Across the Board

With a diversity of material, Scottsdale Art Auction achieves $13 million in sales with and a 98 percent sell-through rate

On April 9 and 10, Scottsdale Art Auction held a two-session sale that realized $13.3 million in sales across a staggering 98 percent sell-through rate. Within days after the sale, auction partners were grasping for the words to describe the sale, which exceeded many expectations. Charles Schreyvogel (1861-1912), A Close Call. Oil on canvas, 25¼ x 34 in. Estimate: $750/1,250,000 SOLD: $819,000

“We just feel mighty blessed,” says Brad Richardson, one of three partners for the auction. “We’re still struggling to find the right words to even describe the sale. It’s all still sinking in. I knew we did well when we were preparing some materials for the works that were left. Normally there are dozens of unsold lots left, but this year we had only seven pieces. It’s been a wild year, but the market is healthier than ever.”William Gollings (1878-1932), Cheyenne Winter Camp. Oil on canvas, 24 x 18 in. Artist World Auction Record. Estimate: $300/500,000 SOLD: $643,500

Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902), Starr King Mountain. Oil on paper mounted on board, 14 x 19 in. Estimate: $300/500,000 SOLD: $497,250

The top lot in the sale was a rare Charles Schreyvogel action piece titled A Close Call (est. $750/1,250,000) that sold for $819,000. Not far behind it was the catalog cover, William Gollings’ Cheyenne Winter Camp, which sold for $643,500, well over its $500,000. The work broke an artist world record for Gollings, whose previous record was held by the same piece when it sold in 2007 for $414,000. Rounding out the top three lots was Albert Bierstadt’s Starr King Mountain, which was inches away from its $500,000 high estimate when it sold for $497,250.Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), The Battle at Belly River, 1905. Oil on canvas, 18¼ x 22½ in. Estimate:$250/350,000 SOLD: $409,500

George Catlin (1796-1872), Tál-Lee and Wa’h-pa-ko-ia’s-kuk [Bear’s Track], watercolor on paper, 10½ x 8¼ in. and 10 x 7½ in. Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $117,000

Wildlife artist Carl Rungius performed strongly with Old Men of the Ram River (est. $175/225,000) that sold for $292,500 and Grizzly Bear (est. $200/300,000) that sold for $468,000, which puts it as the seventh best Rungius work to come to auction. Charles M. Russell’s The Battle of Belly River sold over its $350,000 high estimate after it closed at $409,500, and John Clymer’s Wild Horses performed strongly at $380,250, well over its $250,000 high estimate. Other top-selling lots included pieces by Edgar Payne, William Herbert “Buck” Dunton, Oscar E. Berninghaus and a pair of rare George Catlin watercolors that sold for $117,000, well over their $50,000 high estimate. —

Top 10 sales
Scottsdale Art Auction, April 9-10, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Charles Schreyvogel A Close Call $750/1,250,000 $819,000
William Gollings Cheyenne Winter Camp $300/500,000 $643,500
Albert Bierstadt Starr King Mountain $300/500,000 $497,250
Carl Rungius Grizzly Bear $200/300,000 $468,000
Charles M. Russell The Battle at Belly River $250/350,000 $409,500
John Clymer Wild Horses $150/250,000 $380,250
Howard Terpning Hunting $275/325,000 $321,750
Edgar Payne Burning the Hogan $200/300,000 $292,500
Carl Rungius Old Men of the Ram River $175/225,000 $292,500
William Herbert “Buck” Dunton Three Montana Cowbys $175/225,000 $257,400