The Fireworks started six lots into April’s Scottsdale Art Auction.
The lot was Will James’ Smoky and Clint, a 1926 illustration for James’ award-winning book Smoky the Cowhorse. Bidding started casually enough, with bids bouncing around the room as the work first eclipsed its low estimate of $50,000, and then its high estimate of $75,000. And then the bidding didn’t stop. Auctioneer Jason Brooks was fielding collectors in the room, on the phones and online, and moseying along at a decent pace as it hit $100,000, then $250,000, then $500,000. By the end, it came down to two interested parties, neither of which was willing to let go, until one did. When the dust settled, Smoky and Clint sold for $990,000. It obliterated James’ previous world auction record of $150,000 set in 2014.
Will James (1892-1942), Smoky and Clint. Oil on canvas, 28 x 22 in. Estimate: $50/75,000 SOLD: $990,000
“Needless to say, we were a little overwhelmed at how extremely well the Will James piece did,” says auction partner Brad Richardson. “It’s the most famous piece by the artist, so we knew it would bring in the bidders, but we had no idea there would be so much interest. All it takes is two bidders, and that’s what happened here.” Richardson adds that the auction had 17 James works from the A.P. Hays collection, and the whole collection sold for $1.75 million.
Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955), Carmencita. Oil on canvas, 20 x 16 in. Estimate: $600/900,000 SOLD: $1,020,000
Over two sessions, the Scottsdale Art Auction brought in more than $16.5 million with a 97 percent sell-through rate. More than 1,400 bidders registered for the sale, with a high number of online bidders who participated. “This was one of our very best sales,” Richardson says.
Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955), Still Life, Floral. Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 in. Estimate: $300/400,000 SOLD: $396,000
John Clymer (1907-1989), The Métis Brigade. Oil, 20 x 40 in. Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $300,000
Other top lots were three works by Nicolai Fechin, including Carmencita, a portrait with a high estimate of $900,000 that sold for more than $1 million. Cast No. 56 of Frederic Remington’s The Broncho Buster (est. $250/350,000) sold for $690,000.
Other artists with top sales included Eanger Irving Couse, John Clymer, E. Martin Hennings, Carl Oscar Borg, Joseph Henry Sharp, Julian Onderdonk and William R. Leigh. The auction house’s next sale, an online auction, will take place August 22. —
Top 10 LOTS
Scottsdale Art Auction, April 11-12, 2026 (including buyer’s premiums)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Nicolai Fechin Carmencita $600/900,000 $1,020,000
Will James Smoky and Clint $50/75,000 $990,000
Frederic Remington The Broncho Buster $250/350,000 $690,000
Nicolai Fechin Still Life, Floral $300/400,000 $396,000
Kyle Polzin America Endures… $75/125,000 $336,000
John Clymer The Métis Brigade $200/300,000 $300,000
Martin Grelle Last of the Pemmican $250/350,000 $270,000
Nicolai Fechin Consuelo $175/275,000 $252,000
Howard Terpning Scout from For Bowie $250/350,000 $240,000
Billy Schenck Blood on the Horizon $45/65,000 $216,000
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