American art auctions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s during the last week of November had generally outstanding results, albeit not without some disappointments.
The top lot at Christie’s was Edward Hopper’s October on Cape Cod (1946), which went for $9.6 million;
Martin John Heade’s Hummingbird Perched on the Orchid Plant (1901), brought $1,802,500;
Charles Burchfield’s Golden Dream (1959), brought $1,202,500;
and Stuart Davis’ City Snow Scene (1911), also went for $1,202,500.
Georgia O’Keeffe had the top two lots at Sotheby’s; both plant paintings, Autumn Leaf II (1927) sold for $4,282,500
and A White Camellia (1938) brought $3,218,500.
O’Keeffe's Sun Water Maine (1922) was the second highest price at Christie’s at $2,210,500, exceeding the high estimate of $1,500,000.
Norman Rockwell had two paintings exceeded their high estimates at Sotheby’s.
The Muscleman (1941) sold for $2,210,500 (high estimate: $800,000)
and Doctor and Doll (1942) reached $1,874,500 (high estimate: $700,000).
Other sales included Alfred Jacob Miller’s Caravan En Route [Sir William Drummond Stewart’s Caravan] (circa 1850), $1,762,500
and Arthur Dove’s Town Scraper (circa 1933),$1,258,500.
Maurice Prendergast’s Park Street Church, Boston (circa 1905-07), failed to sell.
Prendergast’s Picnic Party (circa 1900-03) didn’t quite reach its low estimate of $300,000 when it sold for $290,500.
