Bonham's & Butterfields

Have Pearls Lost Their Bling?
Are Pearls a Good Investment in Today's Market?

On Friday, October 3rd Bonhams & Butterfields will exhibit a 3-strand natural pearl necklace acquired in 1920 by Horace Dodge, founder of Dodge Motorcar Corp., for $825,000.  The pearls, sold by Cartier, were reputedly once worn by Catherine the Great and will be offered with a pre-sale estimate of $500,000 to $700,000.  Some financial reporters opine that pearls are not a good investment, some fashionistas claim pearls have lost their bling.  Jewelry specialists at the world's third-largest auctioneers suggest opposing views.  Natural pearls do hold their value and are more desirable today (as pollution and over-seeding of cultured pearls impact the international trade) and hot celebs like Sarah Jessica Parker, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley and Katherine Heigl are routinely photographed adorned with strands of pearls

From the American Frontier to the Final Frontier @ Bonhams &
Butterfields

Material from David "Davy" Crockett and Landmark Aerospace Collection
and on View in LA

Collectible examples of classic novels, historic manuscripts and
Americana, as well as materials related to pop culture icons come to
auction at Bonhams & Butterfields on October 15, 2008, a special Media
Preview opens on Thursday, October 9 preceding the auction in Los
Angeles.  Members of the press are invited to preview sale highlights
including: a series of important original papers including diagrams,
sketches and letters of Wernher von Braun, produced as source material
for the landmark series Man Will Conquer Space Soon! which ran in
Collier's Magazine (1952-54), paving the way for the establishment of
NASA (est. $15/25,000)...

Who:    Bonhams & Butterfields, the international fine arts auctioneers

What:   Preview of Fine Books & Manuscripts

Where:  Bonhams & Butterfields, 7601 Sunset Blvd. (at Curson)

Additional Highlights: a letter from Founding Father George Washington,
written as General of the Continental Army, to George Clinton, the first
Governor of New York State, regarding his thoughts on private property,
developing markets and free trade (est. $12/18,000); a rare autograph
album containing signatures of former President Abraham Lincoln and Gen.
Ulysses S. Grant, along with numerous members of the Lincoln Cabinet and
the Senate and Congress (est. $7/9,000); a two-page letter of Texas hero
David "Davy" Crockett to statesman, lawyer, orator and advocate of
American nationalism Daniel Webster (est. $30/50,000) and property of
American chess master Bobby Fischer, among others. 

According to Dr. Catherine Williamson, "Autograph material of David
Crockett is scarce.  Letters penned by him are rarely found at auction,
particularly lengthy letters from one famous Tennessee statesman to
another.  This is a rare must-see piece of American history."

-End-

Remarkable Historical Documents to be Offered at Bonhams' Books & Manuscripts Auction October 13^th

Important, rare and historical items of David Crockett,

former US Presidents Highlight Fall Sale

Bonhams brings historical manuscripts, first editions of noted literature, early printed works, maps and Americana to auction on October 13, 2008, the firm's inaugural Fine Books & Manuscripts auction connecting its Bonhams salesroom in New York City with the Sunset Boulevard saleroom of Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles. 

Expected to attract bibliophiles, institutions and collectors alike, bidders are expected to vie for the printed treasures on offer - including historically important correspondence, documents from David Crockett, material signed by former US Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, and property of American chess master Bobby Fischer, among others. 

Highlighting the historical section of the Fall sale is a two-page letter of Texas hero David Crockett to statesman, lawyer, orator and advocate of American nationalism Daniel Webster regarding a pension for the Indian War hero Robert Henry Dyer who served as a Colonel of the Tennessee Mounted Gunman and fought the Creek Indians under the command of Andrew Jackson.  Property of the noted Chicago, IL collector Frank Zygmunt, the document is expected to fetch $30,000 to $50,000 in October. 

According to Book Specialist Adam Stackhouse, "Autograph material of David Crockett is scarce.  Letters penned by him are rarely found at auction, particularly lengthy letters from one famous Tennessee statesman to another.  This is a rare piece of American history."

Also on offer from the Collection of Mr. Zygmunt is a letter dated 1783 from Founding Father George Washington, written as General of the Continental Army, to George Clinton, the first Governor of New York State, regarding his thoughts on private property, developing markets and free trade (est. $12/18,000).  A rare autograph album containing signatures of former President Abraham Lincoln and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (found on the same page), along with numerous members of the Lincoln Cabinet and select members of the Senate and Congress will be offered (est. $7/9,000).

Around the globe, the Fine Books & Manuscript department holds as many as 20 sales each year, offering the collectors market a wide range of subject matter, ranging from illuminated manuscripts to early printed books, atlases to travel literature, natural history to sporting books, bibles to modern first editions, celebrity culture and desirable material related to other more unusual areas. 

Also on the block in October and expected to interest collectors is a selection of mid-1920s signed letters from famed magician Harry Houdini (estimates range from $700 - $2,000) and a "Tournament Notebook" from Bobby Fischer, arguably the most famous of all chess players in the world.  The text includes a detailed record of moves played and his insightful notes on competitors from 1959 to the early 1960s (est. $2,500/3,500). 

Timed to coincide with the November U.S. premier and release of the new James Bond - 007 film Quantum of Solace, the 22^nd film in the Bond franchise, Bonhams & Butterfields is pleased to host "'Bond Bound," a charity exhibition showcasing an array of the legendary book covers for select editions of the Bond books from different eras. 

Based on the artwork of James Bond book covers, the charity exhibition is collaboration between The Fleming Collection and Ian Fleming Publications working closely with Ian Fleming's worldwide publishing partners. Previously unseen archive material will be featured including fascinating personal letters and manuscript material from Ian Fleming.  The Exhibition's decorative value is enhanced by a selection of iconic film posters. 

The charity, `Room to Read' which builds schools and libraries for girls in Third World countries will be a beneficiary of the Exhibition.

DETAILS -
WHAT: "'Bond Bound," a charity exhibition showcasing an array of the legendary book covers for select editions of the Bond books from different eras.  The event is timed to coincide with the November premier and release of the new James Bond - 007 film, Quantum of Solace, the 22^nd film in the U.S. 

WHEN: November 7-19, 2008

WHERE: Bonhams & Butterfields, 7601 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA; the exhibition is FREE and open to the public!

JAMES BOND EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF IAN FLEMING'S BIRTH ON SHOW AT BONHAMS INTERNATIONALLY

Over the next year Bonhams, the international fine art auction house, will be partnering Ian Fleming Publications in a prestigious international exhibition that celebrates the birth of James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming.

The exhibition, entitled 'Bond Bound' will showcase an array of the legendary book covers for different editions of the Bond books from different eras. Bonham's will host the exhibition in a number of key locations, provide marketing and press support, and host a series of private view receptions in various locations. The  exhibition will be staged in 11 different cities around the world during the  coming year at venues provided by Bonham's or Flemings:

The exhibition opens in London this week shortly before the  publication on May 28 of the latest James Bond book, `Devil May Care'  specially commissioned from Sebastian Faulks, author of Birdsong.

The Exhibition in New York in October at the Bonhams Galleries will coincide with the worldwide launch in the UK of the new James Bond film 'QUANTUM OF SOLACE' and at Bonhams & Butterfields in Los Angeles in November it will coincide with the USA film launch.

Based on the artwork of James Bond book covers, the exhibition is collaboration between The Fleming Collection and Ian Fleming Publications working closely with Ian Fleming's worldwide publishing partners. Previously unseen archive material will be featured including fascinating personal letters and manuscript material from Ian Fleming.  The Exhibition's decorative value is enhanced by a selection of iconic film posters. 

Ian Fleming's life was a fascinating backdrop for his stories about 007. Born in 1908, the grandson of the founder of Flemings, Ian was educated at Eton and after a brief period at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst he went abroad to further his education. In 1931 having failed to get an appointment in the Foreign Office he joined Reuters News Agency. During WWII he was personal assistant to the Director of Naval Intelligence rising to the rank of Commander. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of secret operations. After the war he became Foreign Manager for Kemsley Newspapers. He built his house Goldeneye in Jamaica and there at the age of 44 he wrote Casino Royale, the first of his novels featuring Commander James Bond. By the time of his death the James Bond books had sold 40 million copies.   

The charity, `Room to Read' which builds schools and libraries for girls in Third World countries will be a beneficiary of the Exhibition. The charity is headed by John Wood who has links to Bill Clinton and other VIPs.

California & American Paintings & Sculpture

On the Auction Block at Bonhams & Butterfields

Western Themes and Works from the Society of Six

Highlight Summer Auction

The Summer 2008 sale of California and American Painting and Sculpture at Bonhams & Butterfields is being assembled for August 5, 2008, highlighted by a desirable Maynard Dixon mountain scene.  As California's oldest and largest fine arts auctioneers, the house has established a reputation as a preeminent source for California and American works of art at auction.

A stunning western landscape on offer by early 20^th century artist Maynard Dixon is titled Mountains in Sunset Light (No. 368).  Measuring 25x30-inches, the desolate scene is an example of Dixon's progression from figurative works to pure landscape - the subject matter for which he is best known and respected.  Estimated to bring $300,000 to $400,000, the fresh-to-market painting is expected to garner interest from California and Western collectors alike.  Summer Clouds, New Mexico (No. 409) (est. $180/220,000), a compelling desert landscape by Dixon, will also be featured during the summer auction.  The work demonstrates the influence of the artist's journey to Taos, NM and displays a dynamic juxtaposition of clouds in relation to the earth on the open range.  

The 300-lot, two-session sale will feature a wide variety of important California, Western, Society of Six, Hawaiian scenes and Plein Air works by established American artists including Dixon, Charles Marion Russell, Selden Connor Gile, Edgar Payne, Frank Tenney Johnson, John Marshall Gamble, William Wendt, Oscar Edmund Berninghaus and David Howard Hitchcock, among many others.

"Interest in California & American paintings and sculpture continues to be robust," said Scot Levitt, Vice President and Fine Arts Department Director.  "The August sale is projected to be our strongest offering to date, boasting a large number of fresh, desirable works while featuring a strong section of Western paintings highlighted by Maynard Dixon and highly sought after works from the Society of Six.

The sale will feature a strong selection of works from the Society of Six, anchored by a brightly colored work titled Raccoon Straits, 1928 (est. $40/60,000), from the movement's leader Selden Connor Gile.  The serene painting is a beautiful example of the colorist style, depicting a lone sailboat in a body of pure brilliant blue water set against a brightly colored cove composed of bold earth-toned hues.

Charles Marion Russell's Battle between Blackfeet and the Piegans, 1897, also highlights the upcoming sale.  Russell's highly desirable watercolor depicts a dynamic confrontation between two Native American tribes.  Typical of his work, the active composition is full of bright, fresh, lively colors accentuating each aspect of the tour de force masterpiece.  The work is expected to bring $250,000 to $350,000. 

"Discovering a work of this caliber in private hands is exciting, as high-end works by Russell are typically hard to come by.  Bonhams & Butterfields is extremely pleased to offer this wonderful work in August," said Levitt. 

Western themes, both traditional and modern, will be prominent throughout the summer auction.  In addition to Russell's masterwork, the sale features: a large 40x40-inch classic work titled Packing in the Sierras by Edgar Payne (est. $200/300,000); In the Forest of Pueblo Cañon by Oscar Edmund Berninghaus (est. $40/60,000) and two works by Frank Tenney Johnson -- Cowboy on Horseback, 1917 (est. $150/250,000), and Indians on Horseback, 1929 (est. $40/60,000).

Following the firm's continuing success with Hawaiian paintings, Bonhams & Butterfields features a selection of works from the Pacific Islands in August.  David Howard Hitchcock's Hanalei Valley, Kauai (est. $40/60,000) is featured in the grouping, signed and inscribed by the artist.  The work is infused with the local colors, sensations and experiences native to the Hawaiian Islands. 

"The artist spent a great deal of time traveling around Hawaii while documenting indigenous subject matter and tropical vistas native to the islands.  Works rich in local color and highlighting regional subject matter such as Hanalei Valley, Kauai are perennially popular with collectors," said Levitt. 

Also featured within the Hawaiian section of the auction is Waimea Canyon, Kauai by Lloyd Sexton, Jr. (est. $15/20,000) and works by John William Hilton, Ambrose McCarthy Patterson, Shirley Marie Russell, Millard Sheets and Emil Jean Kosa, Jr., among others. 

Additional highlights on offer during the August 5^th sale include: a classic example of work from John Marshall Gamble, aptly titled California Wildflowers (est. $100/150,000); William Wendt's Converging Fields (est. $150/200,000) painted in the artist's characteristic Plein Air style; and two works by Armin Hansen -- First Feel of Leather and Running Mates, both estimated to fetch $80,000 to $120,000.

Simulcast between salesrooms in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the August sale's catalog will feature a series of what the department describes as "breath-taking views" -- landscapes and seascapes, portraiture and genre scenes. 

Preview events are scheduled in San Francisco for July 25-27 and August 1-3 in Los Angeles. 

More Skeletons in the Closet

Rock Collectibles from Vince Welnick, Rock Scully and Others Related to Iconic 1960s-era Band on the Auction Block at Bonhams & Butterfields in October

More than $1-million was paid in the spring of 2007 by Rock & Roll memorabilia collectors and Grateful Dead fans when international auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields offered and sold collectibles from a long-time Grateful Dead inner circle member and roadie, Ram Rod Shurtliff.  In the Fall of 2008, the auctioneers will again open its San Francisco salesroom to Rock collectors and fans, booking October 5, 2008 as sale day for property from Rock Scully, Grateful Dead Manager for two decades, and property from the Estate of Vince Welnick, co-founding member of the Tubes and a keyboardist for the Grateful Dead.  The October auction will also include additional property consigned by other Dead "family members" and close associates.

Over the years Vince Welnick (1951-2006) collected a multitude of cherished objects associated with The Tubes and The Grateful Dead, bands he was a member of, including: stage-played instruments, clothing, sunglasses, sound and stage equipment, backstage passes, and unique personal items -- much of which will be offered to fans and collectors in the October auction. 

The property from the Estate of Vince Welnick is being offered by Lorie Welnick, his widow.  Mrs. Welnick remarked that she looks forward to the auction, "so these items can go to good homes and make people just as happy as they made Vince."

"Rock collectors are increasingly becoming selective about the pieces they'll include in their collections -- provenance becoming ever-important," says Bonhams & Butterfields Entertainment Memorabilia Dept. Director Margaret Barrett.  "The Welnick Collection contains many historically important pieces collected by this talented professional musician who not only counted rock icons such as Jerry Garcia among his best friends, but was a rock icon himself in many circles."

The Collection of Rock Scully, manager of the Grateful Dead from 1965-85, will also be offered during the October 5^th auction.  Scully was a personal friend of Jerry Garcia and managed the band through the most historic period of their existence.  According to fans, he was instrumental in making the band the huge success they were.  Highlights from the Scully Collection will include: a gold record presented to Jerry Gracia for The Grateful Dead's 1974 album "Skeletons from the Closet" - gifted to Scully from Garcia; a 1970s-era flight case that the band referred to as the 'office on the stage' - which housed all of the band's important materials that might be required while performing on stage, such as guitar strings and picks; two individual 4-color separations used to create album art and other artwork for The Grateful Dead's 1980 album "Go to Heaven" and The Jerry Garcia Band's 1991 album "Run for the Roses;" as well,  two tie-dye speaker covers used by the band on stage throughout the early '70s should attract fan interest, as will many other items related to the band's early days.

The auction and pre-sale previews are scheduled to coincide with three likely-to-be sold-out shows of the Grateful Dead tribute band, The Dark Star Orchestra, slated for October 2-4 at San Francisco's famous Fillmore Auditorium. 

Rock & Roll collectibles have been under a spotlight at the West Coast's leading auctioneers - most recently, the original artwork for a Jefferson Airplane album [the 1967 release "After Bathing at Baxter's"] sold for $24,000, one of the June 2008 Entertainment Memorabilia sale's top lots.  Bonhams' New York City salesrooms hosted the May 2008 auction of the Peter Golding Collection of original Rock art, featuring desirable material related to the world's top bands.  The original artwork for the Grateful Dead's 'Without A Net' 1990 European tour was offered with a copy of the poster and a few snapshots of the band, bringing an astounding $114,000.  In May of 2007, Bonhams & Butterfields was honored to present property from the late Lawrence 'Ram Rod' Shurtliff, long-time Road Manager and President of the Grateful Dead's corporation.  Top lots of that $1.1-million sale included nearly $640,000 paid for desirable Jerry Garcia-played guitars and $16,800 paid for a flight case filled with Garcia's guitar picks, never-opened guitar strings and other unused accessories.

 
Property from the Estate of Vince Welnick, the Collection of Rock Scully and others is scheduled for auction on October 5, 2008 at Bonhams & Butterfields in San Francisco.  The sale will be preceded by a free public preview of the collection (October 2-4).  Additional sale highlights, images and estimates will be available in the coming weeks. 

About Vince Welnick
Born on February 21, 1951, in Phoenix, AZ, Vince Welnick was still a teenager when he parlayed his musical talent as a keyboardist into his first band, the Beans.  With the addition of Fee Waybill, Roger Steen and Prairie Prince, the Tubes were formed.  Their rowdy rock style and punk new wave lyrics garnered the Tubes a contract with A&M Records and their first album, a self-titled LP in 1975, was followed a year later with "Young & Rich."

The band's stage antics and shock rock were not easily transferred to vinyl, thus their studio efforts fell somewhat flat -- with the exception of the late 1970's single White Punks on Dope which spiked on Billboard charts and secured mainstream attention and radio play.  A&M ended an association with the band in the late 1970s and the Tubes began production on Xanadu, the roller-skating musical starring Olivia Newton-John in which they appeared as themselves.  The group produced albums on the Capitol record label until 1986, when they disbanded. 

In 1990, Welnick auditioned for the Grateful Dead keyboardist spot (left vacant by interim keyboardist Bruce Hornsby) and was hired by the band.   His keyboard talents are included on Infrared Roses (1991), and he performed in a series of  live 1994 Dead performances, Grayfolded: Transitive Axis.  Welnick's skills can also be heard on Zero's 1994 live release Chance in a Million, as well as on various live releases of Grateful Dead material.  By the end of his time with the band, he'd spent five years covering keyboard and vocal parts for the Dead. 

After the Dead's disbandment and the Tubes' re-formation with a new keyboardist, Welnick founded the Missing Man Formation.  Along with Steve Kimock, Prairie Prince, Bobby Vega, Bobby Strickland and various other musicians, the group recorded a self-titled effort in 1998.  During this period, Welnick performed on tour in America with the Mickey Hart Band and Gent Treadly, as well as performing with "jam bands" such as Terrapin Flyer and Jack Straw. 

Vince Welnick passed away on June 2, 2006 at the age of 55 after a decade of struggles, all the while creating music, beauty and light around him.  His last message to fans was posted to his website on May 24, 2006, concluding with the words: "More than ever, the world needs love and the Grateful Dead! Love Vince."  

California & American Paintings & Sculpture

On the Auction Block at Bonhams & Butterfields

Western Themes and Works from the Society of Six

Highlight Summer Auction

The Summer 2008 sale of California and American Painting and Sculpture at Bonhams & Butterfields is being assembled for August 5, 2008, highlighted by a desirable Maynard Dixon mountain scene.  As California's oldest and largest fine arts auctioneers, the house has established a reputation as a preeminent source for California and American works of art at auction.

A stunning western landscape on offer by early 20^th century artist Maynard Dixon is titled Mountains in Sunset Light (No. 368).  Measuring 25x30-inches, the desolate scene is an example of Dixon's progression from figurative works to pure landscape - the subject matter for which he is best known and respected.  Estimated to bring $300,000 to $400,000, the fresh-to-market painting is expected to garner interest from California and Western collectors alike.  Summer Clouds, New Mexico (No. 409) (est. $180/220,000), a compelling desert landscape by Dixon, will also be featured during the summer auction.  The work demonstrates the influence of the artist's journey to Taos, NM and displays a dynamic juxtaposition of clouds in relation to the earth on the open range.  

The 300-lot, two-session sale will feature a wide variety of important California, Western, Society of Six, Hawaiian scenes and Plein Air works by established American artists including Dixon, Charles Marion Russell, Selden Connor Gile, Edgar Payne, Frank Tenney Johnson, John Marshall Gamble, William Wendt, Oscar Edmund Berninghaus and David Howard Hitchcock, among many others.

"Interest in California & American paintings and sculpture continues to be robust," said Scot Levitt, Vice President and Fine Arts Department Director.  "The August sale is projected to be our strongest offering to date, boasting a large number of fresh, desirable works while featuring a strong section of Western paintings highlighted by Maynard Dixon and highly sought after works from the Society of Six.

The sale will feature a strong selection of works from the Society of Six, anchored by a brightly colored work titled Raccoon Straits, 1928 (est. $40/60,000), from the movement's leader Selden Connor Gile.  The serene painting is a beautiful example of the colorist style, depicting a lone sailboat in a body of pure brilliant blue water set against a brightly colored cove composed of bold earth-toned hues.

Charles Marion Russell's Battle between Blackfeet and the Piegans, 1897, also highlights the upcoming sale.  Russell's highly desirable watercolor depicts a dynamic confrontation between two Native American tribes.  Typical of his work, the active composition is full of bright, fresh, lively colors accentuating each aspect of the tour de force masterpiece.  The work is expected to bring $250,000 to $350,000. 

"Discovering a work of this caliber in private hands is exciting, as high-end works by Russell are typically hard to come by.  Bonhams & Butterfields is extremely pleased to offer this wonderful work in August," said Levitt. 

Western themes, both traditional and modern, will be prominent throughout the summer auction.  In addition to Russell's masterwork, the sale features: a large 40x40-inch classic work titled Packing in the Sierras by Edgar Payne (est. $200/300,000); In the Forest of Pueblo Cañon by Oscar Edmund Berninghaus (est. $40/60,000) and two works by Frank Tenney Johnson -- Cowboy on Horseback, 1917 (est. $150/250,000), and Indians on Horseback, 1929 (est. $40/60,000).

Following the firm's continuing success with Hawaiian paintings, Bonhams & Butterfields features a selection of works from the Pacific Islands in August.  David Howard Hitchcock's Hanalei Valley, Kauai (est. $40/60,000) is featured in the grouping, signed and inscribed by the artist.  The work is infused with the local colors, sensations and experiences native to the Hawaiian Islands. 

"The artist spent a great deal of time traveling around Hawaii while documenting indigenous subject matter and tropical vistas native to the islands.  Works rich in local color and highlighting regional subject matter such as Hanalei Valley, Kauai are perennially popular with collectors," said Levitt. 

Also featured within the Hawaiian section of the auction is Waimea Canyon, Kauai by Lloyd Sexton, Jr. (est. $15/20,000) and works by John William Hilton, Ambrose McCarthy Patterson, Shirley Marie Russell, Millard Sheets and Emil Jean Kosa, Jr., among others. 

Additional highlights on offer during the August 5^th sale include: a classic example of work from John Marshall Gamble, aptly titled California Wildflowers (est. $100/150,000); William Wendt's Converging Fields (est. $150/200,000) painted in the artist's characteristic Plein Air style; and two works by Armin Hansen -- First Feel of Leather and Running Mates, both estimated to fetch $80,000 to $120,000.

Simulcast between salesrooms in Los Angeles and San Francisco, the August sale's catalog will feature a series of what the department describes as "breath-taking views" -- landscapes and seascapes, portraiture and genre scenes. 

Preview events are scheduled in San Francisco for July 25-27 and August 1-3 in Los Angeles. 

Master Craftsman Otto Heino and Moderator Gerard O'Brien Added to Panel
Discussion in September

California Craft Legends Otto Heino and Sam Maloof to share center stage
for the first time at Bonhams & Butterfields

Bonhams & Butterfields is pleased to announce the participation of
Master Craftsman Otto Heino and moderator Gerard O'Brien of Reform
Gallery, Los Angeles to the September 18, 2008 panel discussion "Masters
and Apprentices in the Studio Craft Movement."  The program will
highlight the West Coast studio craft movement and explore the
apprenticeship system employed in America, while featuring a rare
opportunity to interact with the living legends Otto Heino and Sam
Maloof.

Otto Heino is known for his natural, physical throwing style and his eye
for harmonious form.  Both he and his late wife Vivika, worked as
collaborators for over 40 years helping to bring the California craft
movement to the world stage; all the while remaining true to their
personal vision.  The pair has influenced generations of students who
studied under and apprenticed with them at prestigious institutions
including: Alfred University, Chouinard, Otis, and the University of
Southern California (USC), among others.  

Heino is truly an American immigrant success story.  One of twelve
children, his parents immigrated to the state of New Hampshire from
Finland.  During World War II Otto served as a B-17 waist gunner,
deployed on more than 40 bombing missions and an extended enlistment.
During his time in Europe, he changed his surname from the original
Finish "Aho" to "Otto" in order to sound more German should his aircraft
suffer damage and need to land behind enemy lines.  During this
five-year stint in England Heino worked in a Rolls-Royce factory and
often spent some of his leave time visiting the studio of famed English
ceramist Bernard Leach.  This experience informed Heino's decision to
forge a life where he could make a living as an artisan following the
war. 

In 1949, Heino returned to the US and used his GI Bill to study at The
League of New Hampshire Arts & Crafts.  It was there that he met his
future wife and collaborator Vivika Place. 

The Heino family moved to Southern California in the mid-1950s.  Vivika
was teaching while Otto was designing nose cones for rockets, working
for the National Air and Space Administration (NASA).  On the weekends,
they would work together in their studio.

They purchased the Ojai, CA home of famed artist Beatrice Wood in 1970.
It was in this home and studio, designed by Lloyd Wright, where the
couple lived and worked together until Vivika's passing.

In 1976, Heino had submitted a piece to the prestigious Sixth Biennial
International de Ceramique at Vallauris, France where he won the Gold
Medal prize, an upset that introduced him to the international stage.
Following Vivika's death in 1995, Otto went on to re-discover a high
fire, lustrous yellow glaze for stoneware, a technique which had been
lost to Asia for centuries.  This glaze has made Heino one of the most
successful craftspeople in the world and, as he would happily tell
listeners, 'one of the richest.'

Highly sought after, works by Otto and Vivika Heino have been collected
and exhibited around the globe.  International shows include: the
Picasso Museum in Vallauris, France; the De Young Museum, San Francisco;
Los Angeles County Art Museum (LACMA) and the Craft Folk Art Museum, Los
Angeles; the American Craft Museum, New York; the Smithsonian Institute,
Washington, DC and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Bonhams & Butterfields has for many years offered the works of Otto and
Vivika Heino for sale at auction.  "The 20th Century Decorative Arts
Department is thrilled to include Otto Heino at this special September
event.  He is a California craft legend.  We are proud to bring together
Heino and Maloof for the first time to explore their work and
influence," said Frank Maraschiello, Director of the 20th Century
Decorative Arts Department at Bonhams & Butterfields.

The Fall panel discussion coincides with the exhibition of 20th Century
Decorative Arts to be offered at Bonhams & Butterfields on September
22nd.  Featured auction highlights include a highly sought after Sam
Maloof walnut and ebony rocking chair (est. $30/50,000), a side table
(est. $8/12,000) and a Maloof coffee table (est. $12/18,000).

The Richard Neutra camel table (est. $7/10,000) made for the
Hafeley-Moore Twin Houses, Long Beach, CA, circa 1953, will also be
offered during the Fall sale.  Designed for use in small spaces, this
model is so named because its folding legs resemble the legs of a camel.
The adjustable legs enable it to be repositioned, suitable as a dining
or coffee table.

Additional works on offer during the September 22nd auction include:
Frank Gehry's Experimental Edges 'Bubbles' chaise lounge (est.
$12/18,000); a highly sought after
composition and painted wood dining suite from Paul Lazslo's 'George'
house (est. $6/9,000); a Robert Crowder six-panel screen (est.
$10/15,000); a Paul Evans Cityscape brass patchwork and glass table and
six chairs (est. $5/8,000); a painted and cast aluminum coffee table by
Donald Drumm (est. $3/5,000); and property from the Museum of Art and
Design in New York.

Two works by designer Paul Tuttle, a 'Flexible X' aluminum, stainless
steel and wood console table (est. $2/3,000) and a 'Nonna' rocker (est.
$3/5,000) from the Estate of Phyllis B. Plous, curator, University of
Santa Barbara Art Museum, will also be featured in the September
auction. 

"Masters and Apprentices in the Studio Craft Movement" is free and open
to the public.  Reservations are required as space is limited and strong
interest among the Southern CA design community is anticipated.  For
lecture inquiries, please contact Katie Nartonis at (323) 436-5445 or
katie.nartonis@bonhams.com. 

Previews for the 20th Century Decorative Arts auction are scheduled in
conjunction with the September Sunset Estate auction's preview on
September 19-21 in Los Angeles.  The illustrated catalogs for both sales
will be available online for review and purchase at www.bonhams.com/us
in the weeks preceding the auctions.

According to Michael Larsen, G.G., jewelry specialist in Bonhams & Butterfields' Los Angeles gallery, "The luxury jewelry market continues to be impressively strong particularly for unique and fashion-forward pieces including colored stones such as rubies, opals, pearls, emeralds, and sapphires of all varieties

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A Star Studded Line Up on the Auction Block at Bonhams & Butterfields property related to Hollywood icons Marilyn Monroe, Rudo lph Valentino, Lucille Ball and Heath Ledger and music industry greats su ch as Jefferson Airplane and John Lennon

New collectors, seasoned bidders and movie fans alike filled the Bonhams & Butterfields salesroom in Los Angeles to vie for items from silver screen icons and rock & roll legends.  The auction catalogue's cover girl, Ms. Carol Lynley who starred in "Under the Yum Yum Tree", 1963, "The Pleasure Seekers", 1964 and "Harlow", 1965 among many other films, was in attendance for the auction and was introduced to the assembled collectors by the auctioneer Margaret Sullivan.  Ms. Lynley was greeted with a dynamic round of applause by the energetic saleroom and most attendees were genuinely happy to see the talented actress at the auction.

The highly competitive sale garnered international collector interest with dynamic bidding both on the telephones and in the Sunset Boulevard auction room.  "It was a fun summer sale that  showed the strength and continuing interest in Hollywood and music memorabilia.  We saw strong participation from around the globe, including private collectors and public institutions," said Margaret Barrett, Department Head, Entertainment Memorabilia at Bonhams & Butterfiel

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International fine arts auctioneers, Bonhams & Butterfields, is tuning up for its summer auction of vintage film collectibles and rock memorabilia in Los Angeles on June 16, 2008. 

Sale highlights include:

*       A Heath Ledger director's chair from Brokeback Mountain, 2005
A taller-than-average director's chair with black canvas back rest imprinted on the back with the star's name and the Brokeback Mountain film logo on the front, both in white lettering.  Included with the lot is a 'certificate of authenticity' from Paramount Pictures and Focus Features indicating that Ledger used this chair during the Academy Award-winning film's production (est. $1,000/1,500). 

*       A Jefferson Airplane original painting of album art
On offer is the original artwork created by artist Ron Cobb, a former Walt Disney studio artist turned cartoonist/director/writer, for the band to use as the front and back images for their third album "After Bathing at Baxter's," 1967, (est. $20/25,000).

*       A Rudolph Valentino belt buckle from The Estate of Rudolph Valentino
Originally sold in the 1926 'The Estate of Rudolph Valentino' auction, a belt buckle made of metal and ornately decorated with colorful enamel, semi-precious stones and turquoise could bring as much as $5,000.  The item was possibly used by the actor in his last film The Son of the Sheik (1926), as noted in the original auction catalogue.

*       A Lucille Ball-related collection of receipts from her personal/prof. life
Approximately 100 receipts from Lucille Ball's personal and professional life (est. $2,500/3,000) date from the height of her television career (early 1950s to the early 1960s).  Nearly all of the receipts note her name (or her husband's, Desi Arnaz) and are from places she patronized, such as: Schwab's Pharmacy, Gordon's Satyr Book Shop, Robinson's, Bonwit Teller, Beverly Hills Laundry, and countless others... 

*       A Harry Houdini 'Cutting a Girl in Eight' stage illusion
'Used by the famed magician Harry Houdini during the 1920s, the stage illusion called 'Cutting a Girl in Eight could bring $4,000 to $6,000 at auction.  This illusion was developed for Houdini and reworked to his specifications by magician Joseph Dunninger.  

*       A prop oil painting from the Laurel & Hardy film A Chump at Oxford, 1940. 
Rendered on canvas and displayed in its original wooden frame is a portrait of the stern-looking Dean Williams [as portrayed by character actor Wilfred Lucas] wearing a gown and mortar cap.  A concealed lever on the back opens the portrait's eyeholes allowing someone to look through them.  The focal point in the 'dean's room' scene, Stan points to the painting and asks "Say Ollie, I wonder who that old buzzard is over there?"  The two proceed to squirt "fizz water" on the portrait until the Dean steps in front of it, only to get water in the face.  This same painting was also used in the 1948 United Artists release Who Killed Doc Robin? (est. $3/5,000). 

Other highlights from the summer auction of Entertainment Memorabilia include: a two-tone sheer pink and peach-colored chiffon evening gown worn by Ginger Rogers in the 1949 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer classic The Barkleys of Broadway (est. $1,000/1,500) and a massive collection of over 1,800 vintage black & white photographs of nude female models from 1940s-1950s (est. $2,500/2,700). 

A selection of Animation Arts celebrates the rich tradition of the art form, offered pieces related to Disney, Warner Bros. and Hanna Barbera films.  A gouache on trimmed celluloid from 1940 depicts Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice in the classic animated film Fantasia (est. $5/7,000).  A gouache on celluloid depicting the main characters in The Jungle Book could bring $4,000 to $6,000 and a large Charles Schulz drawing of the loveable Peanuts character Lucy is expected to bring $7,000-$9,000.

A selection of classic film posters includes two inserts from the film noir classics The Blue Dahlia (est. $500/700) and This Gun for Hire (est. $400/600), both starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake. 

Previews open to the public June 13-15, 2008 in Los Angeles.

The 'Flame Queen'

World-Famous Stone Highlights Collection of Opals in June

Natural History Auction at Bonhams & Butterfields

International fine arts auctioneers Bonhams & Butterfields will offer in its June 22, 2008 sale of Natural History perhaps the most famous and recognizable opal in the world.  Dubbed the "Flame Queen," the legendary stone highlights the core of an opal collection on offer this summer in the auctioneer's first simulcast Natural History sale in seven years - bidding from the San Francisco and Los Angeles salesrooms expected to be competitive. 

Extraordinary not only for its large size (263.18-carats), but also for its unusual shape and color pattern, the "Flame Queen" is one of only a handful of large museum-quality opals known to man, even fewer have ever been offered at public auction.  The "Flame Queen" is oval in shape with a flat central dome surrounded by a blue-green band - lending it the appearance of a fried egg. 

Known to aficionados around the globe, The "Flame Queen" could bring as much as $250,000, sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike.  It is one of the most prominent examples of the eye-of-opal effect, which is created when an opal in-fills a cavity.  A truly magnificent stone, the "Flame Queen" possesses the ability to change color when viewed from different angles. 

According to Bonhams & Butterfields' consulting gemologist Claudia Florian, the "Flame Queen" opal was discovered in 1914 at the Bald Hill Workings in Lightning Ridge, Australia by three partners: Jack Phillips, Walter Bradley and Joe Hegarty.  Speculating at Lighting Ridge was a risky venture and these miners had begun working the land after another miner had abandoned his plot to fight in WWI. 

After completing a tunnel 30-feet down, traditionally "opal level," the dig appeared worthless to Hegarty.  The clay revealed none of the telltale color that indicates the presence of gemstones.   Hegarty and Bradley then attempted to redirect the digging vertically --a dangerous endeavor that could result in a collapse of the entire site.

Almost 35-feet below the surface, in a 2 ½-foot wide tunnel, Bradley, suffering from lack of ventilation and light, discovered an opal formation known informally as a "great nobby" otherwise described as an opal nodule-a ball that is clay-like in composition filled with opal producing material.  He signaled his crew to hoist him up to examine the stone in daylight.