Like Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker before him, painter John Clymer was propelled into a larger art career after painting covers for the Saturday Evening Post. Unlike those East Coast artists, though, Clymer headed out into the American West, where he spent the rest of his career painting images of trappers, traders, Native Americans and settlers.
John Clymer (1907-1989), The Trader, 1971. Oil on canvas, 20 x 40 in. Estimate: $250/350,000 SOLD: $1,119,250
Clymer’s auction profile has been rising for many years and it took a big leap up on July 25 at the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction in Reno, Nevada. His painting The Trader sold for $1.1 million, nearly tripling the high estimate of $350,000. It was the first time his work had achieved seven figures.
“We were thrilled with it. It was above and beyond what we thought we’d see,” says auction partner Mike Overby, who notes the bidding came down to a phone bidder and a bidder in the room. “It started strong and stayed strong. And it was fun to watch as two bidders are determined to take it home. The underbidder put up quite a fight. It’s such a famous painting by the artist, and it’s painted as well as anything he did. Plus the provenance that came with it made it very special. It came from the original owners of the painting who bought it right after it was painted in 1971. It was totally fresh to the market.”
Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Pablo-Allard Buffalo Drive, 1909, watercolor on paper, 8½ x 11½ in. Estimate: $250/350,000 SOLD: $484,000
Philip R. Goodwin (1881-1935), The Law of the Wilderness, oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in. Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $847,000
The Trader was one of many top-selling lots that propelled the auction to $17 million in total sales with a 97 percent sell-through rate. “The mood was really strong in the room. We had to even add some chairs right at the end. We started with 300, but we had a good crowd, a big crowd,” Overby says.
Another highlight of the Nevada sale was the second cast of Frederic Remington’s The Broncho Buster. There were two major foundries, and several different sizes, but this bronze is the second cast of the famous sculpture. It sold for $968,000, cleanly passing over its $900,000 high estimate. “A No. 2 cast is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Overby says. “Major casts like this are few and far between.”
Oscar Howe (Yanktonai Dakota, 1915-1983), Horse Dancer, casein on paper, 17 x 18¼ in. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $272,250
Philip R. Goodwin’s The Law of the Wilderness also soared past its estimates when it sold for $847,000, nearly tripling the $300,000 high estimate. Other major works in the sale include Charles M. Russell’s 1909 watercolor Pablo-Allard Buffalo Drive (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $484,000, John George Brown’s Watching the Train (est. $200/300,000) that sold for $363,000, Charles Schreyvogel’s The Couriers (est. $250/350,000) that sold for $302,000 and two Oscar Howe (Yanktonai Dakota) paintings, Herakawin (Elk Woman) and Horse Dancer. The Howe paintings were each estimated at $100,000 to $200,000, and each sold for $272,000.
The auction house’s next sale will take place online on November 7. —
Top 12 LOTS
Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, July 25, 2026 (including Buyer’s Premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
John Clymer The Trader $250/350,000 $1,119,250
Frederic Remington The Broncho Buster $600/900,000 $968,000
Philip R. Goodwin The Law of the Wilderness $200/300,000 $847,000
Charles M. Russell Pablo-Allard Buffalo Drive $250/350,000 $484,000
Frank Tenney Johnson Midnight in the Canyon $400/600,000 $365,000
Eanger Irving Couse The Duck Hunter $200/300,000 $453,750
John George Brown Watching the Train $200/300,000 $363,000
Joseph Henry Sharp Looks Ahead and Squaw, Crow $300/500,000 $363,000
Charles Schreyvogel The Couriers $250/350,000 $302,500
Oscar Howe Herakawin (Elk Woman) $100/150,000 $272,250
Oscar Howe Horse Dancer $100/150,000 $272,250
Edgar Payne Riders Overlooking Canyon $150/250,000 $272,250
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