Evening star., 1952-07-13
By Florence S. Berymon

By Florence S. Berymon
A digest of the annual report
OF the Parke- -Bernet Galleries
of New York City. the United
States foremost art and book
auction firm, has been pub
liShed in these columns for
many years. for the information
/. of local collectors. While WASH
ington has not as many art
collectors numerically as have
larger cities, 1t is in the fore
most ranks in number in pro-
portion to the population.
A gross total Of $5.727, ,759 was
reported for 81 sales held dur
ing the 1951-52 season, just
closed. This total exceeds that
for 1950-51 by more than $780,
600. It includes $905,700 for
sales of paintings, drawings and
prints; and approximately So
100000 for furniture and many
other classes of the decorative
arts. Books and autographs,
precious-stone jewelry and other
personal property, which brought
nearly $2.000,000 are outside
Of the scope of these columns.
Hiram Fl. Parke. president of
the galleries, dean of American
art auctioneers and for half a
century associated with art and
rare book auctions. said in part:
Increased attendance at the
exhibitions which precede sales.
and the large number Of new
buyers this season, reflect an
overwhelming appreciation by
the American public. Of the cul-
tural achievements of the past
and present, q feature which
distinguishes the interest in and
collecting of artistic and lit
erary property in the present
period from the restricted pa
tronage which prevailed before
the 1920s. Additional mail
order bidding from collectors
in all parts of the United States
is further indication Of this
change. GA greater volume Of
buying by collectors in South
America, England and the con-
tinent also was noted.) Wider
distribution of wealth In the
United States, and the active
educational work on all fronts.
of the press. radio and tele-
vision reaching the millions, and
the more selective work OF mu-
seums and other institutions are,
I feel, the main agents re-
sponsible.
with regard to prices re-
ceived, the steadiness Of aver
ages paid reveals the solid foun-
dation Of this market. Our ad-
vance estimated valuations OF
collections were fulfilled 80 reg
ularly that one must conclude
that day to day changes In ma
tional and international condi-
tions cannot disrupt the urge
Of the art and book loving pub
lie to acquire objects Of their
choosing"
Private collections belonging
to single owners made the high
est totals Of the season. Those
composed Of art objects in
cluded Gothic and Renaissance
works Of art, and other treas
ures from the William Ran
dolph Hearst collections. $l72.-
455; decorative arts from the
estate of the late Mrs. Henry
Ford. $172.117; American and
English paintings. prints, furni-
ture and decorations collected
by Bernon S. Prentice, $171.277,
and etchings and engravings by
old and modern masters, coli
lected by Edwin A. SeaSongood.
$155,577.
Current Preferences
Collections offered at the
Parke-Bernet sales came from
local. national and foreign
sources. They afforded the pub
lie extensive variety from which
to choose. Regardless Of popu-
lar preferences, top objects in
any category commanded high
prices. as heretofore. No new
trends in collecting were indi-
Gated during 1872; fields pop
ular for the last few years con-
tinued in the forefront.
Collectors Of paintings were
able to choose from practically
every school, in II sales Of
paintings alone, notably the es-
tate Of the late BENJAMIN e.
Levy and other owners, which
brought $111.720, the highest
total for this class Of sale: three
sales where paintings predom-
mated. including thai Of Marion
Davies. and numerous sales
where paintings appeared with
other art property.
Greatest interest continued to
be shown in 10Th and goth CEN
tury French and allied schools;
canvases by Corot, the impress
sionistS and such moderns as
Chagall and Vlaminck fetched
highest bids. AS usual, fine
American historical portraits