Atlanta, GA, USA, February 9, 2023 -- Vibrant Native American-themed paintings by Frank McCarthy (1944-2002) and Emmi Whitehorse (b. 1956) are expected headliners in Ahlers & Ogletree’s Art of the American West & Native American Art & Objects auction on Friday, February 24th, in Ahlers & Ogletree’s new location on Atlanta’s Upper West Side, at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard.

The auction, beginning at 10 am Eastern time, will also be held online and will feature 255 lots, to include fine art of the American West and Native American objects, including pottery, fine art and rugs. Artists in the sale, in addition to McCarthy and Whitehorse, will include R. Farrington Ewell, Joe Beeler, Walt Gonske, Curt Walters, Alan Houser, Clyde Aspevig and Dan Namingha.

The oil on canvas by Frank McCarthy, titled The Warriors of Canyon Land (1988) depicts a vertical landscape of tall cliffs against a dark sky and two Native Americans on horseback in the foreground. The work, 40 ¼ inches by 24 inches (less frame) is signed and dated lower left and has an estimate of $15,000-$20,000. McCarthy is a member of the Cowboy Artists of America.

The mixed media on paper laid on canvas by Emmi Whitehorse is titled Field of Birds (1992) and shows an abstract Native American imagery of birds in a field. The work is monumental, with a canvas size of 51 ¼ inches by 78 inches, and is signed, dated and titled en verso. It’s accompanied by a gallery receipt from 1992 and two artist’s pamphlets (est. $10,000-$20,000).

An oil on canvas painting the Reverend Thomas E. Mails (American, 1920-2001), titled Hualapi Country (1983), a Western scene depicting a mountainous landscape with two Native American females gathering crops, overall 48 inches by 67 ½ inches, signed, should realize $6,000-$8,000.

An oil on canvas by Walt Gonske (New Mexico., b. 1942), titled On the Rio Pueblo, is a winter river landscape scene signed lower right and signed, titled and numbered (1765T) en verso. The 36 ¼ inch by 30 inch (canvas, less frame) work is expected to change hands for $4,000-$6,000.

There are several artworks by Allan Capron (Haozous) Houser (American/Chiricahua, Apache, 1914-1994) in the auction, including a 1992 patinated cast bronze Western sculpture, 12 ¾ inches tall, titled Peace Prayer (or The Offering), of a kneeling Native American male holding aloft a ceremonial pipe. The sculpture, signed and numbered (24/30) should hit $6,000-$8,000.

Also from Houser is a gouache and mixed media on paper from 1938, double-titled Apache Buffalo Hunt and Two Riders on Horseback Hunting, depicting two mounted warriors chasing a buffalo with arrows, signed and dated and in a 19 ¾ inch by 29 inch frame (est. $3,000-$5,000).

A patinated bronze sculpture by Robert Farrington Elwell (American, 1874-1962), 11 inches tall, titled Birchbark Canoe, depicting a Native male in a canoe on a choppy body of water with an applied verdigris finish, is signed in mold lower left, with a foundry mark (est. $5,000-$7,000).

An undated, large scale patinated cast bronze sculpture by Joe Neil Beeler (American, 1931-2006), is titled Apache Telegraph, of a Native American male with his horse, holding aloft a rifle on a rocky outcropping, 27 ½ inches tall, signed and numbered (28/30) (est. $4,000-$6,000).

A handwoven wool Navajo Klagetoh rug made by Eva Marie Begay (American/Navajo, active in the late 20th/early 21st century), 11 feet by 5 feet 9 inches and having three tan, grey, black and red diamonds framed by a stylized floral border, on a grey ground, should rise to $4,000-$6,000.

A hand-painted terra cotta discoid form vase (pot) with ‘Whirling Rainbow Goddess of Window Chant’ decoration, by Lucy Leuppe McKelvey (Navajo, b. 1950), 17 inches in diameter, depicted as swirled bands of geometric and figural motifs, signed and titled, should reach $1,000-$2,000.

A sterling and leather concho belt by Phillip Sekaquaptewa (American/ Hopi 1948-2003), titled Hopi Migration Story, having ten rectangular sterling conchos with rounded corners decorated with pictorial overlay depicting the Hopi migration story, all attached to a wide leather belt band, marked sterling and framed in a shadowbox, should hit $1,500-$3,000.

An acrylic on canvas colorblock painting by Dan Namingha (American/Hopi, b. 1950), titled Morning Light (2002), depicting a landscape at dawn, signed lower right and titled and dated en verso, unframed, 24 inches by 20 inches, has an estimate of $1,000-$2,000.

An American antique percussion Indian Trade Kentucky long rifle, circa 1800, having an octagonal 37 ¾ inch barrel, tiger maple half stock, double set triggers, brass furniture, coin silver accents or inlay, gilt retaining spring, brass tacks, wooden ramrod and check rest, apparently unmarked, overall 53 ½ inches long, is expected to ring up $800-$1,600.

Internet bidding will be available on Ahlers & Ogletree’s popular online bidding platform, bid.AandOAuctions.com, plus LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com.

Phone and absentee bids will also be taken. Live, in-person previews will be held Monday, February 20th, thru Thursday, February 23rd, from 10-5 Eastern time, in the Ahlers & Ogletree Atlanta gallery at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. No appointment is required. Virtual appointments are also available. To schedule a virtual appointment, please call 404-869-2478.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the Art of the American West & Native American Art & Objects auction on Friday, Feb. 24th, visit www.aandoauctions.com. Updates posted often. You can follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Facebook.

Oslo, Norway and Kansas City, MO, February 3, 2023 -- According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s World Happiness Report, Finland (#1), Denmark (#2) and Sweden (#9) and all rank higher than Norway (#10). With GreenEarth Cleaning solutions and processes now being utilized at Mrs. Hang’s Tailoring & Cleaners (Fru Hang’s Skredderi & Renseri) in Oslo, Norway, it’s conceivable Norway could move up in the rankings and be an even happier place.

Why? GreenEarth is the world’s largest brand of environmentally friendly dry cleaning, offering the industry’s only non-toxic cleaning alternative. Using the GreenEarth cleaning process and solutions eliminates that dry cleaning smell and is gentler on the fibers. That lengthens the life of the clothes and they look and feel better.

“That certainly will make customers happy as well as all Norwegians who care about reducing their carbon footprint,” said Tim Maxwell, president of GreenEarth Cleaning. “We commend Fru Hang’s Owner, Thomas Tran, for doing the research and being the first cleaner to bring GreenEarth to Norway.”

Tran learned of GreenEarth Cleaning while researching environmentally friendly laundry solutions for his business. Since there are no other cleaners or businesses in Norway currently using GreenEarth, he traveled to the U.S. to learn firsthand.

“I spoke with a number of cleaners who use GreenEarth as well as meeting with Tim and the team at GreenEarth and I liked what I heard in terms of how GreenEarth cleans clothes, no hazardous waste in the cleaning process and its energy efficiency. When I learned I could switch over to GreenEarth by updating my equipment rather than purchasing new equipment, it was a fairly easy decision,” said Tran.

GreenEarth Cleaning was formed almost 25 years ago by founders General Electric, Procter & Gamble and three dry cleaners, Jim Barry, Ron Benjamin, and Jim Douglas, who sought to improve the industry by providing a safe and non-toxic alternative to perc, the predominant solvent in use at the time. Since 1999, GreenEarth Cleaning has provided an environmentally non-toxic technology to thousands of dry cleaners around the globe who in turn have cleaned some 600 million pounds of clothes during that time.

“Our sustainable technology enables GreenEarth cleaners to use less energy and less chemicals, saving them money and being better for the environment. Since the pure fluid we use is silicon-based and not the chlorine-based chemicals traditionally used in dry cleaning, the cleaning process is proven to be environmentally non-toxic, allowing GreenEarth’s customers to reduce or even eliminate hazardous waste fees,” said Maxwell. “That’s why the technology has been widely embraced by not only dry cleaners, but by the real estate, financial, insurance, garment manufacturing, and retail sectors as well.

For information about Fru Hang, visit https://www.fruhang.no/. For more information on GreenEarth Cleaning, visit https://www.greenearthcleaning.com

About GreenEarth Cleaning:
"Doing business without doing harm" has been the mission statement of GreenEarth since its birth in 1999. Utilizing a proprietary product line of pure silicone and unique "cold" filtration media, the Kansas City, MO-based GreenEarth provides its proprietors the best possible fabric care while lowering energy costs by more than 50 percent. Since the pure fluid GreenEarth uses is silicon-based and not the chlorine-based chemicals traditionally used in dry cleaning, the cleaning process is proven to be environmentally non-toxic, allowing GreenEarth’s customers to reduce or even eliminate hazardous waste fees. Leading dry cleaners, property owners, fashion brands, and financial institutions recognize GreenEarth as the clear leader in meeting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives. For more information, visit https://www.greenearthcleaning.com

A Lalique (French) ‘Anemones Grand’ vase and pedestal sold for $24,200, an artist proof’s bronze sculpture on a brass base by Tolla Inbar (German/Israeli) brought $20,570, and an oil on canvas painting by Robert Jessup (American, b. 1952) realized $18,150 at a sale of items from Atlanta entertainment attorney Joel A. Katz held January 12th by Ahlers & Ogletree.

The 560-lot auction, conducted online and live in Ahlers & Ogletree’s Atlanta showroom, featured fine art, estate jewelry and watches, designer furniture, art glass, objets d'art, memorabilia, guitars and more. Mr. Katz is an icon in the entertainment field. He was named one of the music industry’s most powerful attorneys by Variety magazine in 2021.

The limited-edition Lalique ‘Anemones Grand’ ovoid form vase and pedestal, executed in midnight blue crystal with white enamel accents, was covered in high relief anemone blossoms and marked to the bottom “Lalique France” and numbered (03/188). The vase, which stood 19 inches tall, rested on a custom, circular lighted pedestal with a remote.

The artist’s proof bronze sculpture on a brass base by Tolla Inbar (b. 1958) was titled Sky is the Limit and depicted figures marching into the sky in a spiral formation. Impressive at 45 ½ inches tall by 19 inches wide, the sculpture, #8 of 8, rested on a square patinated brass base and was marked to the side of the single foot on the ground with “Tolla A.P.”

The oil on canvas by Robert Jessup, titled Rabbit Lecturing to a Hare, depicted a rabbit dressed as a human with a hare sitting on a tree stump alongside. Large at 64 inches by 60 ¼ inches (unframed), the painting was signed lower left. Jessup has created abstract works since 2011. He’s painted figuratively for most of his career, particularly large triptychs.

Following are additional highlights from the auction, which grossed a little more than $1 million. Internet bidding was offered on Ahlers & Ogletree’s bidding platform (bid.AandOAuctions.com) as well as LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids were also taken. Around 2,500 people registered to bid online. All prices include a 21 percent buyer’s premium.

An oil on canvas painting by James McLaughlin Way (Ga., 1968-2014), titled Lion with Collar, a profile portrait of a lion with an Elizabethan ruff, hit $12,100. The 51 ½ inch by 42 inch canvas (less frame) was signed lower left with an artist’s stamp, signature and a gallery label on verso.

A Gibson Brand, Inc. (American, founded 1902) one-of-a-kind Les Paul custom model LPSPSC electric guitar, featuring the classic Les Paul electric form with a Zamaitis style (or possible collaboration) steel sound board, made $7,865. The guitar came with original case, stand and a card addressed to Mr. Katz from Henry and Dave at Gibson. The 1-of-1 serial # was JK 001.

There were several of Mr. Katz’s gorgeous sculptural creations up for bid, including these four:

- A pair of monumental, modern polychrome painted bottle form sculptures with long stick necks, by Paul Tamanian (American, active 20th/21st century), 89 inches in height, apparently unsigned ($10,285).

- From Ardmore Studios in South Africa, a creation titled African Rider, (2017), depicting a Zulu warrior wearing traditional clothes, holding a monkey and seated on a stool atop a cream-colored elephant, 28 ½ inches tall and marked with artists’ names ($7,260).

- A metal and mixed media sculpture by David Kracov (Switzerland, b. 1968), titled My Heart is All Aflutter #4, three-tiered and heart-shaped with butterflies, 21 inches tall, signed lower right and signed, titled and numbered (12/55) on verso ($5,445).

- A large-scale tree sculpture from the Flora and Fauna collection of Jay Strongwater (American, 1995), titled Theobald Grand, 96 inches in height, having a brass body with enameled decorated leaves set with Swarovski crystals, marked to one leaf ($4,235).

An oil on canvas painting by Jean de Botton (French, 1898-1978), titled Les Quatre Cavaliers de L’Apocalypse (1971), an abstracted and horizontally oriented scene of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Book of Revelations, signed and dated lower left, framed, rose to $6,050.

A pinball machine from The Who’s Tommy on Broadway by Data East (1994), having a painted wooden case, backbox with dot matrix display and solid-state electronic components, finished at $4,538; while a handsome vintage Louis Vuitton ‘Alzer’ collection hard side suitcase, executed in monogram coated canvas with a leather handle and luggage tag and gold hardware, hit $3,932.

A Daum (France) pate de verre glass tulip form vase in an amber color, 13 inches tall, with a maker’s mark to the underside, garnered $3,025. Also, a signed and numbered Taschen hardcover volume titled David Hockney: A Bigger Book, 498 pages with 13 fold-outs, signed and numbered (1533) by Hockney, perched on a brightly colored adjustable stand, sold for $2,722.

Ahlers & Ogletree’s next major event will be a Western & Native American Art auction on Friday, February 24th. It will be held at Ahlers & Ogletree’s new auction space on the West Side of Atlanta, at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. Future auctions will feature the items people have come to expect from Ahlers & Ogletree: fine art and jewelry, stamps and decorative items.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery or to join their email list for information on upcoming sales, please visit www.aandoauctions.com. Updates are posted often

New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, January 31, 2023 -- A 1923 Willards Chocolates Babe Ruth baseball card was a hit for $23,600 and a cutaway model of a 1962 Vickers VC-10 BOAC (later British Air) jet plane soared to $18,880 in an online-only Advertising & Historic Objects auction held January 21st by Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. Both lots blasted through their $2,000-$3,000 estimates.

All prices quoted are in Canadian dollars.

The Babe Ruth card, graded PSA 3 VG (Very Good), is an exceptional example of an early issue Ruth card from a rare Canadian-issued set. It featured a sepia-toned image of the Bambino at bat, with a facsimile signature. It is considered the most sought after card in the series and came out of the estate of collector William Audley “Huck” Caesar. It was also the top lot of the auction.

The cutaway model of a 1962 Vickers VC-10 BOAC jet plane was one of only two known and was made by Walkers Westway in England. The model is highly sought after by collectors for her beautiful lines and interesting history. The plane achieved a record for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic by a subsonic jet airliner of 5 hours and 1 minute (later broken).

The 376-lot auction, officially titled Advertising & Historic Objects, was brimming with items in many collecting categories, to include advertising signs, banks, breweriana, bicycles, bottles, clocks, coin-ops, fruit jars, general store, historic objects, militaria, models, soda advertising and sports memorabilia – something for just about everybody.

“Collectors fought over key items,” said Ethan Miller of Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. “The variety of content made it an exciting auction to watch. There was no shortage of enthusiasm, with key pieces selling multiple times over the high estimate. Sixty-four percent of the top fifty lots exceeded estimate and one hundred percent of lots were sold.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction, one in which all lots were offered without reserve and everything was sold to the highest bidder. Overall it grossed $369,163, with online bidding provided by MillerandMillerAuctions.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Nearly 500 registered bidders placed a combined 8,546 bids. Prices include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

A monumental Coca-Cola single-sided porcelain sign (Canadian, 1939), measuring seven feet wide by 45 inches tall, marked lower left edge "St. Thomas Metal Signs Ltd. 1939" and lower right edge "Made in Canada", rose to $9,440; while a Coca-Cola Vendo 44 vending machine (Canadian, 1950s), painted steel with chrome trim an all-original, true ‘survivor example’, with coin mechanism and interior bottle racks, 58 inches tall, made $5,310.

Fruit jars are always a big hit with collectors. A Beaver (Canadian) quart jar in a dark honey amber color, 7 inches tall, with an excellent factory ground lip, fetched $8,260; a Beaver “left-facing” midget pint jar with exceptional embossing and cooling marks at the termination of the thread, changed hands for $5,015; a Beehive (Canadian) midget pint jar, amethyst in color, showing only minor flakes to the lip, made $4,425; and a Hamilton Glass Works No. 1 clamp jar, aqua, 6 ¾ inches tall, in superb condition, reached $5,900.

Four items dating to the 1890s from Traders Bank of Canada – a nickel-plated cast iron architectural bank (often given on loan to families to encourage savings), two pencils (one of them mechanical) and a framed banknote – brought $7,080. Also, a Dr. Lesure’s Veterinary Remedies cabinet with a single-sided tin front door panel that shows a horse’s head in an oval, made in Coshocton, Ohio in the early 20th century, finished at $4,425.

A Ward’s Lime Crush syrup dispenser (American, 1920s), porcelain with a silver-plated pump, 14 inches tall, reached $5,605. Among the Ward’s syrup dispensers, the “Lime” version is known by collectors to be the most difficult to find. Another similar Ward’s syrup dispenser, this one for Orange Crush, also from the 1920s and porcelain with a silver plated pump, didn’t fare as well ($4,425), possibly because the pump didn’t work.

A Peabodys Overalls single-sided porcelain sign (Canadian, 1910s), 15 inches by 48 inches, a rare variation featuring the script “Railroad King” plus other differences from the more common version, found a new home for $5,310; while A De Laval Cream Separators single-sided tin sign (American, 1910s) in a marked gilt plaster, professionally regilded frame measuring 40 ½ inches by 29 ¾ inches, sold to a happy bidder for $5,310.

Rounding out this short list of top lots is an English 1884 Rudge 54-inch high-wheel bicycle in untouched original condition, serial # “1260”, boasting a new Kirkpatrick-style saddle. It was expected to speed off for $4,000-$6,000 and in the end it settled at $4,425.

Next up for Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. is a Canadiana & Folk Art auction on Saturday, February 11th; a Petroliana & Advertising auction on Saturday, March 11th; a Canadiana & Decorative Arts auction on Saturday, March 25th; and the sale of the Jean-Marc and Danielle Belzile collection on Saturday, May 13th. All will be online-only.

To learn more about Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd. and their upcoming auctions, please visit www.millerandmillerauctions.com.