PBA Galleries had an outstanding Photography and Fine Art sale on April 7th. The auction consisted of 420 lots featuring the magnificent photography collection of Jack and Beverly Waltman. This collection did exceptionally well with items reaching record highs, and even exceeding the highest expectations.
Jack Waltman, an accomplished photographer in his own right, was also a patron to and a collector of many of the 20th century’s finest photographers. The collection included signed prints by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston (and family), Imogen Cunningham, George Tice, Judy Dater, Sebastião Salgado, John Sexton, and many others. Several of these photographs are inscribed to Jack and Beverly, whose friendship and support were so vital to the artists represented—notably Morley Baer, Brett Weston, and John Sexton. The reception of these artists’ works by the bidders was very enthusiastic; an example is Dunes, Oceano by Brett Weston that sold for $7,500, reaching the high estimate.
This offering from the Waltman Collection of photographs featured some of the most famous images of the 20th century: Ansel Adams’ Moonrise, Hernandez New Mexico that went for $62,500, but also The Teton Range & The Snake River and Clearing Storm: Mt. Williamson (Manzanar). The latter two far exceeded the highest estimate since they both sold for $68,750.
Inexhaustible and timeless, the landscapes of the American Southwest and California’s Central Coast drew the midcentury’s greatest photographers to capture archetypal images. As great art, they speak to universal themes but also come to us as glimpses of an era. The Waltman collection also included Edward Weston’s Church Door, Hornitos, his Point Lobos photographs and Charis, Santa Monica, among others. Other artists were very popular with the bidders, like Bill Brandt whose Nude with Bent Elbow went for $6,250.
This successful sale gives a glimpse of things to come at PBA Galleries and proves how this department continues to impress the market. The second part of the Jack and Beverly Waltman collection will be offered on July 28th.
Other offerings included a section of signed posters by Berkeley artist David Lance Goines that have almost all sold out, some lovely examples of art deco pochoir illustration, and much more. Several signed prints by Salvador Dali did very well, such as the Dali de Gala books which each sold between $2,000 and $4,687.50.
PBA Galleries holds sales of fine, rare and collectible books every two weeks. We are currently accepting consignments for Fine Art and Photography until June 27th. For more information regarding upcoming sales, consignments, or auction results, please contact PBA Galleries at (415) 989-2665 or [email protected].