EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBRube Goldberg (1883-1970 New York, NY)
About Seller
145 East Walnut Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016
United States
John Moran Auctioneers is a family-owned and operated company, and market leader and trendsetter in sales of California and American art. We offer more works of California Impressionism, California Style watercolors, and Western art than any other auction house. Our personalized approach is our trad...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
About Auction
LiveOct 20, 2015 - Oct 21, 2015
John Moran Auctioneers info@johnmoran.com
View Full Catalog (237)
- Lot Description
''How to Catch a Mouse'', appears unsigned, mixed media on wooden table base, 22'' H x 46'' W x 19'' D, est: $8000/12,000 Exhibited: Hammer Galleries, New York, NY, 1960's; California Institute of Technology, Baxter Hall, Pasadena, CA, on long exhibit and loan 1972 to 2015. Note: Pulitzer prize winning cartoonist, sculptore and author Rube Goldberg is best known for his convoluted and complicated cartoons and contraptions that solve a simple problem. The present work is a rare polychromed ceramic, metal, string and found object sculpture illustrating how to trap a mouse. The brass presentation plaque reads: ''Woman, frightened by mouse, jumps on stool, hitting head against teeterboard and spilling water from pitcher into bathtub - bather scrubs back with brush attached to large jack lift which lifts dog to grab bone and work gears, causing mallet to strike shell of turtle - turtle pulls in neck, setting off cannon which shoot cannonball through coiled pipe - ball lands in the cup which its weight pushes down hand which closes mousetrap and, at the same time, causes it to upset innocent bystander who lights off fuse and sets off rocket which takes mouse and trap to the moon - never to be heard of again.'' The piece is purported to be one of only 3 such sculptures made by Goldberg; each is of the same mechanism. The sculpture is presented in a clear acrylic case on a wooden table base, measuring 48'' H x 46'' W x 19'' D overall. In the mid-1960s Robert L. and Mary H. Meyer purchased the present work from a Hammer Gallery exhibition of Goldberg?s work. Goldberg was present at the exhibit. The mousetrap sculpture was shipped to Meyer?s downtown Los Angeles law office where it was displayed until his death in 1972. At that time, for security and insurance purposes, the sculpture was loaned to the California Institute of Technology where it remained on display until 2015. Provenance: with Hammer Galleries New York, NY; Private Collection, Los Angeles, CA, acquired from the above, early 1960s, by descent in the family to the present owner
Condition
Visual: Generally good, as found condition. Minor firing surface cracks to the woman's feet. Minor paint chip on the yellow stool. Man in brown suit with possible crack and repair to right leg, rubbing and losses on some fingers. Other minor rubbing and very minor losses to the high points.
- Shipping Info
-
The packing and handling of purchased lots by John Moran Auctioneer’s staff at the auction is undertaken solely as to customers. There is no charge for packing material and labor supplied to you on the evening of the sale. In no event will JMA be liable damage to painting, glass or frames regardless of cause in connection with this free service.JMA may, in our discretion and as a service to buyers, arrange to have purchased lots packed, insured and forwarded at the request, expense risk of the buyer. JMA assumes no responsibility for acts or omissions in such packing or shipping by other packers or carriers, whether recommended by JMA. Nor does JMA assume any responsibility for any damage to picture frames or to the glass therein. In circumstances JMA arranges and bills for such services via invoice or credit card, JMA will include an administration charge.In the case of JMA personally delivering an item, if an item cannot be delivered in condition equal to the existent condition at the time of should any item be mis delivered, stolen or lost prior to delivery, JMA‚s liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the buyer at the auction. Buyers are strongly encouraged to view all items auctioned on display before the auction to determine the true condition of items of interest.
-
- Buyer's Premium
