Broad Interest

Hindman’s November 4 sale of Western and Native American art saw solid results across categories to achieve $3.4 million in sales.

On November 4 Hindman hosted its Western Art, including Contemporary Native American Art auction to strong interest from collectors around the world. It was the first auction to be held with a limited capacity audience at its new Denver showroom, which they moved into in January 2020. Having the in-person buyers only added to the excitement of the day, and coupled with the online and telephone buyers there was enthusiasm on all areas of the market. The sale totaled $3.4 million and achieved 97 percent of the lots sold.

Thomas Moran (1837-1926), View of Zion, 1919, oil on canvas, 10 x 14” Estimate: $100/200,000 SOLD: $375,000

“[We are pleased with the] overall strength of the market right now and across the board interest in all categories from dealers to institutions to private collectors,” says Alexandria Dreas, Hindman’s cataloguer of Western art. “Everyone is seeking quality property right now.”

The top lot of the auction was a small-scale Thomas Moran titled View of Zion that checked off many boxes for collectors. Estimated to sell between $100,000 and $200,000, the painting nearly doubled its high estimate at $375,000. “It was unlike anything that’s come to market for Moran in recent years in terms of size, color palette and being a Zion scene,” says Dreas. “Being a known location definitely adds to the appeal of the artwork.”

Carl Rungius (1869-1959), Mountain Caribou, oil on canvas, 30 x 40” Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $368,750

There were 15 pieces available in the auction from the Palm Springs Art Museum to support the care of its collections and the George Montgomery Fund of Acquisitions. Included was Carl Rungius’ Mountain Caribou (est. $200/300,000), which bested its presale estimate at $368,750. Three works by Sydney Laurence were also notable with Mount McKinley from the South Side (est. $15/25,000) exceeding expectations at $43,750.

Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Indian Scout and Horse, Illustrated Letter, watercolor and ink on paper, 10 x 8” (each) Estimate: $50/70,000 SOLD: $237,500

Also from the museum was Alfred von Wierusz Kowalski’s Return from the Hunt (est. $20/30,000), which soared to a price of $81,250. “It’s a Polish hunting scene, admittedly a bit different for the Western art market,” says Bart Monson, Hindman’s director and specialist of Western and wildlife art. “It falls into sporting art within our wheelhouse…We had more international bidders on the phone out of the Denver office and there was a buzz in the room while trying to get everyone on the phone.”

Thomas Hill (1829-1908), Indian on Horseback Amongst Sequoias, oil on canvas, 39 x 27½” Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $130,000

Another notable sale was Charles M. Russell’s Indian Scout and Horse, Illustrated Letter (est. $50/70,000). “We are thrilled with the performance of our C.M. Russell illustrated letter. With a price realized of $237,500, this lot now holds the record for highest Russell letter sold in the past five years, and the highest two-page Russell letter ever sold at auction,” Dreas says. “The enthusiasm for this piece was felt across platforms and we had active bidders on the phone, in person and online.”

Philip R. Goodwin (1881-1935), Successful Sheep Hunt, oil on canvas, 40 x 21” Estimate: $50/70,000 SOLD: $93,750

Collectors also were interested in Thomas Hill’s Indian on Horseback Amongst Sequoias (est. $30/50,000), which sold for $130,000; Successful Sheep Hunt, by Philip R. Goodwin, which sold for $93,750 against an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000; and Joseph Henry Sharp’s Strikes His Enemy (est. $10/150,000) at $50,000.

Top 10 Lots: Hindman, Western Art, including Contemporary Native American Art, November 4, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)

Artist • Title • Low/High Estimate • SOLD

Thomas Moran • View of Zion • $100/200,000 • $375,000

Carl Rungius • Mountain Caribou • $200/300,000 • $368,750

Fritz Scholder • Horse and Rider • $30/50,000 • $275,000

Charles M. Russell • Indian Scout and Horse, illustrated letter • $50/70,000 • $237,500

Thomas Hill • Indian on Horseback Amongst Sequoias • $30/50,000 • $130,000

Philip R. Goodwin • Successful Sheep Hunt • $50/70,000 • $93,750

Alfred von Wierusz Kowalski • Return from the Hunt • $20/30,000 • $81,250

Earl Biss • In Times of Change and Drastic Measures • $20/40,000 • $56,250

Joseph Henry Sharp • Strikes His Enemy • $10/15,000 • $50,000

Sydney Laurence • Mount McKinley from the South Side • $15/25,000 • $43,750