Concepts 1 Auction House Sells Koerner Painting For $47,850

September 17, 2013

Concepts 1 Auction House in Point Pleasant, N.J., is an old-fashioned country auction company that sells a variety of goods.
In early July, owner and auctioneer Herb Atkins was invited to a local house to assist its residents, who were renovating and wanted to sell their belongings at auction. During his visit, Atkins told them what furniture and other items could be sold.
As Atkins was leaving the house, he saw a painting on the wall that depicted a western scene of a cattle drive, complete with wagons and cowboys. He asked if this artwork was among the items that could be sold, and the family affirmed that it was. The painting was an oil on canvas signed and dated by the artist, WHD Koerner (1921).
The family decided to bring the items to the auction house themselves, and unfortunately, the journey resulted in a tear in the sky of the painting. Still, the piece of art was eye-catching, and it received prominent placement at the auction on July 13.
Atkins's wife, Lynne, has been involved in the art world for many years; in fact, the couple had once operated "Cameo Appearances," a gallery/store in the East Village of New York City, which continues as a virtual gallery. To uncover more details about Koerner and the painting, she called several of her art contacts and others whom she did not know. The response was quick and overwhelming.
Koerner was an illustrator for Curtis Publishing, which included "The Saturday Evening Post." The local family had ties to Walter D. Fuller, who was a past president of Curtis Publishing.
At the July 13 auction, there were eight preregistered phone bidders from all over the country, as well as serious local bidders in the audience. With an opening bid of $20,000, the painting was sold without reserve for $47,850, including the buyer's premium.
On Sunday, Sept. 29, at noon, without reserve, Concepts 1 Auction House will offer another painting by a Curtis Publishing illustrator, Matt Clark. This oil on canvas painting comes from Boston residents whose relative worked at "Holiday Magazine" in the 1950s and 1960s. The picture was painted for the film "National Velvet" and is signed and dated by the artist (1944).
For more information, visit www.concepts1auction.com or call 732-892-6040.

 

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