Concert promoter and impresario, Bill Graham organized, produced and marketed rock music from the mid-1960’s until his untimely death in a 1991 helicopter crash. Over the course of a career that spanned nearly three decades, Bill Graham promoted a Hall of Fame of rock and folk music stars. The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin (with and without Big Brother and The Holding Company), and Jefferson Airplane are among the bands with whom he is most closely associated. Many of the performances Bill Graham promoted were held at the now historic Fillmore and Winterland Arena in San Francisco and nearly all were heralded by bright, bold and brilliantly designed concert posters produced by prominent artists contracted by Graham. These “Bill Graham Presents” concert posters are among the most collectibles artifact of Bill Graham’s music legacy and have bee...Read More

When it comes to metalwork, the age, value and character of an object can be mistakenly lifted away with one fell swoop of a Lysol wipe. For instance, if you have or happen to uncover your great-grandmothers' Tiffany Studios candlestick holders, we command you to drop the polish! Antique sculptures and decorative objects develop what is known as a “patina” (pa-TEEN-uh) over the course of time. A patina refers to surface changes caused by chemical reactions, dirt buildup, scratches or any other naturally occurring events. However, when it comes to metal castings in materials such as copper or bronze, an artist often chooses a finish right away; and that becomes its original and most valued patina. Color choice, texture and finish are an integral part of the artwork and collectors simply swoon over patina’s that are left undisturbed.  For thi...Read More

Mid-century modern design hasn't seen a dim day in desirability since its conception in the 1940s. In addition to experimenting with materials and inventive silhouettes, the overarching appeal of modernism rests in its straightforward utility and clean concepts that click. This is especially true for lighting. Lamps don't have to be busy to make a statement and these upcoming bulb holders are anything but bleak.  Beginning on February 23rd, Rago will host their 3-Day Unreserved sales (Session 1, Session 2, Session 3) posing an exciting opportunity for those looking to score authentic mid-century modern designs for much less than usual. In an unreserved auction, there are no "safety net" prices keeping you from winning an item at the highest price (no matter how low) that's offered. No, this is not too good to be true, and that's why we're c...Read More

They say that dedicated sports fans ( the ones who scream, cry and brawl in the stands ) tend to exhibit exaggerated emotional responses because they’ve attached themselves, to their game of choice, religiously. They don't simply watch the game - they live vicariously through it. I'll admit, I never quite understood this...until the 2018 Winter Olympics. Perhaps, it’s because these games often depend on the sheer determination of an individual, opposed to an entire team. All I know is, I've been passionately commentating from my couch, about sports I hardly know anything about, for the past three days. How deep must one person dig to rise up and become an Olympian? The commitment, honor and sheer danger that come with participating in these games can jump-start anyone’s competitive spirit! To celebrate team U.S.A's six-medal count in Pyeong...Read More

Do you ever wonder what famous chef's are cooking at home? Are they settling for a late night grilled cheese or perfectly pinching handmade pierogies? When top industry elites do for themselves, what they vehemently do for others, what decisions are being made?  The same question stands for interior designers. Didier Gomez, an expert talent who has reimagined private homes for the likes of Pierre Bergé of Yves Saint Laurent and retail treasures such as Céline, Christan Dior, De beers and Louis Vuitton as well as the Renassance République, Marriott in Paris – also has a space to call his own.    Taking his early career as an opera singer into consideration, it isn't surprising to notice how Didier Gomez employs a chorus of time periods with oscillating volumes of background noise into his home decor. We scanned the platform for past auction ...Read More

How can one tell when they’ve found true love? What does it look like? How long does it last? When something as small as a wink can create tidal changes that wash over your senses forever, it seems an important question to ponder. However, courtly love isn’t the only soul-quenching sort! We often overlook youthful romance, fantastical beauty, familial comfort, and first and foremost – friendship!   Seeing that we are a week away from Valentine’s Day, we thought it would be uplifting to recognize love in all forms, and perhaps, inspire you to feverishly profess your infatuation (or appreciation) for someone with a token of tenderness.  Lot 1834, Robert Knight Ryland, Love (The Hand of God), Oil on canvas; Estimate $700 - $900 Dont forget to call your mother next week! Reaching up toward divinity, this imaginative painting by Robert Knight Ry...Read More

If you've ever looked up at the clouds long enough to watch them carelessly conjoin and stretch away from one another, then you will easily understand Jean Arp’s seemingly enigmatic sculptures. Consider the simplicity of admiring the empty space in between things for a start. Lot 108, Jean (Haans) Arp, Constellation, Painted wood relief, 1956; Estimate $70,000 - $90,000 Marked by white biomorphic shapes placed atop a white board, with cast shadows offering the only secondary tone, this example (lot 108) is one of many abstract Constellation works created by Arp since he began producing them in the 1930s. His Dadaist approach was to leave the compositions up to chance. For Arp, this concept would mimic nature in its true state, unlike the traditional Illusionistic tastes that fine art was so heavily based - and which Arp felt was utterly con...Read More

New York, NY: In an exclusive partnership with Bidsquare, 1837 Auctions presents Marcos Raya: Paintings, Collage, Objects, Installations, unveiling a profound body of work spanning over four decades by famed Chicago surrealist Marcos Raya. The sale leads with Betsy the Cyber Cow, a one of a kind art object from the Cows on Parade public art exhibition in Chicago. This unique opportunity to own one of Chicago’s iconic Cows on Parade comes to auction for the first time in over 10 years. Lot 1, Marcos Raya, Betsy the Cyber Cow, Painted fiberglass, 1999; Estimate $100,000 - $200,000 Cows on Parade overtook Chicago in the summer of 1999. The original concept originated from Zürich, Switzerland in 1998 by artistic director Walter Knapp. Local Chicago businessman Peter Hanig, along with Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg organized the ...Read More

Suspended at seven and a half feet tall with nearly 200 individual shoots of glass protruding away from its' core, the Massive Pacific Haven Chandelier by Dale Chihuly, was impossible to fully grasp through images in our online catalog. However, when Ragos auctioneer transitioned from ceramics to glass items in their Modern Ceramics + Glass (01/21) sale, by way of this colossal chandelier, our perception of large scale, online purchases became wonderfully reimagined.   On January 19th-21st, Rago hosted six sales ranging from contemporary sculptures to early 20th century ceramics and impressive American studio furniture. Here are just some of the extraordinary results from Bidsquares weekend wins at Rago: Lot 1579, Dale Chihuly, Massive Pacific Haven Chandelier, Seattle, WA, 2001; Sold for $76,800 Striking beautifully in the middle of its $6...Read More

A tightly drawn arrow bends confidently between the limbs of the archers bow. Once released, its sharp face will surge through the southern sky, twisting stars into dust across the Milky Way galaxy. The mighty Sagittarius constellation, represented by a centaur holding a bow and arrow, is just one of twelve mythological symbols found in the celestial sphere of the zodiac. Aligning both mythological and scientific knowledge, the ancient zodiac - or celestial wheel - has been known to capture the imaginations of skillful artisans, deep thinkers and astronomers for millennia. In the 20th century, this ethereal subject matter orbited into the hands of one of the greatest Art Deco sculptors in America - Paul Howard Manship. Lot 1025, Paul Howard Manship, Sagittarius From a Model of the Celestial Sphere, Bronze; Estimate $500,000 - $700,000 Known...Read More