Noel Rockmore at Auction

Three Rockmore Auctions coming up (2) on Sept. 29 & (1) on Oct. 6th

Oct. 6th, 2012 - New Orleans Auction Gallery

- CLASSIC Rockmores

LOT NUMBER 1371 

"No. 4, The Shepherd Boy", oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right "Rockmore '82 December", titled on the reverse, 36" x 24". Presented in a giltwood frame.

Exhibited: "Mardi Gras Backstage", Paintings and Sculpture, Sandra Zahn Oreck Gallery, New Orleans, March 19, 1983-May 2, 1983. Literature: Sandra Zahn
Oreck Gallery, "Mardi Gras Backstage, Paintings and Sculpture, Exhibition
Brochure, 1983, cover illustration. 

ESTIMATE    $2500 - $4000 

Facts: This was the Cover of the 1983 Brochure for the Sandra Zahn Oreck Gallery and includes many of the CLASSIC Rockmore themes from the Backstage Mardi Gras Series. The Sacred Cow will reappear in the Egyptian Series and the mysterious hand on the ball is what Rockmore liked to do. The details on the blue figure and the face on the urn are Rockmore at his finest.

Thoughts: This one is going to sell and someone will get a treasure that will be sought for future Museum Shows. It is the PRIZE of the upcoming Auctions and one of the BEST Rockmore's to come up at Auction in the past year.

LOT NUMBER 1370   

 "View of the New York Skyline with the Artist Gifting a Bouquet of Flowers"

1963, oil on board, signed and dated lower right "Rockmore '63", 14" x 11-1/4". Handsomely framed. 

ESTIMATE    $1000 - 1500

Facts: This has the CLASSIC Rockmore NYC skyline in the background, the boy looking up and the artist in the top hat with his gift of flowers (his art) to the world. It is in the style of frame that Rockmore was to use throughout the 60s and has been offerred at auction before but the minimum was not reached.

Thoughts: This one is going to go this time and the Estimate is fair. There are not that many quality Rockmores that are being made available to the Auction public and someone will scoop this up.

LOT NUMBER 1369  "Outdoor Cafe Scene",
Pastel on paper, signed lower right "Rockmore", sight 23" x 35". Glazed, attractively matted and framed. 

 ESTIMATE    $1200 - 1800 

Facts: Rockmore was actually a Master at Pastels as was his mother, Gladys Rockmore Davis. This work comes from a time in 1987 when Rockmore was under contract to Bryant Galleries and realized that he needed to produce sellable work to the public or Bryant would get to keep his work for 10 cents on the dollar. Thus, Rockmore sets out to make a traditional sellable New Orleans Outdoor Cafe Scene Pastel. The problem was that the buying public actually liked Rockmore's other styles and works like this were bought back by Bryant for next to nothing. It is indeed a CLASSIC Rockmore pastel that did not sell the last time it was presented.

Thoughts: The timing is right for this work as well. The Rockmore buying public is ready to own some nice works and realize the days of CLASSIC Rockmore's in this price range will soon be ending.

Sept. 29th, 2012 - Crescent City Auction

- End of Life Rockmores - Towards the End of His life Rockmore did works that were meant to capture as a diary exactly how he felt. These works are from the Jake Calico Collection and Jake was a longtime Rockmore friend , bartender, and quasi artist until the end of Rockmore's life. There are not many Rockmores from this time period and they offer an insight into the artist at a more than fair price. 

 

Lot #628 "Face," c.1994, ink and
watercolor, signed l.r. "Rockmore,' and l.l. "Jake," verso with
a graphite study of a face, shrink wrapped, H.- 11 in., W.- 14 in.


Estimated Price: $100-200

Facts: Not too many two sided Rockmore’s to be found and it was quite RARE that he let anyone else sign their name with him on a work. Jake was that good of a friend all the way to the end. Hard
to determine who did what in this one but the face looks like a Rockmore classic from this time period.

Thoughts: Rockmore did not have many friends at all at the end of his life and Jake was there for him. This goes to his widow and that is why it is worth a bid as well as it is an End of Life Rockmore.

Lot #629

Imaginary Creatures 1994, watercolor and ink, signed l.l., shrink wrapped, H.- 11 1/8 in., W.- 14 in.

Estimated Price :$200-400

Facts: The key component to this work is the 94 Date actually on the work. Rockmore had given up after several falls and gangrene had set in and there were not many 94 dated works.

Thoughts: That looks like him morphed into a catepillar and the other figures are bees from his end of life "killer Bee" series - sort of a self fulfilling prohecy.

 

Lot #633 Nudes and Music

1991, pen and ink, signed and dated l.r., shrink wrapped, H.- 12 in., W.- 18 in.

Estimated Price: $200-400

Facts: This is actually from 1991 and the most detailed and interesting of the Crescent City Auction Items. That is Rockmore on the left and the music symbols certainly have meaning. Most of the
figures on the right are Rockmores as well.

Thoughts: It looks like Jake signed this one as well and the guess would be the scribbly things on the right were his contribution. The guess also would be that Rockmore did not allow him to do that until 1994 towards the end of his life when he did not care.

Lot #634 "Male Face,"  pen and ink and collage, signed and dated l.r.,
shrink wrapped, H.- 20 in., W.- 16 in.

Estimate $200-$400

Facts: This is the largest of the Rockmores being auctioned from the Calico Collection and it is also a collage. Not a random work but Rockmore actually trying to capture exactly how he felt.

Thoughts: Rockmore was in his most serious depression since his Touro Hospitilization that summer. It's a sad little self portrait  moment and yet it is beautiful in its own way.

 

 

 

 

 

Sept. 29th, 2012 - The Potomock Company

Lot: 253 NEW ENGLAND LAKE SCENE

attributed to Gladys Rockmore Davis

Oil/Canvasboard, 10.75" x 13.50", Signed Lower Right

Estimate $400-$600

Facts:

It does not look like any Gladys Rockmore Davis we have seen so far - there are only 600 and we have seen 300.

I gave Potomock Auction a call about the provenance - they were not sure.

It looks like it was framed in 1999 or later based on frame shop research.

The signature does not match any existing signatures including those signed by her husband.

The art expert there hung her hat on the fact in Ask Art it says she was known for landscapes.

That is true - it does say that on Ask Art but nowhere else in any of the materials we have on her and it is not true. She was not known for her lanscapes.

Thus Ask Art has a mistake that needs to be corrected in their Gladys Rockmore Davis Bio.

Deborah Davis (Gladys daughter) told a story how towards the end of Gladys life - Floyd
Davis (her husband) walked her through her studio and made her sign all the remaining works in there in red or he signed them himself.

We have seen several of those Floyd signatures for Gladys but they are not like this one.

These works were all sold as a lot by Noel to Larry Borenstein for 10K after Gladys death.

Borenstein’s heirs sold them to an auctioneer in Tennessee who is a bit suspect.

 That still does not explain landscape but could account for signature.

Gladys has no recorded New England lake experiences/visits - just New Jersey & New York.

Gladys did spend time in Maryland and was well known there.

The Potamack Company was willing to withdraw the work from auction if asked.

Thoughts: If your husband signs a work for you with you there is it a forgery?

Is it possible she had someone elses work and he signed it for her?

Why not forge a more famous name if you were going to forge?

Why was it framed after 1999?

We have been watching a lot of Columbo lately :<)

Just one more thing ....

Does a work like this with a publicized interesting mystery that could be solved by the new owner become more valuable?

It justs keeps playing over and over in my head ......

 

Noel Rockmore at Neal Auction July 1st, 2012

Sunday July 1st 2012 - Rockmores at Neal Auction - New Orleans LA

LOT NUMBER 781 - "Léogáne, Haiti", 1983, watercolor, signed, titled and dated "8 Jul.'83" lower right, title label en verso, sight 13 1/2 in. x 19 in., framed.

 Sold $598

Note from Neal Auction: Léogáne was at the epicenter of the January 2010 earthquake which destroyed 90% of the buildings and claimed over 20,000 lives. Visiting Léogáne nearly thirty years earlier, Rockmore created a series of paintings of the picturesque coastal community.

Facts: Not too many large watercolors from Haiti have made their way to Auction. He was commissioned by Bryant Galleries to go there with his then girlfriend, Rita Posselt. He embraced getting to know all of Haiti and was particularly intrigued by the small town celebrations and VooDoo rituals. He would continue to paint in Haitian style with Haitian colors for the next two years.

LOT NUMBER 782 -"Guitar Man, Mardi Gras"
 1993, mixed media collage, signed and dated mid-left, titled upper left and lower right, sight 22 in. x 29 1/2 in., framed.

Sold $554

Facts: This work comes from the end of Rockmore's life as he was to die in February of 1995. He was doing a lot of found objects on large scale works and some small scale collages but none were nearly as bright and cheery as this work. Certainly the sketch with the signature on the guitar is a typical Rockmore work but everything else is a bit of a mystery that is hard to place.

Lot #873 Jim Robinson (1892-1976), New Orleans
Trombonist", 1969, oil on masonite, signed and dated "Mar.'69,
N.O." lower right, titled en verso, 18 in. x 12 in., framed.

 Sold $1476

Provenance: Acquired from the artist by the present collector.

Facts: Jim Robinson was one of Rockmore's favorite jazz musician subjects and his name is on the back of this work. Rockmore painted over 750 Jazz Musician works for Larry Borenstein in 1963 & 1964. Rockmore often made his 4's look like 9's in dates and it is quite probable that this work is from 1964 since that is when he did a majority of these oil on masonite works. Jim Robinson has been one of the highest selling jazz works perhaps due to his popularity as a well loved jazz musician. Rockmore would continue to paint him throughout the 70s.

 

 

 

Lot#874 "Ménage a Trois: Bruce, Markel and Joan in Bed - Loft at 9th St.",
1965, watercolor and gouache on paper, signed, titled and dated "Nov.
'65" lower right, 21 1/2 in. x 27 1/2 in., framed.

Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Dr. Robert Ryan, New Orleans.

NOT SOLD

Facts: These are Noel Rockmore’s third person additions to a Book about his life that was planned in 1973. He certainly knew these works would surface and thought he should address them in this book.

“Loft paintings of 1965: In 1965 a deviation from Rockmore’s direction was stimulated by frequent visits to friends who inhabited a loft in New York’s lower East Side (East Village). A great deal of uninhibited sexual activity as well as narcotic adventures were documented during this period. Included are orgies, Lesbian intimacies, flagellation, and other deviant behavior. As always, Rockmore is the voyeur, never the participant. A small intense, combined mixture of flubdubbery with Tom Peepery.”

Thoughts: Shirley Marvin says that Noel often told her that he was driven to document the human condition and when images “seized him” he had to document them in order to be able to move on to his next work. Despite being told many times by many folks that he could not “just put everything out there,” Rockmore refused to edit his work. It will be interesting to see how the Artworld and Art experts/historians eventually interpret all of this (not to mention the psychiatrist) as Rockmore recognition continues to grow.

2012 3-24 Works at Crescent city Auction from Dr. James Nelson Collection

These works are coming up at Auction on Saturday March 24th at Crescent City Auction in New Orleans Louisiana. Deadline for not in person bids is Friday March 23rd at 5PM Central. Please call Adam Lambert at 504-529-5057 if you have questions or wish to place a bid. The Buyers premium is now 18.5% that you add on to your winning bid.

 

 Two Gladys Rockmore Davis works ???

Lot #: 62 Description: Gladys Rockmore Davis (1901-1967), "Nude Fixing her Hair," 20th c., graphite, signed l.r. "G.R.D.," framed, H.- 13 1/2 in., W.- 10 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 150-250

 

 Facts: Gladys Rockmore Davis, Noel Rockmore's famous mother did several sketches like this when she decided that she would become an "artist" as oppossed to a commercial illustrator. She often used the babysitter & music teachers for Noel & Deboarah as models.

 

Thoughts: There seems to be a hint of mold and surface dirt on the work. In all probability because it was from a large Lot of Gladys remaining works that were sold "as is" to Larry Borenstein who in turn sold them to his Rockmore clients like Louis Nelson.

 

 

 

 Lot# 632 Description: French School, "Portrait of an Elderly Woman," 20th c., oil on canvas, verso with a written description "Gladys Rockmore Davis, 1931, done in France (Mother of Noel Rockmore)," framed, H- 17 3/4 in., W.- 14 1/2 in. Estimated Price: 150-250

 

 

 

 

 

Facts: This is attributed to Gladys Rockmore Davis because of the inscription on the back. In 1932, after the birth of Noel and Deborah and the eternal problem of food, shelter and clothing was conquered, Floyd and Gladys Davis decided to take a sabbatical year from their busy drawing boards and visit Europe. They toured France, Germany, Italy and Spain in an old Citroen, and then settled in a little house in Cannes not far from where Renoir spent the last 25 years of his life.

 

 

Thoughts: Gladys Rockmore Davis, in her own autobiography, states it was 1932 that she was near the Renoir enclave. Thus, the 1931 date on the back seems an approxammation perhaps written by the owner, Larry Borenstein, as told to him by Noel Rockmore at the time the works were purchased by Larry in 1970.

It is known that Gladys & Floyd actually bought a Renoir while in the area that was later auctioned off in the late 1950s after an unsuccessful first attempt at a major NYC auction house. See Image below left.

Just to make this really interesting, the Renoir auctioned off was in the same type frame as this work. This makes it quite interesting as well as works by Noel's sister & Noel below that look quite similar.

See images below below.

 

 

  

The 1^st Jazzfest sketches & HEAD Clinic sketches from 1970.

Facts: Rockmore was on the 1^st Jazzfest organizing committee with George Wein, Larry Borenstien, Ellis Marsalis, Quint Davis and Bill Russell. He was allowed to document the Jazzfest and do the 1^st poster as part of a deal with Larry Borenstien. He created several of these sketch books for Larry Borenstien including this one that was sold to Dr. Nelson who chose to frame them individually. He then created even nicer detailed sketchbooks from the same Jazzfest that Rockmore sold direct to private collectors often based on these rough sketches that he was required to share with Larry. In this same time period he was hanging out at the Head clinic with Mike Stark and also with Sister Gertrude Morgan so their images are often seen in these sketchbooks.

Lot # 138 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "In the Gospel Tent,"

1970, watercolor, titled and signed l.r., framed, H.- 10 5/8 in., W.- 13 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Note: Rockmore did the first Jazzfest posters, and this is one of a series from his personal sketchbook.

 Estimated Price: 150-250













 Lot # 180 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Game at Clinic (Mike Stark's Free Clinic)," c. 1970, watercolor, titled, dated and signed l.l., framed, H.- 10 5/8 in., W.- 13 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 200-300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lot # 186 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Clinic Meeting Apr. 29," c. 1970, watercolor of Mike Stark's clinic, signed and titled u. l., framed, H.- 10 5/8 in., W.- 13 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 100-200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Lot # 321 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Jazz Fest," 1970, watercolor and ink, dated and signed l.r., framed, H.- 10 5/8 in., W.- 13 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Note: Rockmore did the first Jazzfest posters, and this is one of a series from his personal sketchbook. Estimated Price: 150-250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lot # 487 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Festival (Jazz Fest)," 1970, watercolor, titled, signed and dated l.l., framed, H.- 11 in., W.- 13 1/4 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Note: Rockmore did the first Jazzfest posters, and this is one of a series from his personal sketchbook. Estimated Price: 200-300

 

 

 

Lot # 612 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Festival 2(Jazz Fest)," 1970, watercolor, titled and signed l.r., framed, H.- 10 5/8 in., W.- 13 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Note: Rockmore did the first Jazzfest posters, and this is one of a series from his personal sketchbook. Estimated Price: 150-250

Thoughts: The clinic works are interesting especially the one with the meeting that looks like it might include some interesting characters that were part of the history of the Head clinic. The Jazzfest works that include that Big Tree are also interesting and really give you the feel where those several hundred folks gathered at the first Jazzfest along with the film crew. Some say that the crew, vendors & performers actually outnumbered the attendees of what has grown into the most recognized festival in the world.

 

These Nude studies will be at Crecent City Auction on Sunday March 25th

 

Lot # 889 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Lesbians at the Loft, from Life," Dec. 18, 1965, watercolor, titled, signed and dated l.r., framed, H.- 22 1/2 in., W.- 28 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 600-900

 

Lot # 890 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Lesbians at the Loft, from Life 2," Dec. 23, 1965, watercolor, titled, signed and dated l.r., framed, H.- 22 1/2 in., W.- 28 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 600-900 

 

Facts: These are Noel Rockmore’s third person additions to a Book about his life that was planned in 1973. He certainly knew these works would surface and thought he should address them in this book.

 

“Loft paintings of 1965: In 1965 a deviation from Rockmore’s direction was stimulated by frequent visits to friends who inhabited a loft in New York’s lower East Side (East Village). A great deal of uninhibited sexual activity as well as narcotic adventures were documented during this period. Included are orgies, Lesbian intimacies, flagellation, and other deviant behavior. As always, Rockmore is the voyeur, never the participant. A small intense, combined mixture of flubdubbery with Tom Peepery.”

 

Thoughts: Shirley Marvin says that Noel often told her that he was driven to document the human condition and when images “seized him” he had to document them in order to be able to move on to his next work. Despite being told many times by many folks that he could not “just put everything out there,” Rockmore refused to edit his work. It will be interesting to see how the Artworld and Art experts/historians eventually interpret all of this (not to mention the psychiatrist) as Rockmore recognition continues to grow.

 

Lot #1100 Description: Noel Rockmore (1928-1995), "Antonia," 1965, watercolor, titled, dated, signed and marked "NY" left center, framed, H.- 28 1/2 in., W.- 22 1/2 in., from the collection of Dr. James W. Nelson. Estimated Price: 600-900

 

 

Facts: Rockmore was completely captivated by Antonia throughout 1965 and painted her as often as any of the other women in his life. We know that Rockmore was attracted to beautiful young women and that in 1965 & 1966 he got in trouble quite often due to the fact that they were often under aged. Leon Krall, known as the “Dean of American Nudes,” was also a mentor to Rockmore and certainly influenced him.

Rockmore thought enough of Antonia to have her meet his parents as well as pose nude with his sister. To date, we have not been able to locate Antonia but we hope as publicity grows that she will come forward and we will one day know her story.

 

 

 

September 11th & 15th &18th, 2011 (11) Rockmores at 3 Auctions

#1 September 11th, 2011 Neal Auction (4 lots - 8 works)

 Lot#1012 - 5 works "Blind Singer/Egyptian Figures", "Egyptian Figures/Footprints", "Egyptian Figures/Footprints II", "Egyptian Figures on Grid", "Bird Man on Grid"

Estimate $1200-$1800 

 
    

Top Left:1989 Egyptian Figures Footprints 1 - Lot 1012  Neal 8x11

Top Middle: 1989.3.9 Egyptian Figures on Grid  - Lot 1012  Neal 12x8

Top Right: 1989 Bird Man on Grid For Shirley - Lot 1012  Neal 11x8

Bottom Left: 1989.9.12 Blind Singer Egyptian Figures - Lot 1012  Neal 15x12

Bottom Right: 1989.8.6 Egyptian Figures Footprints 2 - Lot 1012  Neal 11x9

Facts:These works all come from 1989 when rockmore was going through a very difficult time and was putting a lot of his own personal feelings and emotions into his works. They are all part of the Egyptian series and two are part of the Grid series as well. On two of the works, he uses his unique technique of stomping on the work with his footprints to get something on the paper and jumpstart the work. The Blind Singers which is the most colorful work is part of an extended Egyptian series in that style.

Thoughts: The fact that one of these works is dedicated to Shirley leads us to think it is part of works that were at one time in her possesion that were allegedly found in a dumpster outside of Park Esplanade where she lived and was displaced after Hurricane Katrina. Because she had not documented her sketches there is no way to prove that and at this point it does not matter. Shirley says, " As long as the works are going to be going to someone that cares about Noel Rockmore and his work, I am happy."

Lot # 1022  "Exodus: Divine Cow: Egyptian Series", 1989, acrylic on canvas, signed and dated lower right, inscribed "Divine Cow (Headless)" en verso, 22 in. x 30 in., unframed.

Estimate $500-$750

Facts: This work is part of the Egyptian Divine cow series and looks like one of the earliest attempts on canvas. The next works would be on much larger canvas and this leads one to believe that is a result of this very small head or no head.

 Thoughts:This work does have HISTORIC significance as part of the divine cow series and is quite interesting as well. Is it really headless or perhaps it has a small head, the head of a cat? It certainly would be a conversation starter and a collectible Rockmore.

Lot# 1025 "Israel", 1968, mixed media on paper, signed, titled and dated lower left, sight 18 1/2 in. x 13 1/2 in., attractively matted and framed.
Provenance: A New York City estate.

Estimate $700-$900

 Facts: This work is from the Israel series that Victor Potamkin sponsored Rockmore on in 1968. It is done with watercolor and pen and is really one of the most pleasing Israel works we have seen to date. Many of the other works have a great deal of angst and tension that Rockmore must have felt on his visit there.

Thoughts: It is a nice work but at the wrong auction house in the wrong city. This type of work would obviously be much more attractive in a large city like New York or Miami where there is a large Jewish population. The thinking must have been that this is where Rockmores are sold at Neal in New Orleans. It could create a nice opportunity for someone to get a deal.  

 

Lot #1023 "Haitian Market Place", 1989, pastel on paper, signed and dated lower right, "Bryant Galleries, New Orleans" labels en verso, sight 24 1/2 in. x 35 1/2 in., attractively matted and framed.

Estimate: $300-$500

Facts: This is the 5th time in the last two years that this leftover from the Bryant Galleries has been up for auction. It is a nice pastel from his trip to Haiti that Rockmore even took the time to pose with. It is a nice big pastel as well.

Thoughts: The Estimate was always way too high but this time at $300 it is priced to sell. This is the DEAL of the weekend! 

 

 

#2 September 15th, 2011 Phillip Weiss Auctions

1 Neil Court Oceanside, New York  11572 (516) 594-0731 (phone) 

Lot#406 Sally, 1962 Oval Portrait, Oil on Board, Signed and dated, 11 inch diameter 

Estimate: $1500-$2000

Facts:

This oval work from 1962 is a gem and contains a combination of Rockmore's still life technique as well as his portrait skills. It is nicely framed and not listed on the major art services so not many folks even know about it. Not sure who this Sally is and if she is related to the other Sally work at this Auction House.Thoughts: Rockmore at his finest and this work is a gem. The estimate is high but fair and if it goes, someone will have a treasure.

 

Lot# 407 Sally Leonard, 1963 Portrait, Oil on Board, Signed and dated, 10x14

Estimate: $1500-$2000

Facts: This is the second time that this portrait has come up for auction at Phillip Weiss in recent years at a much lower estimate than the previous time. We don't know anything about Sally Leonard. We do know that if a customer was not happy with the way Rockmore portrayed them in 1963 then they did not have to purchase the work.

 Thoughts: This work is interesting and although it is small at 10x14, it is nicely framed and from the time that Rockmore was about to embark on the Preservation Hall series. It will be most interesting to see how this one does this time.

 

 

 

#3 September 18th, 20011 Treadway/Toomey Auctions

 2029 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208  513.321.6742

Lot# 590 "Moody Trio" - Jim Robinson, Punch Miller & George Lewis 1963 Oil on Board, 12 x 19 inches, signed, framed, part of Preservation Hall Jazz series

Estimate $2500-$3500

 Facts:This was certainly part of the original Preservation Hall series and the framing is the original Borenstien framing. It is included in the Preservation Hall Portraits book and contains three of the biggest most well known names in Preservation Hall history.

 Thoughts: If you ever wanted to own a BIG TIME Preservation Hall Portraits series work, this is your chance!

 

June 25th-26th, 2011 (7) Rockmores at Neal Auction

Lot# 476  "Egyptian Eye of Horus", 1989, acrylic and mixed media on canvas, signed and dated upper left, 48 in. x 48 in., unframed

Estimate $1200-1800

Facts: This work comes from the the Egyptian series and is large at 48 inches by 48 inches. It has lots of Rockmore's classic Egyptian symbols.

  Thoughts: it's an interesting nice sized Rockmore from one of his classic series that will be studied by future art scholars.

 

Lot# 658 "The Golden Snake",  1990, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, "Bryant Galleries, New Orleans" label en verso, 54 1/4 in. x 80 in., unframed.

  Estimate $2000-$3000

Facts: Rockmore did not do many works like this one. The gold leaf on the snake makes it look real. False rumor was that it was an actual fossilized snake like the cat in Voodoo Queen.

Thoughts: It's a unique Rockmore gem.

 

 

Lot# 659 = 3 Prints Estimate $700-$900 for all three

#1"Death on Decatur",    
79, serigraph on paper, pencil-signed, titled and numbered "9/60", sight 25 1/2 in. x 15 1/2 in.,  matted and framed.

  #2"Leda and the Swan", aquatint on paper, pencil-signed and dated "'81", titled lower center, numbered "3/50" lower left, sight 15 in. x 22 1/4 in.;

  #3 "Three Skeletons", Gladys Rockmore Davis, lithograph on paper, unsigned, sight 25 in. x 19 in.; matted and framed.

Facts: Death on Decatur is a classic print and there were only 60 that were made. The painting this print is based on was featured in the Marfa Texas ballroom Show.

Leda and the Swan is a classic Bill Russell print and there are only 60 of them.

Three Skeletons by Gladys Rockmore Davis is the first time that this print has been known to exist. A one of a kind so far that certainly gives us insight into where Noel got his introduction to death and skeletons that were to become a recognizable part of his artwork.

Thoughts: Best collection of Rockmore prints at auction to date. Winner gets a collectible work of Rockmore history!

#729  "The Scribe", 1990, oil on canvas, signed and dated upper right, signed, titled and dated, and with two "Bryant Galleries, New Orleans" labels en verso, 30 in. x 48 in.

Estimate $600-$900

Facts: Part of the Egyptian series has bounced around auction houses and galleries in search of a home for a while now.

Thoughts: It's a nice interesting work and worth the estimate.

Lot#  1097 "Red, White, and Blue", 1982, oil on canvas, signed and dated upper right, 30 in. x 24 in., in a giltwood frame.

Estimate $800-$1200

Facts: Part of the Mime series also known as the "murderous mime" series because many thought the mime had done time at Angola Prison for murder.

Thoughts: It's a great Rockmore oil and part of a well known series at a fair estimate. Rockmore would not have liked the title that was assigned to this work.

April 10th 2011 (2) Rockmores at New Orleans Auction Gallery

Lot# 1177 "The Last Chicken Henry"
1963, oil on canvas, signed, dated and inscribed lower left "The Last Chicken Henry, Rockmore, '63, Sept., N.Y.", 58" x 28". Handsomely matted and framed.

 ESTIMATE    5000 - 8000

 Facts: Chicken Henry was without doubt one of Rockmore's favorite Jazz musician subjects. Four of the Top 20 Rockmore's sold at auction are of Chicken Henry. This work is in the abstract colorful Rockmore style. The Top Rockmore Jazz Portraits that set the records are the large oil on canvas that are included in the Preservation Hall Portraits book. There is a work similar to this one that sold for 6K and is #18. This is a nice Partial autobiography on Chicken Henry.

 Thoughts: This should be a very interesting test of the Rockmore Jazz market at a local Auction House after the Garden & Gun article and Marfa Texas Show. The problem is that Rockmore is a an artist of national interest at this point but most folks are unwilling to go through the hassle of getting work at a local auction house. This is easily one of his top Jazz works that has come up for auction in the last year. We sure hope that it does well and sets a new Rockmore standard. 

Lot# 1179 "View of the New York Skyline with the Artist Gifting a Bouquet of Flowers"

 1963, oil on board, signed and dated lower right "Rockmore '63", 14" x 11-1/4". Handsomely framed.

ESTIMATE  1400 - 1800 

Facts: This is certainly a Classic Rockmore that includes many of his special themes including the artist depicting himself with the tophat, the NYC skyline, the artist with his gift to the world represented by the flowers and a little boy next to the artist. The detail on this work is incredible and although not huge at 11 x 14, it is an oil and a Rockmore.

Thoughts: This one should go for well above the estimate and would be a Great start or addition to any Rockmore collection.