Since launching its Art of the West sales, Heritage Auctions has found success in offering a wide variety of lots to collectors at more affordable price points. The sale, with bidding opening online on May 28 and the concluding live online auction happening June 18, will include more than 100 paintings and sculptures that range from wildlife to classic cowboy scenes. There are pieces from some of the important names in the category as well, allowing collectors to find something for their collections.
Birger Sandzén (1871-1954), Autumn Chord, Smokey River, Kansas, 1950, watercolor on card, 113/8 x 15¼” Estimate: $4/6,000
“It does have a majority of contemporary artwork, blended with some historic,” says Alissa Ford, director of Western art at Heritage. “This online-only auction, though, really covers the price points underneath $15,000 or $20,000.”
In the painting segment of the sale collectors will find works from Mian Situ, John Moyers, Fremont Ellis and more. Among the standouts in the auction is James Bama’s Chuck Wagon in Snow, a 1972 painting with an estimate of $7,000 to $10,000. A nice Curt Walters painting with a muted color palette, titled Sandia Mountains, Rising Storm, is also set at $7,000 to $10,000. Moyers’ 2001 painting Near Taos looks to sell between $3,000 and $5,000. A rarity in the wildlife category is Stanley Meltzoff’s deep sea painting Black Marlin #8, with an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. A Birger Sandzén watercolor, Autumn Chord, Smokey River, Kansas, is also noteworthy in the auction. The painting, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000, is an accessible price point for the artist whose oil paintings have sold in the six figures. 
James Bama, Chuck Wagon in Snow, 1972, oil on Masonite, 123/8 x 14¼” Estimate: $7/10,000
Curt Walters, Sandia Mountains Rising storm, oil on canvas, 30 x 40” Estimate: $7/10,000
Western bronzes have traditionally sold well in these auctions, and there are several standouts in this sale including the 4-inch 1914 bronze with polychrome The Snake Priest by Charles M. Russell that has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000. In addition to the artwork the sale will include Buffalo Bill programs and other memorabilia.
John Moyers, Near Taos, oil on Masonite, 9½ x 10¼” Estimate: $3/5,000
“It’s affordable Western art by really great artists. We find that the collector turnouts for this sale is just huge,” says Ford. “The last Art of the West sale only three paintings went unsold, so we’re seeing a lot of interest in these auctions.” —
Art of the West Special Online Auction
May 28-June 18
June 18, live online sale
Heritage Auctions, 2801 W. Airport Freeway, Dallas, TX 75261
(214) 528-3500, www.ha.com
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