Original Pierce-Arrow artwork: value?

[Jeff C.]

I was at a friend's the other day, and he pulled out a folder with some artwork. Much to my surprise, 2 of the pieces are original Myron Perley works; one's a watercolor dated 1931, the other is earlier, in oil. My friend is looking to sell them, but we need to come up with an asking price (the person interested in purchasing them wants us to come up with a starting figure).

Can anyone offer a guess as to what they might be worth? Although the edges of each piece are worn and beginning to yellow, the actual painted images are in very good shape, and would look like new if they were properly framed and matted. I don't know how to post pictures here, but if anyone is willing to e-mail me I'll be happy reply with whatever photos of these items you may need. Your help will be gratefully appreciated- my friend is in a financial bind (retired, no supplemental health insurance and is facing an $8,000 dental bill) and could certainly use the cash.

[West Peterson]

I'll post the photos for you, but I haven't a clue what he should be asking for them. StelvioGT@yahoo.com

[Jim Rohn]

tens of thousands of dollars each?

get on the antique road show

[trimacar]

Hi- if they are original Pierce artwork, showing illustrations that were used in advertisements, they may well be worth in the thousands. The oil, I would think, would have a higher value than the watercolor.

If they are not car related, value may go down considerably.

Can you get a picture of each to me please? David.Coco@hphood.com. I'd be interested in both seeing the picture, and possible purchase depending on scene depicted and final pricing.

thanks dc

[TG57Roadmaster]

An original Perley watercolor for the 1926 first edition book, The Road to Wellville,
sold for $500.00 at Christie's in May, 1995.
http://www.artinfo.com/artists/upcom.../myron-perley/



I would agree that artwork with Pierce-Arrow imagery would be in the thousands today;
perhaps the P-A Society could shed more light on values.

BTW, can't wait to see some images...

TG

[williammaryland]

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[williammaryland]

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[Terry Bond]

Jeff, or anyone who can assist, pics would be most helpful in getting some usesful info to you. There are big differences depending on whether the artwork is done for Pierce (original artwork for a catalog or advertisement) or if it was more "generic" such as original artwork for a book about Pierce, or old cars in general. Since it seems the artwork is "of the era" it's worth more than a piece of art done more recently simply illustrating the car. It's by a well know artist so that's a plus for starters. I know a collector of Pierce material who is quite knowledgable and may be able to assist, or could be interested in purchase.
Terry

[Terry Bond]

William, are you looking for info on the pics you posted? Give us a little more info and we'll try to help.
Terry

[trimacar]

Williammaryland, if the question is, is the picture with the young lady "original Pierce" painting, the answer is no. It may be an original painting by someone, but it's not connected to Pierce Arrow in any way that I can see......

[williammaryland]

So Sorry Terry, The Painting here is not the pierce I have. This one is of my Grandmother done by a friend of mine about two years ago. I was showing someone else and put it here because I thought this was an old thread, no one has been here in about 3 years 2009.

[williammaryland]

I could not send a photo in a private message. I need to take some good photos of the pierce and have a new camrea still trying to learn the settings on it plus I have had a long week just getting home now.

[trimacar]

I'd be very interested in any original artwork relating to Pierce Arrow....send me an email David.Coco@hphood.com thanks! dc

[williammaryland]

The Pierce Arrow I have is pencil & watercolor and I will tell you it is super cool. I have had paintings from the 18th cen and this one pulled me in. I have had not too much sleep in the last two weeks and my word gramer is messed enough to were I can tell. My Sons car was on its way out. So 2-3 weeks ago I found a Range Rover for him & paid for it none running but it looked very nice and saved me from body work things like that so on time I had out I did everything at least 100 plus hours of work so that he would have no troubles. I have too remember that im getting older and im not too old but sometimes I run around like im in my 20's. I will most likely have some photos up tomorrow eve. And sorry about the miss understanding. My Mother does not have too many photos of my Grandmother she passed in 69. I was thinking of a nice gift and asked my freind to work with the photo of her. The photo was taken in the early 20's and he went Deco. It huge 30x30.

[williammaryland]

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[williammaryland]

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[williammaryland]

I have to put up a few replys because I lost a vestly long detailed message, going to have to write a few out in short form. Only way I can do it.

[williammaryland]

History, Robert J Poole, Bob Poole
Attened Cornish Art School in Seattle,illustrated for locil department stores before moving to California, Chouinard Art Center in Los Angeles. and a few others, Professional Career..Illustrating for Lockheed Aircraft,Douglas Aircraft,Sunkist, Carnation and worked for many more. Poole belonged to the Society Of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Painted for the USAF Program and some of his works can be found there. Link is ( The United States Air Force Art Collection) On home page go to artist and Bob Poole.

[williammaryland]

Wow a message made it, my computer has been pushing me crazy tonight. For more informatiom about Pooles collection with the USAF Art program Contacts: Location Room 5E1083m, The Pentagon, M-F 8-4..Fax (703) 695-9388 E-mail RSS-AFAPO Orgn Inbox.

[williammaryland]

This Man did so much and what I like is when you go to that site when bob was alive he of course named his work but in his own words has something say on what he was thinking about when he painted them,really good stuff and what an Artist.

[williammaryland]

We can all beleave what we want and I dont have all my notes handy as for names to remember but in my thinking what may have been possiable not fact just thinking. Was the 33 Pierce Silver Arrow a consept by very young Designer? Age of 20's? Poole was born in 1913 and the 2 may have been Pals. One or both with vision, From the young Designers mind to Bobs brush. Lockheed like Piece Arrow did not just welcome anybody to work for them unless they had something way above avg to offer. I could be dead wrong thinking Silver model Designer may have been some what young even in our times. Subject Philip Wright as young man

[williammaryland]

Message dropped of again,have to go and get some sleep. If I wanted to design a car the would cut though air & look good I would try to have someone like Poole. Think of it a young person writing & making music, would they really care as much if thier parents liked it, or somebody around the same age? As for most youth the veiw point is of thier peers and is more inportant as for something new & differant.

[williammaryland]

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As photos show not a print Org hand Creation & signed in 32 for 33 model year. Uncommon as to the fold down windsheild but I have found and stored a photo of a surving 33 with this opp

[trimacar]

It's not a watercolor done for an advertisement, as Pierce didn't make a car that looked like that. While it has Pierce-style headlights in the fenders, there are a lot of other styling cues that aren't Pierce Arrow.

Very nice, though......and an interesting looking car....

'33 Silver Arrow was a design by Phil Wright, who was in his late 20's or early 30's when he submitted the design to Pierce.

[Jolly_John]

How disappointing....we never got to see photos of the two pieces of artwork mentioned in the original posting from February, 2009! John