NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s will present the American Folk Art Collection of Stephen & Petra Levin in a dedicated sale on 23 January 2016, during Americana Week in New York. The remarkable private collection demonstrates the Levins’ passion for Americana – particularly for three-dimensional objects that capture the essence of the art, culture and history of America in the 19th and early-20th centuries. The sale is led by Four Carved and Painted Wood Figures, The Buckeye Family, Tennessee circa 1925, an icon of American folk sculpture (Est. $800.000/1.2 million). The January auction will offer nearly 100 pieces, with estimates ranging from $4,000 to over $1 million, and will be on view to the public beginning 13 January in New York.

Sotheby’s Nancy Druckman said: “It is truly an honor to offer this fantastic collection of Folk Art at auction. Stephen and Petra’s energy and love of Americana is evident throughout the group, which celebrates the vitality, creativity and artistry of the United States. The level of quality, the strong sensitivity and sensibility to what makes great art great, and the way in which the art captures the circumstances of its time are apparent throughout their collections. This collection of Americana attests to the visual acuity of the collectors themselves, which also extends to their extensive collection of Contemporary Art. Indeed, much of the sculpture in the collection can be viewed as a precursor to American Contemporary Art.”

Below are examples in the auction that represent the many distinct, thematic categories found in the collection:

AMERICAN FOLK ART AS INSPIRATION FOR AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY ART
• Rocco Pavese, circa 1910 Full length Portrait Figure of M. Pavese Carved and painted pine Height 31 inches Est. $120/180,000

• Joe C. Lee, circa 1925 The Buckeye Family of Overton, Tennessee Carved and painted wood Heights 48 to 56 inches Est. $800,000-1,200,000

• Man with a Bowler Hat, Circa 1890 Carved and painted wood Height 20 inches Est. $40/60,000

THE ART OF SPORT
• Charles Parker Dowler, circa 1880 A Race Track Tout Trade Figure of Providence Rhode Island Carved and painted pine Height 72 inches Est. $200/300,000

THE ART, HONOR & PRIDE OF FIREFIGHTING IN AMERICA
• Rare Painted and Gilded Pressed Felt Ceremonial Parade Fire Hat: The Phoenix Hose Co. Philadelphia, circa 1850 Est. $8,000-12,000

COMMERCE IN AMERICA
• John Dyckman’s Boots & Shoes Walking Elephant Trade Sign Carved and painted pine Height 49 inches Length 73 inches From Peekskill, New York Est. $120/180,000

IMPORTANT WEATHERVANES
• Lady Golfer Weathervane, circa 1895 Molded and repousse copper and zinc Height 31 inches $400,000-600,000

PATRIOTISM & HEROES IN AMERICAN FOLK SCULPTURE
• Frank Pierson Richards, circa 1887 Standing Figure of Abraham Lincoln Carved and painted pine Height 32 ¼ inches $100,000-200,000

TRAVELING AMERICA’S THOROUGHFARES
• An Oak Builder’s Model of the 4-0-0 Locomotive ‘Alpha’ American, circa 1860-1880 Height 24 1/2 inches; length 95 ¾ inches; depth 15 3/8 inches Est. $30/50,000

WHIMSY, FANTASY, & PLAY
• Standing Baseball Player Trade Figure, Late 19th century Carved and painted pine Height 50 inches Est. $400/600,000