PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Freeman’s Modern and Contemporary Art sale held on 29 October 2019, and The Collection of Robert J. Morrison sale held on 30 October 2019, were resounding successes. Sale totals combined reached over $2.8 million.

The auctions featured many lots that spanned multiple media across several collecting genres including paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and prints and multiples.

MODERN & CONTEMPORARY ART
Among the significant highlights from the Modern and Contemporary Art auction were several works from the distinguished collection of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Oldenburg. Distinguished collector and art world power broker, Richard Oldenburg’s interest in the arts helped him and his wife to build an impressive personal collection of international scope. The entire collection sold for $304,687, which more than doubled the presale low estimate total. Most notable was a pencil drawing by American artist Ellsworth Kelly entitled Lemon Branch [4] (Lot 68), which achieved an auction record for a pencil work by the artist and sold for $181,250 tripling its presale low estimate of $60,000.

More noteworthy works sold in the Modern and Contemporary Art sale included an important work on paper by American artist Helen Frankenthaler, Red Hot, (Lot 52) which garnered $137,500; and another work on paper by Chinese/French artist Zao Wou Ki from his Oracle Bones series, Untitled, (Lot 27) which brought an impressive $93,750.

Dunham Townend, Head of the Modern and Contemporary Art department states: “We were delighted to achieve strong results for important works on paper by blue chip artists and to set a record for a significant Ellsworth Kelly drawing from a notable collection.”

THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT J. MORRISON
The single owner auction enjoyed a standing room only crowd and a 100% sell through rate, nearly doubling its presale estimate totals and affirming Freeman’s strong expertise in selling collections of this kind. A celebrated advertising executive as well as a passionate collector and philanthropist, Morrison amassed hundreds of cherished graphic works, ranging from vintage postcards and gallery announcements to rare prints and multiples.

The sale featured a number of highlights, including two works by American Pop Art icon Roy Lichtenstein, Sweet Dreams Baby! (Lot 26), which sold for $143,750 on an estimate of $60,000-100,000; and Crying Girl, (Lot 6) which achieved $62,500 against a presale estimate of $30,000-50,000. Another noteworthy work by Pop Art legend Andy Warhol was his color screenprint Flowers, (Lot 65), which sold for an impressive $65,625 against its original estimate of $25,000-35,000. Other highlights included Robert Longo’s Rick (Lot 76), a screenprint which brought $35,000, over tripling its presale low estimate; and Rodeo by Ed Rucha (Lot 83), which achieved $21,250 against a presale estimate of $6,000-10,000.

“Freeman’s was honored to present for sale Pop prints, multiples, graphics and books from the estate of Philadelphia collector and philanthropist, Robert J. Morrison today. The packed saleroom and high prices were a testament to Bob’s keen eye and generous spirit as both local bidders and those from great distances vied for works from his important and eclectic collection.” --Anne Henry, Vice President, Head of Sale.