NANTUCKET, MASS. — Rafael Osona’s annual Nantucket Christmas Stroll sale on December 3 featured two iconic Ralph Cahoon Jr (American, 1910-1982) oil paintings. Each depicted mermaids cavorting with seamen, with sailing ships in the background. One finished at $27,675, the other went to $28,000, together earning $56,475 with the buyer’s premium. The sale was strong on items relating to Nantucket, with about 40 Nantucket baskets, plus silver by Nantucket silversmiths, decoys by Nantucket carvers, numerous paintings by Nantucket artists, along with other items relating to the island. The sale also included two “Red Sail” paintings by Robert Stark Jr, plus works by Emile Gruppe, Stephen Huneck and many others. There were several pieces of jewelry with South Sea pearls, several whale carvings by Clark Voorhees Jr and several lots of furniture by Stephen Swift. A four-drawer chest, completely encrusted with hundreds if not thousands of shells earned $3,075. Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium; watch for a more extensive sale recap in an upcoming issue.