Auction scene coming back to life…
With the Covid-19 restrictions likely to remain in place for at least the next couple of months it’s good to see auctioneers not letting the situation get on top of them. I’m glad to report that I currently have no less than four auctions listed with a further two confirmed and due shortly.
Online auctions are not to everybody’s taste and I certainly preferred the old days when it was advisable to at least attend a viewing, and preferably the auction itself. However, those days are gone for good and there’s no going back no matter how much some of us would like. That is not to say that when the present crisis is over we won’t see a return to viewing and attending auctions but only a fool will ignore the increasing role of the internet. Online is the future and while that gives vendors a better chance of getting a good price for their items it makes it a lot harder for the buyer to pick up a bargain.
The quality of online catalogues has greatly improved especially on the main platforms such as Easy Live Auction.com and The Saleroom.com, and photographs/descriptions etc. have also come on a lot recently. The technology is easy for the buyer to use, still relatively cheap and the message out there to salerooms is adapt or die.
First up is Aidan Foley’s (Sixmilebridge) two-day sale on the 13th/14th April with Day.1. a must for music fans and features the record collection of Lyric FM’s Lorcan Murray and Day.2. has Art, Furniture, Antiques and Carpets.
Lot.87.”Thin Lizzy tour poster” – Est: €150/200.
Morgan O’Driscoll’s Irish & International Art Sale with 159 Lots (including many big names) is on the 14th April.
Lot.19. “Celtic Cross in a West of Ireland Landscape” oil on board by Paul Henry – Est: €150,000/250,000.
Matthews of Oldcastle, Co.Meath – also on the 14th April – features Jewellery, Gold, Silver, Watches, Oriental & Other Objects of Virtue. 390 Lots.
Finally, on the 22nd April, Purcell’s of Birr, are holding a sale of Irish Historical Interest Books, Maps, Journals, Periodicals, Pamphlets, Ephemera – almost 600 Lots.
Something for everyone – check the auctions page here: AUCTIONS
Edward Tomkus at O’Reilly’s March Auction
If you’re a fan of the distinctive work of Edward Tomkus you should check-out O’Reilly’s (Francis Street) catalogue for their sale on the 25th March. No less than six works by the artist are included (Lots.610 and 611) erroneously attributed to ‘Tom Kus’ – not the first time that I’ve seen his name mangled in this way.
Edward Tomkus (1936) of Scottish/Lithuanian descent has lived and worked in Ireland for many years and in my opinion, for what it’s worth, these are some of his best works to come on the market in recent times. The largest canvas (20″ x 30″) The Four Courts, Dublin, overlooking the River Liffey – pictured below – carries an estimate of €600/800.
What the second Lot of five paintings lack in size they make up for in subject matter – A Collection of five views of prominent Dublin city landmarks: ”The Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin”, oil on board, 8” x 10”, Cambridge label verso, together with ”The Mansion House, Dublin”, oil on board, ”Government Buildings, Dublin”, oil on board, ”Medieval City Walls at St. Audeons, Dublin”, oil on board, and ”The Bedford Tower at Dublin Castle”, oil on board. Est: €700/900.
Catalogue with live bidding here: 
Vintage & Classic Car Auction
Latest information: https://www.facebook.com/AuctionsFmc/
