Flash News: Rockefeller Collection – Comic Book sale in Paris

[30/06/2017]

Rockefeller Collection, ‘the sale of the century’

Christie’s will be the clear winner in what is already being called the sale of the century. In the spring of 2018, the auction house is selling one of the world’s most prestigious art collections, that of David Rockefeller, grandson of industrialist John D. Rockefeller, who died on March 20th. Behind the famous Rockefeller name is one of the most powerful industrial dynasties, but also great art collectors and committed philanthropists, contributing notably to the Council on Foreign Relations, Harvard University and MoMA (founded by David Rockefeller’s mother). Christie’s has a little less than a year to prepare for the sale of this “legendary collection” according to Guillaume Cerutti, CEO of the prestigious auction company. Some of the 200 lots are still veiled in secrecy but the collection, which includes several Impressionist, Post-impressionist and Modern masterpieces, could generate over $500 million. It is likely to surpass the historic sale of the Saint Laurent & Pierre Bergé collection auctioned by Christie’s in 2009 (which reached €373.5 million). In keeping with David Rockefeller’s commitment, the proceeds will be donated to a dozen associations and organisations serving cultural, educational, medical and environmental causes, as announced in Christie’s press release.

The Latest Comic Book sale in Paris

By generating €2.1 million, the fifth Comic Book & Illustration sale organised in Paris on 17 June 2017 by Christie’s in association with the Daniel Maghen Gallery, may seem disappointing in view of the much stronger results obtained in the past by similar thematic sales. The inaugural sale in 2014 reached almost €4 million and the result of 2015, including a second thematic sale and a sale dedicated to Tintin, reached a total of €5,897,700. Nevertheless, enthusiasts were indeed present and keen to raise their paddles during the auction on June 17th, as it recorded an exceptional sales rate of 84%. 28 works from the personal collection of Grzegroz Rosinski (famous for the Thorgal albums) were sold for a total amount of €614,900. Albert UDERZO attained the best result of this sale with an original page from the Astérix et le chaudron album (1969) estimated between €150,000 and €180,000 and finally selling for €242,500 (more than $270,000). In second place, Le Mystère de la Grande Pyramide, considered as one of Edgar P. JACOBS’ masterpieces, sold for €134,500 ($150,150), ahead of an ink and gouache on paper by William Vance described as “iconic” by Christie’s, which sold at the record price of €104,500 (more than $116,600). Another record was reached by Patrice PELLERIN, known for the maritime adventures of L’Épervier, published since 1994 by Dupuis. Estimated between €8,000 and €10,000, his drawing L’Epervier, Corsaire du Roy T. 8, couverture reached €16,250, more than $18,000.