After 12 successful years at its previous location, Clarke Auction began a new era at its just-opened gallery on Boston Post Road in the Village of Larchmont, Westchester County, New York. Founder and Owner Ronan Clarke celebrated the milestone with an opening reception attended by over 700 guests, followed by another first for the company, back-to-back auctions on Sunday and Monday, September 12th and 13th.

"We've just officially moved into the new building and wanted a bit of a splash," said Clarke.

On Sunday, Larchmont Mayor Josh Mandell kindly volunteered to auction the first lot of Clarke's Eighth Fine Art Auction with the proceeds donated to the Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. The mayor proved to be a terrific auctioneer, hammering down the painting for $881 before heading back to a family function.

Clarke's Fine Art Auctions, noted for the unusual and surprises, didn't disappoint with a small Seymour Thomas oil in poor condition, originally estimated at $100-150, selling to a Texas dealer to $35,250. The painting was identified by Clarke as the earliest work by Thomas to ever appear at auction, an 1885 scene of the Alamo. The local consignor, who had been thinking of selling it at a tag sale, was in the audience and was wobbled by the news, not fully understanding that his modest painting just set a world record for the artist. Strong prices were also achieved for a collection of three small G. George Newell oils.

A collection of Balinese paintings, another example of the unusual things Clarke runs across regularly, was highlighted by an Anton Huang oil, est. $8,000-12,000, selling for $18,800 to a Los Angeles dealer against competition from Indonesia, Singapore, and New York.

A desirable Joseph Floch oil depicting the artist and his model, est. $15,000-25,000, sold for $25,850, a tiny Julio Resende watercolor self-portrait, est. $500-700, hit $1997.50; and a Louis Munthe winter scene, in poor condition, est. $300-500, selling to Norway for $3535.

Prints were a strong area for the Sunday sale with a Geronimo by Warhol, est. $10,000-15,000, realizing $14,100; an 1970 Ellsworth Kelly, est.$1000-1500, $2350; a Hasegawa Kiyoshi mezzotint, est. $500-700, $8225; a rare print by the Puerto Rican Lorenzo Homar, est.$500-700, hitting $1116.24; a pair of reproductions hand-signed by Abdur Rahman Chugtai, est. $150-250; $822.50, and a Margaret Lowengrund drypoint and etching, est. $600-900, also selling for $1116.25. A rare photostat print by Romare Bearden in tough shape, est. $6,000-9,000 sold to a collector for $9987.50.

Monday's Antiques and Midcentury Modern Auction also proved successful for Clarke. A Wormley cabinet with Natzler hardware, estimate $2000-3000, sold for $4993.50 and a Dunbar Brass and Tile-Topped Occasional Table, est. $600-900, achieved $5640.

Asian highlights were a 19th C. Agra handmade carpet, est. $2,000-3,000, realizing $5287.50; a small bronze and enameled box, est. $100-150, $2937.50; and a Jade figure on a Cloisonne base, est. $150-250, selling for $1410.

Other standouts were a Georg Jensen tray, est. $8,000-12,000, selling for $9987.50 and a six-foot stained glass and bronze floor lamp, attributed to Duffner & Kimberly, estimate $6,000-9,000, going off at just under $10,000.

All realized prices include Clarke's 17.5% buyers premium.

For additional information on monthly auctions or consignments, please call Clarke Auction at 914-833-8336 or e-mail ccauctiongallery@aol.com.

Clarke Auction * www.ClarkeNY.com * 2372 Boston Post Road, Larchmont NY 10538