99 and Strong

The Wyoming Art Auction goes the distance with a 99 percent sell-through rate and $1.7 million in sales.

Western landscape, sporting art, classic cowboy scenes and bronzes all performed strongly at Jackson Hole Art Auction’s Wyoming Art Auction February 18 and 19 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The two-session sale not only achieved $1.7 million in sales, but also saw an astonishing 99 percent sell-through rate across 317 lots. John Clymer (1907-1989), Buffalo Run, 1968, oil on board, 10 x 20” Estimate: $70/100,000 SOLD: $276,000

Not only were the sales figures high, but registration numbers also showed signs of strength with nearly 900 bidders registered on three online bidding platforms—Auction Mobility, Invaluable and Live Auctioneers. Additionally, 45 percent of the lots sold over the high estimates.

The top lot was John Clymer’s Buffalo Run, a relatively smaller work by the artist measuring 10 by 20 inches, that sold for $276,000, nearly triple the high estimate of $100,000. Though the work was far away from Clymer’s world auction record of $879,000, Buffalo Run shattered the price-per-square-inch record at $1,380. The work proves that Clymer, whose work has had a steady stream of auction hits over recent years, has fierce competition at auctions. Bob Kuhn (1920-2007), 180 Degrees, acrylic on board, 26 x 44” Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $120,000

Charlie Dye (1906-1972) Maverick, oil on board, 20 x 30” Estimate: $18/24,000 SOLD: $39,000

Other tops lots include Bob Kuhn’s marvelously composed 180 Degrees (est. $100/150,000) that sold for $120,000, and Kenneth Bunn’s 10-foot tall elk monumental Sudden Engagement (est. $30/50,000) that sold for $66,000. Charlie Dye’s classic cowboy scene Maverick also performed well, bringing in $39,000 against a $24,000 high estimate.

Additionally, Robert Pummill’s Toward the Cliffs (est. $10/20,000) sold for $24,000, while James Reynolds’ Prairie Scout (est. $6/9,000) sold for $15,600. Other artists that performed strongly were G. Harvey, Scott Christensen, Richard Schmid and the late Howard Rogers. Kenneth Bunn (1938-2020), Sudden Engagement, bronze, 120 x 126 x 70” Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $66,000

Mian Situ, Girl on Beach, oil on canvas, 11 x 14” Estimate: $2/4,000 SOLD: $15,600

The auction house next turns its attention to September, when the Jackson Hole Art Auction returns to Wyoming. —

Wyoming Art Auction (including buyer’s premium)

Artist Title Low /High Estimate SOLD
John Clymer Buffalo Run $70/100,000 $276,000
Bob Kuhn 180 Degrees $100/150,000 $120,000
Joseph Henry Sharp The Old Arrow Tree $100/150,000 $96,000
Kenneth Bunn Sudden Engagement $30/50,000 $66,000
Dan Ostermiller Winged Rapture $20/30,000 $42,000
Charlie Dye Maverick $18/24,000 $39,000
G. Harvey Bitter Cold $15/25,000 $27,000
Scott Christensen Evening Cottonwoods $15/25,000 $27,000
Robert Pummill Toward the Cliffs $10/20,000 $24,000
James Reynolds Prairie Scout $6/9,000 $15,600