Alexander Gardner was one of the real pioneers of early American photography. One-time manager of legendary lensman Matthew Bradys Washington salon, he was Brady’s chief photographer in the field during the early days of the Civil War. Gardner managed the famous horse-drawn photographic laboratory and took many pictures attributed to Brady. He accompanied the Union troops on their marches, their camps and bivouacs, their battles, and on their many hasty retreats during those grim early days. Alexander Gardner (left), and Lincoln at Antietam In 1866 Gardner published his Sketch Book, recognized as the "first modern photo-essay” and the first published collection of Civil War photographs. Conceived by Gardner as a post-war memento, the 100 prints represent selections from the over 3,000 negatives taken during the Civil War by himself and asso...Read More

Rago’s December Fine Jewelry sale offers a study in contrasts between Art Deco and Art Nouveau jewelry. The online auction includes extraordinary examples of the art and technique present in both styles, each of which conveys a distinct message through a characteristic vocabulary of design.

Steel heiress Cornelia Guest is parting with much of the contents of her family compound in Old Westbury, N.Y. The actress, former horse-riding champion, author, accessories and clothing designer, caterer and animal rights activist has consigned a select collection of treasured pieces to be sold through Stair Galleries on Saturday, November 14. New York socialite Cornelia Guest (left), and her parents pictured in 1952 Guest, the daughter of polo player Winston Frederick Churchill Guest and the socialite C. Z. Guest, is moving to a farm in Columbia County, N.Y., which she plans to turn into an animal sanctuary. Parting with the objects for sale, she said, “just pulls at your heart in a way that you never expect.” With a heritage such as Guest’s, it’s not surprising to see a number of offerings related to polo and horses. Lot 237 (above) is a...Read More

The Japanese have long had a reputation for producing objects of great beauty. With a Zen-like approach to design, they have the ability to infuse even the most practical of objects with clean lines and elegance. Lots 142 & 143 allow bidders to keep an eye on things...and to look good doing it! This truth is evident in the sale of two lots selling in Kodner Galleries’ Antiques, Fine Art, Jewelry & Decorative Art sale. Lot 143, a pair of 1940s World War II Japanese battleship bigeye binoculars, and Lot 142, a pair of 1950s Japanese Imperial Navy binoculars, may have been designed to keep an eye on military matters for the land of the Rising Sun, yet its hard not to be impressed by the retro sleekness of their design. The jewelry category is deep and filled with unique and interesting pieces. Lot 127 - a vintage ladys Israeli pear shaped whit...Read More

No one ever accused 19th Century entrepreneur Adam Bogardus of modesty. Holder at one time of just about every shooting record in the book, he titled a 1898 biography he authored: “One Thousand Secrets of Rich and Wise Men Revealed,” by C.A. Bogardus, “Champion Shot of the World.” Bogardus was also an inventor, and in 1877 created the first practical glass ball trap. This trap threw the ball 60 feet through the air in a very long arc that revolutionized the sport of target shooting. Bogardus, who owned a shooting galllery in Chicago, promoted himself tirelessly and soon became the leading manufacturer in the U.S. target-making business. Those looking to try their hand at a Bogardus should check out Pook & Pook Inc.’s Sporting Auction, set down for Saturday, November 14. Selling as Lot 170, the Bogardus iron trapshooting target ball thrower ...Read More

Sometimes it’s hard to comprehend that there was a time when people existed without television. Just what they did with themselves is anyone’s guess; suffice to say it’s hard to imagine an existence without the spine-tingling plot twists of the Kardashians or the moving dignity of a televised Donald Trump. On Wednesday, November 11, Leland Little Auctions deliver clues to the above conundrum when they offer Lot 150 in their sale of the Personal Collection of Philip P. Huggins. A 19th Century reverse painted table screen depicting a young woman departing by boat from the shore, it has, on first glance at least, the resounding look a pre-electronic flat screen TV! Now sure, an evening’s entertainment gathered round such a piece in your living room is sure to have its limits, but then it truly is a lovely work with strong romantic vibes and be...Read More

When it comes to literary champions, you’d be hard pressed to find two writers sitting on loftier perches than Shakespeare and Whitman. Kings of their respective times, with legacies growing richer as each year passes, and enthusiastic audiences that never seem to diminish. On Sunday, November 15, Skinner offers bidders a unique opportunity to snare prized collectibles by these great men when they stage their November Fine Books & Manuscripts auction. Both are extremely valuable editions, rarely available at auction, so competition is sure to be fierce. Lot 287 will have devotees of The Bard licking their lips in anticipation! An 1820 edition of Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies published according to the true original copies. The book is bound in full brown calfskin and decorated in a very spare geometric style reminiscent of...Read More

It’s not every day you get a chance to snare a genuine piece of motorcycle history. Yet tucked away in Session 2 of Cowan’s European & American Firearms and Early Militaria sale is a piece of machinery sure to capture the heart every two-wheeler fan who crosses its time-honored path. A Rex motorcycle, used to win the prestigious Lanes End to John OGroats road race back in 1904, is selling as Lot 980. Brothers William and Harold Williamson founded Rex Motorcycles in 1899, and the Coventry-based company was soon active in all types of two-wheel competition. In 1904 Harold set his sights on the Lands End to John O’Groats road race, run between the most southerly and northerly points of mainland Britain. Traveling over rough, un-surfaced and often treacherous roads, he completed the 880-mile marathon in 48 hours 36 minutes, beating the existing...Read More

Love him or hate him, no one can deny that Andy Warhol was a true American success story. Born Andrew Warhola Jr., he rose from the working class suburbs of Pittsburgh to be the toast of the art world, a king of New York society, and one of the most recognizable faces on the planet. At auction his work continues to take center stage, with a 2009 article in The Economist describing Warhol as the "bellwether of the art market." Which brings us to Lot 734 in Ragos Post-War & Contemporary Art auction. Part of a small series depicting shipping and handling labels, "Open This End" is one of the first paintings in which Warhol used silkscreen to reproduce commercial objects and repeating images. The technique suited Warhol well, allowing him to duplicate images at will. Away from "Open This End," there are a host of interesting pieces by Warhol in...Read More

What to Look for When Bidding on Fine Art at Auction Buying paintings and works on paper at auction can be an exhilarating experience, but it can also be nerve-wracking, as many factors influence the decision as to whether to pursue a particular lot. One key aspect buyers should keep in mind is the condition of any piece they plan to bid on, as works at auction are sold “as-is.” A certain amount of wear-and-tear is to be expected for artwork with any age, but being aware of either past restoration or restoration that needs to be done can influence the decision on whether or not to bid. To better understand a work’s condition, it is preferable for a potential buyer or someone they trust to view it in person. Auction house specialists are always happy to show interested clients any lots that might catch their eye. When inspecting a painting, ...Read More