Works by Western Pulp Artist A.R. Mitchell at Hindman Auctions
Arthur Roy Mitchell’s The Wagon Master, oil on canvas. Estimate: $5,000-7,000.
Denver, Colorado -- Hindman’s November 7 Arts of the American West auction in Denver, Colorado, will also offer a selection of original paintings by Arthur Roy Mitchell in partnership with The A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art in Trinidad, Colorado. The items come to auction as part of an effort to raise awareness of the artist’s legacy and also to perpetuate long-term preservation of the collection.
Colorado native Arthur Roy Mitchell was once considered “The King of Pulp” for his significant contribution to the adventure-themed magazines that flourished from the 1920s through the 1940s. Mitchell neither sought nor received the widespread acclaim given to his better-known Western art contemporaries.
“By partnering with Hindman, we anticipate introducing Arthur Roy Mitchell’s body of work — as well as his life as an illustrator, fine artist, historian, working cowboy and ardent lover of his native southwest — to a broader audience of art appreciators who may be unaware of this prolific and passionate artist.” -Allyson Sheumaker, Executive Director, A.R. Mitchel Museum
Funds received through the sale will support the Museum in better serving its mission and local community by maintaining the extensive collection of Mitchell original paintings, sketches, Native American and Hispanic artifacts, and personal effects; making facility upgrades to the 113-year-old former department store building that houses the museum; and publishing a book of A.R. Mitchell’s art.
Highlights from the collection include two works by Harvey Dunn titled Cattle Herd and Cowboy and Bet a Stack of Blues both holding a presale estimate at $8,000 - $12,000 and Harold von Schmidt’s River Crossing estimated at $12,000-18,000. Additionally, there will be three works by A.R. Mitchell highlighting the collection: Tit for Tat (presale estimate $3,000-4,000), Morning Friskies (presale estimate $2,000-4,000) and Driving off Rusters (presale estimate $2,000-4,000).
Hindman will be hosting a public friend raiser for the A.R. Mitchell Museum on Wednesday, October 30th, 5:30 - 7:30 during the auction preview at the Denver gallery space. Western art collectors and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to learn more about the Pulp Western artist and illustrator as well as the museum, an important venue for art, culture, history and tourism in southeastern Colorado.
The sale will be conducted in the Denver saleroom at 10am MT and will be available for preview November 2 - November 6. To view the full catalog online visit hindmanauctions.com.
