Auctions about art. But the numbers tell their own stories. And sometimes those stories are fascinating. Western Art Collector asked the top Western art auctions about their top lots, record-breaking pieces or just the most interesting piece of art that sold in the house’s history. The responses we got back are fascinating. Enjoy!
March in Montana
In 2022, March in Montana acquired two Olaf Wieghorst paintings for its March sale in Great Falls, Montana. The pieces were painted after the artist visited the Blue Front Bar in Glenwood, New Mexico. Wieghorst was friends with Quarter Circle 2C Ranch owner Elton Cunningham, who was friendly with the bar’s owner, John Allred and his son Gus. “The story as told by Gus Allred is that one day when Olaf or ‘Ollie’ as he was known, was having a beer in the Blue Front and said, ‘Gus, let me paint some pictures on your walls.’ Gus later recalled he paid Olaf all the beer he could drink that day, and maybe a six pack to go,” the auction house says. “Because things could get a little rough and rowdy in the Blue Front, Gus’ son Buddy decided to take the pieces down in the early 1960s. It was at this time the paintings were reframed and some inpainting was done by a local artist named Chet Kerchinski.” Both pieces sold, Bucking Bronc and Calf Roper, include a Quarter Circle 2C brand next to his signature. And both sold over estimates.
Santa Fe Art Auction
The cover lot for Santa Fe Art Auction’s 2020 Signature Live Sale featured the Gerard Curtis Delano painting The Orange Cloud, an incredible piece with two Native American riders framed in front of a billowing cloud. The work would go on to achieve (at that time) the third-highest price seen at auction for the artist—$526,500. “This painting features Delano’s red dot in the lower right, a notation the artist included on rare pieces he personally considered to be extremely successful,” the auction house notes. “This piece was the highlight of one of the largest private collections of Delano’s work, all presented by Santa Fe Art Auction.”
Heritage Auctions
Heritage Auctions is honored to hold the world auction record for William R. Leigh after the sale of Home Sweet Home, a 1932 oil painting sold during the auction house’s 2011 American West sale. It sold for $1.19 million. “Formerly owned by Mr. Eric Jonsson, Dallas mayor from 1964 to 1971, it was a privilege to present this remarkable work by the esteemed artist at auction,” says Alisa Ford at Heritage. “Painted at the height of his career, Home Sweet Home captures three men around a campfire under a golden Southwestern sky. This detailed, vibrant scene showcases Leigh’s love for the Western landscape and displays every detail that has made the artist’s work a perennial favorite among Western art collectors.”Jackson Hole Art Auction
Howard Terpning is the only living Western artist whose works command seven-figure prices. Jackson Hole Art Auction witnessed this firsthand when the auction house sold Terpning’s Vanishing Pony Tracks at a live sale in 2021. “This masterwork by Howard Terpning sparked competitive bidding from several collectors, ultimately selling well above its high estimate,” says Kevin Doyle, managing partner of the sale. “The painting also had impressive provenance, coming from the collection of T. Boone Pickens.”
Bonhams Skinner
During a Bonhams Skinner sale in Los Angeles in 2015, a Walter Ufer crossed the auction block and soared with bidders. “Sold to benefit Washington State University for $1,025,000—28 percent over estimate—Walter Ufer’s Indian Entertainer is one of the top lots sold by Bonhams’ Western art department,” says Bonhams’ Scot Levitt. “The work depicts Ufer’s longtime friend and model Jim Mirabel playing a red and yellow drum set against the backdrop of a densely painted Pueblo Moki woven blanket. The seven-figure sum is a testament to Ufer’s handling of light and shadow along with the intimate and honest rendering of his subject.”Coeur d’Alene Art Auction
The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has specialized in the work of legendary Western artist Charles M. Russell for the past 40 years and is proud to hold the world-record price of $5.6 million for Russell’s masterpiece Piegans, shattering the artist’s previous record. In addition to the world-record result, the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has set numerous other records for Russell and holds seven of the top 10 auction results for the famous artist.Scottsdale Art Auction
During the April 2024 Scottsdale Art Auction, all eyes were on Charles M. Russell’s The Broken Rope, a phenomenal example of the artist’s cowboy subjects. Although it didn’t sell during the live sale, an interested bidder reached out after close of the auction to acquire it for $5.2 million, which would make it one of two Russell works sold for over $5 million.Brian Lebel’s Old West Events
Stuffed in a safety deposit box for years, a late-1800s tintype of Billy the Kid worked its way into the hands of Brian Lebel, who sold it during a 2011 Old West sale. At the time, it was the only known photo of the outlaw. Bidding was expected to be high, but it shattered all expectations when it sold for $2.3 million. “It was spectacular. Absolutely spectacular,” Lebel remembers of the experience as he watched the prices go up and up and up.John Moran Auctioneers
In 2023, John Moran Auctioneers set a new world record for modernist painter Oscar Howe. With a high estimate of just $18,000, the piece sold 18 times over that estimate when it closed at $325,000, beating the previous record by $100,000.++++++++
Bradford’s Auction Gallery
15210 N. 99th Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351
(602) 581-7748
contact@bradfordsauction.com
www.bradfordsauction.com
Specializing in fine Western and Native American art, artifacts and collectibles, Bradford’s Auction Gallery connects sellers and collectors through online auctions with global reach. Founded in 2019, Bradford’s expertise in Western and Native art attracts more than 36,000 bidders from 84 countries. With a commitment to transparency and exceptional service, the auction gallery offers tailored solutions for estates, fiduciaries and collectors alike. Whether you’re a collector seeking rare finds or an estate executor needing a seamless solution, Bradford’s handles every detail of the collecting process, from accurate valuations to compelling marketing.
Upcoming auctions:
Wild West Art Auction, Spring and Fall 2025, Sun City, AZJewelers Vault Auction, Quarterly 2025, Sun City, AZ
Collectors Firearm Auction, Spring and Fall 2025, Sun City, AZ
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Briscoe Western Art Museum
210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 299-4499
info@briscoemuseum.org
www.briscoemuseum.org
The Briscoe Western Art Museum, nestled along San Antonio’s enchanting River Walk, celebrates Western art and culture through a full array of exhibitions, engagement and educational programs. As one of the premier Western art events in the world, the Briscoe’s Night of Artists Exhibition and Sale features more than 280 new works of painting, sculpture and mixed media by more than 80 of today’s leading contemporary Western artists, including Don Oelze, Mark Kohler and Jeremy Winborg. This signature event serves as the primary fundraiser for the museum, ensuring the continued support of the Briscoe’s mission year-round.
Upcoming auctions:
2024 Night of Artists, March 28-29, 2025: Opening Weekend
March 30-May 11, 2025: Public Exhibition & Sale , San Antonio, TX
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C.M. Russell Museum
The Russell: A Western Art Experience
400 13th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 727-1939
therussellsale.org
The C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana, is hosting its premiere fundraising event The Russell from March 20 to 22.
Gather with friends old and new at the art preview party, where collectors can get an exclusive look at the artwork to be sold at the First Strike sale and the main event, The Russell Live. Glimpse into the mind and talent of revered artists at Art in Action, the museum’s signature variation of a traditional “quickdraw.” Go head-to-head at First Strike, an auction solely dedicated to the works of contemporary artists. Then make sure not to miss the crowning event of Western Art Week, The Russell Live Auction. Featuring both significant historical works and distinguished contemporary art, this exhilarating night is a must-attend for the experienced Western art collector.
Upcoming auctions:
The Russell Live Auction, March 22, 2025, Great Falls, MT+++
Coeur d’Alene Art Auction
11944 N. Tracey Road, Hayden, ID 83835 • (208) 772-9009
www.cdaartauction.com
For the past 40 years, the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has specialized in the finest classical Western and American Art representing past masters and outstanding contemporary artists, including Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington, Maynard Dixon, Thomas Moran, Howard Terpning and other fine Western artists. The auction principals have more than 100 years of combined experience in selling fine art and have netted their clients over $400 million in the last 20 years alone. As the largest auction house in the country dealing in Western and American artwork, Coeur d’Alene holds more than 160 world record prices and achieves consistent sales for consignors with 96 percent of all lots sold on average at their three annual auctions.
Coeur d’Alene Art Auction’s 2025 in-person auction will be held July 26 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, and the 2025 live online auction will be held November 8.
Upcoming auctions:
Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, July 26, 2025, Reno, NV
Live Online Auction, November 8, 2025, Online
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Freeman’s | Hindman
2737 Larimer Street, Suite C, Denver, CO 80205 • (303) 825-1855
www.hindmanauctions.com
Freeman’s | Hindman is a leading fine art auction house connecting cities nationwide to the global art market. With offices and salerooms throughout the country, the auction house conducts more than 140 auctions annually. The Western and wildlife art department specializes in handling historic and contemporary Western art including works by Western pioneering artists, Taos Society founders, living and deceased Cowboy Artists of America, New Mexico modernists and established Southwestern artists. Other regional landscape and figural works by artists from the Western states and Colorado are among the firm’s featured consignments.
Upcoming auctions:
Western and Contemporary Native American Art, May 2025, Denver, CO+++
Lone Star Art Auction
8333 Douglas Avenue, Suite 360, Dallas, TX 75225 • (469) 608-7600
info@lonestarartauction.com
www.lonestarartauction.com
The Lone Star Art Auction is the largest art auction in Texas specializing in the best American, Western and Texas fine art of the 19th to 21st centuries. Presented by Great American West and Phil Berkebile Jr., the Lone Star Art Auction brings buyers, collectors and sellers of historic and contemporary fine art together in Dallas each fall for a highly entertaining two-day event.
In its first three sales over a 24-month period, the Lone Star Art Auctionhas generated a combined $13.9 million in total sales with an average sell-through rate of 93 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing and most successful auctions of its kind in the country.
The fourth Lone Star Art Auction will be held on October 31 and November 1, 2025, kicking off on Friday, October 31, with a full-day auction art preview followed by the exclusive patron’s cocktail reception and dinner that evening. The live auction will be on Saturday, November 1, preceded by an auction art preview and pre-auction breakfast that morning followed by the main event at noon. The Lone Star Art Auction is now accepting consignments for the fall 2025 auction.
Upcoming auctions:
Lone Star Art Auction, October 31-November 1, 2025, Dallas, TX
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Jackson Hole Art Auction
130 E. Broadway, Jackson Hole, WY 83001 • (866) 549-9278
coordinator@jacksonholeartauction.com
www.jacksonholeartauction.com
A market leader in Western and wildlife for more than 18 years, Jackson Hole Art Auction’s three annual sales offer a high standard of works across several genres, including wildlife, sporting, figurative, landscape and Western art by both classical masters and contemporary artists. The auction house’s annual September sale has been recognized as one of the premier art events in the country and is a signature part of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, attracting collectors from across the country and abroad. JHAA’s sales feature works from highly collected artists such as John Clymer, Howard Terpning, Bob Kuhn, Carl Rungius, Joseph Henry Sharp, Frederic Remington, John Nieto and Robert Bateman, among many others.
Auctions, private sales and artist exhibitions are displayed year-round in JHAA’s permanent 15,000-square-foot showroom in downtown Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
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John Moran Auctioneers
145 E. Walnut Avenue, Monrovia, CA 91016 • (626) 793-1833
www.johnmoran.com
Since 1969, John Moran Auctioneers has been uniting buyers and sellers of decorative and fine art, jewelry, fine furnishings and more. Moran’s quarterly California & American Fine Art auctions showcase works by artists like Guy Rose, Edgar Payne, Frank Tenney Johnson, Joseph Henry Sharp, Eanger Irving Couse, Oscar E. Berninghaus, Cyrus Dallin, Edward Borein, Olaf Weighorst, Armin Hansen, Maynard Dixon, Thomas Hill, Sydney Laurence, Oscar Howe, Bill Anton and many others. From humble beginnings 50 years ago, John Moran Auctioneers has evolved into a trusted, full-service auction house with international reach. The auction house’s team of experienced specialists provides collectors or their clients with the highest level of service. They offer a customizable boutique approach, whether you are seeking a free auction valuation, a formal appraisal or an estate liquidation plan.
Upcoming auctions:
Art of the American West, January 14, 2025, OnlineArt of the American West, March 25, 2025, Monrovia, CA
Art of the American West, June 3, 2025, Monrovia, CA
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March in Montana Auction & Dealer Show
213 E. Sherman Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 • (208) 664-2091
info@marchinmontana.com
www.marchinmontana.com
Taking place March 20 to 22 at the Great Falls Elks Club in Great Falls, Montana, the 38th annual March in Montana sale and show is set to be a centerpiece of Western Art Week in Great Falls. This year’s event features a spectacular lineup of works by legendary artist Charles M. Russell, including two exceptional watercolors of Native American portraits, one depicting the iconic Chief Joseph. Also showcased are a beautifully detailed watercolor of whitetail deer and an early depiction of a rodeo in the Judith Basin. These masterpieces are sure to draw significant attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike. Presented by Coeur d’Alene Galleries and Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, March in Montana Auction & Dealer Show features outstanding works by Montana artists like Olaf C. Seltzer, Ace Powell, James Ralston, William Standing and many others. In addition, more than 100 exceptional offerings of bronzes will be available this year by such artists as Bob Scriver, Earl Heikka, Grant Speed, Dave McGary and Lorenzo Ghiglieri.
Upcoming auctions:
March in Montana Auction & Dealer Show, March 20-22, 2025, Great Falls, MT+++
Morphy Auctions & Old West Events
www.oldwestevents.com
Old West Events, in partnership with Morphy Auctions, will host the annual Las Vegas Old West Show & Auction January 24 and 25. The event consists of a vendor sale and a live auction, with prestigious dealers and galleries from across the country represented in the vendor show. Both the show and auction will feature authentic Western and Native American artifacts for sale.
The shows are regarded as the premier vendor shows in the Western collecting community, while the auctions regularly offer outstanding examples of highly collectible works from both contemporary and deceased fine artists like Edward Borein, Maynard Dixon, A.D.M. Cooper, Charles M. Russell, Edward S. Curtis, W.H.D. Koerner, Will James, Joe Beeler, Marjorie Reed, Olaf Wieghorst, William Moyers, Michael Coleman and many others.
Contact Cheryl Goyda at (877) 968-8880 (ext. 755) with questions about upcoming sales and visit the website at www.oldwestevents.com for additional details.
Upcoming auctions:
Las Vegas Old West Show & Auction, January 24-25, 2025, Las Vegas, NV
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Pure West Art & Artifact Auction
wayoutwestfestyyc@gmail.com
www.purewestartauction.com
The seventh edition of Canada’s premier Western art auction, the Pure West Auction, will be held on June 22 on the historic grounds of the Deane House in Calgary, Alberta. The afternoon auction is prefaced with live Western music, quick-draws, speakers and Western-inspired drinks and food. The auction offers a curated mix of new pieces from a charter member group of artists, as well as a wide selection of historic pieces and modern work from artists and consignors across North America. The sale is live, with online and proxy bidding available. Artist and consignor queries are welcome. Visit the website for more information on consignments and watch for online bidding beginning May 2025.
Upcoming auctions:
Pure West Auction, June 22, 2025, Calgary, Alberta
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Santa Fe Art Auction
932 Railfan Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505
info@santafeartauction.com
www.santafeartauction.com
Santa Fe Art Auction has long been the preeminent auction house in the Southwest, serving thousands of registered bidders worldwide. As a leader in classic Southwestern, Western and Native American art, the auction house has evolved into a state-of-the-art operation based in an ultra-modern 16,000-square-foot facility in the heart of Santa Fe’s burgeoning Baca Railyard Arts District. Santa Fe Art Auction has routinely set record hammer prices for prominent classic and contemporary artists including Tony Abeyta, Gerard Curtis Delano, Charles Loloma, Gustave Baumann and Edward S. Curtis. The application of cutting-edge technology and expansion of in-house expertise have allowed Santa Fe Art Auction to service collections of increasing size and importance: Patsy and William Hutchison, Gregory Warren Nelson, Patricia Janis Broder, Joseph Pytka, Charles Loloma and Christopher Cardozo, to name a few.
Upcoming auctions:
Native Arts, February 5-6, 2025, Santa Fe, NM
Art of the West, May 2025, Santa Fe, NM
New Mexico Now, July 2025, Santa Fe, NM
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Scottsdale Art Auction
7176 Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 • (480) 945-0225
www.scottsdaleartauction.com
Under the banner Scottsdale Art Auction, dealers Mike Frost (Bartfield Galleries of New York City) and Brad Richardson (Legacy Gallery of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico) joined together and presented their first sale on April 2, 2005, at Richardson’s Legacy Gallery on Main Street in Old Town Scottsdale. For almost 20 years, Scottsdale Art Auction has organized a Western art auction held in sunny Scottsdale in the spring of each year. Recent demand has triggered the addition of an online auction, yearly in August. Since its record-setting inception, Scottsdale Art Auctionhas collected more than 250 world auction records.
“Combining our various fields of expertise and taking advantage of our geographic diversity, we should be able to provide a valuable service to collectors and artists throughout the United States. Mike Frost is highly regarded for his knowledge of significant Western American masters,” says Richardson.
“Art auctions are fundamental to the art market,” Frost adds. “They are the trading floor for the secondary market and, in most cases, help to establish collector confidence and set the market for an artist’s work.”
Richardson notes that over the last several years, he has seen top-quality works from major collections and artists’ studios gravitate toward auctions. “We believe that we are ideally situated to serve that process,” he says.
Upcoming auctions:
Scottsdale Art Auction, April 11-12, 2025; August 23, 2025, Scottsdale, AZ
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Vogt Auction Galleries
7233 Blanco Road, San Antonio, TX 78216 • (210) 822-6155
info@vogtauction.com
www.texasauction.com
Vogt Auction Galleries is one of the top independent auction houses in Texas with more than $13 million in annual sales. Notable auctions included the personal estates of artists such as G. Harvey, José Vives-Atsara, Clay McGaughy and author Larry McMurtry.
This year, Vogt celebrates 50 years of specializing in objects of value that reflect and celebrate the unique lifestyle, people and stories of the region in fine and folk art, artifacts, ceramics, jewelry, firearms, bladed objects and furnishings.
Vogt has been a leader in the growing Texas and Western art auction market and annually hosts a spring and fall Texas & Western Art auction. Sales have featured artwork by Julian Onderdonk, Robert Onderdonk, Jose Arpa, Porfirio Salinas, Dawson Dawson-Watson, John Nieto, Mark Maggiori, Mary Bonner, Frank Reaugh, Dave McGary, Tom Lea, Helen Hunter, Manuel Garza, Rolla Taylor, Robert Harrison, Robert Wood and more.
Upcoming auctions:
Spring Texas & Western Art, March 8, 2025, San Antonio, TX
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Western Trading Post
403 N. Florence Street, Casa Grande, AZ 85122
935 N. Tegner, Wickenburg, AZ 85390
(520) 426-7702 • www.westerntradingpost.com
Western Trading Post, one of the fastest growing Western-themed auction companies, is a family-owned and operated auction and gallery that continually explores new territory with cutting-edge methods such as the “Buy It Now” option, cross-platform marketing, a customer money-back guarantee, and a 14-day seller payment program. In 2024, they presented 5,747 lots, achieving an impressive 99.9 percent sell-through rate. Hosting approximately 20 auctions annually, they provide buyers consistent access to quality Western collectibles, and sellers don’t have to wait long to get their items sold. To accomodate rapid growth, Western Trading Post will expand with a new location in Wickenburg, Arizona, in 2025. Western Trading Post’s motto, “We are passionate about preserving and perpetuating our rich Western heritage and history,” underscores its commitment to creating a healthy marketplace for Western Americana and collectibles. The auction house attracts clients worldwide who share a passion for Western history and culture.
Its story is deeply interwoven with the rich history of the American West, tracing its origins back to an authentic trading post established in Northern Arizona in 1877 during the Arizona territorial period. This family-owned business has become a hub for enthusiasts seeking authentic Western collectibles presented by genuine Westerners. “We talk the talk and walk the walk,” the team proudly states. WTP specializes in Western Americana, vintage turquoise jewelry, firearms, Southwestern antiques and art, and other unique collectibles.
Upcoming auctions:
Western & Weaponry Auction Event, January 16, 2025, Arizona
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Yellowstone Art Museum
401 N. 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101 • www.artmuseum.org
The Yellowstone Art Museum, Montana’s premier contemporary art museum, welcomes 2025 with excitement for the year ahead. Beginning February 7, the museum will host its 57th annual Yellowstone Art Auction. This signature event provides a wonderful occasion to spotlight celebrated regional artwork, introduce emerging artists and inspire collectors. This year, the YAM will feature artwork from Tracy Linder, Judd Thompson, Robert DeWeese, John Buck and Maggy Rozycki Hiltner. A live auction and gala on Saturday, March 8, caps off the event festivities. Preview the artwork included in the silent and live auction online and in-person starting on February 7. For more information on the available artworks, event tickets or absentee bidding, visit www.artmuseum.org.
Upcoming auctions:
Yellowstone Art Auction, February 7, 2025
Live & Silent Auction Gala, March 8, 2025, Billings, MT —
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