Featured collections from the Estates of American Sculptor Marshall Maynard
Fredericks and Prominent Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan families
DETROIT – DuMouchelles’ August 21st and 22nd auctions posted strong results and highlighted
yet another uptick in the number of online bidders from around the globe. Without knowing a
pandemic would dramatically impact the art market, over a year ago, DuMouchelles had
already begun to revamp its marketing programs and implemented a multi-pronged strategy
with a heightened focus on online local, national and global bidders. During the past twelve
months, DuMouchelles online bidder community has grown by more than 120%. With COVID19 precautions restricting in-person bidding, this strategy prepared the auction house and
significantly contributed to the success of both the Spring and Summer auctions.
The August auctions marked the first time since March where bidders were able to preview
items in person, while adhering to the State of Michigan COVID-19 directives. Bidders out-ofstate and abroad, as well as those not comfortable viewing in person, took advantage of
DuMouchelles’ comprehensive online catalogue descriptions, high resolution photographs and
condition reports. Virtual previews were also available by appointment. Because the live
auction did not host an audience in the salesroom, like other COVID-19 era sales, computer
terminals supporting several online platforms and telephones made up a virtual crowd of more
than 3,000 bidders competing for items from prominent Grosse Pointe and Bloomfield Hills,
Michigan estates, the family of the prominent sculptor, Marshall Maynard Fredericks (American
1908 – 1998), in addition to numerous local consignors.
“We were significantly restricted in our ability to procure artwork over the last several months
and are grateful that several prominent estates and collectors gave us the opportunity to offer
a wide variety of fresh-to-market quality items. Our success during these times has been a
direct result of their support, as well as to our amazing staff who have worked tirelessly over
these many months. Our 15,000 square feet of space in our building has enabled us to operate,
with appropriate social distancing and precautions.” said Joan D. Walker, President of
DuMouchelle Art Galleries.
Notable results included a Marshall Fredericks bronze sculpture titled “Clown Musicians”,
depicting two clowns performing that sold for $34,100 to a local collector bidding via
telephone. Another Fredericks bronze sculpture titled “Anniversary Baboons” sold to a
telephone bidder for $24,800 – a record price for the subject.
Spirited bidding came when a Michigan collection of Albrecht Durer (German,1471-1528),
engravings, etchings, and prints crossed the block. Durer’s engraving on laid paper
“Hercules at the Crossroads” garnered a strong result of $16,510 to an online bidder.
Another noteworthy print came at the end of the sale when a Currier & Ives Color
lithograph of the “City of Chicago” c. 1892, sold for $3,500 – bettering its presale
estimate by eight times.
Typical of DuMouchelles auctions, there was a wide variety of fine and decorative arts that
hammered down at strong prices to bidders from around the country. A Peter Max (German, b.
1937) mixed media of a colorful “Umbrella Man” brought $4,650, over four times its estimate,
to a Florida collector. With silver prices on the rise, a wide array of finely crafted silver sold at or
above their high estimates, including a 149-piece set of Gorham ‘King George’ sterling flatware
purchased by a Californian for $4,760. A rare acrylic sculpture by Frederick Hart, (American
1843 – 1899), “Heroic Spirit” fetched $15,240 from a buyer in Pennsylvania.
Unsigned and unattributed paintings provided some of the most contested action: An
unattributed Hudson River School oil on panel (6’ x 11”) titled “The Grave of Rodman
Drake.” Depicting a vast landscape with cattle and the gravesite of poet Joseph Rodman
Drake, brought $2,800 against a $400 high estimate. Another unattributed painting (29”
x 24”) depicting the portrait young Charles I of England, Ireland and Scotland with blue
sash medal soared past its high estimate of $600 in a fierce internet bidding war across
three online platforms to settle at $3,800.
Interest in Victorian era items saw a brief resurgence when a Clarke’s Patent mirror backed
sconce with six Burmese glass fairy lamps, in original condition, brought $1,900 against a high
estimate of $1,500.
The catalogue for DuMouchelles next auction, scheduled for Thursday September 24th and
Friday September 25th auctions will be available soon at DuMoArt.com, Live.DuMoArt.com,
Invaluable.com and LiveAuctioneers.com.
For more information, please visit www.DuMoArt.com or call us at 313.963.6255 Tuesday
through Saturday 9:30am – 5:30pm.
Interested in consigning your valuables with DuMouchelles? Call us at 313.963.6255 or
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