Press Release

New Orleans, LA, USA, Mar 1, 2025 -- An oil on canvas portrait painting by Emile Munier (French, 1840-1895); a pair of bronze sculptures by Gilbert “Gib” Singleton (Mo./N.M., 1936-2014); an Imperial Folio and two hand-colored engravings by John James Audubon (American, 1785-1851); and an oil on canvas board by Clementine Hunter (La., 1887-1988) will all come up for bid in Crescent City Auction Gallery’s Estates Auction slated for March 21-22, live and online.

The sale consists of 755 lots, mostly pulled from prominent estates and collections throughout the South. Featured will be property from a New Orleans gentleman antiquarian and a notable natural history collection, plus many fine items people have come to expect from Crescent City.

The oil painting by Emile Munier is titled Portrait of Colonel Henry Octavius Seixas, New Orleans (1841-1911). Done in 1891, the work is artist signed and dated upper right and measures 36 ¼ inches by 29 inches (minus the giltwood frame). It carries an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

The bronze statues mounted on wood bases by Gilbert “Gib” Singleton are titled Between the Acts (1984) and Lady with a Bowl (20th century). Both depict tall, thin figures. Between the Acts is 20 ½ inches tall (est. $9,000-$12,000). Lady with a Bowl is 32 inches tall (est. 6,000-$9,000).

Three lots are dedicated to the outstanding work of John James Audubon. They are as follows:

- Lot 491: An Oppenheimer Field Museum Edition of Audubon’s Fifty Best, from The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America Imperial Folio (1839-1844), featuring 50 color facsimiles on watercolor paper, 1999, after John James Audubon (est. $6,000-$10,000).

- Lot 492: A hand-colored engraving with aquatint of a Black-Billed Cuckoo (No. 7, Pl. 32), from The Birds of America (1827-1838), published in London by Robert Havell (est. $8,000-$12,000).

- Lot 493: A hand-colored engraving with aquatint of a Whip-Poor-Will (With Black Oak) (No. 17, Pl. 82), from The Birds of North America (1827-1838), published in London by Robert Havell (est. $7,000-$10,000).

The oil on canvas board painting titled Wash Day by the renowned African American folk artist Clementine Hunter is a fine representation of her work and is expected to fetch $4,000-$8,000.

It will be an eclectic sale, with merchandise ranging from an extensive collection of Wedgwood (lot 376 consists of three pieces of encaustic Wedgwood basalt and terracotta vases, estimated at $900-$1,200); a selection of fine watches (including lots 444 and 443, Rolex and Officine Panerai Radiomir men’s watches); a fine selection of small bronze sculptures; and an equally fine selection of jewelry items (ones that feature diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and more).

It wouldn’t be a Crescent City auction without something to do with the New Orleans tradition of Mardi Gras. Lot 704 is a chromolithograph on paper Mardi Gras parade bulletin Rex from 1917, titled The Gifts of the Gods to Louisiana (est. $600-$1,200). Lot 712 consists of two Mardi Gras Ball Favor Brochures, titled Mistick Krewe of Comus, from 1897 and 1898 (est. $500-$1,000).

Louisiana artists will be represented by Alexander John Drysdale (1870-1934), whose oil on wash board painting titled Bayou Scene with Live Oak and Pirogue is expected to finish at $1,200-$1,800; and Robert Rucker (1931-2002), whose watercolor and gouache on paper titled Circle Gallery, French Quarter, has a modest estimate of $600-$900.

Absentee and phone bids will be accepted until 1 pm Central time the day before the auction. A 28 percent buyer’s premium will be applied for online bidders or those paying with a credit card. A 25 percent buyer’s premium will be applied in-house. A printed catalog is available; please call 504-529-5057 or send a request via email to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

For more information regarding Crescent City Auction Gallery and the two-day Estates Auction planned for Friday and Saturday, March 21st and 22nd, beginning at 10 a

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