Latest News Articles by Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Hitchcock sketch presented at auction
06 October 2025Long before it became the signature for the 1955-62 television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents, the director had perfected his self-portrait: an economic sketch of his profile rendered in just a couple of lines. Hitchcock would regularly draw and sign them for fans.
Aronson sets the scene for a surprise dramatic bids battle
06 October 2025American actor, singer, dancer, director, and photographer Joel Grey (b.1932) is perhaps best known for his portrayal of the master of ceremonies in both the Broadway and film versions of the musical Cabaret.
Naval action engraving sold ‘with the wind at our backs’
06 October 2025A hand-coloured engraving of an Anglo- American naval battle in 1779 hammered for $5200 against a $1000-1500 guide at Swann Auction Galleries (25% buyer’s premium) in New York City.
Former owner reunited with his prized panels
06 October 2025Bidder was determined to secure items from their old house
Liotard history painting is a real rarity
06 October 2025Jean-Étienne Liotard (1702-89) made his name creating rococo pastel portraits of the European elite. However, in his formative years as a painter he had harboured loftier artistic ambitions as a history painter.
Just the thing for a day tripper
08 September 2025Among the many ‘cheap and cheerful’ souvenirs made for fans of the Beatles in the 1960s were lunch boxes and flasks.
Hang on, that fountain looks familiar
08 September 2025An old Instagram posting from a dealer in Virginia helped Joe Holahan confirm the backstory of a French fin de siècle bronze and marble fountain consigned at the eleventh hour to a garden statuary sale at Kamelot (25% buyer’s premium) in Philadelphia.
Calendar sets Fabergé clock apart
08 September 2025Only one other version of triangular-shaped timepiece sold in Florida has been found, says saleroom
Barye bronze bounces back to US museum
08 September 2025An 1843 cast of Antoine-Louise Barye’s (1795-1875) celebrated bronze Theseus Battling the Minotaur has returned to the museum that displayed the work for the last 18 years.
Tiffany Japonesque test: four mixed metal lots on offer
08 September 2025The market for Tiffany’s Japonesque style demonstrated its strength at Heritage Auctions (25% buyer’s premium).
Details elevate Linke commode to a different level
01 September 2025A c.1905 Louis XV-style commode à vantaux by François Linke earned top lot status at Andrew Jones Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in Los Angeles.
Portrait of 'the most important Jewish painter in England' brings bidders to Schultz
01 September 2025An 1858 portrait by Solomon Alexander Hart (1806-81), arguably the most important Jewish painter in England in the 19th century, more than doubled its high estimate in a sale in Clarence, New York.
Arts & Crafts sunflower andirons in hot demand
01 September 2025A pair of wrought iron Arts & Crafts sunflower andirons were offered at Copake Auctions (20% buyer’s premium) in Copake, New York with an appealing guide of $150-250.
Paintings give a glimpse of early Macao shoreline
01 September 2025A pair of mid 19th century Chinese export paintings of Macao hammered for Can$65,000 (£35,065) at AH Wilkens (22% buyer’s premium) in Toronto, Canada.
Furniture showcases Rohlfs’ talent once again
01 September 2025Three Arts & Crafts oak furnishings that Charles Rohlfs (1853-1936) created for the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, turned in strong performances at Toomey & Co (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois.
Backstory boosts simple silver snuffbox at US auction
01 September 2025Piece produced by jobbing London silversmith Simmons was owned by one of Washington’s favourites
George III mirrors still together after more than 200 years
01 September 2025A pair of c.1780 George III giltwood mirrors, each measuring 4ft 7in x 2ft 6in (1.39m x 76cm), hammered for $32,500 (£24,035) against a guide of $15,000-20,000 at Roland NY (25% buyer’s premium).
Hooke's Micrographica looked at in detail by US bidders
01 September 2025Second printing of Robert Hooke’s most famous work offered from Ohio collection boasts an impressive provenance
Rietveld pieces boast provenance back to very beginning
25 August 2025Two early furnishings by the Dutch designer and architect Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964) beat their guides at Wright (27% buyer’s premium) in Chicago, Illinois. Both came with primary provenances.
First print to show game of ‘goff’ emerges in New York auction
25 August 2025A cherished piece of golf history came for sale at Carlsen Gallery (20% buyer’s premium) in Freehold, New York, and commanded a significant sum.