Vendôme : 917 000 euros for a Le Gray
Under the expertise of Yves di Maria and the hammers of auctionneers Philippe at Aymeric Rouillac, the sale of photographs that began on June 18th 2011 at Vendome in “Greniers de l’Abbaye” in the framework of the 7th “Photographic promenade of Vendome”, has seen a much merited success. The 176 lots proposed in this public auction were going for a global sum of 1,886,700 €, all fees included (1,722,720 € excluding fees). This sale was constructed around diverse collections and principally that of Charles Denis Labrousse, at the heart of which was found ten exceptional “marinas” by Gustave Le Gray fro; 1856-1858 (La Lettre de la Photographie dated May 19th, 2011).The amount of the sale for these “marinas” was 1,286,800 €.
The lot Nº 32, “Bateaux quittant le port du Havre" was going for 740,000 € (917,000 € including fees), which constitutes a world record for this work, for a photograph by Le Gray, even for a photograph from the XIXth century.
The lot Nº 37, “La vague brisée – Cette (Sète) of 1857 was auctioned for 300,000 € was also established as a world record in regards to it’s precedent record (272,440 €, Jammes 1 auction). These two sales by auction set the stage for a very tight battle between a French collector and a 47-year old collector from Texas, who in the end, took home both works.The lot Nº 31, “La Reine Hortense,” Yatch of the Emperor Napoleon III” was also established as a world record for this work, at 125,000 €, excluding fees.The lot Nº 40, “Entrée du port de Brest" was auctioned for 26,000 € and preempted by Sylvie Aubenas mandated for this sale respectively by the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (Bnf).
Bernard Perrine www.lalettredelaphotographie.com