We peered at the stacks to see collections on British Modernism, a focus on Bauhaus, tomes on Warhol to Turner, the work of Modigliani to Henry Moore. Among them 11 books on British abstract modernist sculptor Sir Anthony Caro, nine books on the work of William Kentridge, and collectibles such as Hockney’s Alphabet (David Hockney and Stephen Spender, Faber & Faber, 1991) and Battiss 75 (Murray Schoonraad and Pieter Duminy, D & S, 1981).
Some of the books are signed by artists and authors, such as the lot of 11 South African art books including the likes of Cecily Sash, Alf Kumalo and Norman Catherine. The collection is dazzling, and books are to be sold in bulk lots of up to 20, grouped thematically.
The Property of a Johannesburg Book Designer sale, from 1 to 8 March, is unprecedented at Strauss & Co. and the sale also includes an amazing collection of paintings, prints, sculpture and furniture. Among them are a drawing by Alexis Preller of the African Slit Drum that appears in his major series of Kraal paintings executed in the late 1940s, and a select archive of Preller memorabilia including exhibition catalogues and the auction catalogues from the estate sales of the artist and his partner Guna Massyn in the 1970s.
Other highlights are two works by outstanding ceramic artist Noria Mabasa, unusual mixed media works by Joni Brenner, along with a collection of large-scale outdoor sculptures and small table-top pieces by Cape-based abstract sculptor Rodan Kane-Hart.
How to bid at Strauss & Co's Online Auctions
Head to Strauss&Co's website. Register online through the "Register to Bid" link and complete the short form. This can be done from the moment the sale opens. You can browse the online auction by lot, department or artist, with a filter option allowing you to also search for items based on price or keyword.Clicking on "Submit your Bid" brings up the bidding pop-up window, which features a “submit “button that allows you to accept the next bid value. Up to the last hour of the auction, if you have an active bid you will receive an email and an SMS when you are outbid on a lot. Successful buyers will receive an email after the sale has closed, detailing purchased lots and check-out procedures.
