“The Orange Bonnet,” W. Herbert Dunton, $187,750.

“The Circle Sioux,” Frank McCarthy, $38,150.

“Hasti in Cowshirt,” Brownell McGrew, $38,150.

SANTA FE, N.M. – Altermann Galleries’ Santa Fe Auction on November 9 produced sales in the amount of $2,034,093. This total includes sales on the day of the event as well as post auction sales.

Highlights of the classic western portion of the auction included Henry Shrady’s bronze “Empty Saddle” ($20/25,000) fetching $44,750 including the buyer’s premium. The catalog cover painting by W. Herbert Dunton entitled “The Orange Bonnet” ($280/200,000) realized a respectable $187,750.

Gerard Curtis Delano’s “Where Distance Lends Enchantment” ($30/50,000) performed well at $32,650. New Mexico favorite Fremont Ellis sold three out of four offerings with “Santa Fe Canyon” ($30/40,000) leading the way at $34,850 and “El Rancho de San Sebastian-Mora Valley” ($15/20,000) selling for $18,900.

Present and former members of the Cowboy Artists of American produced excellent results. Robert Lougheed’s painting “Scouting Deep in Snow Country” doubled the $6/8,000 estimate when it brought $17,250. Brownell McGrew faired equally as well with an Indian portrait “Hasti in Cowshirt” ($20/25,000) bringing $38,150. Fred Fellows’s award winning sculpture “No Easy way Out” generated a very respectable $28,250 ($25/30,000). John Moyer’s’ “Winter Above Taos” ($17/19,000) sold for $19,450 and his wife, Terri Kelly Moyers, saw her painting “Santa Fe Style” exceed the high estimate at $23,850 ($17/19,000).

Frank McCarthy pulled off an artistic hat trick by successfully placing three of his works; “The Hostile Threat” ($25/35,000) sold within the estimate for $27,150; “Apaches” ($14/18,000) and “The Circle-Sioux” ($25/35,000) both exceeded the high end with $23,850 and $38,150 respectively. This was prior to the artist’s death that occurred on November 17, 2002.

David Mann continued his long streak of exceeding estimate by selling “Thunderbird Shield” ($13/16,000) for a hefty $21,650.

Reflecting on the auction outcome Richard Altermann stated, “Considering the economic climate, we are satisfied with the outcome. There is still plenty of money around to be spent on quality Western and wildlife art.”