OAK PARK, IL.- One of Chicago’s premier auction houses for 20th century art and design, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers grossed in excess of $2 million in its final sale of the year on December 8, 2019. Entitled Art & Design with Tradition & Innovation, the auction featured nearly 600 lots by major painters, sculptors, ceramicists, furniture makers, designers, and architects who have helped define their respective fields.

The top fine art result was $81,250 for Miyoko Ito’s abstract oil on canvas, Act One in the Desert, 1978. More than triple the high estimate, this price attests to the greatly increased interest in this vital Chicago painter.

Along with works by notable artists, the auction on December 8 featured two extensive West Coast collections. CEO Lucy Toomey explained: “With over 30 years in the auction business, we have not only specialized expertise to offer, but we have established a broad network of consignors nationally that we leverage to provide the best selection available to our international base of bidders.”

The Collection of Rich and Patty Thumann of Tacoma, Washington contributed a sizable offering of important American Arts & Crafts material, including an early chest of drawers by Gustav Stickley that brought $62,500. Altogether, lots from The Thumann Collection achieved $375,766. “I’m thrilled with the results, and you certainly all did a great job!” said Rich Thumann to Toomey & Co. President John Toomey. “You have an appreciative consignor here, as well as a friend.”

A grouping of American Art Deco furniture and design totaled $92,737 from The Estate of Michael Rabkin of Los Angeles, California. Over many years, Michael and Ginger Rabkin assembled a significant collection, which Architectural Digest profiled, by influential early modern designers, such as Gilbert Rohde, Paul Frankl, and Warren McArthur. On December 8, a Frankl Skyscraper coffee table sold for $17,500, almost six times the high estimate.

Earlier in 2019, Toomey & Co. held a single-owner catalog sale on May 5, The Paul & Terry Somerson Collection of 20th and 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry. This auction consisted of 500 lots from the largest source of such material by American Arts & Crafts designers as well as fine Modernist examples. Among the various price records set, a 14K yellow gold, blister pearl, and dog tooth pearl pendant necklace from Chicago’s renowned Kalo Shop sold for $20,000.

Consignor Terry Somerson said, “The decision to part with Paul’s treasured objects was difficult, but I knew it was for the best. I am pleased with the sale results and I cannot thank [Vice President and curator] John Walcher, John Toomey, Lucy Toomey, and everyone at Toomey & Co. enough for their hard work in making it happen.”

Following the success of 2019, Toomey & Co. will start the upcoming auction season with Art & Design on Sunday, March 8, 2020.