Bonhams 250th Anniversary Sale Surpasses Expectations, Achieving $2.4 Million

Boston – In celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, Bonhams' American Stories: Celebrating 250 Years of Independence sale concluded on June 30 in Massachusetts, delivering strong results and setting new records. Spanning nearly three centuries of history, the sale brought together a significant group of 34 lots that traced America's cultural, political, and artistic legacy. Overall, the live sale surpassed its pre-sale estimate, achieving a total of $2.4 million, with 85% of lots sold. Leading the sale was the Original Iwo Jima Monument by Felix de Weldon (1907–2003), which more than doubled its estimate, when it sold for $610,100. Sculpted in 1945 as the first three‑dimensional interpretation of Joe Rosenthal's iconic flag‑raising photograph, the 20‑foot monument captures one of the most enduring symbols of American courage and Marine Corps heroism, predating the larger Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, by nine years. Other works of note in the sale included Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze's (1816–1868) tour-de-force Columbus' First Landing in America, which sold for $445,000. Mrs. Thomas Donovan and Elinor Donovan, a rare and early fresh-to-market portrait by self-taught artist Joshua Johnson (c.1763–c.1825), one of the earliest Black professional painters in the United States, also performed well, fetching $165,600, more than double its estimate. Additionally, beloved artist Bob Ross' (1942–1995) Mountain Summit, painted live on air in 1988 during Episode Ten of Series 13 of The Joy of Painting performed well in the sale. The work exceeded its estimate over eight-fold when it sold for $406,900. Net proceeds will benefit Ball State University, which owns WIPB, the PBS station where Ross filmed 30 seasons of The Joy of Painting from 1983 to 1994. Rare Revolutionary War items also saw immense interest throughout the sale, including a Rare Marquis de Lafayette Presented Continental Light Infantry "USA" Sword and Scabbard, which sold for $176,250 more than 3x estimate, and setting a new record for this type of sword at auction. Additionally, a Gold Congressional Medal Presented to Marine Corporal James Dixon, one of the original twenty-nine World War II Navajo Code Talkers, performed well, achieving $140,200. Additional highlights rounding out the sale include: • Francis Towl's Carved Siege of Boston Powder Horn, dated Fort Brookline, October 17, 1775, sold for $64,625, more than 3x estimate. • A Rare 1776-1876 Centennial Sand Bottle, c. 1876, by Andrew Clemens (1857–1894), sold for $53,760, more than 3x estimate. • An 18th Century Likely American Grenadier Cap Converted to a Comb Case of Wall Pocket, sold for $29,375, more than 3x estimate. NOTES FOR EDITORS Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.