Auctions | June 12, 2012

The Jerry Weist Collection of Sci-Fi and Fantasy Art at Heritage

BEVERLY HILLS - The Jerry Weist Collection of Science-Fiction and Fantasy art anchors Heritage Auctions June 27-28 Illustration Art Signature® Auction with iconic art from greats of the genre such as Frank R. Paul, J. Allen St. John, Michael Whelan, Alex Schomburg, Wally Wood, and many others.
 
“This is our second special auction from the estate of the pioneering collector, publisher, historian and scholar Jerry Weist,” said Todd Hignite, Vice President of Heritage Auctions, “who many of us had the pleasure to also name as a good friend.”
 
This is one of the most important collections of artwork from the genre to ever be offered and the impeccable selection represents the last substantial group from the estate. Highlights include Frank R. Paul’s masterful Wonder Stories pulp cover, August 1930 (estimate: $10,000+) and Michael Whelan’s amazing Descent, The Martian Chronicles cover, 1990 (estimate: $10,000+), from the ground-breaking work of fiction by the recently passed Ray Bradbury.
 
“Among many other accomplishments, Jerry wrote a superb biography of Ray Bradbury, Bradbury: An Illustrated Life, and was an avid Bradbury collector as well,” said Hignite. “This auction includes several lots—including the art to some of the greatest EC Comics adaptations ever done—related to that great genius of science fiction, who passed away this week at age 91.”
 
Pin-Up and Pulp Art continue to be incredibly hot areas of Illustration Art collecting and this auction promises a wide selection of rare and stunning pieces, many of which come from the continued boon of The Estate of Charles Martignette, led by Gil Elvgren’s charming and vibrant Skirting the Issue (Breezing Up), estimated at $30,000+ and Up in the Air (Whooooooosh!), 1965, also with a $30,000+ estimate—the group of Elvgrens in this sale are among the nicest Heritage has ever offered.
 
Other stand-outs include masterworks from all periods of Alberto Vargas’ illustrious career, including Glamour Pin-Up, circa 1940s, one of the great master’s best works, estimated at $50,000+, a terrific and exceedingly rare Saturday Evening Post cover by the incomparable Charles Gates Sheldon, Lady with Puppet, The Saturday Evening Post cover, October 31, 1925, as well as an incredible grouping by contemporary great Olivia, who rivals any of the mid-century masters of the female form.
 
A richly varied selection of magazine cover, story, and advertising art from the Golden Age of American Illustration is also included, including Study for The Saturday Evening Post cover, March 10, 1934, by J.C. Leyendecker, estimated at $15,000+.
 
Many more of the undisputed greats are represented, including Norman Rockwell, Maxfield Parrish, James Montgomery Flagg, and Frank Earle Schoonover, just to name a few, along with a beautiful selection of children’s book art, including charming Where the Wild Things Are sketches by the late Maurice Sendak.
 
Heritage Auctions is far and away the largest auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $800 million, and 700,000+ online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com
 
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