Golden Sales

High sales from Golden Age illustrators propels Heritage Auctions’ American auction to $5.1 million

There were several major stars in Heritage Auctions’ May 16 American art sale: Ernie Barnes was one, and so was Golden Age Illustration, specifically works by Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker. Altogether, the 49-lot sale realized more than $5.1 million. Immediately following the American sale, Heritage held a second auction, Property from the BSA Settlement Trust, which generated more than $7 million in sales.

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Marionettes, Saturday Evening Post, cover, October 22, 1932. Oil on canvas, 34 x 28 in. Estimate: $800/1,200,000 SOLD: $906,250

“The energy was undeniable from the moment the first lot opened,” says Aviva Lehmann, Heritage’s senior vice president of American art. “What we saw on Friday was genuine enthusiasm from bidders who were deeply engaged, well-informed and ready to compete. The strong results across both auctions reflect not just the strength of this category for Heritage but also a real passion for the stories these works tell. It was a thrilling day for American art.”

Maurice Sendak (1928-2012), Max Arriving at the Island of Wild Things, Where the Wild Things Are, first drawing, 1963. Watercolor and ink on board, 6¼ x 203/8 in. Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $625,000

The top lot of the American sale was Rockwell’s Marionettes, which was the cover of the October 1932 Saturday Evening Post. With estimates of $800,000 to $1.2 million, the painting saw consistent bidding to push it to $906,000. Another Rockwell, Waiting Room, sold for $412,000, just over its $400,000 low estimate. Rockwell’s colleague at the Saturday Evening Post, Leyendecker, had three lots that performed strong: Diving In (est. $150/250,000) that sold for $325,000, Easter (est. $120/180,000) that sold for $150,000 and Interrupted Picnic (est. $150/250,000) that closed at $137,000.

Ernie Barnes (1938-2009), Sandlot Football, 1983. Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 60 in., signed lower right: ‘Ernie Barnes.’ Estimate: $300/500,000 SOLD: $450,000

The Barnes material also saw steady bidding from collectors, with his sports painting, Sandlot Saints (est. $300/500,000) selling for $450,000. Other Barnes pieces were Opening Ceremonies (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $237,000, Anchor Leg (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $225,000, Hold the Pocket (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $203,000 and three other smaller works.

J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951), Diving In, Saturday Evening Post cover, June 8, 1935. Oil on canvas, 31 x 24 in., signed lower right: ‘JCLeyendecker.’ Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $325,000

The lot that obliterated estimates was Maurice Sendak’s watercolor Max Arriving at the Island of Wild Things from his hit children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are. The small 6-by-20-inch work had a high estimate of $250,000, and yet sold for $625,000. Sendak, who has been the subject of recent museum exhibitions, including a major show at the Denver Art Museum, has had a lot of heat at auction in recent years. Max Arriving at the Island of Wild Things set a world auction record for the artist, surpassing the previous record by nearly $300,000. —

Top 10 LOTS

Heritage Auctions’ American Art Sale, May 16, 2025 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Norman Rockwell Marionettes $800/1,200,000 $906,250
Maurice Sendak Max Arriving at the Island of Wild Things $150/250,000 $625,000
Ernie Barnes Sandlot Saints $300/500,000 $450,000
Norman Rockwell Waiting Room $400/600,000 $412,500
J.C. Leyendecker Diving In $150/250,000 $325,000
Ernie Barnes Opening Ceremonies $250/350,000 $237,500
William R. Leigh Navajo Trader $100/150,000 $237,500
Ernie Barnes Anchor Leg $250/350,000 $225,000
Ernie Barnes Hold the Pocket $250/350,000 $203,125
J.C. Leyendecker Easter $120/180,000 $150,000