auction Center’s 20th /21st C. Design sale: $5.12 million, February 25 and 26, 2012.

·          Bidders in-house:  231

·          Bidders on phone:  373

·          Bidders online:  575 (Early 20th C.); 566 (20th C. Modern)

·          Number of lots:  1207

·          Percent sold:  83%

“The sale was unusual in that it was strong in nearly every area, said David Rago.  “We were 85% sold, hammered 20% above the low estimate, and attracted a record number of bidders, nearly 400 on the telephone alone.  People definitely seemed more willing to buy than at any time since September ‘08, which is consistent with what we saw at other auctions and shows earlier this year.”

Early 20th C. Design/Arts & Crafts:  Saturday, February 25, 2012

·          Hammer:  $ 1,454,700

·          Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium = $ 1,818,375

·          Low Estimate:  $ 1,179,600       

·          High Estimate:  $ 1,690,400

·          Percent sold:  87%

·          12% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, South American, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

Highlighted Lots:

·          97    William Price for Rose Valley Community trestle table   $ 237,500

·          60    George Ohr oversized pitcher   $ 50,000

·          134  F.A. Rawlence English Arts & Crafts cabinet   $ 50,000

·          1       Samuel Yellin wrought-iron floor candelabrum   $ 40,000

·          5       Samuel Yellin wall scones   $ 37,500     

·          164   John Bennett covered jar   $ 32,500

·          98     William Price for Rose Valley Community armchair   $ 25,000

·          270   Gustave Baumann woodblock print, “A Lilac Year”   $ 21,250

·          372   Gustav Stickley custom designed humidor   $ 21,250

·          289   Martin Bros. stoneware bird tobacco jar   $ 20,000

February 25/26, 2012: 20th/21st C. Design 

·          Hammer:  $ 2,642,600

·          Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium:  $ 3,303,250

·          Low estimate:  $ 2,506,200

·          High estimate:  $ 3,527,500

·          Percent sold:  81% 

·          13% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

Saturday’s Studio Pottery Highlighted Lots:

·          551   Robert Arneson self-portrait bust   $ 18,750

·          535   Peter Voulkos tall Stack Pot   $ 15,000

·          527   Hans Coper “Cycladic” arrow form sculpture   $ 11,250

·          529   Bernard Leach stoneware tall vessel with fish   $ 10,625

·          580  Jack Earl canned sculpture, “Bark Doggy Food”   $ 10,000

Sunday’s Modern Highlighted Lots:

·          802   George Nakashima coffee table   $ 87,500

·          750   Paul Evans wall-hanging sculpture   $ 62,500

·          803   George and Mira Nakashima Minguren II dining table   $ 52,500

·          913   Henri Simmen and Eugenie O’Kin pear-shaped covered vessel   $ 52,500

·          736   Harry Bertois untitled (Bush) bronze and copper sculpture   $ 47,500

·          780   Phil Powell set of four bi-fold doors   $ 45,000

·          786   Wharton Esherick pheasant sculpture   $ 32,500

·          766   Paul Evans Argente vitrine   $ 28,750

·          605   Hans Wegner for Johannes Hansen six chairs   $ 25,000

Consignments are now being accepted for the next 20th C. Design auctions, June 16/17, 2012: 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