“After the excessive days are over, stability has once more gained a foothold on the art market. Quality objects make for great results“, said Robert Ketterer, auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst. “There is an upward tendency“, he adds with regards to the upcoming spring auctions. The lots of the auctions on 23 and 24 April 2010 will already delight the hearts of art lovers.
Thematic focal points will be on:
1. Modern Art
2. Post War/Contemporary Art
3. Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century

On 1: Modern Art

This auction is headed by a real rarity: Otto Griebel‘s watercolor “Zwei Frauen“ (Two women) was made in 1924 and will be called with an estimate of € 30.000-40.000. The work, which will also be on the cover of the catalog, did not only barely escape the burning of works by the artist that the National Socialists had confiscated in 1932, it also survived an allied air raid in 1945 in which Griebel lost his apartment and studio as well as most of his works to the flames.

With “Herbstlandschaft“ and “Der rosa Krug“ two typical watercolors by Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, each with an estimate of € 10.000-15.000, will enter the race. The object “Bemalter Steinkopf mit weißer Nase“ (Painted stone head with white nose) by the same artist is a real magnet of attraction. The gray-brown granite stone has been estimated at € 3.000-4.000.

Another interesting lot in the section of sculptures is by Otto Gutfreund. His bronze “Der Cellospieler“ (Cello Player) will not only please music lovers. The estimate for this work with black patina, posthumously cast from presumably the original gypsum model, is at € 6.000-8.000.

Oskar Kokoschka executed his “Hygieia“ in 1961, using color chalk for this drawing of a sculpture in the Athens National Museum. The artist’s confident stroke of the brush in combination with a classic motif of an ancient theme and an estimate of € 4.000-6.000 will surely make for brisk demand.

More than a dozen of pencil and chalk drawings by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, which will be called with estimates between € 900 and € 3.000, are definitely more than just worthwhile mentioning.

The offer is rounded of by appealing print art: Besides three lithographs in colors by Serge Poliakoff as well as Emil Nolde‘s etching and aquatint “Hugo del Caril“ (estimate: € 4.000-5.000) the “Lithographie ‘Blau’“ by Wassily Kandinsky (estimate: € 5.000-7.000) as well as the chalk lithograph “Arbeiterfrau mit schlafendem Jungen“ by Käthe Kollwitz from 1927 will enthuse the audience.

On 2: Post War/Contemporary Art
Walter Stöhrer‘s works are unique in the world of 20th century art, and three large-sized works by the important representative of the Informel will be called up in this section. Besides two mixed media works without title, it is particularly the painting “Cut Up IV“ which will draw the attention. With an estimate of € 18.000-24.000, it radiates an intensive degree of energy in its size of 80.5 x 70.8 in. Only eleven works were made under the title “Cut Up“, of which two are already in possession of German museums.

The acrylic work “Homage an Leonardo da Vinci“ by Lambert Maria Wintersberger will enter the race with an estimate between € 8.000-12.000. The work with its spontaneous and powerful stroke of the brush is a good example of the artist’s painting skills. In formal terms, the depiction calls reminiscence of the gestures of Saint Jerome, the painting of the same name by Leonardo da Vinci, which is in possession of the Pinacoteca Vaticana today.

Besides a zestful gouache in black and white (estimate: € 6.000-8.000), that Karl Otto Götz executed on cardboard in 1958, Markus Prachensky’s dynamic work “Rouge sur noir“, which was made the same year, will be called up at € 5.000-7.000. This painting’s center is dominated by a strong red, whereas color accents in blue and red inspirit Fritz Winter‘s painting without title from 1954. It has been estimated at € 5.000-7.000.

This section is rounded off by, among others, works by the following artists: Horst Antes, Georg Baselitz, Eduardo Chillida, Karl Fred Dahmen, Lucio Fontana, Damien Hirst, Horst Janssen, Robert Motherwell, Sigmar Polke, Neo Rauch, Emil Schumacher, Antoni Tàpies and Zao Wou-Ki.

On 3: Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century

The first auction day will be opened by the section of Old Masters and Art of the 19th century, headed by a painting of Eugen von Guérard from 1849, estimated at € 20.000-30.000. “Die Eremitage von St. Maria del Avocatella bei Neapel“ (The Hermitage of St. Maria del Avocatella near Naples) counts among the classic depictions of southern Italian landscapes, which the artist successfully showed at academy exhibitions in Berlin, Leipzig and Lubeck.

A painting in warm shades of colors by Frits Thaulow will definitely make for some excitement in the auction room. The estimate for the oil painting “Dorfweg“, presumably made in 1890, is at € 15.000-20.000.

The small-sized oil painting on wood “Beim Vorlesen“ by Felix Schlesinger is an atmospheric genre piece. The rural idyll gives insight into family life in the countryside and will be called up with an estimate of € 5.000-7.000.

Besides almost a dozen of still lives of nature and plants by Christian Friedrich Gille, all originate from the collection of the Berlin littérateur and art dealer Walter Unus, three landscape watercolors by Edward Theodore Compton will also shine their light on this section of the auction.

Further works by Johann Georg von Dillis, Jean Bastien-Lepage and Karl Friedrich Schinkel will also be on offer. Among the high-quality graphic art will be works by Albrecht Dürer, Francisco de Goya, Giovanni Battista Piranesi and Georg Friedrich Schmidt.

Preview:
Selected works will be shown:
Ketterer Kunst, Meßberg 1, Hamburg, April 6th – 8th, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ketterer Kunst, Fasanenstr. 70, Berlin, April 10th– 15th, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

All works will be shown:
Ketterer Kunst, Joseph-Wild-Str. 18, Munich, April 17th –21st, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., April, 22nd, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., later appointments only by arrangement

Auction:
April, 23rd, 3 p.m.: A Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century r
followed by Modern Art
April, 24th, 3 p.m.: Post War/Contemporary Art
at Ketterer Kunst, Joseph-Wild-Str. 18, Munich

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books, with its headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg and Krefeld have contributed substantially to the company’s success. Ketterer Kunst has further rounded off its portfolio with the prestigious Ernest Rathenau Verlag, New York/Munich. In addition, exhibitions, special theme and charity auctions as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.

Contact:

Ketterer Kunst
Joseph-Wild-Str. 18
81829 München
GERMANY
Tel. +49-(0)55244-444
Fax.: +49-(0)55244-177
E-mail: infomuenchen@kettererkunst.de

For press enquiries:
Michaela Derra M.A.
Telefon: +49-(0)89-55244-152 (Fax: -177)
E-Mail: m.derra@kettererkunst.de

Proxibid, the world’s largest provider of live auction webcasting services, today announced that the Company signed on several marquis heavy equipment, farm machinery and truck auctions during the month of January. The addition of Blackmon Auctions, PacLease Truck Sales, Weeks Auction Co., JD Equipment Inc., Biliske Schuster Auctioneers, and Fastline to Proxibid’s growing roster of heavy equipment, farm machinery and truck auctions further illustrates the Company’s proven success in bringing heavy equipment and machinery auctions to a global, online audience.
This list of high-profile heavy equipment, farm equipment and truck auctioneers complements the more than 40 new clients Proxibid secured during the month of January, across all categories served by the Company.

“We selected Proxibid because of the Company’s commitment to bringing the best auctioneers together in one place to provide heavy equipment and trucking bidders with the most comprehensive selection available in the industry,” said Nathan Whitaker, of PacLease Truck Sales. “Our experience with them has been exceptional thus far with Proxibid providing a high level of service, support, and thoroughness.”

PacLease Truck Sales offers bidders the opportunity to choose premium trucks with the equipment and features they want and need to run profitably and in comfort. PacLease Truck Sales facilitates the sale of late model repossessed and off-lease trucks for PACCAR Financial. The Company offers a wide selection of high-quality formerly leased Kenworth and Peterbilt medium- and heavy-duty trucks, expertly maintained by trained technicians. PacLease Truck Sales’ upcoming high quality medium and heavy duty truck sale will take place on Thursday, February 18. Bidders can register by logging on to www.proxibid.com/paclease.

Blackmon Auctions, Inc. was established in 1938 by Mr. Eddie Blackmon, Sr. of DeWitt, Arkansas. The Company conducts auctions of all sizes all over the United States. Although Blackmon Auctions has grown into one of the largest equipment auction companies in the U.S. the Company still specializes in doing one owner, on-site auctions, regardless of the size of the auction. Blackmon Auctions will be live online on Proxibid on Thursday, February 4 and Friday February 5. Auction registration is already available by visiting www.proxibid.com/blackmon.

For more than 20 years, Weeks Auction Company has provided a professional auction standard that is unmatched in the farm and construction machinery industry. The Company provides auction services in the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America. Proxibid will provide live online bidding for Weeks Auction Company’s upcoming Sugarland Auction, slated for Friday, February 19 and Saturday, February 20. Bid live online by registering here: www.proxibid.com/weeksauction.

JD Equipment of Ohio is a full-service John Deere dealership, specializing in the support and sale of the John Deere product line, as well as equipment by Stihl, Priefert, Guardian Generators, Boss Snow Plows, Grasshopper mowers, Piqua and Towmaster. JD Equipment’s live auction webcast will take place on Wednesday, February 24. Bidders can already register by visiting www.proxibid.com/jdequipment.

Based in Grand Forks, ND, Biliske Schuster Auctioneers is one of the region’s largest farm and agriculture equipment auctioneers. The Company brings hundreds of lots of high quality farm and agriculture equipment to the auction block with every live auction event. Biliske Schuster Auctioneers’ inaugural live auction webcast will take place on Wednesday, March 31. Auction registration will be available at www.proxibid.com/ biliske.

Fastline online auctions offer bidders an easy and effective tool to buy farm and construction equipment. Fastline’s auctions offer an incredible array of equipment made available by hundreds of dealers throughout the country. Auction registration will soon be available for Fastline’s March 18 auction at www.proxibid.com/fastline.

“Proxibid’s commitment to the equipment industry is stronger than ever,” said Tim Kryszak, executive vice president of operations for Proxibid. “We continue to drive more high quality equipment and truck auctions to our Web site, which attracts a more targeted, active bidder base than any other provider in the industry. We continue to attract high profile auctioneers and bidders because no one else can offer the level of service and support the online community has come to expect from Proxibid.”

For more information about these and other heavy equipment, farm equipment and truck auctions, please visit www.proxibid.com/iron.

About Proxibid

Since 2002, Proxibid has webcast more than 22,000 auctions – more than any other company in the industry. The Company hosts more than 100 equipment auctions each month, and has more heavy equipment inventory than any other live, online auction provider in the industry. Proxibid’s proprietary live Internet bidding service and Web site were developed by auctioneers and industry-leading professionals to provide our bidders with the most user-friendly and comprehensive live online auction experience possible.

Proxibid’s customer service and support is unmatched in the industry. The company’s toll-free support center is open before, during and after every live auction, and is staffed with bi-lingual auction specialists who assist both bidders and auctioneers. For more information about Proxibid, please visit us online at www.proxibid.com

Christie’s announced the appointment of Marc Porter as Chairman of Christie’s Americas effective January 2010. In this role, Mr. Porter will lead the Top Client Program in the Americas and remain President of Christie’s Japan, and a member of the Board of Christie’s. In addition, Stephen Lash has been appointed Chairman Emeritus and Christopher Burge remains as Christie’s principal auctioneer in the U.S. and Honorary Chairman, Americas. Both continue to be equally engaged in top client relationship management in partnership with Mr. Porter.

“In his five-year tenure as President of Christie’s Americas, Marc Porter’s leadership, breadth of experience, and knowledge of the art business has been an invaluable asset. We look forward to much continued success in his expanded role as Chairman of Christie’s Americas,” said Edward Dolman, Chief Executive Officer of Christie’s International.

Mr. Porter earned a B.A. degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences and a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He also holds a law degree from Yale Law School. Prior to joining Christie’s, he was associated with the New York law firm of Proskauer Rose Goetz & Mendelsohn. He also held positions with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the office of the general counsel of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bonhams is privileged to announce the sale of an original circa 1895 Hildebrand & Wolfmüller motorcycle at the first of its two annual Stafford auctions. Manufactured in Munich, Germany, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller is of the utmost historical significance as the first powered two-wheeler to enter series production, and is the first such vehicle to which the name ‘motorcycle’ (motorrad in German) was ever applied.

The Hildebrand brothers, Henry and Wilhelm, developed their motorcycle in partnership with Alois Wolfmüller and his mechanic, Hans Geisenhof. Their design was powered by a twin-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke engine displacing 1,488cc, which until relatively recent times was the largest power unit ever fitted to a motorcycle. Despite a maximum power output of only 2.5bhp at 240rpm, the H&W was capable of speeds approaching 30mph, an exciting prospect at a time when powered road transport of any sort was still a novelty.

Patented in January 1894, H&W’s motorcycle was greeted with considerable enthusiasm and plans were drawn up to build a factory in Munich to produce it. It was also licensed to a firm in France and marketed there as ‘La Petrolette’. Despite some impressive demonstration performances by factory riders, the H&W’s shortcomings became all too apparent once deliveries to paying customers commenced, and early in 1897 both the German and French ventures collapsed. Opinions differ with regard to how many machines were produced, figures range from as low as 800 to as high as 2,000. Survivors are, needless to say, exceedingly rare.

Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery, located in Charlottesville, VA, will host its 20th C Design/Arts & Crafts Auction live online with Artfact Live!. In this exciting sale, Harlowe-Powell Auction Gallery will offer more than 500 lots of fine and decorative art. A Gio Ponti 84-Piece Diamond-Pattern Sterling Flatware is the top estimated lot, requiring a minimum bid of $1,600 and expected to sell between $2,000-$3,000.
If you can’t join the live auction action in Charlottesville, VA, on January 22, visit Artfact.com to login or register free to bid live online at this exceptional auction.

Hollywood Entertainment Museum announced the release of historically significant items for auction to provide educational opportunities for LA’s at-risk youth. Presented by Super Auctions, nearly one hundred years of Hollywood history will be up for bid at a live, online auction January 31, 2010.

How can you alter the direction of a life? Not by lecturing, not by punishing, but by providing opportunities. Phyllis Caskey, President of HEM and main force in creating the Hollywood Media Arts Academy, a collaboration between HEM and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, explains the powerful impact of the school: “In just a short period of time, I can see the transformation that takes place in our students. While training for careers in the media arts, they earn their high school diplomas leading to higher education and security for their futures and families.”

Founded in 1986, HEM is an exceptional mix of culture and education. This program is one of the most successful in the country and serves as a global model. More than 82 percent of HEM students graduated high school, and 50 percent of those graduates went on to college.

Like all schools, HEM is faced with tough economic conditions, and has found a unique way to cover expenses. HEM is placing items on the auction block to raise money to keep the school in operation. Fans of movies, television shows and the stars of by-gone eras, have an opportunity to claim a piece of history, while providing educational opportunities that change lives. From the ridiculous to the sublime, items include:

antique projectors and editing equipment
exquisite, bronze, life-sized statutes of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton
items from the Max Factor collection including scrapbooks, make-up, beauty calibrator, world history books, wigs, negatives, photographs and more
Miniatures of the City of Hollywood, Hollywood Bowl, Malibu Colony, and Hollywood Movie Studio
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.superauctions.com.

ABOUT HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT MUSEUM: hollywoodmuseum.com

ABOUT SUPER AUCTIONS: superauctions.com

fredricPR
Connie Jankowski, 714-357-2069
cjankowski@fredricpr.com

On January 18, 2010 Gateway Gallery Auction held it’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday auction, which consisted of an eclectic mix of fine antiques and artwork. The standing room only crowd was filled with motivated live and phone action, and received extensive absentee bidder interest.

Of significant interest, two signed Lily Spandorf gouache watercolors brought $900 and $1,100 respectively, proving that the interest in original Spandorf works in on the rise. “Spandorf’s works hold special significance for the Capitol region” said John F. Kohler, Jr. owner/auctioneer, “She depicted Washington DC neighborhoods and buildings, many of which are no longer standing, with animation and grace.”

Other selections included a seldom seen John Bell Syrup selling for $4,700; a remarkable miniature tall case clock sold for $1,100; a Tiffany & Co. desk clock sold for $750; and an exceptional period solid walnut art nouveau table lamp for $325.

Most popular were the firearms from private collectors and estates. A broomhandle Mauser brought $2,500; a Tikka 12-70 sold for $1,050; an A.H. Fox double barrel sold for $950; a Colt 1911 pistol for $1,700; and a Colt 1875 38 cal. Pistol realized $2,200.

Focusing on quality antiques and artwork, Gateway’s holiday auction offered unique and fresh-to-market pieces that created enthusiasm throughout the crowd. A Lincoln engraving signed by Marshall sold for $625, suggesting that bidder’s are looking to buy quality. “It’s seems that bidder confidence is up” says Kohler.

Gateway Gallery’s next two auctions will be held in February1 & 15, 2010. Consignments are being accepted for April auction dates. Prices given do not reflect 10% buyer’s premium.

An American Flag carried to the moon on Apollo 12 astronauts Conrad, Gordon and Bean in Nov. 1969 will be auctioned with other NASA memorabilia owned by a former NASA employee at www.prwauctions.com

Apollo 12 Flag Carried to the Moon, 3″ x 6″ cloth flag, framed 8.25″ x 10.25,” 2.25″ x 3″ silver paper marker card “Apollo 12, November 1969, Charles Conrad Jr, Richard F. Gordon Jr, Alan J. Bean,” inscription “This flag was carried to the moon by the crew of Apollo 12, November 19, 1969, Ocean of Storms,” from a NASA employee.

Lichfield based Auction, Richard Winterton Auctioneers with over 150 years of auction pedigree commenced free valuation sessions at The Trinity Centre, Church Hill in 2000. These are held every Monday from 2-4pm and there is plenty of free parking and easy access.

The service has been a huge success and an invaluable point of contact for the residents of Sutton Coldfield wishing to find out the value of their treasured possessions. Home visits are also arranged for clients with large quantities.

Numerous rare and exotic finds have been unearthed at the Trinity Centre, most recently a Scottish Impressionist oil painting by William Marshall Brown at £6,000 and a suite of Victorian gold/diamond jewels at £3,100.

Qualified Valuer/Associate Adrian Rathbone has been based at the Trinity Centre from the outset in 2000 and has built up a solid relationship with clients in the area. He is delighted to appraise all manner of items – from paintings, silver, ceramics and glass to toys, medals and general collectables.

The free valuations continue to be held every Monday from 2-4pm at The Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1TF, (no appointment necessary). Home visits can also be arranged for advice on estate clearances and larger items. Contact the Auctioneers on 01543 251081 for further information.

www.richardwinterton.co.uk

Bonhams will offer an important collection of 100 motorcycles, mainly pre-1950 machines, from Pamplona, Spain, at the RAF Museum, Hendon on 27th February 2010.

The Pamplona Collection represents an important group of motorcycles assembled by a prominent Spanish private collector.

Over 100 in number, this extraordinarily diverse collection includes a brace of De Dion Bouton-engined machines dating from the closing years of the 19th Century, as well as nine four-cylinder models from the likes of Ace, Cleveland, Excelsior, FN, Henderson, Indian, Nimbus and Zündapp. V-twin engined motorcycles are another predominant theme, with no fewer than 18 in the collection including examples from Harley-Davidson, Sunbeam, Vincent, Motosacoche, Peugeot, Matchless, BSA and, of course, Brough Superior in the form of a 1931 SS100. Rare marques represented include Vindec, Wanderer, Acme, Rikuo, Böhmerland, PMZ, Griffon, Standard, Diamant, Laurin & Klement, Phebus and Mabeco.

The collection was assembled over the past few years for the enjoyment of the owner’s friends and family, and was housed at various locations before coming to its purpose-built museum home 12 months ago. Almost all of the machines were in running condition at time of purchase, since when they have been carefully stored.

Ben Walker, Head of the Motorcycles Department at Bonhams comments, “It is a pleasure to be offering for sale such a fine and outstanding collection of motorcycles. The vendor has managed to assemble, over a relatively short period of time, a world-class collection of rare machinery and this sale represents a fantastic opportunity for the enthusiast and collector to acquire something really special for their garage.”

www.bonhams.com/motorcycles