Dallas Auction Gallery’s May 20th Fine Art Auction featuring a selection of pieces from the collection of Dallas entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist, Sam Wyly was a huge success resulting in record breaking auction results. The sale totaled $2,581,000 with buyers from across the globe.

Leading the sale was Rembrandt Peale’s, “George Washington,” selling for $293,000 to a phone bidder with an estimate of $125,000-$175,000 and Norman Rockwell’s, “Barbershop Quartet,” to another phone for $209,000 with a presale estimate of $100,000-$150,000 both from the collection of Sam Wyly, Dallas, Texas.

DAG also set two artist auction records starting with a trial proof of “Apple (from Ads)” by Andy Warhol selling for $161,000.00 to a floor bidder and “Old Pedro the Goat Herder” by Fred Darge selling for $59,375.00, again both from the collection of Sam Wyly, Dallas, Texas.

“Last night proved what the art world already knows- buyers in Dallas aren’t afraid to bid frequently and aggressive as was evidenced by the floor bidding in last night’s sale. Texas buyers’ have wide-reaching taste and exceeded the conservative estimates particularly in the case of the Sam Wyly collection,” said Scott Shuford, President of Dallas Auction Gallery.

Western works demanded attention in last night’s sale, Martin Grelle’s “Gifts for the Little People” sold for $161,000, Joe Jones, “Raking Hay” sold for $56,250 and Frank Tenney Johnson’s, “The Pioneers” sold for $112,500,  resulting in combined sales of over $329,000. Another crowd favorite was, Norman Rockwell’s “Portrait of Richard M. Nixon,” selling for $93,750 against a presale estimate of $30,000-$50,000.

In addition to Warhol’s Apple, Modern and Contemporary works on paper sold well during the sale, three gouache & ink works by Alexander Calder sold for $123,125 and three Andy Warhol, “Skull” Screenprints sold for $96,875. Heavy international bidding on the John Chamberlain sculpture, "Fistfull of Funn" resulted in a price realized of $233,000.00.

“Given the wide variety of artists and styles offered in the auction we were very pleased to see strong bidding from both international and local clients. A range of property from prints and multiples to unique works fresh to the market gave ample opportunities to both the novice bidder and experienced buyer alike, with the pace of the sale never losing its momentum,” said newly appointed Director of Fine Art and Design, Brandon Kennedy.

Dallas Auction Gallery welcomed Mr. Kennedy as Director of Fine Arts & Design at the beginning of 2015. Mr. Kennedy was most recently associated with an international auction house as Consignment Director overseeing the development of both consignor and bidder relations in multiple departments including Modern & Contemporary Art, 20th and 21st Century Design, and Rare Books. Mr. Kennedy’s formidable experience in the Fine Arts arena includes positions as an educator, curator, author, exhibit designer and bookseller. He received his BFA from the University of North Texas and his MFA from the Yale University School of Art.

“I am first and foremost about relationships. I truly enjoy meeting people, hearing their stories and ascertaining their goals and desires. My forte is assisting both sides, consignors and bidders, with defining and curating their collections,” says Kennedy, “I have always been attracted to DAG’s casual and convivial culture as well as the Gallery’s appeal to a broad cross-section of collectors.”

Dallas Auction Gallery has enjoyed remarkable success and significant volume increase over the past several years. What began as a regional auction house 13 years ago, has grown into an international business.

“DAG is thrilled to welcome Brandon Kennedy aboard. It was important to us to choose a Fine Arts Director who would embrace our culture as well as shepherd our growth.  Brandon is knowledgeable, approachable and gracious, which I believe are the key traits for this important position.”

                                                                                    Scott Shuford, President