Date: Fri 04-Dec-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Gamble

Full Text:

West Coast Takes A Gamble

(with 6 cuts)

PLAINVILLE, CONN. -- A beautiful oil on canvas landscape by artist John M.

Gamble, entitled "Wild Everlasting," sold at Winter Associates in Plainville

on November 2. Gamble (1863-1957), who as a young artist studied in San

Francisco and Paris, became a lifelong resident of Santa Barbara, Calif. He

did no commercial artwork and earned his living entirely from the sale of his

paintings, often using colorful wildflowers against a green and purple terrain

of the California hills as his subject.

The landscape offered during the sale was just such an example. A field of

golden brush and flowers surrounded by tall green trees blending into a lovely

backdrop of purple hills, blue sky and puffy clouds. The work was further

enhanced by the presence of its original gilt frame. The title, "Wild

Everlasting," artist's name, and the location of Santa Barbara, Calif., were

inscribed verso.

Upon the advance notice announcing the sale of the painting, phone lines began

ringing. Information and photo requests from across the US and especially from

the West Coast area began inundating the auction gallery. When auctioneer

Linda Stamm introduced the painting at lot 100 (est $7,5/15,000), the stage

was set for a fierce competition.

The bidding had a jump start from the numerous absentee bids and opened at

$23,000. West Coast phone bidders were ready for the challenge and continued

to advance the price. Silence fell over the audience as the mountainous

landscape peaked at a finish of $27,500 from a persistent California bidder.

Other artwork added to the success of the sale. A large continental oil on

canvas depicting three urchins and a dog commanded $1,540. A primitive

American School oil on canvas portrait of a young girl hit $2,860 despite some

damage.

Formal English antique furniture brought good results. A Georgian mahogany

double pedestal dining room table reached $4,620, and a Nineteenth Century

mahogany/mahogany veneer breakfront cabinet fetched $1,980. A pine lift top

blanket chest sold for $990.

A radiant cut 2.33 carat diamond set in platinum (est $5/10,000), realized a

dazzling $10,175 in spite of a chip on one side.

Winter Associates will sell a large collection of fine jewelry on December 7

at 6:30 pm. Highlighting the selection will be a diamond bracelet

(approximately 3.5 carats), a pair of diamond earrings and loose diamonds. A

variety of pieces set with precious and semi-precious gems, along with several

lovely stickpins, will also be offered.

Prices quoted include the ten percent buyer's premium. For information, or to

be placed on the mailing list, 860/793-0288.