The inaugural Lone Star Art Auction was held October 29, 2022, in Dallas and not only did the sale perform well, it exceeded the expectations of its owner, Phil Berkebile of the Great American West Gallery. 

“Not only did the sale meet expectations, it exceeded them. The sales total was higher than expected, as was the percentage sold,” Berkebile says. “We weren’t sure what to expect, but we’re very happy.”Julian Onderdonk (1882-1922), In the Boerne Hills – Southwest Texas, oil on canvas, 20 x 30” Estimate: $150/250,000  SOLD: $240,000

The sale brought in $5.6 million in sales with 95 percent of the lots sold. Berkebile notes that the sale had “high-quality clientele in the room,” including numerous Texas collectors and several prominent collectors from all around the Southwest. One couple who walked away with an incredible Ed Mell painting were especially pleased with the quality of the work. “When there is a piece of this quality on the market, you don’t pass it up,” the collector said. While some bidding was happening in the room, there was even stronger bidding online and on the phones. Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), Indian Women Moving Camp, watercolor on paper, 22¼ x 33½” Estimate:  $225/275,000  SOLD: $240,000

“The whole sale was a good balance for sellers and buyers,” Berkebile says. “The sellers got general fair market value for their pieces, and there were some that did much better than we expected. And then the buyers got some good prices as well. Everyone walked away a winner. Prices weren’t crazy—they were fair to both parties. I like that balance.” Frederic Remington (1861-1909), The Rattlesnake, bronze, No. 65, 24” Estimate: $150/250,000 SOLD: $240,000

Top-selling works included pieces by the most iconic Western artists in the market: Charles M. Russell and Frederic Remington. The Russell work, the watercolor Indian Women Moving Camp (est. $225/275,000) fell within estimates at $240,000, and the Remington bronze, The Rattlesnake (est. $150/250,000), also sold for $240,000. R. Tom Gilleon, Another Bucker, oil on canvas, 60 x 60” Estimate:  $250/300,000  SOLD: $300,000

Other noteworthy lots included Julian Onderdonk’s In the Boerne Hills – Southwest Texas (est. $150/250,000) that sold for $240,000, E. Martin Hennings’ The Wagon Road (est. $150/250,000) that sold for $180,000 and Andy Warhol’s unique screenprint War Bonnet Indian (est. $150/200,000) that sold for $216,000. 

The sale also saw a huge offering of Bill Owen paintings and bronzes, as well as several major pieces by Kyle Polzin and Ed Mell, all of which performed strongly. E. Martin Hennings (1886-1956), The Wagon Road, oil on canvas, 25 x 30” Estimate: $150/250,000  SOLD: $180,000

Two R. Tom Gilleon pieces also sold well: Another Bucker (est. $25/300,000) sold for $300,000 and Yellowstone Reflections (est. $175/225,000) sold for $210,000. 

Work is already underway on the 2023 edition of the Lone Star Art Auction, which will take place October 28, 2023. —

Top 10 Lots: Lone Star Art Auction, October 29, 2022 (including buyer’s premiums)
Artist Title Low /High Estimate SOLD
R. Tom Gilleon Another Bucker $250/300,000 $300,000
Frederic Remington The Rattlesnake $150/250,000 $240,000
Charles M. Russell Indian Women Moving Camp $225/275,000 $240,000
Julian Onderdonk In the Boerne Hills – Southwest Texas $150/250,000 $240,000
Andy Warhol War Bonnet Indian $150/200,000 $216,000
R. Tom Gilleon Yellowstone Reflections $175/225,000 $210,000
E. Martin Hennings The Wagon Road $150/250,000 $180,000
Henry Shrady    Elk Buffalo $200/300,000 $180,000
John Mix Stanley Assiniboine Encampment $250/350,000 $156,000
Martin Grelle Trapper’s Goods No More    $100/150,000    $114,000

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