Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA)

Los Angeles Modern Auctions’ (LAMA) single-owner auction of The Collection of Richard Dorso held on October 9, 2011 set new auction records for De Wain Valentine and Roland Reiss, who are both currently featured in Pacific Standard Time exhibitions. The sale totaled $1,536,000, more than doubling the pre-sale estimate of $657,000, with 100% of the 417 lots sold.

Born in San Francisco in 1909, Richard Dorso bought his first piece of art when he was 21 years old; he passed away this year at the age of 101.  A participant and witness of the explosion of the post World War II Los Angeles art scene, Dorso spent a lifetime collecting art, whether it was visiting galleries on La Cienega on Monday evenings or going to young artists’ studios – he just bought was he liked.  Highlight works from the collection of over 400 works include fine art by John Baldessari, Robert Cottingham, Richard Tuttle, Paul Wonner, John McCracken, and Gustav Klimt. As part of the exhibit, David John of You Have Been Here Sometime designed and styled an interior showcase to present a current view of Dorso’s lifelong collection.

Top lots include:

• John Baldessari 8^th and D, National City (Lot 160 est. $80,000 – 120,000)
  more than doubled the high estimate realizing $293,750

• John Baldessari Sleep While You Grow Rich (Lot 161 est. $80,000 – 120,000) realized $187,500

• Richard Tuttle Untitled from Letters (the Twenty-Six Series) (Lot 218 est.$15,000 – 20,000) went beyond the high estimate realizing $59,375

• Gustav Klimt Nude Study (Lot 139 est. $20,000 – 30,000) sold for $46,875

• Two strong works by Bob Thompson Mythological Scene and Venus & Adonis (Lots 49 and 50 each est. $4,000 – 6,000) together totaled $75,000

• De Wain Valentine Circle (Lot 220 est. $3,000 – 5,000) set a new auction record for the artist bringing $32,500

• Roland Reiss The Dancing Lessons: The Reconciliation of Yes and No (Lot 78 est. $4,000 – 6,000) set a new auction record for the artist bringing $15,000