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

Ask people here in the U.S. their favorite national holiday and you’ll be met with a variety of answers. Many will pump for Christmas, others for New Year’s, and there’s never any shortage of turkey fans waving a drumstick for Thanksgiving. But when it comes to straight up fun, celebrated by people of all shapes and sizes, none of them can match the popularity of Halloween. Halloween is a day that connects with everybody. Whether out trick-or-treating or partying till dawn, we have a personal history with the day that goes back to day one. Now, as America’s national day of fancy dress draws near, what better time to combine some serious collecting with the wicked enjoyment of Halloween? One of the real goals of Halloween, apart from having a great time of course, is survival. Picking up this vintage vampire killing kit, offered as Lot 867 o...Read More

Following hot on the heels of their hugely successful Americana sale, Pook & Pook Inc. will stage an International decorative objects auction exclusive to Bidsquare. Set down for Saturday, October 31, the sale draws its strength from artistic offerings in oils, wood, and ceramics. The empires faded but the artwork remains. Lot 20 & 21 - portraits by Brit, John Buncombe The sale is stocked with great pieces of all shapes and sizes. A collection of miniature military portraits by British artist John Buncombe is sure to be a highlight, as is a French bronze, cloisonné, and porcelain-mounted mantel clock. A large portrait of a woman and canaries by French artist Joseph-Désiré Court is sure to demand attention, so too a unique piece by Brazilian artist Juarez Machado. Lot 163 - Vietnames modern art by Le Pho The International auction also featur...Read More

Bids were flying thick and fast in Essex recently when a photograph by the American photographer Irving Penn went under the hammer. Selling as Lot 299 as part of Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers’ 20th Century & Decorative Art auction, the rare still life, titled “Gino Leaves,” eventually fell to a bid of £61,000. It’s not often an important work by such an esteemed artist as Mr. Penn is offered beyond the pristine salerooms of London, New York and Paris. The fact that Sworders, selling for a long-time client from their Stansted Mountfitchet saleroom, were able to realize such a price is testament not only to the company’s capacities but also the quality of their clientele. Irving Penn is best known for his fashion photography, portraits and still-lifes. He exhibited widely and is represented in many public collections, including the Smithsonia...Read More

A fast overview of the work of Andy Warhol in the November Postwar and Contemporary Art Sale at Rago.   View the November 5 sale >

On October 23, Cowan’s Auctions, in partnership with Mark DelVecchio and Garth Clark, will stage the eleventh edition of their much-anticipated Modern Ceramics sale. Cowan’s Auctions remain the only auction house in the country committed to offering modern ceramics in one dedicated auction.  In an effort to get a better understanding of the work being sold on October 23 in their Cleveland showroom, we asked the auction’s curator, Mark DelVecchio to offer insight into some of his favorite pieces in the sale. DelVecchio, author of the highly-acclaimed Post Modern Ceramics, has directed the Garth Clark Gallery since 1981, overseeing the presentation of over six hundred exhibitions during the life of the gallery. Mark has partnered with Cowan’s since the departments inception. Untitled; New York Skyline by Lydia Buzio  "This piece is a true mas...Read More

Californian Impressionist painter Guy Rose discovered his artistic gifts the hard way. In 1876, at the age of nine, he was accidentally shot in the face during a hunting trip with his brothers. It was while he was recuperating that he began to sketch and use watercolors and oil paints. Rose went on to become one of Californias top impressionist painters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The son of a prominent California senator, he was a keen traveler, spending time in New York, Algeria and Paris, where he came under the influence of friend and mentor, Claude Monet. On Tuesday, October 20, John Moran Auctioneers is offering bidders two chances to add a Guy Rose to their collection when they stage their California and American Fine Art Auction. Lots 81 & 101 (above) are landscapes typical of Rose, the first depicting Californian dun...Read More

The 2015 Larsen Art Auction, set down Saturday, October 24, in Scottsdale AZ, promises to be the best on record. Over 250 pieces of Contemporary and Southwest fine art will go under the hammer, and with bidding expected from both American and international collectors, competition for lots is sure to be fierce. Lot 194 - LeRoy Neiman "Seattle Slew at Belmont" captures the great horse landing the Triple Crown Celebrity auctioneer Jason Brooks returns to put the artwork through its paces. Jason, whose resume includes stints on the Discovery Channels “Auction Kings” and “The Rachel Ray Show,” was a big hit at last year’s sale, and news of his return has been met with all round approval. Lot 126 - Picassos eye-catching "Minotaure Aveugle Guide par une Fillette dans la Nuit" Here, we’ve highlighted some of the star lots of the sale, but rest assu...Read More