Freeman’s | Hindman to hold sale of the Collection of Sidney Rothberg on February 27 and 28
Almost 300 works will be on view to the public in Philadelphia, with similar highlights exhibiting in
Paris, New York, and Chicago, culminating in two single-owner sales on February 27 and 28,
with a percentage of proceeds going to support free programs helping to improve the lives of
cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers.
CHICAGO PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Freeman’s | Hindman Chicago Gallery
1550 W Carroll Ave
Chicago, IL 60607
February 2nd to 8th
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM
Weekends, 11 AM to 4 PM
PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Freeman’s | Hindman Philadelphia Gallery
2400 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
February 16th to 26th
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM
Weekends, 12 PM to 4 PM
BOOK A VIEWING APPOINTMENT
Please email Raphael Chatroux at rchatroux@freemansauction.com to book a viewing appointment.
“A lifelong Philadelphian, Mr. Rothberg was known for his expert eye and impeccable taste,” said Head of Sale Alasdair Nichol. “He regularly attended Freeman’s auction, so it is not only fitting, but also emotional, to see all these gems presented in the city he liked so much.”
The full auction preview will open in Philadelphia from February 16th until the auctions take place on February 27th and 28th. The online sale catalogue will go live from February 2nd. A portion of the proceeds from your acquisition will be donated to support free programs helping to improve the lives of cancer patients, survivors, and their caregivers.
SALE INFORMATION
Auction Preview: February 16th – February 26th
Sale Dates: February 27th – February 28th
Freeman’s | Hindman, 2400 Market Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103
Click here for more information:
Part I: Upcoming auction: What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part I | February 27, 2024 (freemansauction.com)
Part II: Upcoming auction: What Do You See? The Collection of Sidney Rothberg, Part II | February 28, 2024 (freemansauction.com)
Lots to be published on February 2nd, 2024.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Join Us for Creating a Legacy: The Collection of Sidney Rothberg
- Creating Charitable Impact with Passion Assets
OUR SERVICES
Whether you are an individual, family, foundation, or non-profit organization, The Fine Art Group can help make your charitable vision a reality.
How do you create a collection with meaning?
A look into the Bar Cross Ranch collection did just that. Built to inform the construction of the Bar Cross Ranch in Wyoming in 1910, the collection celebrates the influential historical art of the West, important Native American artifacts, and ranch culture.
Join us for an insightful webinar as The Fine Art Group’s and Sotheby’s experts unravel the intricate art of curation, exploring the nuanced choices and deliberate steps involved in crafting a cohesive and meaningful art collection.
BAR CROSS RANCH COLLECTION SALE HIGHLIGHTS
Green River, Wyoming
ESTIMATE: $800,000-$1,200,000
A Book of Ledger Drawings, drawn at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1876
ESTIMATE: $200,000-$300,000
The Fine Art Group is pleased to announce Western Art and Design from Bar Cross Ranch, Wyoming, brought to sale through Sotheby’s and to go live on January 19th, 2023.
The Fine Art Group’s Agency department was integral to curating and acquiring this collection, designing a historical narrative in harmony with the collection’s past location on a ranch in Wyoming, an iconic location also known for being where Grateful Dead’s lyricist John Perry Barlow and founding member Bob Weir composed music for the band.
Anita Heriot, President, Americas, states, “There is nothing more rewarding as an advisor than to work with a collector hand in hand to build a collection with meaning. The Bar Cross Collection at its very core is a celebration of those Native Americans of the territory and those who depicted the West at a crucial period of transformation.”
Bidding begins on January 19th, 2024.
IMPORTANT SELECTIONS FROM THE BAR CROSS RANCH COLLECTION
Green River, Wyoming
ESTIMATE: $800,000-$1,200,000
A Book of Ledger Drawings, drawn at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, circa 1876
ESTIMATE: $200,000-$300,000
Wah-ro-née-sah, The Surrounder, Chief of the Tribe
ESTIMATE: $50,000-$70,000
Door from Old Lodge, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
ESTIMATE: $40,000-$60,000
THE WEST IN ART
The Bar Cross Ranch collection of fine and decorative art is centered on the art of the Plains, whether by white European artists drawn out West to capture the landscape or the image and culture of the Plains Indians or by the nomadic tribes that once lived in Wyoming, such as the Crow, Sioux, Arapaho and Blackfeet; or the material culture of the ranchers, settlers, the cowboys that developed into rough-hewn aesthetic of the lodge and dude ranch.
The collection includes work by George Catlin, Thomas Moran, Charles Marion Russell, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Rosa Bonheur. Of note is George Catlin’s monumental work, the North American Indian Portfolio. The Portfolio was the product of not only the artist’s years of work on the Plains but also of promotion and touring with his Indian Gallery to finance the project.
THE ART OF THE WEST
The Bar Cross Ranch Collection includes:
- Numerous ledger drawings.
- Beaded bags to store and transport goods.
- A bow and arrows.
- Painted hides produced by artists and craftspeople of North American tribes.
Form followed function, and design was often dictated by purpose. Paintings on hide, clothing, or tipis were not executed for art’s sake but recorded natural, political, and cultural history. While the materials and sometimes techniques adapted to changing resources, the densely layered purpose of the objects remained.
THE WESTERN AESTHETIC
A distinct domestic aesthetic emerged as settlers, homesteaders, holiday ranchers, and artists moved to the frontier. Furniture was inspired by the rustic ranch style made with materials at hand and contemporary decorative arts, such as Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts. These styles were adapted in silverware, jewelry, stained glass, and wood-carving to evoke Native American designs and the Western landscape. Forms were simple, with an emphasis on the materials and the hand of the craftsman.
The collection includes numerous examples of hand-crafted arts & crafts furniture and lamps by Roycroft and Stickley, Van Briggle pottery, and the luminous Rookwood Indian Portrait Vases based on photographs by Frank Rinehart and Alexander Gardner, amongst others. The largest single-maker grouping in the collection is that of Thomas Molesworth furniture and lighting. Molesworth, a Wyoming-based designer, is of particular interest as he was an interior designer who insisted on a holistic aesthetic throughout the home.
OUR ADVISORY SERVICES
Providing expert service and attention to detail at every step, our team of specialists guides clients through the buying process. We work solely on our client’s behalf, acting independently from galleries, auction houses, and dealers.
Whether working with a first-time buyer or an experienced collector, we support our clients across all aspects of the acquisition process.
See our Client Projects page or Advisory Case Studies to view our recent successes on our client’s behalf.
BRINGING AN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE PAINTING COLLECTION TO SALE
The Fine Art Group was pleased to assist in the sale strategy for the collection of Maryann and Al Friedman. The collection comprises works by influential 19th and 20th-century American Hudson River School artists. Highlights include a rare South American work by Frederick Edwin Church and paintings by Jasper Francis Cropsey, William Trost Richards, and Martin Johnson Heade.
The Fine Art Group takes pride in presenting this iconic collection, a profound homage to the enduring legacy of American landscape painting.
Bidding begins on January 11th, 2024.
SELECTIONS FROM THE SALE
Northern Marsh: Sunset
Lot 21
ESTIMATE: $100,000-$150,000
Andean Sketch
Lot 18
ESTIMATE: $200,000-$300,000
Lake Near Mount Chocorua
Lot 10
ESTIMATE: $50,000-$70,000
Sunset Glow, Roman Campagna
Lot 19
ESTIMATE: $25,000-$35,000
OUR SALES AGENCY SERVICES
The Fine Art Group’s dedicated Agency team can add significant value through seamless sales management, financial reporting, and marketing optimization.
We take care of every detail of the sale process, from initial valuation all the way through to post-sale reporting and analysis, ensuring that the client communication and involvement is tailored throughout.
See our Sales Agency Case Studies to learn more about our services.
As we bid farewell to a year filled with growth, challenges, and artistic triumphs, I reflect on the remarkable journey we’ve shared. The expansion of The Fine Art Group, particularly through our collaboration with industry stalwarts Tad Smith, former CEO of Sotheby’s, and Domenico de Sole, former Chairman of Sotheby’s and Chairman of Tom Ford, has been a defining moment in our growth.
2023 has been a testament to our commitment to excellence. Despite the uncertainties that surrounded us, we embraced change and emerged stronger than ever. Our team’s dedication and hard work have been the driving force behind our success, and I extend my deepest gratitude to each and every member of The Fine Art Group family.
Our joint venture with Patti Wong and the launch of Patti Wong & Associates have proven to be an unequivocal success. Our collective expertise has not only strengthened our market presence but has also strengthened our position within the art and fine jewelry worlds.
Looking ahead, the prospects for The Fine Art Group are brighter than ever. The momentum we’ve gained this year provides a solid foundation for our future growth and expansion. Thank you for your unwavering support, dedication, and passion.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year,
2023 Highlights
- Philip Hoffman, Daryl Wickstrom, and Allan Schwartzman Included in the Observer’s 2023 The Business of Art Power List
- The Fine Art Group Facilitates the purchase of rare Columbus Letter for Client
- Tad Smith Joins The Fine Art Group
- Client White Glove Jewelry sale at Sotheby’s
- Philip Hoffman and Freya Stewart recognized by Spear’s Magazine as top recommended
professionals in their fields, Art Advisory and Art Finance - Patti Wong, Founder of Patti Wong & Associates, Successfully Acquires Gustav Klimt’s Dame mit Fächer (Lady With a Fan) on behalf of an anonymous Hong Kong client for a record-breaking $108.4 million
- The Fine Art Group Expands Reach to Australia and New Zealand
- The Fine Art Group Acted on behalf of the Client who Consigned ‘The Transactions of the Royal Humane Society’ to Auction, Achieving a Staggering Total of $441,000, Surpassing the Pre-sale Estimate of $12,000 to $18,000
- Assisted in the Sale of TinTin Artworks by Hergé at Artcurial, Breaking the Artist’s Sales Record with a Total of £1.9 million
- The Financial Times Recognizes Philip Hoffman and The Fine Art Group in Top List of Art Advisors
- The Fine Art Group Expands into Asia with Investment in the New Advisory Firm Patti Wong & Associates
As 2023 wraps up, Chairman of The Fine Art Group, Australia & New Zealand, Roger McIlroy, spoke with the Australian Financial Review on the art market performance in 2023.
GOOD YEAR FOR AUSSIE AUCTION HOUSES
When discussing what has factored into the success of the Australian art market over the last year, McIlroy shared this: “I think the market will still concentrate quite heavily on the unique and the top end, the really top things, because there’s plenty of people around who want to buy the top things and in any cycle those things do very well.”
Click here to read the full article in the Australian Financial Review.
Full Article.
Following the marquee sales of 20th/21st century art in New York, Philip Hoffman spoke to The New York Times regarding the state of the current art market.
AN INTERESTING AUCTION SEASON
With 14 live sales across the major houses—Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips—the November season saw many challenges. “While in art market terms it was a success, in business terms it was an expensive investment,” said Philip Hoffman.
Click here to read the full article in the New York Times.
Full Article.
ART AS AN ASSET CLASS LEADERS
Observer’s 2023 The Business of Art Power List: Art as an Asset Class has listed Philip Hoffman, alongside Allan Schwartzman, as a leading authority on transforming art as an asset class. Patti Wong & Associate’s Daryl Wickstrom was also named by the Observer as one of the Most Influential People in the Art World Today.
BUILDING THE FINE ART GROUP
Hoffman has a history of making smart decisions for himself and for the collectors and investors he serves. At 27, Hoffman became the youngest C-level executive Christie’s had ever appointed and stayed with the auction giant for the next 12 years, becoming its deputy CEO of Europe before leaving it all behind to launch his own firm. His clients include high-net-worth families—30+ billionaires, as he has described them—plus private equity firms, hedge fund managers and real estate developers around the globe. “Smart people would build an art collection with an advisor who understands how to make money, and they can buy art that they love and make a lot of money at the same time,” Hoffman told Observer in 2019. Fast forward to today, and he’s still 100 percent focused on building The Fine Art Group into the number one partner for those looking to transact at the highest levels of the global art and collectibles markets. “Assembling the most experienced and talented team in the industry worldwide is a key priority,” he tells Observer. “We look forward to expanding our network and bringing a number of new, very experienced colleagues on board.”
Click here to read the full article in Observer.
Click here for the full article.
The Fine Art Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis on behalf of a private client from Christie’s sale of Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts including Americana on October 19, 2023 for $3.9m.
The document is the earliest obtainable edition of the letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain sent by Christopher Columbus from on board the Nina and provides the first descriptions of the Americas by a modern European explorer in 1493. Originally written in Spanish, the letter was translated into Latin by Leander di Cosco and its printing is attributed to Stephen Plannck, a publisher associated with the Papal chancery in Rome.
Christopher Columbus
1493
Christie’s
October 19th, 2023
Lot 308
ESTIMATE: $1,000,000 – $1,500,000
PURCHASE PRICE: $3,922,000
Following its translation into Latin, this document spread the news of Columbus’ transatlantic voyage and sparked one of the first ever media frenzies in Europe. Its publication forever altered peoples’ perception of their world and changed the course of world history forever. Copies of the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis are extremely rare, with few known copies existing outside of institutional libraries. Before coming to auction, the present example resided in the collection of a private Swiss library for nearly a century.
Kerry-Lee Jeffrey, Senior Director, The Fine Art Group, said ‘‘We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of this important document on behalf of our client. This outstanding acquisition will be the cornerstone of a collection that explores the sweeping narrative of the United States of America through important documents.’’
Explore the Epistola de insulis nuper inventis here.
Related Content:
- Watch: How To Maximize Value When Selling Collections Webinar
- Philanthropic Strategy at Work: The Jack Davis Collection
- 10 Art Exhibits Collectors Should Visit Before 2024
Our Services
Offering expert Advisory across sectors, our dedicated Advisory and Sales Agency teams combine strategic insight with transparent advice to guide our clients seamlessly through the market. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss our strategies and services in depth.
We are delighted to welcome Tad Smith, former CEO of Sotheby’s, to The Fine Art Group as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Tad brings outstanding expertise and insight on a global scale, joining our growing network of the best talent in the field, which already includes Patti Wong and Allan Schwartzman.
His knowledge of the art industry, coupled with his considerable management experience, will be a tremendous benefit to our team as we continue to position The Fine Art Group as the best global partner for clients looking to transact at the highest levels of the market.