An Important Collection of a Texas Family Anchors Upcoming Heritage Fine Art Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Auction Galleries will hold their upcoming auction of Fine Art, Sculpture, Photography and Illustration Art on May 3 & 4, 2006, offering works by such important artists as Albert Bierstadt, Jasper Francis Cropsey, Thomas Moran, Emil Carlsen, Gil Elvgren, and many others.

This diverse auction is made up of an important single owner collection belonging to a prominent Texas family, as well as other fine private consignments. Stunning examples of early 19th century European and American paintings through strong 20th century modern art, as well as Illustration Art and 20th century Photography, many of which have been off the market for many years, will be offered.

In speaking about the auction, Dr. Edmund P. Pillsbury, Managing Director/Senior Expert of Fine and Decorative Arts, said, "The rich holdings of The Texas Family Collection are of interest for a multitude of reasons. They feature paintings that have been carefully and judiciously assembled for more than a decade. They embrace a range of artistic expression from landscape and still-life genre and portraiture. They include a selection of works of uncommon beauty and rarity by Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran and Jasper Cropsey, as well as Emil Carlsen and others. In a word, this collection celebrates the eternal joys of life. No painting is without a delicacy, without a degree of subtlety and sophistication, without a chord of harmony. This collection would be difficult to duplicate today. It represents the inspired genius of a collector who bought with his heart and possesses a keen and disciplined eye."

Highlights of the auction include:

Albert Bierstadt (American 1830-1902)
Matterhorn, oil on paper laid on board, 21" x 17.25"
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

Jasper Francis Cropsey (American 1823-1900)
By the Sea, Lulworth, 1857, oil on canvas, 10" x 18"
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

Thomas Moran (American 1837-1926)
Beside the Stream, 1917, oil on canvas, 8" x 10"
Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000

Emil Carlsen (American 1853-1932)
The French Fan, 1922
Estimate: $50,000 - $70,000

Through the Woods, Fall Village, CT
Estimate: $120,000 - $150,000

William Trost Richards (American 1833-1905)
Rough Sea, 1891, oil on masonite, 20.25" x 40"
Estimate: $50,000 - $80,000

William Gollings (American 1878-1932)
Firing From the Treeline, 1912, Oil on canvas, 24in. x 36 in. Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000

Oscar Edmund Berninghaus
Storm Clouds over Taos Mountain, 1947-48, Oil on masonite, 14in. x 20 in.
Estimate: $80,000 - $120,000

Jane Peterson (American 1876-1965)
Gloucester Harbor, Oil on canvas, 18.4in. x 24 in.
Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000

Gil Elvgren
Fresh Breeze, (Wayward Wind), 1950, oil on canvas
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000

Claws for Alarm (Rude Awakening; Caught in a Pinch), 1958, oil on canvas
Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000

Making Friends, 1951, oil on canvas
Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

Hugh Joseph Ward
Spicy Magazine Stories, February, 1940 original cover painting, oil on canvas
Estimate: $40,000-50,000.

Session One, which features 19th & 20th century Paintings, sculpture and Photography will be held on Wednesday, May 3, beginning at 4:00 PM CT, while Session II, devoted to Illustration Art, will be held on Thursday, May 4, beginning at 1:00 PM CT. All session will be held at Heritage's World Headquarters, located at 3500 Maple Avenue, Dallas Texas.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of fine and decorative arts are invited to visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Dr. Pillsbury at EPP@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.