Peacocks were the subject of Louis J. Rhead’s poster advertising Le Journal de la Beauté, an early weekly, large-format French fashion/beauty magazine. Topping Copake’s sale, the 34-by-62-inch poster with an $800-$1,200 estimate overachieved, posting a $4,200 finish. It was won by a gentleman bidding in the gallery.
Review by W.A. Demers
COPAKE, N.Y. — Peacocks, with their iridescent feathers with “eyes,” have, since ancient times, symbolized power, strength and confidence. They were the subject of Louis J. Rhead’s (1858-1926) poster advertising Le Journal de la Beauté, an early weekly, large-format French fashion and beauty magazine. The 34-by-62-inch poster was offered at Copake Auction’s July 6 estate sale with an $800-$1,200 estimate but did much better, unfurling to a $4,200 finish and going to a gentleman bidding in the gallery. Rhead was an English-born American illustrator of the Golden Age who gained an international reputation.
Less known among poster aficionados was Eugène Samuel Grasset (French, 1845-1917), a Swiss decorative artist who worked in Paris in a variety of creative design fields during the Belle Époque. He is considered a pioneer in Art Nouveau design. His French poster, cataloged as a Marque Georges Richard Cycles & Automobiles poster after Grasset, was an example with a beautiful Art Nouveau maiden holding a giant four-leaf clover; it sold for $1,920. Printed on paper by Imp. De Vagirard & G. de Malherbe Paris, the poster measured 42 by 57 inches. Georges Richard (1863-1922) raced cars and was one of the early entrants to the automobile industry. The “four-leaf clover” trademark was one that Richard registered for his business.
Copake co-owner Mike Fallon holds an after Eugène Samuel Grasset poster advertising Georges Richard Cycles & Automobiles, featuring a beautiful Art Nouveau maiden holding a giant four-leaf clover. It sold for $1,920.
Another Georges, Georges De Feure (French, 1868-1943) was represented in the sale with a lively poster image of Jane Dervale in the Folies-Bergère, which danced to $1,440. Printed by Art Etable Paris 1904, the poster measured 59 by 43½ inches. The artist’s actual name was Georges Joseph van Sluijters, and he was a French painter, theatrical designer and industrial art designer employing symbolism and the Art Nouveau style. The son of a wealthy Dutch architect and Belgian mother, De Feure was influenced by poster artist Jules Chéret and this poster from the Folies-Bergere exemplifies that influence. It was the last poster by De Feure, although he would keep working as an artist for nearly four decades more. Celebrating the Folies-Bergère dancer Jane Derval, it epitomizes the French café society in 1904 with Asian stylistic flourishes and Art Nouveau flower and bird patterns.
Select furniture performed well. An Arts and Crafts period armoire was estimated $150/250 but did much better, finishing at $2,750. The piece featured stained glass doors over two drawers. It stood 85½ inches tall.
A Nineteenth Century English tall case clock beat its $200/300 estimate to chime at $2,500. It featured brass works engraved “John Sutton London.” Standing 79 inches high, it had provenance to the Salisbury, Conn., estate of actor Edward Herrmann.
This Nineteenth Century English tall case clock hit $2,500 against a $200/300 estimate. From the actor Edward Herrmann’s estate in Salisbury, Conn., it featured brass works engraved “John Sutton London” and stood 79 inches high.
Fine art was led by an equine painting by Sawrey Gilpin (1733-1807), which brought $2,160 against the $800-$1,200 estimate. In this 7½-by-11½-inch oil on panel, a group of horses enjoy freedom in the field. The work bore a Maas Gallery label verso as well as one of Arthur Ackermann & Son. Gilpin was an English artist specializing in paintings of horses and dogs. He was made a Royal Academician in 1797.
Fetching $2,375 was an 18-inch-high bronze bust of Lucius Annaeus Seneca (circa 4 BC-65 CE), beating a $700 high estimate. Best known for his Stoic philosophy in ancient Rome, Seneca was also a statesman, dramatist and at times a satirist.
Sterling silver lots are always sought-after in estate sales. In this sale, a Gorham sterling Buttercup pattern silver flatware boxed set for 12 took $2,880. The set boasted a second-place finish and provenance to the Herrmann estate.
Co-owner Seth Fallon said the sale grossed $205,000 with a 98 percent sell-through rate and sales to four different countries. Folk art and general antiques fans will not want to miss Copake’s next sale on August 24 when material from retired dealer Ed Holden’s collection will come up for auction. Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For further information, 518-641-1935 or www.copakeauction.com.
