Strong Coverage

William Gollings helps lead Jackson Hole Art Auction to $6.2 million in sales in Wyoming.

On September 16 and 17, Jackson Hole Art Auction held its annual sale across two sessions in the great Western destination of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The auction realized more than $6.2 million sales with a 92 percent sell-through rate. William Gollings (1878-1932), Summer Camp, 1931, oil on canvas, 29 x 22” Estimate: $200/300,000 SOLD: $570,000

“I feel very good about the sale overall, especially as we hit 92 percent. Anything over 90 is what we’re looking for, so we’re feeling great,” Kevin Doyle, managing director of the auction says. “Considering where the larger economy is and the state of affairs in the world, we weren’t really sure what to plan for. We just knew we were bringing in strong work that collectors would want and that’s what happened.I think it’s also important that bidders are putting their money into art because they see the value in owning and collecting art.”Bob Kuhn (1920-2007), A Walk on the Tundra – Grizzly Bears and Ptarmigans, acrylic on board, 20 x 30” Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $192,000

G. Harvey (1933-2017), One of Those Days, oil on canvas, 24 x 30” Estimate: $60/90,000 SOLD: $114,000

The two-session sale had surprises in both afternoon portions, though many of the blockbuster lots came from Session II on September 17. The top lot was William Golling’s stunning 1931 oil Summer Camp, showing a Native American man on horseback with a camp scene behind with a teepee. The work, which graced the cover of Western Art Collector’s September issue, was estimated at $200,000 to $300,000, but sold well over those estimates when it closed at $570,000. The work is now the second-best auction record for Gollings, who has been having a hot streak in Western art for the last several years. The very next lot after Summer Camp was Gollings’ Untitled (Cowboy on Horseback) that sold for $216,000, more than four times over its high estimate of $50,000.James Bama (1926-2022), Descendant of Black Elk, 1987, oil on board, 20 x 24” Estimate: $30/50,000 SOLD: $84,000

Howard Terpning had two top lots: Awaiting the Signal (est. $500/700,000) which sold for $480,000 and The Cavalry Scarf (est. $80/120,000) which sold for $204,000. Jackson Hole Art Auction routinely gets strong Terpning pieces for sale and they almost always fall within estimate or higher. Terpning and Kenneth Riley were both associated with the Tucson 7 group of artists, and both had strong works in the sale. Riley’s Victorio (est. $75/125,000) sold for $144,000 and In Mysterious Lodges sold for $78,000, just missing its low estimate of $80,000.Bidders in the room at the 2022 Jackson Hole Art Auction.

Other highlights include Eanger Irving Couse’s The Eagle Dance (est. $150/250,000) selling for $180,000, Conrad Schwiering’s Coming Home (est. $25/35,000) selling for $96,000, James Bama’s Descendant of Black Elk (est. $30/50,000) selling for $84,000 and John Nieto’s Sioux Sun Dancer (est. $15/25,000) selling for $42,000. Additionally, two G. Harvey pieces, One of Those Days and The Sidewalk Café, each sold for $114,000.

Decorative art and furniture also had a strong showing at the sale, including classic examples of Thomas Molesworth furniture. A Molesworth love seat from 1940 sold for $57,000, well above its high estimate of $35,000. Doyle says that won’t be the last time bidders see strong furniture lots in the Jackson Hole Art Auction.

The auction’s next sale is in February and it will likely be an online-only sale. —

TOP 10 Lots: Jackson Hole Art Auction, September 16-17, 2022 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low /High Estimate SOLD
William Gollings Summer Camp $200/300,000 $570,000
Howard Terpning Awaiting the Signal $500/700,000 $480,000
Frederic Remington Register Rock, Idaho $200/300,000 $276,000
William Gollings Untitled (Cowboy on Horseback) $30/50,000 $216,000
Howard Terpning The Cavalry Scarf $80/120,000 $204,000
Bob Kuhn A Walk on the Tundra $100/150,000 $192,000
Eanger Irving Couse The Eagle Dance $150/250,000 $180,000
Kenneth Riley Victorio $75/125,000 $144,000
G. Harvey One of Those Days $60/90,000 $114,000
G. Harvey The Sidewalk Café $100/150,000 $114,000