ST PETERSBURG, FLA. — “Orchid,” a photogravure by Robert Mapplethorpe (American, 1946-1989), sold for $15,990, including buyer’s premium, at Burchard Galleries on February 18. The black and white photograph shows an orchid against a black background, full frontal, revealing the symmetry of its interior organs and its petals. Mapplethorpe originally trained as a painter before taking an interest in photography, and said he preferred taking photos of flowers over people. As he said in 1988, “I started with flowers because it was a way to learn photography without putting people through a lot of problems.” Measuring 45 by 37½ inches with margins, the work was pencil-signed lower right, dated ‘82, numbered 1/30 lower left and archivally framed. The 550-lot sale of estate antiques, fine art and jewelry featured many lifelong assemblages from collectors as well as museum-quality treasures. More highlights will follow in a later review.