New York – Christie's saw the sale of one of the most famous collections of American books, the Collection of Arthur & Charlotte Vershbow, which closed for $15.842.125. The overall collection will go on sale in 2013 divided into four parts. The opening night on 9 April has already highlighted works from Schongauer to Chagall and that on 10 April works from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance with truly extraordinary results. It should be remembered that the collection has been defined as something unprecedented, infinitely rich and unique for illuminated manuscripts, books and prints.
Who were Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow. Arthur Vershbow (Massachusetts 1922-2012) graduated in mechanical engineering from MIT, worked during and after the Second World War on radar technology. He married Charlotte (1924-2000) in 1947 and together they became avid collectors. For their great passion for manuscripts, Arthur obtained the presidency of the Boston Athenaeum in 1982, a position he held for over a decade. He also served on the Board of the Museum of Fine Arts until his death.
The work FIRST of these first few days was: Goya Y Lucientes, Francisco (1746-1828). [La Tauromaquia] Treinta y tres Estampas, que representan diferentes suertes y attitudes del arte de lidiar los Toros. Madrid: [probably Rafael Esteve for the artist, 1816]. The Tauromaquia is the rarest of Goya's four main series. Manuscript-collection of 33 plates (278 x 398mm), in good condition. Exhibited at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the changing image – Prints by Francesco Goya no. 162 and pp.197-209. See also Eleanor Sayre, “Goya titles at Tauromaquia”, in: Festschrift für Hanns Swarzenski (Gebr. Mann Verlag 1973). Delteil 224-256; Harris I, pp 173-174 and II, pp 306-310 and nos. 204-236. The submission with an estimate of USD 400-600,000 was awarded for $1.
The second, also by Goya: LOS CAPRICHOS. MADRID: POSSIBLY PRINTED BY RAFAEL ESTEVE FOR THE ARTIST, 1799. Estimate: USD 150-200,000 Auction to USD 843,750.
The third: PACIOLI, LUCA DI BORGO SANSEPULCRO OM (C. 1445-1517). DIVINE PROPORTION. AND. ANTONIO CAPELLA. -DE L'ARCHITECTURA. – [PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA (1410-92).] LIBELLUS QUINQUE CORPORUM REGULARIUM. ITALIAN TRANSLATION BY LUCA PACIOLI. VENICE: PAGANINO AND ALESSANDRO DEI PAGANINI, 1ST JUNE 1509. Estimate: US$200-300,000 Auction to US$543,750.
The fourth: DIX, Otto (1891-1969) – Der Krieg (Karsch 70-119), a complete set of 50 works in 5 volumes (521 x 381 mm). Estimate $250-350,000 sold to $459,750.
The fifth: PIRANESI, GIOVANNI BATTISTA (1720-78). CAPRIC INVENTIONS OF PRISONS. ROME: GIOVANNI BOUCHARD, [C. 1758-60 (ROBISON'S 1STAND. 3RD ISSUE)]. Estimate $180-250,000 sold to $459,750.
14 boards (760 x 525mm)
1. R29 Title-page – second state, with ink dabbing to both beam and arch
2. R30 The Round Tower – first state, with ink dabbing
3. R31 The Grand Piazza – first state, with ink dabbing
4. R32 Smoking Fire – first state, with ink dabbing
5. R33 The Drawbridge – first state, with ink dabbing
6. R34 Staircase with Trophies – first state, with ink dabbing
7. R35 The Giant Wheel – third state
8. R36 Prisoners on a Projecting Platform – first state, with ink dabbing
9. R37 Arch with a Shell Ornament – second state
10. R38 The Sawhorse – second state, with ink dabbing
11. R39 The Well – first state, with ink dabbing
12. R40 The Gothic Arch – second state
13. R41 Pier with a Lamp – first state, no dabbing
14. R42 Pier with Chains – first state, with ink dabbing
