This is the iconic image of Calvin & Hobbes that may of us remember from the early 90’s. Bill Watterson, the creator and artist behind what two of the most well recognized characters in modern day comic strips, painted this watercolor for the cover of the Calvin & Hobbes 1989/1990 calendar. The very rare artwork will hit the auction block on February 23 during Heritage Auction’s Vintage Comics & Comic Art Signature event, at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion (Ukrainian Institute of America) on Fifth Avenue. The artwork is expected to exceed $50,000, as reported by Artdaily. This is comic art at its best.

Sonic Youth is auctioning off a pair of rare custom VANS from 1992 as well as two even rarer concert posters to benefit Shelterbox who “provide humanitarian aid in the form of shelter, warmth and dignity to people displaced by natural and other disasters worldwide.”

Go bid on them all on EBAY now!

1. Custom Vans shoes printed with a repeating pattern of Dirty Bunnies. The repeating Mike Kelley image of the pink bunny covers the shoe canvas, one shoe lace contains a repeating “Sonic Youth” logo and the other a repeating “Dirty” logo. Produced in 1992 as a contest prize by DGC Records. You can choose Men’s size 10, or Women’s size 9 – take your pick. Auction is for one pair of shoes, with one pair of laces. New in box.

2. A day-glo blacklight poster from the Sonic Youth “Goo” tour. A flocked black velvet Black Panther flanked by Barbarella and Emma Peele. Produced in 1990. 24″ x 36″. Mint condition.

3. A jumbo silver mylar poster for the June 21 & 22, 1993 Sonic Youth shows at The Academy in NYC with The Breeders and St. Johnny. Features a lovely image of some kids smoking joints in front of a smiling hippie. 100 of these were printed and most were used for promotion. They were never sold. Designed and printed by Tannis Root. Number 12 in an edition of 100. Size 27.5″ x 39.5″. Excellent condition.

Curated reports that, “On October 17, 2010, Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) – L.A.’s premier auction house for vintage 20th Century Modern Art, Design and Furniture – celebrates its 50th Auction since opening in 1992. The sale, focused on 20th-Century Modern Art, Design and Furniture will include a strong selection of Fine Art, such as original works by Pablo Picasso, Ed Ruscha, Bernard Buffet, Niki de Saint Phalle, and John McLaughlin, as well as rare fine prints and multiples by David Hockney, Claude Lalanne, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.  Also, a collection of five Gertrud and Otto Natzler ceramics will trade hands for the first time since original purchase in the 1950s, one of which is a very large exhibition piece with the desirable volcanic glaze.”

Above is lot 76, a pair of “Easy Edges” lounge chairs by Frank O. Gehry. Design in 1972, the corrugated cardboard chairs are estimated to sell for $6,000-9,000.

More highlights from the upcoming auction at Curated.

Every two years, I get to post about a Vampire Killing Kit (link goes to the last time it happened – November 2008). This one goes to gavel at Greg Martin Auctions on October 9, 2010. It is lot number 7, and it is a beauty.

The description -

Extremely rare antique ivory vampire killing kit, consisting of an ornate ivory-mounted Christian cross integrating a steel, spring-loaded, .41 caliber single-shot percussion pistol, the center mounted with an ebony shield surmounted with a 8-pointed crown, the tips made from tiny semi-precious red stones. A ruby red five-pointed star adorns the center. The vampire pistol is contained in an ivory case, together with steel dagger blade which attaches to the end of the cross, an ivory cleaning rod, ivory powder bottle, and cap and ball supply. The entire case is made from fine elephant ivory and each element is engraved with letters representing the contents. According to consignor, this was reportedly one of four matching kits. By tradition, this example was brought back from Germany after WWII by one Sergeant Glen Pendelton who liberated it from a German museum in Berlin. A rare and very unique firearms curiosa. Size: 4-3/4″ X 3-5/8″ X 1-5/8″.

One day I will own one of these.

More images of this stunning Vampire Killing Kit after the jump.

Ahead of tomorrow’s (that’s June 24, 2010) “A Private Paris Collection” auction at Wright, we highlight a few key lots and get the scope on what stands as a groundbreaking sale for the Chicago house.

With lots ranging from anonymously designed floor lamps to works of art by Ivan Navarro, the 100 lots on offer are quite literally packed with gems. We also spoke to two of Wright’s specialists about the unique opportunity to handle a discrete collection.

View the feature in full here.

Bibliophiles will swoon at many of the offering at the block at Christie’s tomorrow. The “Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts Including Americana” sale includes signed letters from Presidents – Jefferson and Lincoln – along with some superb artifacts of New York history. Shown above, Lot 24, an original post-top style street sign of the late 19th-century (Wall and Broad Streets), is a real winner. It’s also tipped to go for a pretty penny – something to the tune of $70,000.

From my perspective, the true gem of the auction is William Faulkner’s ca. 1918 Canadian Royal Air Force Uniform (lot 104). The garments come with a photograph of the author wearing the uniform. This complements a number of Faulkner books and manuscripts.

Check out the uniform after the jump.

Boston’s Skinner Auctions will host its spring wine sale on May 13, 2010. Apart from over 500 lots of vintage Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italian, Spanish and New World wines, I’m really impressed by the attention taken in the catalogue. The sale is handled by specialist Marie Keep of Lower Falls Wine Shop (which is super) in Newton Lower Falls, MA.

Bidding will begin promptly at 6pm. Check out all the lots at Skinner. Examples from the catalogue follow.

Phillips de Pury & Company will be holding a design auction this coming Saturday at their Horwick Place, London location. The lots are largely quite dull, but a few standouts pop out. Included in that select handful is the above pictured pair of “Contour” lounge chairs and ottomans. Designed by Vladamir Kagan in 1955, the pieces are made of walnut with leather upholstery and were manufactured by Kagan-Dreyfus, USA. The chevron base of the ottoman really captures the spirit of the era.

View the full catalog at Phillips de Pury.

Eames fans take not – on April 8, 2010, Chicago auction house Wright will host a sale celebrating the good and unique designs of Charles and Ray Eames. Included is the above DKW chair in enameled steel, leather, and walnut. There are also enough DCW chairs going to the block to satisfy a rather healthy rush of interest.

The sale features Eames Design Archive of John and Marilyn Neuhart. About the archive -

As official archivists of Eames Office output for more than 30 years, the Neuhart’s meticulously chronicled the work of Charles and Ray Eames and compiled thousands of images, original ephemera, films and documents. The Neuhart’s amassed nearly 100 binders containing photographs, copies, negatives and clippings of nearly all Eames Office production as well as thorough records of the 1976 exhibition Connections: the Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, a scenic cloud backdrop from the Eames Office, a scale model of the Eames Office as it was at the time of Charles Eames death in 1978 and a copy of the complete inventory of Eames’ projects for the IBM Corporation including records from the Mathmatica exhibition. The Eames Design Archive of John and Marilyn Neuahrt is a comprehensive and scholarly collection that attests to the Eames’ iconic reputation as leaders in mid-twentieth century design.

Though not particularly engrossing, the online catalog is worth flipping though just to get a sense of the duo’s range with each of their iconic designs. Really nice to see things side by side, and their are a few oddities as well. The auction will begin at 12 noon on April 8, Wright is located at 1440 West Hubbard, Chicago, IL. (via Curated).

More Eames goodies after the jump.

Our friends at Billykirk have produce a special travel set for the Charleston, SC based Garden & Gun Club – founded to bring the Garden & Gun Magazine to life. Through their auctions, the club supports a variety of important local arts & heritage sites which promote the unique culture of the American South. To fit the needs of the club Chris and Kirk created a custom stamping for their gorgeous waxed canvas and leather carryall and leather tote bags.

The set is available only through G&G auction, with this being lot four of the current sale on igavel. Fitting of the traditions inherent to Billykirk, the proceeds from this lot will go to the American College of Building Arts. The college offers hands-on training in traditional building techniques helping to foster excellence in craft.

Interested in a special set of bags? Intrigued by the prospect of aiding the American College of Building Arts? Head to the G&G auction portal, where the travelers set will be up for grabs until April 7, 2010.

Full images follow