Santa Fe Variety

Altermann’s November 8 Santa Fe sale realized $1.4 million across multiple categories.

Paintings, bronzes, Pueblo pottery and historic Native American artifacts all crossed the auction block November 8 during Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers’ sale in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The auction racked up a total of $1.4 million with more than 64 percent of the lots finding new homes. Joseph Henry Sharp (1859-1953), Jerry Taos with Lover’s Flute, oil on canvas, 20 x 16” Estimate: $50/90,000 SOLD: $51,600

The top lot was Howard Terpning’s No Place to Ford, estimated at $75,000 to $125,000, which sold for $54,000. The painting was created in 1972, when the artist was still an illustrator in New York. By 1976, he would leave illustration and move out West to explore the Plains Indians. E. Martin Hennings (1886-1956), Indian Hunters, oil on canvas board, 12 x 14” Estimate: $30/60,000 SOLD: $45,600

Martin Grelle, Sunday Sojourn, oil on linen, 36 x 48” Estimate: $20/25,000 SOLD: $36,000Two Taos works followed the Terpning: Joseph Henry Sharp’s Jerry Taos with Lover’s Flute (est. $50/90,000) that sold for $51,600, and E. Martin Hennings’ Indian Hunters (est. $30/40,000) that sold for $45,600. Additionally, Oscar E. Berninghaus’ Indian on Horseback (est. $25/35,000) sold for $26,400. Taos works, especially those by Taos Society of Artists founders, have done well at auction for the last several years as interest in the region and the early 20th century grows among savvy collectors. Ray Swanson (1937-2004), The Old Navajo Cares, oil on panel, 40 x 30” Estimate: $25/35,000 SOLD: $36,000

Frank McCarthy (1924-2002), The Greeting, oil on linen, 24 x 40” Martin Grelle, Sunday Sojourn, oil on linen, 36 x 48” Estimate: $20/25,000 SOLD: $36,000

Additional top lots came from Cowboy Artists of America members Joe Beeler, Ray Swanson and Martin Grelle, whose Sunday Sojourn, estimated at $20,000 to $25,000, sold for $36,000. The Swanson piece, The Old Navajo Cares, was especially nice with an elderly man wearing silver and turquoise jewelry as he tends to his churro sheep on a high plateau.

Elsewhere in the sale, other artworks also performed strongly, including a Margaret Tafoya wedding vase, bronzes by Dave McGary and George Carlson, Navajo weavings, beaded moccasins and other historic Native American artifacts. McGary’s bronzes were of particular interest with collectors, who bought four works all within or above estimates, including When Lighting Strikes, which sold for $19,200. —

TOP 10 LOTS Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers, Santa Fe Sale, November 8, 2019 (with buyer’s premiums)

Artist Title Low /High Estimate SOLD
Howard Terpning No Place to Ford $75/125,000 $54,000
Joseph Henry Sharp Jerry Taos with Lover’s Flute $50/90,000 $51,600
E. Martin Hennings Indian Hunters $30/60,000 $45,600
Martin Grelle Sunday Sojourn $20/25,000 $36,000
Ray Swanson The Old Navajo Cares $25/35,000 $36,000
Joe Beeler The Hostile’s Revenge $30/50,000 $36,000
Clyde Aspevig Fall River Rocky Mountain Park $35/45,000 $36,000
Oscar E.Berninghaus Indian on Horseback $25/35,000 $26,400
Frank McCarthy The Greeting $25/45,000 $23,400
William Ahrendt Jim Bridger, Mountain Man $18/22,000 $23,400