The most expensive lot at Sotheby’s in 2016 was Picasso’s Femme Assise
A heady list of art and diamonds make up Sotheby’s top ten lots in 2016. Picasso, Modigliani, Munch, Twombly, Bacon, Daqian, Richter and Gentileschi in that order accounted for the top art works, a blue diamond and a pink diamond made up the balance.
Sir Isaac Newton’s (1642-1727) Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica
Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia made a world record for a world record for a printed scientific book when it sold for $3,719,500 at Christie’s in New York on December 14. It had been estimated at $1-1.5 million. One of the most important books in the history of science Sir Isaac Newton’s (1642-1727, knighted 1705) Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica was described by Einstein as “perhaps the greatest intellectual stride that it has ever been granted to any man to make”.
This was a First edition, Continental issue bound in full inlaid morocco for presentation by the publisher/bookseller Samuel Smith. Two apparently concurrent issues can be distinguished, identified by their title in uncancelled or cancelled state. One was distributed by Edmond Halley and Newton themselves through a number of unnamed booksellers, the other was largely turned over to Samuel Smith for distribution on the Continent (as here). This Continental issue is considerably rarer.
The fine books and manuscripts sale totaled $9,433,063, with 82% sold by lot and 91% sold by value. This was the highest total for a various owner sale of Books & Manuscripts at Christie’s. There was active in-room, phone, and online participation from institutions, established collectors, and new buyers with registered bidders from over 25 countries.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for December 7, 2016)
One of a series of eight sketches in colour of the North West Passage by Lt. S.G. Cresswell published in 1854 UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 24,000 AT HAMMER.
One of a series of eight sketches in colour of the North West Passage by Lt. S.G. Cresswell published in 1854 UPDATE: THIS LOT SOLD FOR 24,000 AT HAMMER
Spring in Co. Cork by Edith Somerville (1858-1949) UPDATE: THIS MADE 500 AT HAMMER
A Co. Cork album of Irish and other military figures, one dated 1864 UPDATE: THIS MADE 540 AT HAMMER
The South Africa medal awarded to Michael Minihan.
The Zulu War Medal awarded to Cork born Michael Minihan – one of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift in the Zulu War – sold for a remarkable £70,000 hammer price (£84,000 when auctioneers commission is added) at Dix Noonan Webb in London today. The pre-sale estimate was £26,000 to £30,000. Bidding quickly soared past the estimate and eventually it was a contest between a telephone bidder and a bidder in the room.
“The defence of Rorke’s Drift, immortalized in the film Zulu, remains one of the most epic actions in military history,” said Will Bennett, spokesman for Dix Noonan Webb. “Medals to the 150 strong garrison do not come onto the market all that often and so bidders competed strongly to own this important reminder of the bravery shown by Minihan and his comrades.”
The medal was bought by a British private collector bidding in the room. It was a record price for a medal to a Rorke’s Drift defender who was not awarded the VC. Michael Minihan was one of 16 Irishmen known to be among the 150 strong British garrison which fought off an attack by up to 4,000 Zulu warriors. No less than eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for the defence of the mission station – the former trading post of Irish merchant James Rorke. The 1964 film Zulu starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine was based on this battle.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for November 30, 2016)
The first printing of Shakespeare outside England was published in Dublin in 1726. The Works of Shakespeare in eight volumes was printed by and for George Grierson and George Ewing, collated and corrected by former editions by Mr. Pope, is one of a number of sale highlights. This lot too has an estimate of 7,000-10,000. This auction of more than 800 lots will create national and international interest. There is a signed volume from the library of Dean Swift and an atlas folio of Lt. Cresswell’s “North West Passage” voyage complete with eight plates. Among the other lots are some original drawings by Edith Somerville for the Irish RM series and some typescripts and manuscripts by Brendan Behan.
Excessively Rare Benjamin Franklin Imprint Estaugh (John) A Call to the Unfaithful Professors of Truth. UPDATE: THIS MADE 12,000 AT HAMMER
The 1726 first printing of Shakespeare outside England. UPDATE: THIS LOT WAS PASSED AT 5,600
With everything from an Irish rugby jersey signed by the 2004 Triple Crown winning team to an 183o’s Irish silver tea service Whyte’s annual Christmas auction in Dublin on December 10 spans a wide range of collectible items. A new feature of this festive auction is some rare and interesting wine and whiskey. Jewellery includes a ladies Rolex Cellini 18 carat gold watch and there is a range of silver from the early 1700’s to the 1920’s. First edition books, a range of entertainment and sporting memorabilia and a small collection of antique die cast toys are included. The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:
2004 Rubgy jersey signed by Irish Triple Crown team Andy Farrell testimonial (200-300) UPDATE: THIS SOLD FOR 190
A bottle of Christmas cheer. UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Mid 20th century Dunhill Aquarium table lighter (2,000-5,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,600 AT HAMMER
Chiparus Art Deco bronze and ivory figure of a dancer (!,000-1,500) UPDATE: THIS WAS WITHDRAWN
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Sean Keating – Portrait of an Aran Woman and her children. UPDATE: THIS MADE 130,000 AT HAMMER
A c1946 Portrait of an Aran Woman and Her Children at Mealy’s is a large work by Sean Keating that has not been on the open market before. According to Dr. Eimear O’Connor the sitters in the portrait – lot 780 at Mealy’s Winter Sale in Castlecomer on December 6-7 – are the artist’s wife, two sons and pet cat. The estimate is 40,000-50,000. The auction will feature lots from the Gore-Booth family of Lissadell, the collection of Sir Anthony O’Reilly at Castlemartin and from the estate of Professor Anne Crookshank among others. One of the more unusual lots is the Mountainstown House elk antlers. Around 11,000 years old the antlers of this Great Irish Elk were found on the estate by members of the Pollock family. The lot is estimated at 8,000-12,000.
An early 20th century Rolex silver and cobalt blue enamel ball pendant watch is believed to have belonged to Countess Constance Markievicz and is estimated at 700-1,100. An exceptional Regency rosewood breakfast table is estimated at 7,000-11,000, a 1st UK edition of The Lord of the Rings with all final impressions has a similar estimate and A Mountain Landscape by Paul Henry is estimated at 20,000-30,000. There are 1,100 lots in total and the catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:
A Regency rosewood breakfast table. UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,200 AT HAMMER
The ist UK edition of The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien. UPDATE: THIS MADE 6,000 AT HAMMER
A Porsche diesel tractor (16,500-20,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE 17,000 AT HAMMER
An Errard double action harp (1,500-2,500) UPDATE: THIS MADE 1,700 AT HAMMER
A 19th century French brass sonnerie repeater clock by Grohe. UPDATE: THIS MADE 4,000 AT HAMMER
A Rolex pendant ball watch. UPDATE: THIS MADE 2,200 AT HAMMER
A set of Great Irish Elk antlers. UPDATE: THESE MADE 7,500 AT HAMMER
Jack B. Yeats – Glory to the Brave Singer (250,000-350,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS PASSED AT 230,000
A great late Yeats work will highlight the James Adam sale of Important Irish Art and Irish historical documents in Dublin on December 7. Glory to the Brave Singer, which depicts a woman reclining in a landscape pointing towards a songbird, was exhibited at the RHA in 1951, at Victor Waddington’s in Dublin in October 1953 and at the Munster Fine Art Club annual exhibition in Cork in 1956. It was shown several times at Victor Waddington’s gallery in London in the late 1950’s and ’60’s but has rarely been seen in public since becoming part of a private collection in 1971. It is estimated at 250,000-350,000. It is one of four Yeats’ oils in what Adams describe as one of their finest sales in some years.
There is a small section on Irish historical documents which includes the most expensively estimated lot, the final order of surrender written by Padraig Pearse at Easter 1916 (1-1.5 million) and two original copies of the Irish Proclamation (each estimated at 250,000-350,000).
The art sale features lots from the Smurfit Kappa Collection, which includes a self portrait by Sir William Orpen (the catalogue cover lot) and Paul Henry’s Connemara Landscape. There are important works by traditional Northern painters like Frank McKelvey, James Humbert Craig and Maurice Wilks. The back cover of the catalogue features one of Roderic O’Conor’s biggest and most ambitious paintings of the female nude. Etude du nu dates to 1914 and is estimated at 50,000-70,000. The sale features work by artists like Sir John Lavery, Joseph Malachy Kavanagh, Aloysius O’Kelly and Nathaniel Hill as well as four paintings by Patrick Hennessy who was the subject of an exhibition at IMMA during the summer.
There is work by Mildred Anne Butler, Evie Hone, Mainie Jellett, Letitia and Eva Hamilton and Norah McGuinness. Contemporary artists include Tony O’Malley, Louis le Brocquy, Mark Francis, Donald Teskey and John Doherty. The catalogue is online. Here is a small selection:
UPDATE: The Pearse surrender letter was unsold. The sale grossed 1.35 million with 76% of lots sold.
Louis le Brocquy HRHA (1916-2012)
Human Image (Woman) (1997) (40,000-60,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Roderic O’Conor (1860-1940)
Etude de Nu (50,000-70,000) UPDATE: THIS WAS UNSOLD
Patrick Hennessy RHA (1915-1980)
The Bronze Horses of Saint Marks (1953) (15,000-20,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE 32,000 AT HAMMER
Norah McGuinness HRHA (1901-1980)
Waterweeds on the Nore (4,000-6,000) UPDATE: THIS MADE 5,500 AT HAMMER
The South Africa medal awarded to Michael Minihan. UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £70,000 AT HAMMER
The medal awarded to Cork born Private Michael Minihan – one of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift during the Zulu War in 1879 – comes up at auction by Dix Noonan Webb in London on December 8. He was one of 16 Irishmen known to be among the 150 strong British garrison which fought off an attack by up to 4,000 Zulu warriors. No less than eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded for the defence of the mission station – the former trading post of Irish merchant James Rorke. The 1964 film Zulu starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine was based on this battle.
The victorious Zulus then headed for Rorke’s Drift where the tiny garrison, some of whom were hospital patients, found themselves in a desperate battle for survival. Minehan was posted in the cattle kraal, which formed part of the defensive perimeter and eventually had to be evacuated. Captain William Penn-Symonds, an officer in the 24th who was part of the force which relieved Rorke’s Drift knew the Irish soldier well and later wrote: “Minehan was a great pal of mine; he was right-hand man, front rank of ‘B’ Company, who knew his drill well and had often kept me straight.” The day after the battle Private Minehan, who was so exhausted that he could not speak, took Penn-Symonds to the corner of the kraal where he had been stationed. He indicated the body of a Zulu, partly hidden under the straw. During the siege the Zulu had crawled under the straw and grabbed Minehan by the leg. Minehan had thrust his bayonet into the straw killing his assailant.
After his service in the Zulu War Michael Minihan was posted back to India. In 1884 he contracted cholera, was sent back to England and discharged as medically unfit. He died in May 1891 and is buried in Castletownsend. The grave marker, a cross of wrought iron, was inscribed Michael Minihan, Late of the 24th Regiment and one of the gallant defenders of Rorke’s Drift. His campaign medal for South Africa 1877-79 with clasp 1877-8-9 is estimated at £26,000-30,000.
The men of ‘B’ Company 2/24th Regiment who survived Rorke’s Drift.
Michael Minihan is the man on the left in the circle.
There was a new auction record for a musical manuscript when the complete manuscript of Gustav Mahler’s Second Symphony (the “Resurrection”) sold for £4,546,250 at Sotheby’s in London today. This monument of musical history, spanning 232 pages and written in the composer’s distinctive hand throughout, ranks as the most significant music manuscript ever to be offered at auction. It remains completely unaltered, untrimmed and unbound – including deletions, alterations and annotations, many in vivid blue crayon. The work retains the form in which Mahler left it, reflecting and revealing the compositional process for the work. 
The dramatic manuscript is made all the more noteworthy by its remarkable provenance, coming to auction from the estate of the American economist and businessman, Gilbert Kaplan (1941-2016), who, having become infatuated with Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 upon seeing the piece performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1965, dedicated his life to realising his dream of conducting the piece with the world’s greatest orchestras.
*The only comparable autograph music manuscripts of major symphonic works to have been sold at auction are the celebrated manuscript of nine Mozart symphonies (which achieved £2.5 million at Sotheby’s in London in 1987) and the manuscript of Robert Schumann’s Second Symphony (which sold for £1.5 million at Sotheby’s in London in 1994).