19th century Art Noveau piece may see $18,000
Among the Art Noveau posters coming to auction Feb. 11 through Swann Auction Galleries is a piece (Lait pur Stérilisé) done in 1893 by Théophile-Alexandre Steinlen. The poster carries an estimate of $12,000 to $18,000 into the auction.
NEW YORK — On Thursday, February 11, Swann Auction Galleries will present a vintage posters auction, with nearly 600 lots in a wide range of collecting sub-categories, including ski, travel, ocean liner, propaganda and war posters, early American theatrical, and Art Nouveau, among others.
In addition to live bidding at Swann Auction Galleries’ facility, bidding is also available by phone, by absentia, and online at Invaluable.com.
Within the selection of Art Nouveau posters are multiple works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec including Aristide Bruant dans son Cabaret, circa 1893, depicting performer and nightclub owner Aristide Bruant in his signature black cape and red scarf ($60,000-$90,000). Other works by Toulouse-Lautrec include “Caudieux”, circa 1893 ($30,000-$40,000) and “Reine de Joie,” circa 1893($20,000-$30,000). Works by Art Nouveau master Alphonse Mucha include his 1896 advertisement for Job cigarette rolling papers ($20,000-$30,000), and “La Dame aux Camelias”, issued in 1896, featuring Sarah Bernhardt in Alexandre Dumas’s masterpiece ($15,000-$20,000).
Ski and winter resort posters tout the crisp snow and groomed runs of chic destinations. Wilhelm Friedrich Burger’s “Pontresina” of 1914 ($7,000-$10,000), and Winter: Sport / Heiden ($4,000-$6,000) are both rare examples of his work, as is Augustus Moser’s 1936 work “Sun Valley” ($4,000-$6,000). Pierre Fix-Masseau’s “Bon Voyage / Bonne Neige”, circa 1938, shows stylish skiers on their way to the slopes ($3,000-$4,000), while Alex Walter Diggleman’s “Chateau d’Oex”, from 1933, depicts a downhill skier at full speed ($3,000-$4,000).
Travel posters advertise the highlights of various cities like Leslie Ragan’s “New York / The Upper Bay from Lower Manhattan”, circa 1935 ($6,000-$9,000), as well as showcasing natural wonders like Maurice Logan’s “Redwood Empire Tour / Southern Pacific”, done in 1928, ($3,000-$4,000). Roger Broders’s “Marseille / Point de Départ de la Cote d’Azur”, from 1929, pairs the deep cerulean of the ocean with a crisp clear blue sky to entice travelers ($2,000-$3,000).
The two-part auction will be held Thursday, February 11, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An illustrated auction catalogue is available for $35 from Swann Galleries, Inc., 104 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, or online at www.swanngalleries.com.
For more information, contact Director Nicholas D. Lowry at posters@swanngalleries.com, or 212-254-4710 ext. 57.
