Swann Galleries’ LGBTQ+ Art, Material Culture & History Auction

This summer’s LGBTQ+ auction at Swann Galleries, held on August 17, 2023, offers a stunning glimpse into the growing recognition of LGBTQ+ art and culture as a distinct area of collecting. This year’s auction showcases an eclectic array of 19th and 20th-century works that highlight political, social, and sexual themes from this historically rich period.

One of the highlights of the auction is Silence = Death (1989), a vibrant color screenprint by Keith Haring. The piece, estimated at $30,000 to $40,000, serves as a powerful symbol of activism during the AIDS crisis, reflecting the fusion of art and protest that has long shaped LGBTQ+ history.

The influence of homoerotic art pioneers is also represented through the works of Tom of Finland and contemporaries like Sadao Hasegawa and Jim French. A standout piece is a rare original illustration by Rex titled Leather Boy, which provides a compelling look into underground subcultures of the 20th century, encapsulating a sense of rebellion and self-expression.

Photography, always a strong component of this auction, shines through the works of artists like David Wojnarowicz, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Peter Hujar, who were instrumental in capturing raw and honest portrayals of queer life. Mapplethorpe’s work, in particular, often defied traditional boundaries of art, using his lens to challenge perceptions of beauty, identity, and the body.

For those interested in historical ephemera, the auction offers a treasure trove of materials that speak to pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history. Rare items from the early days of the gay liberation movement, such as a Manhattan Gay Scene Guide from 1970 and publications from the Mattachine Society, will be up for bidding. These documents not only reflect the social atmosphere of the time but also illustrate the grassroots efforts that helped to shape the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

In addition to these offerings, collectors can explore works by notable artists like Paul Cadmus, Jean Cocteau, Leonor Fini, and Andy Warhol, whose contributions span a wide range of styles and mediums. This selection highlights the diversity of artistic voices within the LGBTQ+ community, underscoring the importance of representation across multiple genres.

Swann Galleries’ LGBTQ+ auction is a remarkable opportunity to engage with a rich cultural legacy that continues to evolve. With such a dynamic collection of art, photography, and ephemera on offer, this event honors the resilience, creativity, and history of the LGBTQ+ community. > Read More

First Ever LGBTQ+ Rare Books Auction

“Queer history has long remained invisible,” writes Eric Marcus in the preface to a catalog of rare LGBTQ+ books and artwork headed to auction in New York on June 20. Little by little in the 50 years since Stonewall, that has changed, and in a bid for supreme visibility, Swann Galleries will host its inaugural “Pride Sale” of material focused entirely on LGBTQ+ creativity. Volumes that were once censored are now celebrated—and, with auction estimates in the hundreds and thousands, they are codified as collectible, perhaps the highest form of praise in the literary marketplace.

An example: In his bicentennial year, Walt Whitman is everywhere, including this auction. This heart-stopping lot is a first edition of his Memoranda of the War (1875-76), inscribed by Whitman “with his love” to Peter Doyle, long considered his most significant romantic partner. Not much is known about Doyle aside from the fact that he fought for the Confederacy while Whitman nursed Union soldiers. (A photograph of the two of them is currently on view at New York’s Morgan Library.) The auction catalog says it best: “A more important association copy of this title is difficult to imagine.” It is estimated at $50,000-75,000. > Read More