Baterbys Art Auction Gallery to Hold First-Ever Discovery Consignment Auction Feb. 19 & 26 in FL

ORLANDO, FL, December 30, 2010 (Press-News.org) Owners of original and reproduction works of art are being invited to "Turn Your Art Into Quick Cash" by Baterbys Art Auction Gallery for its first-ever Discovery Consignment Auction, slated for Feb. 19 at their Palm Beach County Gallery (13900 South Jog Road in Delray Beach) and Feb. 26 at the Orlando Gallery (9101 International Drive in Orlando).

"This is a wonderful opportunity for people to consign their artwork to an award-winning gallery and auction house that's known and respected throughout central and south Florida," said Richard Hart of Baterbys Art Auction Gallery, based in Orlando. "All artworks will be heavily marketed and featured in a gorgeous full-color catalog. Plus it will be a fun and exciting event."

Many beautiful and highly collectible works have already been consigned for the sale (officially called the 2011 Winter Auction). Chief among these are an original oil on canvas portrait rendering of boxing legend Joe Louis by the iconic pop culture artist LeRoy Neiman (circa 1960, est. $100,000); and several original works by Florida's legendary Highwaymen.

The Highwaymen were a loosely associated group of young African-American artists who eked out a meager living mainly in the Fort Pierce area of Florida, from the 1950s to the 1970s. They were so-named because they would sell their wonderful landscapes - often still wet - on the side of the highway, or out of the trunk of a car. Today, their works are in high demand.

The Baterbys auction will feature works by the Highwaymen Harold Newton, Alfred Hair and James Gibson. Newton and Hair were probably the very first Highwaymen. Both men were taken under the wing of an established white painter named Albert "Beanie" Backus, in 1954. Backus encouraged first Newton, and later Hair, to paint sweeping Florida landscapes.

Fans of Baterbys Art Auction Gallery will recognize some of the other artists' names that will be represented in the sale. Many have been featured before and are back by popular demand. They include Marc Chagall, Isaac Maimon, Elena Bond, Michel Rozenvain and Fernando de Jesus (who goes by the simple moniker "Ferjo"). Following are brief profiles of these artists.

Marc Chagall is driven by passion. His colorful compositions are celebrations of life. His 9 ½ inch by 13 inch color lithograph on paper titled The Red Angel will be sold. It depicts a vivacious circus scene where figures dance and celebrate life in harmony.

Isaac Maimon is known for his portrayals of Parisian cafe society that romanticize leisure and decadence. His serigraph on paper titled Cabaret (circa 1993) will be for sale. It depicts characters living in luxury, reveling in a fanciful and indulgent life.

Elena Bond experiments with different media, techniques and subjects to create compositions infused with a passion for expression. Her painting Artist's Cafe gives bidders a rare chance to own an artwork by someone on the brink of superstardom.

Michael Rozenvain, on the other hand, is already famous worldwide. His Russian background lends a certain nostalgic feel to his Mediterranean and French scenes. One such work, titled Artistic Plaza, a 17 inch by 12 inch serigraph, will be offered.

Fernando de Jesus Oliveira, who signs his work as "Ferjo," is a dynamic, intriguing artist. His piece titled Chagall's Recital, is a surreal and metaphysical homage to the artists Marc Chagall and Joan Miro. The limited edition giclee on canvas will be sold.

There will be no buyer's premium in the auction. Bidding for some artworks will start at under $100, and some pieces will carry no reserves (minimums) at all. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit UCP of Central Florida, an organization that serves children with disabilities and developmental delays in the Orlando area. To learn more, please click on http://www.ucpcfl.org.

Attendees at both auctions will have the opportunity to win free works of art and other giveaways, in spontaneous raffles held throughout the day. Also, everyone will receive a free print, valued at $100, just for attending. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be provided by Cuba Libre Restaurant of Orlando. This will let bidders browse the gallery in a festive atmosphere.

The auctions will begin promptly at 5 p.m. (EST) at both venues, with previews from 4-5 p.m. Online bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Baterbys offers its clients something unique in the industry: a lifetime money-back guarantee of authenticity for each work of art it sells, and a lifetime exchange policy for each work of art it sells. This is important to art collectors, since provenance is everything. Baterbys believes that gaining a buyer's trust is key to ensuring that they will become repeat customers.

In July, Baterbys was named 2010 Best of Show for Advertising and Public Relations by the National Auctioneers Association, chosen out of a field of more than 1,000 entrants. Baterbys was also recognized in the sub-categories of Catalogs and Postcards (Collectibles/Specialty), Business Promotion (for Business Newsletter) and Broadcast/Audiovisual (for AV/DVD).

For more information on Baterbys and the company's upcoming 2011 Winter Auctions, please log on to http://www.baterbys.com. To consign a single piece of art, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them toll-free, at (866) 537-0265. Or, you can e-mail them, at press@baterbys.com.