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Lot 338: Alex Yaworski (IL,MO,KS,Russia,1907-1997) watercolor on paper

Est: $240 USD - $260 USDPassed
Broward Auction GalleryDania Beach, FL, USJanuary 05, 2020

Item Overview

Description

ARTIST: Alex F. Yaworski (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Russia, 1907 - 1997)
NAME: Landscape Long Grove, IL
MEDIUM: watercolor on paper
CONDITION: Excellent. Framed under glass.
SIGHT SIZE: 14 x 20 inches / 35 x 50 cm
FRAME SIZE: 19 x 25 inches / 48 x 63 cm
SIGNED: Lower right
CATEGORY: antique vintage painting
SKU#: 113531
WARRANTY: 7 days returns accepted if item doesn't match description

US Shipping $49 + insurance.

Alex F. Yaworski (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Russia, 1907 - 1997)
Alex F. Yaworski was born on December 29, 1907 in Odessa, Russia, now Ukraine. His father Anton was a master wood worker and furniture maker who painted artwork occasionally. His mother, Anna had been a cook for a group of generals of the Czarist Army during the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Anton and Anna met while Anton took care of cavalry horses during the same war. They were not supposed to be seeing each other but defied that idea. When he returned to Russia from the war in Mukden, Manchuria, they ran off together. They married and in about 1909, Anton left for the United States, entering through Canada instead of Ellis Island. He found a place to live and work in Superior, Wisconsin. Anna, along with Alex and his older brother Nicholas, came over a year later to join him. Five more siblings were born in the U.S., the last one not surviving beyond young childhood.
Alex loved to draw as a child and during grade school at Bryant School in South Superior, he won the school-wide art contest by drawing the best rendition of “Black Beauty.” His goal from an early age was to be an artist. After graduating high school, he intended on saving enough money to go to Chicago and attend art school. The plan was not working very well because every time he accumulated some cash, his father would take it from him. So he left for Chicago with only about $50 in his pocket. He was accepted at the American Academy of Art and graduated in 1931. He worked his way through by washing windows for meals and by landing a plum position in the school art supply store. A part of his job was to clear out students’ lockers at the end of each term. He said that it was amazing how many art supplies that the students would leave behind. He benefited by using some of those supplies and selling what he could not use. During his last year at the academy and for a while after, he taught Life Drawing there.
His first job out of art school was with the art department of the Chicago Tribune and in a few years, he was freelancing as a commercial illustrator. It was at this time that he was doing work for Sears Roebuck and met Maurine Bell in their advertising department. She had a very young daughter, Ernine, from her first marriage. Alex and Maurine were married in June of 1936 and so immediately, they formed a family of three. Son, Don came along twelve years later.
During the World War II years, Alex worked for Poster Products in Chicago and received draft deferments for rendering war posters and also for serving as a foreman on an army tent production line at Poster Products.
After the war, Alex was freelancing again and did illustration work for a number of companies. He illustrated the Sears Roebuck Christmas Book covers from 1948 through 1954. For the period from the 1950s into the 1980s, he did work for The DuPont Company, Seagram Company, Ben Franklin Stores, Oscar Mayer, The Chicago Tribune, The Bernard Picture Company, and many other organizations. During the 1950s, Alex drew the cartoon character, Little Oscar for Oscar Mayer many times but not nearly as many times as he would eventually draw Benjamin Franklin for the Ben Franklin Stores. He made the claim that he had done more portraits of Benjamin Franklin than any other artist, alive or not. Since the early 1950s, Alex did a number of paintings that became covers on the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine. In the late 1960s after there had been quite a few letters to the Tribune asking if there were prints of these paintings, suitable for framing, Alex started producing lithographs of Chicago paintings. Eventually, there were over a dozen to choose from and Maurine jokingly never forgave him. She said that she did not marry him to become his shipping clerk. In the 1960s and into the 1970s, Bernard Picture Company commissioned Alex to paint a series of paintings of Europe to be made into lithographs that were sold in the U.S. and Canada. He painted so many of these things that at one point, he was told that there was some concern at the company that too many prints in their product line bore the signature, Yaworski. So for the next series of paintings that happened to be of French scenes, he signed them “Francois.”
Over the years, he always worked on his own fine art on the side and as time went on, the fine art career overtook the commercial career. Basically, he was a landscape painter working in watercolor, gouache, casein, and acrylics. While he did many paintings of Chicago during the years, he would take time out almost anywhere he traveled to paint on location. One place that Alex went back to yearly for almost his whole life was Northern Wisconsin, the area where he grew up. Alex painted the scenic beauty of Northern Wisconsin but also the gritty industrial side of the twin ports of Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota. For many years, he painted together with his older brother, Nic and his younger brother, Tony. Nic worked for the government in Washington D.C. and Tony taught high school art and continuing education art in Superior for over forty years. Nic died in 1973 and it then was Alex and Tony painting together until in later years, Alex’s son Don and Alex and Tony’s nephew, Bill joined them on the painting expeditions in the Northland.
Alex F. Yaworski was a member of many arts organizations and was the proudest of his association with the American Watercolor Society. In 1953, he became a signature member and although each year was a different jury, his paintings were accepted at their annual exhibition in New York for over twenty years in a row.
For a number of years, Alex exhibited at the Chicago Art Institute’s “Sales and Rental Gallery.” People would rent his paintings and most of the time purchase them after getting used to them in the home. It was a wonderful way for him to market his paintings and the gallery liked him, because his paintings were constantly moving.
Alex performed many Demonstration Paintings for arts and civic organizations in the Chicago area and sometimes out of town. I use the word “perform” because in an hour and a half, he would paint a wonderful watercolor, all the while telling stories that would engage the audience and make them laugh. Early on in his Demonstration career, he would switch the brush from his left hand to his right when it would allow more people to see what he was doing or when the stroke was more appropriate to the right or left. He was naturally ambidextrous and did this automatically but noticed that it produced chuckles from the crowd. So from then on, he played it up and it was part of the show. Depending on the organization and the agreement, the painting that had just been completed would sometimes be immediately auctioned off as a fundraiser. Occasionally he would perform a “parlor trick” with his signature on a separate piece of paper. He would sign Alex F. Yaworski the normal way with his right hand and simultaneously sign his name backwards from the same point with his left hand. The result was a mirror image of his signature.
Maurine passed away in 1983 and by 1991, Alex’s health difficulties made it important for him to move to Kansas City, Missouri to be near his son. He loved Chicago and lived there for over sixty years but continued to paint after his move and came to enjoy his new home. He especially liked the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City. Sometimes after seeing a featured exhibition there, he might insist on going to the permanent collection of European Art to see his favorite Van Gogh and Monet paintings, so that he could “cleanse his palate.”

Artist or Maker

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping: Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only. International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to five (5) business days for said shipment to leave our (Broward Auction Gallery) auction house. All domestic mainland items are shipped via USPS Parcel Select unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer.
Invoices must be paid in full to Broward Auction Gallery before purchased property can be released or collected. We will store merchandise free of charge for a period of up to (10) business days. After that period a daily storage charge of $5 per lot/day will commence regardless of lot size or value.
For items that are too large for in-house shipment, a gallery approved vendor will be provided for crate and freight services. Broward Auction Gallery WILL NOT CANCEL SALE DUE TO SHIPPING.

Auction Details

Fine & Decorative Art (January 2020)

by
Broward Auction Gallery
January 05, 2020, 11:45 AM EST

#185 398 E Dania Beach blvd, Dania Beach, FL, 33004, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

25.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$199$10
$200$399$20
$400$699$25
$700$1,499$50
$1,500$3,999$100
$4,000$7,999$250
$8,000$14,999$500
$15,000$29,999$1,000
$30,000$299,999$2,000
$300,000+$5,000

Terms and Conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Any of the following conditions of sale may be amended, waived, or modified in the sole discretion of Broward Auction Gallery. By placing a bid, whether present in the saleroom or by any other means, the buyer (bidder, purchaser) agrees to be bound by the following conditions of sale:

1) All property is sold in "as is" condition and all sales are final. Neither Broward Auction Gallery nor their consignor(s) makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to the property or the correctness of the catalogue or other description of the authenticity of authorship, physical condition, size, age, quality, rarity, importance, provenance, exhibitions, literature or historical relevance of the property or otherwise. The Auctioneer and the Consignor assume no risk, liability or responsibility for the authenticity or the authorship of any property identified in the online catalogue (that is, the identity of the creator or the period, culture, source or origin as the case may be, with which the creation of any property is identified herein).
If any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose can be construed from the catalogue, auction, or bill of sale, such warranties are disclaimed by the Auctioneer and the Consignor. No statement in the online catalogue or made at the sale or in the Bill of Sale or invoice or elsewhere shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an admission of liability. Moreover, the Auctioneer will not be held responsible for any variations in appearance of online photographs.
ANTIQUES: Additionally, antiques, by the very nature of their age, have wear that reflects their years of use. As a result, honest wear from use is to be expected and is sometimes the proof that an item is an antique. Normal wear will not be noted in the description.
Broward Auction Gallery shall not be responsible for obtaining any permits or licenses on behalf of purchaser and no sale shall be cancelled or refunded for lack of purchaser's noncompliance with permitting and licensing issues.

2) Notwithstanding the preceding condition, if within 14 days of the sale of any lot the purchaser of any painting gives notice in writing to the Auctioneer that the lot so sold is a counterfeit and, if within 7 days after such notice the purchaser returns to the Auctioneer in the same condition as when sold, and gives written proof from a recognized impartial expert which establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the returned lot is in fact a counterfeit and that this was not indicated by a fair reading of the catalogue or the Auctioneer's comments at the time of sale, the Auctioneer as agent for the Consignor will rescind the sale and refund the purchase price.

3) The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the buyer. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid and shall advance the bid at his/her sole discretion. In the event of a dispute between bidders, the auctioneer has absolute discretion to determine the successful buyer or to re-sell the disputed lot. If a dispute arises after the sale, Broward Auction Gallery record of the successful buyer and final sale price shall be conclusive. Broward Auction Gallery reserves the right to withdraw, combine or divide any lot at any time before bidding commences. The Auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot at any time before, during, or after the auction without liability.

4) Unless the sale is advertised and announced as "without reserve", each lot is offered subject to a reserve and the Company may implement such reserves by bidding through its representatives on behalf of the Consignors. In certain instances, the Consignor may pay less than the standard commission rate where the Company or its representative is a successful bidder on behalf of the Consignor. Where the Consignor is indebted to the Company, the Company may have an interest in the offered lots and the proceeds there from other than the broker's Commissions, and all sales are subject to any such interest. No "buy" bids shall be accepted at any time for any purpose.

5) Some lots offered for sale may be subject to a reserve, which is a confidential minimum price below which a lot will not be sold. Under no circumstance will a reserve exceed the low estimate of the lot being offered. Consignors are prohibited from bidding on their own property, however, the auctioneer may implement reserves by bidding on behalf of the consignor. If bids on a lot fail to reach the reserve, the lot will be "passed" or "bought-in".

6) Absentee and Internet bidding is offered as a convenience to our customers and, while we will make every effort to carry out your instructions, Broward Auction Gallery cannot be held responsible for errors and omissions resulting in failure to execute your absentee and/or Internet bids.

7) Users of third-party internet bidding services shall indemnify and hold Broward Auction Gallery and its consignors harmless against any claim arising out of or resulting from the use of such Internet Bidding Services, including all losses, damages, liabilities, and all fees, including reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with any claim. Under no circumstances, including, but not limited to, negligence, shall Broward Auction Gallery and its consignors be liable for lost profits or any special, incidental, or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use Internet Bidding Services.

8) Title of each lot passes upon the fall of the auctioneer's hammer to the highest acknowledged bidder. Under no circumstances will Broward Auction Gallery liabilities to a purchaser exceed the purchase price actually paid.

9) A 23% buyer's premium will be added to the sale of each lot, plus applicable taxes, unless exempt by law. Applicable Sales or use taxes will be added to the purchase price of all taxable purchases. To be sales tax exempt, a current sales tax exemption certificate, including sales tax exemption number, must be presented to Broward Auction Gallery to avoid paying sales tax. Out of state Internet buyers are sales tax exempt unless you elect to pick up your item(s). In that case, to be exempt, you must present a valid Resale Certificate from you state and complete and sign an affidavit stating all items purchased are for resale out of state.

10) All invoices must be paid no later than the 5th business day following the conclusion of the auction. A dispute will be entered for any invoice not paid within 5 business day.
We accept credit cards, personal or company checks, bank wire transfers. Property purchased during the auction may not be removed until the full purchase price, including buyer's premium and all applicable taxes, have been paid. Broward Auction Gallery reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank.
Any invoice not paid in full within fourteen (14) days after the auction may be cancelled and the sale rescinded without further notice to the purchaser.
Credit Cards PAYMENT LIMITS: As a measure of fraud protection, we do not accept credit card payments in excess of $3,000. Total invoice purchases over $3,000 REQUIRES a wire transfer or check payment.

11) Shipping: Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only. International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to five (5) business days for said shipment to leave our (Broward Auction Gallery) auction house. All domestic mainland items are shipped via USPS Parcel Select unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer.
Invoices must be paid in full to Broward Auction Gallery before purchased property can be released or collected. We will store merchandise free of charge for a period of up to (10) business days. After that period a daily storage charge of $5 per lot/day will commence regardless of lot size or value.
For items that are too large for in-house shipment, a gallery approved vendor will be provided for crate and freight services. Broward Auction Gallery WILL NOT CANCEL SALE DUE TO SHIPPING.

12) If any applicable conditions contained herein are not complied with by the purchaser, Broward Auction Gallery may, in addition to other remedies available by law; (a) hold the purchaser liable for the total purchase price; (b) retain any payment made by the purchaser, and/or (c) cancel the sale and resell the property without reserve and the original purchaser will be liable for any deficiency and added cost.

13) ARBITRATION: Bidder agrees that any controversy or claim arising out of this auction, or any related dealings with Auctioneer or Seller, must be resolved by final and binding arbitration with no appeal permitted except as provided by Florida statute. The parties voluntarily waive their rights to seek traditional remedies in any court including the right to a trial by jury. The prevailing party will be entitled to collect from the other its costs associated with the arbitration, including reasonable attorneys fees.

Shipping Terms

Shipping: Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only. International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to five (5) business days for said shipment to leave our (Broward Auction Gallery) auction house. All domestic mainland items are shipped via USPS Parcel Select unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer.
Invoices must be paid in full to Broward Auction Gallery before purchased property can be released or collected. We will store merchandise free of charge for a period of up to (10) business days. After that period a daily storage charge of $5 per lot/day will commence regardless of lot size or value.
For items that are too large for in-house shipment, a gallery approved vendor will be provided for crate and freight services. Broward Auction Gallery WILL NOT CANCEL SALE DUE TO SHIPPING.

Payment Terms

All invoices must be paid no later than the 5th business day following the conclusion of the auction. A dispute will be entered for any invoice not paid within 5 business day.
We accept credit cards, personal or company checks, bank wire transfers. Property purchased during the auction may not be removed until the full purchase price, including buyer's premium and all applicable taxes, have been paid. Broward Auction Gallery reserves the right to hold merchandise purchased by personal check until the check has cleared the bank.
Any invoice not paid in full within fourteen (14) days after the auction may be cancelled and the sale rescinded without further notice to the purchaser.
Credit Cards PAYMENT LIMITS: As a measure of fraud protection, we do not accept credit card payments in excess of $3,000. Total invoice purchases over $3,000 REQUIRES a wire transfer or check payment.

Buyer Premium & Taxes

A 25% buyer's premium will be added to the sale of each lot, plus applicable taxes, unless exempt by law. Applicable Sales or use taxes will be added to the purchase price of all taxable purchases. To be sales tax exempt, a current sales tax exemption certificate, including sales tax exemption number, must be presented to Broward Auction Gallery to avoid paying sales tax. Out of state Internet buyers are sales tax exempt unless you elect to pick up your item(s). In that case, to be exempt, you must present a valid Resale Certificate from you state and complete and sign an affidavit stating all items purchased are for resale out of state.