Roland Auction Insights: Modernism at the Sept. 17 sale

If I had to pick three great names in 20th Century design, I think they would be Frank Lloyd Wright, George Nakashima and Isamu Noguchi.  I was coming of age when they had already achieved a certain agelessness. Their names and work continue to endure.  We're lucky to have items by each in our September 17 auction.

Frank Lloyd Wright's last project was the Guggenheim Museum on Fifth Avenue. Who can forget Isamu Noguchi's sets for the Martha Graham modern dance company? And Nakashima's offspring continue in his tradition.

I won't say Roland's looks like a museum these days, but when you see the Frank Lloyd Wright bench - well, you might think about using it as coffee table.

Isamu Noguchi's tall, minimalist lamp with the rice paper shade (and his signature) would be at home in any Tribeca loft, or the Noguchi Museum in Queens, for that matter.

And Nakashima's nightstand. All I can think is that he must have spent a lot of time selecting the wood and more time making sure every detail was perfect.

Because I'm in and out of a lot of New York City apartments on Park Avenue and other chic parts of the City, I often wonder about the lives the owners led. When I see that they were cutting edge in their taste and had the money to buy name artist quality, I get excited.

We're doing a lot of promotion on the Frank Lloyd Wright piece and the Noguchi and Nakashima items. I'd like to see them go to young collectors who will have a lifetime to enjoy them.

The September 17 sale has other fine modern items in it, including chair by Robsjohnn Gibbing. There's a pair of Rizzatto tubular steel chairs and a Tommi Parzinger lamp, and more. You really need to see them online, at our LiveAuctioneers.com catalog.

Speaking about the '70s and the furniture that was popular then and is again, I can't help but mention the 1973 Alvin Ailey poster we're offering. It is signed by members of the company. (Amazing to think that in 1973, Ailey's signature work "Revelations" was already 13 years old. And today the company has its own building on 55th and 9th Ave, the Joan Weil Center for Dance, designed by Iu + Bibliowicz Architects.)

Sometimes, being an auctioneer is like being an historian. We're practicing contemporary archeology and preserving the best for future generations to live with and enjoy. Hope to see you on September 17, for one of our best auctions yet.