– A J.H. Sharpe oil on canvas offered at Mallette and Associates on December 11 attracted the attention of dealers and collectors from around the world with it ultimately selling at $400,000.

The price realized, according to auctioneer Mark Mallette, is the second highest price paid at auction for a work by Sharpe.

The painting had been consigned from a local home and was advertised as “newly discovered” and “fresh to the market.” The auctioneer reported 14 phone bidders, including three from foreign countries lined up to compete, along with numerous bidders in the gallery.

Bidding opened at $100,000 and advanced in $25,000 increments with virtually all of the action coming from the telephones. The lot sold to an Eastern gallery that wished to remain anonymous.

A complete review will appear in a future issue.