The word got out fast among Al Mohler art collectors that there would be an auction near Onamia that had over 50 pieces for sale. The sale date was Saturday August 12, 2006 and I knew I’d be there and that I wouldn’t be alone.
Sale day came and it was great fun to see just what pieces were for sale. There were literally stacks and stacks of Mohler hardboards and after looking for a while I thought there must be more than what was advertised. My count concluded there were approximately 130 total Mohler pieces that covered a wide spectrum as to when they were done and desirability. Dates for example ranged from one unusual image of ducks dated 1914 to the premium auction piece that was dated 1970. That’s a span of 56 years. Desirability of pieces came in many forms. While there were many damaged pieces, many were simply very early scenes that are impossible to find. Some were front-signed by Mr. Mohler, some were back-signed on paper labels and many not signed at all. I found this variation of signatures interesting and it adds a little variety to the collection.
Of course what really matters is the art and, as mentioned, the premium piece was a large image of deer on actual stretched canvas. It sold to one of Al Mohler’s grandkids. There were a number of these grandkids present at the sale and they enthusiastically bid and bought. While it is reported there are other Al Mohler paintings on stretched canvas, this one was the only one this writer had seen that was signed. There were some small slab wood pieces and collector Jack Antolek managed to buy a couple nice small and unique pieces. Many Mohler collectors prefer slabs, but it was apparent there is interest in the art done by Mr. Mohler on hardboard. As mentioned above, many of these hardboard pieces were very early and unique and deserving of a nice framing. I bought several of these pieces and plan to have them framed with the backsides exposed so the back-signatures can be seen. I believe some will be impressive once framed as they have that well aged early oil look.
As to sale prices on these Mohlers, there were some good deals, but some items required some serious bidding. One Spirit Island hardboard went for $25 and a very nice Sailing Ship piece went for $30. Both good buys. One campfire scene went for $35 and one mountain scene went for $35. There was a mirror with deer painted on it that sold for $25 that was not the best of Al Mohler’s work, but unusual nonetheless. It seemed if it was early and had animals it required some bidding. One very early deer scene with much damage cost me $45 and the one with ducks dated 1914 went for $80 with three other pieces that were quite damaged. Because there were so many pieces to sell, the auctioneer put the pieces in long rows and sold them choice. However, he eventually placed them in groups of four for one money. This went on until one buyer finally took all that were left with seven batches of four paintings and with that the art was gone for this significant sale.
At the sale, I had a chance to speak to Jens Pederson. Jens was Al Mohler’s son-in-law and he seemed to enjoy the sale nicely. Al Mohler’s grandkids Mark, Mike and Connie Seaburg also seemed to have a good time and certainly, with some buying, got a chance to add some family history to their walls.
Sale day came and it was great fun to see just what pieces were for sale. There were literally stacks and stacks of Mohler hardboards and after looking for a while I thought there must be more than what was advertised. My count concluded there were approximately 130 total Mohler pieces that covered a wide spectrum as to when they were done and desirability. Dates for example ranged from one unusual image of ducks dated 1914 to the premium auction piece that was dated 1970. That’s a span of 56 years. Desirability of pieces came in many forms. While there were many damaged pieces, many were simply very early scenes that are impossible to find. Some were front-signed by Mr. Mohler, some were back-signed on paper labels and many not signed at all. I found this variation of signatures interesting and it adds a little variety to the collection.
Of course what really matters is the art and, as mentioned, the premium piece was a large image of deer on actual stretched canvas. It sold to one of Al Mohler’s grandkids. There were a number of these grandkids present at the sale and they enthusiastically bid and bought. While it is reported there are other Al Mohler paintings on stretched canvas, this one was the only one this writer had seen that was signed. There were some small slab wood pieces and collector Jack Antolek managed to buy a couple nice small and unique pieces. Many Mohler collectors prefer slabs, but it was apparent there is interest in the art done by Mr. Mohler on hardboard. As mentioned above, many of these hardboard pieces were very early and unique and deserving of a nice framing. I bought several of these pieces and plan to have them framed with the backsides exposed so the back-signatures can be seen. I believe some will be impressive once framed as they have that well aged early oil look.
As to sale prices on these Mohlers, there were some good deals, but some items required some serious bidding. One Spirit Island hardboard went for $25 and a very nice Sailing Ship piece went for $30. Both good buys. One campfire scene went for $35 and one mountain scene went for $35. There was a mirror with deer painted on it that sold for $25 that was not the best of Al Mohler’s work, but unusual nonetheless. It seemed if it was early and had animals it required some bidding. One very early deer scene with much damage cost me $45 and the one with ducks dated 1914 went for $80 with three other pieces that were quite damaged. Because there were so many pieces to sell, the auctioneer put the pieces in long rows and sold them choice. However, he eventually placed them in groups of four for one money. This went on until one buyer finally took all that were left with seven batches of four paintings and with that the art was gone for this significant sale.
At the sale, I had a chance to speak to Jens Pederson. Jens was Al Mohler’s son-in-law and he seemed to enjoy the sale nicely. Al Mohler’s grandkids Mark, Mike and Connie Seaburg also seemed to have a good time and certainly, with some buying, got a chance to add some family history to their walls.