PRESS RELEASE
Eye-Catchers of bygone Days
Posters, Adverts, Comics, and 'Automobilia' at the Dorotheum Vienna
All those who love old posters, vintage advertisement art and comics will eagerly anticipate the Vienna Dorotheum's special auction, on the 18th of September 2001, which in addition also features a number of items of particular interest to avid collectors of 'automobilia'.
Among a number of other rare finds, the auction's poster section includes a placard celebrating the 1923 Oskar Kokoschka Exhibition at Zurich's Wolfsberg art salon, and showing a four-colour double portrait of the painter (valuation ATS 70.000). Original designs by Austrian artists of the 30s, 40s, and 50s like Krill, Günther Fleischmann, or Theodor Kindel will vie for your attention with a variety of posters from the areas of tourism, politics, commodities, art and culture; such as Karl Sterrer's signed poster for the "Beethoven Exhibition" held by the City of Vienna in 1920 (ATS 2.200), Adolph Friedländer's poster „Schichtl’s Marionettentheater“ (Schichtl's Puppet Theatre) (Germany ca. 1908/09, ATS 9.000), or A. H. Studd's „Drawings and Paintings“, likewise dating to the period around 1920 (Great Britain, ATS 3.000). Tourism posters include „Winterfreuden in Niederösterreich“ (Winter Fun in Lower Austria) by August (Gustl) Schmid (1950s, ATS 1.800) or Berann's „Tirol“ (ca. 1940, ATS 1.800), while „Lurchis Abenteuer“ (Lurchi's Adventures) by Salamander (ca. 1958, ATS 1.600) represents one of this auctions rare posters intended for shop-window display.
The choice selection of advertisement art encompasses both, striking enamel signs as well as a variety of other objects used for advertising purposes, e.g. a beautifully decorated, three-tiered glass and metal show-case made by Stollwerck Co. (Germany pre-1900, ATS 8.000). Bidding for a variety of coffee containers from around 1900, marked „Forstners Cafemischung“ or „Wiener Mischung“ (Forstner's Coffee Blend & Viennese Blend) is set to start at between ATS 3.000 and 4.500,-. A wide selection of advertising signs ranges from very rare and sought-after examples praising Swiss chocolate, „Suchard Velma“ (Switzerland, ca. 1910, ATS 65.000), to Spanish ads for „Singer“-sewing machines (1920s, ATS 3.800), German cigarette ads for the „Ulema“ brand (ca. 1920, ATS 30.000), and Swiss „Persil“ advertisements from the 30s (ATS 9.000). Truly 'original' in every sense, an "Enamel Portrait of Lenin" was created by the Hungarian Bonyhad Enamel-Works (ca. 1920, ATS 18.000).
Yet another category offering a wealth of rarities and collectors' items will be that of Comic-Art: among the work of other artists, this auction features original drawings and cells by the famous US animator Art Babbit (1907-1992). After he started to work for Disney in 1932, Art Babbit first came to the public's attention with his "Goofy" figure, later to be followed by such well-known characters as "Snow White's" Evil
Queen, Geppetto, the stork in "Dumbo", and the dancing mushrooms from "Fantasia". In 1941, Art Babbit left the Disney Studios, only returning to work there for a brief period in 1946/47, and turned towards the world of commercials, combining product adverts and animated cartoons, as in his Tom and Jerry cells advertising „Flandane“ puddings (from ATS 1.400). Original drawings by Babbit's own hand detail characters from „Alice in Wonderland“, like „The Frog Footman“, „The Knave“, „The Nasty Baby“, or „The Fish Footman“, to list just a few (from ATS 2.500). In addition, the auction also features original drawings from the popular children's magazine „Die Kinderpost“:„Fritz and Marmos“ by Ludwig Rubiczka, respectively drawings by Hans Birnbauer, the creator of much of this publication's cover-art. Yet another kid's magazine, the „Marabu“, is similarly represented by the drawings of various of its artists.
A unique item among the comic books, No.24 of the „Blauer Pfeil“ (Blue Arrow),tells a gripping tale of 'Red Indians' and was published in 1954/55 by Lehning Publishing. This rare and much sought-after comic is made even rarer by its excellent condition (0) and bidding will commence at ATS 60.000,-.
The special „Automobilia“ section of this auction will please collectors with a whole range of rare and hard-to-find items, with such diverse lots as a 'contameter' or a steering wheel, an original horn or some out-of-the-ordinary headlights, a hood-ornament or a rare car brochure.
Coming from the estate of one of the industries most renowned design engineers, Bela Barenyi (1907-1997), the auction offers files on various inventions – as well as on the attending patent litigation (ATS 1.500 each). Originally owned by a lady of rank, a 1930 bespoke leather-coat with fox-fur was meant to protect its owner during her outings in the open-top automobiles of the period (ATS 6.000). Valued at ATS 2.500,-, the motorcycle racing-suit was used during the 1928 race on the "Sachsenring" track. A range of rare car brochures advertise such makes as the 1912 „Mathis“ (ATS 2.800) or „Kriegers Motorwagen“ from the year 1903 (ATS 7.000). Finally, Charles Sykes‘ famous hood ornament for Rolls Royce, dating to the year 1928, served as the model for a 54cm high, metal figure (ATS 8.000).
Auction:Posters, Adverts, Comics, and 'Automobilia'
starting: 10 A.M.+ 2.30 P.M., 18. September 2001
Public Viewing:from 5. September 2001
Location:PALAIS DOROTHEUM
Wien 1, Dorotheergasse 17
Expert:Gerhard Krusche, Tel. (+ 43 1) 515 60-534
Press Office:Mag. Michaela Strebl, Tel. (+ 43 1) 515 60-229
DOROTHEUM GmbH
A-1010 Vienna, Dorotheergasse 17, Telefax (+ 431) 515 60-379